神奈川県
Located in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Hodogaya Country Club is a historic 18-hole championship course designed by Shiro Akahoshi. The layout spans 6,798 yards from the back tees and plays to a par of 72, with a course rating of 72.9 and a slope rating of 130. The terrain is characterized by gentle, rolling hills covered in dense greenery, a setting that has defined the club since its founding in 1922 as one of Japan's first full-scale courses for Japanese players. The course features two distinct greens, labeled A and B, allowing for varied playing conditions and strategic options. The back nine presents a demanding sequence, highlighted by the par-5 15th hole, which stretches 544 yards from the back tees, and the 18th, a 544-yard par-5 that concludes the round. The front nine balances this with a mix of par-4s and a short par-3 3rd hole measuring 165 yards from the back markers. Hodogaya holds a significant place in Japanese golf history, having hosted the first Japan Open Golf Championship in 1927, which was won by club member Rokuro Akahoshi. The venue also hosted the 19th All Japan Amateur Golf Championship in 1926. Over the decades, it has welcomed international stars, including Walter Hagen and Joe Kirkwood in 1930, and Arnold Palmer in 1971 for a friendly competition. The club underwent a major transformation in 1967 when it moved to its current location, completing the new course that year. Originally featuring corrugated iron greens, the facility transitioned to bentgrass greens in 2000 to meet modern standards. The course remains a testament to early 20th-century golf architecture, maintaining its status as a challenging and historically rich venue in the Yokohama area.