大阪府
Kuzuha Golf Links is a public golf course located in Hirakata, Osaka, situated near the Kuzuha station in the Kansai region. The course operates as an 18-hole, par-70 layout with a total yardage of 5,952 yards from the Korai tees and 5,770 yards from the Tifton tees. The front nine carries a par of 35 and measures 2,897 yards from the Korai tees, while the back nine is also par 35, measuring 3,055 yards from the same tees. The redesign, completed in August 2019 following a temporary closure due to the construction of the Shin-Meishin Expressway, transformed the facility into a full-length championship course, removing the previous short course and driving range. The course has a significant history in Japanese professional golf, hosting the Kuzuha International Tournament for 26 editions between 1965 and 1990. The event, which began with a small five-player field, grew to attract international stars such as Greg Norman, Seve Ballesteros, and Curtis Strange. Notable winners include Norman, who claimed the title in 1977, and various domestic legends like Kiichi Ogata and Hidekazu Taniguchi. The tournament was a staple of the Japan Golf Tour, featuring prize purses that grew to 20 million yen in its final years. The layout features a mix of par-3s, par-4s, and par-5s that test distance and accuracy. The par-5 1st hole is the longest on the front nine at 527 yards from the Korai tees, while the 17th hole serves as the longest par-5 on the back nine at 577 yards. Shorter holes include the 3rd and 5th on the front nine, both playing 135 yards from the Korai tees. The back nine includes the 12th hole at 205 yards and the 15th at 213 yards from the Korai tees. The course is designed to be accessible, with multiple tee boxes allowing for varied yardages and difficulty levels depending on the player's skill. The facility is managed by Kuzuha Public Golf Course Co., Ltd. and is located at 14-2 Hanazono-cho, Kuzuha, Hirakata-shi, Osaka. The course has undergone significant changes over its history, including early struggles with flooding from the Yodo River in its first five years of operation. Today, it stands as a public course offering a full 18-hole experience, having evolved from its origins as one of Japan's first public golf courses established in 1957.