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 Kawana Hotel Golf Course |
Name in Japanese: ģŽzeStR[X  
Contact Information:
| Access | | Expwy & I.C.: | Odawara-Atsugi Expwy, Odawara-nishi I.C. | | Distance: | 116 km (62 km by Odawara-Atsugi expressway, 54 km from Odawara-nishi I.C.) | | Est'd time: | 158 mins. |
| Course Description: | | Established: | 1928 | | Designer: | C.H. Allison (Fuji course), Otani Koumyo (Oshima course) | | Holes/Par: | 36/143 Course Rate: 0.0 | | Yardage: | B-6,691, R-6,187 | | Range: | No |
| Description: | If youfve heard rumors of a fantastic, mysterious hotel and golf links in Japan called Kawana, this is it! The Kawana hotel opened its doors in 1936 and features two of the finest coastal links courses youfll find anywhere in the world. In its heyday the resort was a buzz with valets scurrying about in service of their cherished customers who comprised the most discerning of Japanese and overseas guests.
Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio strolled leisurely along the hotel's paths and lawns during their honeymoon stay here in 1954 and even John Wayne enjoyed the panoramic ocean views over morning coffee from the Sun Parlor. The traditional elegance and ambience remains today and the Prince Hotels and Resorts group has ensured that the tradition of fine service and excellence goes on!
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| | Playing impression: | The Fuji Course 18 hole par 72, Blue tee yardage 6691, white tee (regular menfs) 6187yards
Ranked 35th in the world for 100 best courses (outside the United States) and always impeccably groomed and maintained, the Fuji course offers breathtaking views of the ocean and the Sagami Bay with Mt Fuji in the back ground. Designed by world famous architect C.H. Alison in 1932 the first 9 holes opened along with the main hotel in 1936 with the full 18 completed the following year. The location couldnft be more dramatic with elevated greens and sunken fairways most bordering 100 foot cliffs with the Pacific Ocean crashing on the rocks below.
This proximity to the sea causes the courses playing characteristics to change rapidly when the prevailing winds start to blow, but most are happy to have the breeze during Summer Months as carts are not allowed on this course and the changes in elevation can make for fairly hard work. The course hosted its first professional tournament in 1939 along with its first International, the 3rd World Amateur Golf Tournament, in 1962. Itfs challenge and quality brought in a regular menfs JPGA tournament from 1981 until 2004 and currently hosts the Fuji-Sankei Ladies Classic Tournament yearly in April.
No handicap certificate is required to play the Fuji course, however access is gonly available to hotel guestsh with a weekday round costing 26,500 yen and Saturdays/ Sundays and holidays 33,900yen including caddy, tax and all applicable service charges. A round here will require you to dig rather deeply into your pockets, but you wonft be disappointed. The price structure guarantees that the course has limited access and is therefore always in pristine condition and awaiting your perusal.
The Oshima Course 18 hole par 70, white tee (regular menfs) 5711yards
The Kawana legacy began with the Oshima Course. Designed by Komyo Otani and named after the island off the coast that can be seen from most holes, the Oshima course was completed in 1928 a full 8 years before the hotel opened its doors for business. It was reportedly built gwith outh the permission of the owner and founder, the Baron Okura, while it was still a private estate. Having spent his student days in England and realizing the benefits it would bring to the relaxed country atmosphere, luckily he allowed it to remain.
Itfs a fascinating course built with respect to the natural contours of this hilly coastline with comparable quality and ocean views to its sister Fuji course. The Designer masterfully worked with the lie of the land to create a course that feels like it existed there naturally requiring minimal amounts of earth to be moved. Carts are available on this course and it is a self play only style of play i.e. no-caddies with the price of the cart included in your green fee.
Each hole has been given its own nick name with highlights like the 15th par 3 that requires you to carry your ball over a ravine is named gS.O.Sh, or the 13th par 4 that is bordered by the ocean down the left side and accurately named gGood-byeh in memory of your shiny new golf ball as it cascades down into the abyss. A round here will run you 21,000yen on weekdays and 28,400yen on weekends and holidays including cart and tax. The Oshima course is a true pleasure to play with each hole having its own personality in a postcard like coastal setting.
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| Play fees: | Weekdays | Holidays | We accept no responsibility for fees, they are only indicative, please check with club if you need exact rate. | | Selfplay | 0 | 0 | | | Caddie | 26,500 | 33,900 | |
| Notes: Above for Fuji course (championship course), Oshima course ca. 5,000 yen less. Hotel plans from 50,000 yen up. |
Latest Update: July 20, 2009, 10:08 pm
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