Kumamoto Airport Country Club

Kumamoto Airport Country Club is a famous course that has hosted numerous professional tournaments. Designed by Japanese master golf course designer Seizo Tomizawa, the course offers not only a high level of strategy, but also beautiful scenery that will allow you to fully enjoy the true thrill of golf. This is a hilly course with gentle undulations that take advantage of the natural surroundings, and strategically placed cross bunkers and guard bunkers with wide-open mouths. The overall elevation difference is small and the undulations are moderate and the course is long and the greens are well protected by numerous large bunkers.

The front 9 has an interesting layout with each hole having different characteristics. It starts with a downhill middle hole overlooking Kumamoto City, and the long 9th hole is especially long at 591 yards from the back tee. The back 9 is the longest hole on the course with the 11th hole 610 yards long. In addition, many of the middle holes are over 400 yards long, requiring long and accurate shots. The 14th hole has bunkers on both sides of the tee shot, you should aim at the center of the fairway. From the second shot point, the course curves slightly to the left, so you want to avoid the left side. The most scenic 15th hole is uphill from the tee, if you look back after getting up to the green, you can look down on the entire course. The 18th hole, it looks like you can hit the green in 2, but it will test your accuracy and nerve.

This is a great course that challenges everyone from low handicap cappers to beginners. Two greens, one of Korai and the other of Bent, are used on the course. 

In the past, the course has hosted many JLPGA tournaments, such as Mitsubishi Gallant Tournament,  Saishunkan Ladies Tournament, and Life Card Ladies Golf Tournament. In recent years, Vantelin Ladies Open has been held annually, creating a new history of great tournaments.

About the Clubhouse: 

Completed in 1975, the clubhouse has not been shaken at all by earthquakes such as the Kumamoto earthquake or by years of wind and rain, and it still looks the same today as it did when it was built, conveying today the durability, functionality, and excellence in space creation of Raymond's architecture. The clubhouse also features lighting by Isamu Noguchi, one of the most famous sculptors of the 20th century, and is truly a space created by the masters. 

The clubhouse, which will soon be 50 years old, is being considered for registration as a Tangible Cultural Property. Antonin Raymond, known as the father of modern architecture in Japan, was born in 1888 in the Czech Republic under the rule of the Australian Empire. He studied design work under Hunk Lloyd Wright, considered one of the world's three greatest architects, and first came to Japan with Wright in 1919. After the construction of the Imperial Hotel, Raymond received orders to design the Hoshi Pharmacy Commercial School (now Hoshi University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences) and the residence of Viscount Shinpei Goto, and established the Raymond Office in Marunouchi, Tokyo.

He left Japan during World War II, but returned to Japan after the war. He remained based in Japan until his retirement. During the 43 years of his 88-year life, Raymond worked energetically on a variety of buildings in Japan and introduced the winds of modernism to the country. He also produced many talented individuals and left a significant mark as the "father of modern architecture in Japan.