Lion Lake Resort’s Moon Course Is Part of a 36-Hole Complex Designed by the Esteemed Chicago-Area Golf Course Architect; Course Will Host The 2009 Ambassador Cup in November
LIBERTYVILLE, Illinois (August 31, 2009) – The Rick Jacobson-designed Moon Course at Lion Lake Resort located northwest of Guangzhou, China had a “soft opening” earlier this month after completion of the final grow-in phase of course construction.
The Moon Course at Lion Lake is Jacobson’s first course opening in China, where he currently is involved in a number of projects, including Lion Lake’s new 18-hole Moonlight Course, which is under construction. Lion Lake is a mixed-use hotel, resort, residential, and office development located in the nation’s largest golf market. Among Westerners, Guangzhou is better known as Canton.
“We are very pleased that we have reached the point where golfers are playing the Moon Course,” Jacobson said. “The process of designing and building a golf course is most satisfying when all the work is done and people are enjoying the great game of golf.” Internationally acclaimed golf course management firm Troon Golf will operate the golf facilities.
The Moon Course will host the inaugural Ambassadors Cup Invitational tournament Nov. 20-22 in which ambassadors from 49 nations will participate in an international competition.
The Moonlight Course is located on the south end of the resort.
“We are very pleased that the Moonlight Course along with the Moon Course will form the foundation of one of China’s premier golf resorts,” Jacobson said. “Golfers will find both courses to be visually dynamic and uniquely challenging to their golfing skills.”
The Moon Course and the Moonlight Courses are a study in contrasts.
The Moon Course is an unrefined quasi- inland links course that features native grasses, pine and juniper plantings, and classic bunkers with native grass eyebrows. Red rock outcroppings define the course’s dramatic visual character and are utilized as a design element throughout all 18 holes.
The Moon Course has five sets of tees to accommodate golfers of varying skill levels, measuring 7,115 yards from the championship tees and 5,084 yards from the forward tees, with three sets of tees in between.
In contrast, the Moonlight Course has a highly manicured look with a lush tropical landscape and bunkers with long flowing lines in the style of Alister McKenzie, designer ofsuch classics as Augusta National, Cypress Point, and Royal Melbourne.
“The two courses are a very dramatic contrast in design styles that will provide golfers with a variety of challenges and differing golf experiences,” Jacobson said.
The Moonlight Course will be a similar yardage to the Moon Course and also will have five sets of tees, Jacobson said. Another similarity is that both courses have a number of water features, including streams, lakes, and waterfalls.
The facility features a two-level practice range, two large putting greens, and a short game practice area. All 36 holes will operate out of a full-service clubhouse.
Jacobson has a number of other projects underway in China:
The Chengdu Wolong Valley International Golf Club is an 18-hole championship course located at the focal point of a thriving mixed-use residential, commercial, hotel, and retail development in the city of Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province situated in southwestern China.
An 18-hole resort course called Chaozhou (JOW-ZO) Golf Club located about an hour by air from Hong Kong.
The Si Hui (SEE-WAY) Golf Club, a 27-hole “destination” course located in the Guangdong province near the city of Guangzhou (pop. 11 million), better known to the western world as Canton. Guangdong province is the home of Mission Hills, the world’s largest golf resort, just a half-hour by air from Hong Kong.
Jacobson’s other international designs include an 18-hole seaside resort course at the Jewel of the Sea in the province of Calabria in Southern Italy. Jacobson also designed World Country Club in Osaka, Japan, an 18-hole private course.
Jacobson collaborated with Jack Nicklaus on Bayside Resort and Golf Club in Fenwick Island, Del., named among the top new courses for 2006 by both Golf Digest and Golfweek magazines. Jacobson worked with Nicklaus on many of his high-profile projects before starting his own firm in 1991.
Jacobson also is widely known for his renovations of several highly regarded classic courses, including Pete Dye’s Des Moines CC, site of the 1999 U.S. Senior Open; Oak Park CC and Bob O’Link GC, both Chicago area Donald Ross courses; North Shore CC in Glenview, Ill., an H.S. Colt/C.H. Alison course; Glen Oak CC in Glen Ellyn, Ill., a Tom Bendelow course, and Sunset Ridge CC in Northfield, Ill., voted No. 1 Renovation of the Year in 2005 by Golf Inc. Magazine.
Contact:
Barry Cronin
Cronin Communications, Inc.
847-698-1801
bcronin@cronincommunications.com
