27 of 36 holes now open at Lion Lake Country Club in southern China
LIBERTYVILLE, Illinois (June 7, 2010) – Chicago area golf course architect Rick Jacobson has opened the front nine of his second 18-hole course at Lion Lake Country Club in southern China.
The opening of the front nine at Jacobson’s new Moonlight Course comes not long after China Golf Magazine named the resort’s Moon Course, also designed by Jacobson, as China’s Best Golf Course Design for 2009. The Moon Course was Jacobson’s first 18-hole design in China.
“It is very gratifying to see golfers playing the front nine of the Moonlight Course,” Jacobson said. “The course was designed to challenge the top players in the world while being fair and fun for members and resort guests. Golf is a difficult game. Our design philosophy is to try to make the game as enjoyable as it is challenging. These two goals are not inconsistent with one another.”
Located northwest of Guangzhou, China (a/k/a Canton), the Moonlight Course was designed specifically to contrast with the initial 18-hole Moon Course.
While the Moon Course is an unrefined quasi-inland links course, the Moonlight Course has a highly manicured look and features a lush tropical landscape. Bunkers at the Moonlight Course are designed in the style of Alister McKenzie (Augusta National) with long flowing lines and highly manicured surrounds. They contrast with the bunkers at the Moon Course, which are more naturalistic looking with native grass eyebrows to accentuate their shape.
“Our goal was to give golfers at the resort two contrasting styles of courses to play while visiting Lion Lake,” Jacobson said. “I believe we have achieved that goal.”
The Moonlight Course has five sets of tees to accommodate golfers of varying skill levels and will measure more than 7,300 yards from the championship tees and 5,100 yards from the forward tees when all 18 holes are completed. Both courses feature several water hazards, including lakes, streams, and waterfalls.
Lion Lake features a two-level practice range, two large putting greens, and a short game practice area. All 36 holes will operate out of a single full-service clubhouse.
The Lion Lake facility is a mixed-use hotel, resort, residential, and office development located in the China’s largest golf market. Internationally known golf course management firm Troon Golf operates the golf facilities.
Located 75 miles (120 km.) northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is the third largest city in China and is a key transportation hub and trading port. The city itself has a population of 6 million with at total of 11.8 million living in the metropolitan area.
Jacobson has been active in international golf course design since he opened his own firm in 1991 following many years with Jack Nicklaus. Jacobson’s first original 18-hole design was the World Country Club in Osaka, Japan. Jacobson currently is working on several other courses in China.
Jacobson reunited with Nicklaus domestically when the two collaborated on Bayside Resort and Golf Club in Fenwick Island, Del., The course was named among the top new courses for 2006 by both Golf Digest and Golfweek magazines.
Voted the Golf Course Architect of the Year in 2007 by the National Association of Private Clubs and Directors, Jacobson is known nationally for such heralded original 18-hole designs as Augustine GC in Stafford, Va., Bull Run CC in Haymarket, Va., Bear Trap Dunes in Ocean View, Del., and The Club at Strawberry Creek in Kenosha, Wis.
Jacobson’s work at Sunset Ridge CC in Northfield, Ill. was 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
