Eniwa Country Club – Mashu & Akan Course

Course Data
Location Hokkaido, Japan
Yardage 6920 yards　Par 72
Course Rating 72.6
Playing Date 24 May 2005
Designer Hirochika Miyazawa
Opened 1991
Caddy Yes
Golf Cart Yes
Rating
Overall Rating
4.70
Course Layout
5
Difficulty Level
4
Greens Condition
4
Fairways Condition
4
Landscaping & Views
6
 

This is a picturesque woodland course with small elevation changes. The Mshu & Akan Course is the best 18-hole combination out of 27 holes. Woods efficiently separate the holes on narrow terrain. Hazards such as bunkers and lakes are strategically placed. It is a fair course as you can fully understand all dangers ahead off the tees and from the second shot areas.


A view from the clubhouse

A view from the clubhouse

A view
 
3rd　Par 5　519 yards
A slight dogleg to the left. The fairway off the tee is generous. While a slightly uphill second shot need to be accurate because the landing area is narrow and bunkers on the right come into play. The green is surrounded by bunkers.
 

3rd　Par 5　519 yards (3)

3rd　Par 5　519 yards (2)

3rd　Par 5　519 yards (1)
 
4th　Par 3　173 yards

4th　Par 3　173 yards
A par 3 over water with an OB on the right. The green is double-tiered with excellent bunkering. The water cutting into vicinity of the green requiring a full carry to the green.
6th　Par 4　377 yards
A straight par 4 with a lake having a really neat layout. Pay attention to a lake on the left off the tee. The second shot is over the water bordering the front side of the green. The water hazards on the left and in front of the green are in play. The green is double-tiered with a strong undulation. The view of the lake and the green is breathtakingly beautiful.

 

6th　Par 4　377 yards (3)

6th　Par 4　377 yards (2)

6th　Par 4　377 yards (1)
 
7th　Par 3　215 yards

7th　Par 3　215 yards
A long par 3. Trees on the right provide additional challenge to draw hitters.
9th　Par 4　393 yards

9th　Par 4　393 yards (2)

9th　Par 4　393 yards (1)
A straight par 4. It is not that long but beautiful trees line the fairway, requiring a precise tee shot. The green is undulating and double-tiered.

 
11th　Par 4　454 yards
A difficult, long par 4. The tee and second shots are slightly downhill. The second shot from a downhill lie is demanding as water cut into front of the green. The short & easy par 5 was overhauled into a challenging par 4 with the tee shifted forward slightly in 2004. It is difficult to save a par due to the redesign. One will be really happy with a par.
 

11th　Par 4　454 yards (3)

11th　Par 4　454 yards (2)

11th　Par 4　454 yards (1)
 
12th　Par 4　381 yards

12th　Par 4　381 yards (2)

12th　Par 4　381 yards (1)
An uphill par 4. Gentle undulations continue from the tee to the green.

 
13th　Par 3　180 yards

13th　Par 3　180 yards (2)

13th　Par 3　180 yards (1)
A slightly downhill par 3. The green is wide and shallow. The back side is well protected by bunkers, so you must hit the green and make it bite on it. The green also slopes from back to front. The green is beautiful with the backdrop of a grand row of mountains.
 
17th　Par 3　203 yards

17th　Par 3　203 yards (2)

17th　Par 3　203 yards (1)
A par 3, with the left side of the green bordering a lake. The right club selection taking account of the prevailing wind is important.
 
19th hole

Restaurant
It is a 40-minute drive both from Sapporo City and the Sin Chitose Airport. Visitors can book a tee time through Internet golf booking agencies. The total of the handicaps for 4 people was within 36, so we could play from the back tees.

It was a pit to play in the rain but mountain cherry blossoms bloom across the course. It was surprising to see cherry blossoms in late May even though Hokkaido is the most northern part of Japan.

Mountain cherry blossoms
The course was awarded 46th place in 2006’s Japanese golf course rankings sponsored by Japan Golf Classic Magazine. The other Hirochika Miyazawa designed courses in Japan are ANA Diamond GC, Minagawajyo CC, The National CC, Takane CC, Oriental GC, Lotte Minayoshidai CC, Yamato International GC, etc.