Newcomers list of Top100 ranking 2011

Golf.com announced newcomers list of Top100 ranking 2011

Castle Stuart (#56 World) Scotland
Diamante (Dunes) (#58 World) Mexico
Old Macdonald at Bandon Dunes (#43 US /#74 World) Oregon USA
Barnbougle Dunes - Lost Farm (#82 World) Tasmania AUS
Gozzer Ranch (#70 US)
The Alotian (#76 US)
Caves Valley (#82 US)
California Golf Club of San Francisco (#97 US)


Add.
The highest World  Ranking in newcomers record
was Ranked #17(1997) of Sand Hills
Next was Pacific Dunes Ranked #26(2001)

The highest World Ranking in newcomers from Scotland
Loch Lomond ranked #44 (1995)


MASA

First True Links in Canada

First modern links of Canada,
Cabot Links will become pre-open next month.
Main designer is Rod Whitman.
In addition, Ben Cowen Dewar and Ran Morrissett, etc. participate in
the consultant of the project, and they are offering advice that has discernment.

This project started  2008.
It's made spending three and a half years.
Great course is not completed only by the theory of designers.
Specialists' opinions are important, like Ben and Ran etc there.
In fact, history of greatest courses,a wonderful partner existed in designer.
It is a candidate paid attention to by course ranking in 2013.

Cabot links is in located Inverness of Nova Scotia.
One of best course of Canada "Cape Breton Highlands Links" is near by.
There are direct flights to Halifax International Airport from most
major cities in North America and Europe.
Major carriers include Air Canada, American, Continental, Delta and
United Airlines, US Airways

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Inaugural ANNIKA Invitational Coming to Mission Hills China

Inaugural ANNIKA Invitational Coming to Mission Hills China

China's First 'Girls Only' Junior Event to Award Top Three Finishers Berths in

AJGA's 2012 ANNIKA Invitational

(SHENZHEN, China) -- Mission Hills Group -- impetus for China's golf boom and owner and operator of the world's largest golf club -- announces the inaugural ANNIKA Invitational at Mission Hills is coming to China.

China's first "girls only" junior tournament will be played August 24-26 on Annika's namesake course, one of 12 at the world's largest golf club. The 54-hole stroke-play competition will feature two divisions -- Girls Under 18 (born 1993-95) and Girls Under 15 (born 1996-99) -- and is open to players from countries throughout the world.

The three low scorers, regardless of division, will win coveted berths in the American Junior Golf Association's (AJGA) 2012 ANNIKA Invitational in Orlando, Florida. The AJGA is widely regarded as the United States' finest junior golf circuit, and has awarded the ANNIKA Invitational in Orlando two national awards, including "Best Invitational" for girls.

"We enjoy a long-standing relationship with Annika and are excited to have helped create China's first 'girls only' junior championship," says Tenniel Chu, Vice Chairman, Mission Hills Golf Club. "She shares our devotion to developing the stars of tomorrow, both on and off the golf course, by providing access to tournament playing conditions, world-class instruction and educational opportunities."

"I am very excited to expand the ANNIKA Invitational format to Mission Hills in China," says Annika. "Mission Hills has been a leader in growing junior golf throughout Asia, so I am extremely pleased to partner with them to bring the first girls-only event to China. I want girls around the world to have the opportunity to pursue their dreams, just like I did."

Annika, winner of 89 professional tournaments (72 on the LPGA Tour) and 10 major championships during her 15-year Hall-of-Fame career, will be at Mission Hills during the event. She will host a number of activities, including skills clinics for competitors.

The Annika Course represents her first foray into golf design. Opened in 2004, highlights are spectacular mountains rising more than 300 feet above fairways and several panoramic vistas of the entire Mission Hills property. Well-manicured landscaping dominates the perimeters of the par 72, creating an aesthetically appealing "botanical" atmosphere.

To register, please contact the tournament office at tsoffice@missionhillschina.com, (86 755) 2802 0888 x 33856.

For additional information visit: http://www.annikafoundation.org/, http://www.missionhillschina.com/.

About the ANNIKA Foundation

The ANNIKA Foundation teaches children the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition, and offers aspiring junior golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams.

A non-profit organization founded by Annika in 2008, it held the inaugural ANNIKA Invitational in 2009 at the Reunion Resort in Orlando, FL, home of the ANNIKA Academy. The tournament attracts the top junior female golfers from around the world and is known for Annika's hands-on involvement in all tournament activities, including clinics and educational sessions for the participants.

About Mission Hills Group

The Mission Hills Group, owner and operator of Mission Hills Shenzhen and Mission Hills Hainan, is the pioneer in China's fledgling hospitality, sports and leisure industry.

Mission Hills, recognized as the leading golf brand in the world and synonymous with high-end, luxurious residences of rare and exquisite design, has created two superb leisure and wellness resorts. It has held more than 100 international tournaments, including the 1995 World Cup of Golf and the Tiger Woods China Challenge in 2001. In 2007, Mission Hills began its role as host of an unprecedented 12 editions of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup.

Mission Hills Shenzhen

Stretching across the lush, rolling hills of southern China, Mission Hills Shenzhen is the country's premier golf club, and also the "World's Largest Golf Club" as accredited by the Guinness World Records. The property is home to 12 signature courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Greg Norman, Nick Faldo, Annika Sorenstam, Ernie Els, Jose Maria Olazabal, Vijay Singh, David Leadbetter, David Duval, Jumbo Ozaki and Zhang Lian Wei.

Mission Hills Shenzhen is a full-service, luxury resort, featuring four clubhouses, three award-winning spas, two five-star hotel, three golf academies (including one from world-renowned instructor Cindy Reid), Asia's largest tennis facility with 51 tennis courts and professional tennis academy, and numerous fine dining establishments serving cuisine from around the world.

Mission Hills Hainan

Mission Hills Hainan lies in the volcanic region of exotic Hainan Island, China. The resort sets a new standard in leisure, recreation and wellness experiences. Nestled amid lush, green gardens, it caters to golf enthusiasts and comprises specially-designed golf courses, each incorporating native lava rock formations. Other state-of-the-art features include 518 elegantly designed guest rooms and suites, a three-story clubhouse, China's first Hank Haney Golf Academy, meeting facilities, 12 world-class restaurants, a fully-equipped sports and recreation center, Hainan's only aquatic theme park, therapeutic volcanic mineral springs, a spa oasis, and shopping arcade.

Mission Hills Hainan's Blackstone Course hosted the inaugural Mission Hills Star Trophy in October 2010, a ground-breaking celebrity pro-am golf tournament for Asia. It will also host the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in November 2011. A magnificent addition to Hainan's tropical island paradise, Mission Hills Hainan is poised to become the island's premier sanctuary, attracting visitors from around the globe.

Getting There: Mission Hills Shenzhen is a 45-minute drive from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). Mission Hills Hainan is 15 minutes from Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK). Flights from major cities throughout Asia -- including Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore -- to Haikou are available on Air China (Star Alliance member), Asiana (Star Alliance member), China Eastern Airlines (SkyTeam Alliance member), China Southern Airlines (SkyTeam Alliance member), Hainan Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, KLM, Shanghai Airlines (Star Alliance member) and more.

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Historical classic courses of the Continent is paid to attention again

                                                     Kawana Fuji #15  1937


C.H.Alison visited Japan in Dec 1930 -1931
He designed Hirono, Kawana, and Tokyo GCAsaka cse(missing links).
And, he advised redesign work of Kasumigaseki, Naruo, Ibaraki, and Fujisawa.
He is course designer who has been worshiped most in Japan.
The deep bunker made in sand flash is called "Alison 's bunker" in Japan.
An amusing name, there is such a bunker anywhere in the world.

                                              Missing Links Fujisawa CC #18


Alison told the definition of classic design in Japan.
But, it was quoted by mistake by the few course designer after the war.
It is a gospel passed on mistaking it like the story of The DaVinci Code of Dan Brown.
In fact, golf course established after the war, and course equal to the world level
has only little.

                                                Tokyo GC 1941 original designed by Komyo Ohtani

Alison told the composition of layout (routing) of 18 holes.
and, the strategic classic theory by cross-fairway bunkering to Japanese.
However, many of Japanese paid attention only to the sense of beauty of green and bunkers.
The Japanese who correctly understands the theory of the Alison might be only Komyo Ohtani.
He was original designer of present Tokyo GC 1941.
also, he made Kawana fuji course based on the drawing of Alison with Kinya Fujita.
and Prof. Marumo.
but, to our regret, many of original works of him are remodeled.
They deleted cross-fairway bunkers of Ohtani.
It was the most important point of his classic concept

                                                       Golf de St.Germain #7     Colt &Alison

                                                        Hamburger GC Falkenstein    Colt&Alison&Morrison


I recommended the work of Colt & Company of the Continent and UK heathland to be
inspected to the Japanese to correct it.
The reason for there is that the site scale of golf course is almost the same as Japan.
However, a lot of Japanese visit to Scotland links and US Top100 courses.
And, they are comparing own discernment with land in Japan.
They had made a mistake in the place that had to be learnt.

                                                             Golf de Chiberta  #18    Tom Simpson


When Tom Doak contributed for Top100 ranking editor of Golf Magazine 1990's.
He asked me, nomination couse list from the Continent.
At that time, I already played 358 courses in the Continent so.

Hamburger Falkenstien, Frankfurter from Germany,
Utrechtse De Pan, Kennemer, Haagsches(Royal Hague)from Netherland,
St.Germain, Le Touquet(Mer), Granville, Chantilly, Fontainebleau,
Chiberta, Hardelot Pins  from France
Royal Zoute, Royal Antwerp, Royal Belgique, Roayl Fagnes from Belgium
Bielle le Betulle,I Roveri, Torino Mandria, Milano,Circolo Venezia from Italy.
These courses that I recommended,
There were a lot of works of Colt & Company and Tom Simpson.
However, the high appraisal was not able to be received from panelists.
The cause was maintenance & course conditioning.
An important part of Esthetics was insufficient.
It was considerably inferior compared with golf course of the United States.
It is true in them to have valued original design.
But, any good golf courses need  improve and renovation some time.

                                                     Royal Blegique  #1&#2      Tom Simpson 

                                    Golf de Granville    Colt&Alison        George Peper's  favorite


Recently, old golf courses of the Continent accomplished big evolution.
My friend's Noel Freeman & other few panelists traveled around
the Continent.few years ago
And, they have reported on the value of classic design of St.Germain,
Royal Hague,and De Pan to us.
Noel & Ran Morrissett reported on it in detail with web-site of Golf Club Atlas.
Also, Brian Schneider who the partner of Tom also visited the Netherlands
and he researched the work of Colt & Company.
The experience in his Continent might surely be useful for the future.

To the inspection report from panelists
Joe Passov who is our ranking editor kept the door open to
historical courses of the Continent again.

                                                      Haagsches(Royal Hague)  # 7

                                                           Kennemer     #17

                                                      Utrechtse GC De Pan #10

One that offers us the topic of Continent is Frank Pont.
He is Dutch course designer.
And, he is an expert who has been researching the work of Colt and Simpson.
Frank renovated work Royal Hague and De Pan,Kennemer,Roayl Fagnes etc.
And, important esthetics revived by his work.
Golf course has a correct capture route and the strategy there.

Historical classic courses of the Continent is paid to attention again now.


MASA

Old Macdonald vs Castle Stuart

                                                           Old Macdonald GL #8

Old Macdonald and Castle Stuart paid attention to most in this year's course ranking.
A lot of journalists & specialists had visited either courses before pre open.
And, their evaluation was high like promising the Top100 rank.
We are interested that which course obtains a high ranking
Old Macdonald or Castle Stuart,Which course do you evaluate high?
It is common that the name of two architects has been described by the course design.
Old Madonald designed by Tom Doak and Jim Urbina.
Castle Stuart is Gil Hanse and Mark Persinen.
Jim contributed as project foreman with Pacific Dunes and Sebonack.
And, his name is described for the first time as architect in Old Macdonald.

                                                            Castle Stuart  #10

Gil was a design partner of Tom until 1993.
The last joint work of them was Stonewall GC of Pennsylvania.
They were doing both joys and sorrows when they were young.
And, they were absorbed in the research of classic design.
Therefore, their design has commonness to classic concept.
It is to entrust 70% of the design to geographical features in land.
They do not move a large amount of soil by the layout.
They importantly take contour of nature to the design.
Slope line of nature is the most important in golf course design.

                                      L) Gil Hanse  R) Tom Doak  The Creek Club NY 1989

What should make a special mention most in the talent of Tom is "routing plan".
You will be able to learn it with Pacific dunes, Ballyneal, and Cape Kidnappers,etc.
It is the most important part in greatest course.
Tom demonstrates a talented ability there.

                                                           Pacific Dunes #11

As you know, Pacific dunes is route plan of one loop.
However, Tom put in the idea of two loops,
Do you remember, #7 green and #8 tee box are laid out to the left of #1 tee box?
In a word ,the composition of two loops is as follows.
#1-#2-#3-#13-#14-#15-#16-#17-#18,
#8-#9-#10-#11-#12-#4-#5-#6-#7
He is a genius.

Wonderful of the work of Gil is in the construction of green complex 's.
You will be impressed by it with Castle Stuart and The Boston GC.

                                                            Boston GC #15

We can see the talent of Gil also with his renovation work.
I give praise to his renovated work of LA CC North,Sleepy Hollow CC,
and Tokyo GC of Japan.
However, I was small disappointed at course maintenance of Tokyo GC.
It is damage of turf by the intense heat of the summer of last year.
The problem continues this year,...why?
Is the technology of the maintenance of the Japan insufficient?

                                                              Tokyo GC #1

                                                                LA CC North

                                                               Sleepy Hollow CC


While Old Macdonald receives the high appraisal,
I was disappointed at the article on one golf journalist.
He wrote about Old Macdonald as the replica of Lido GC.
Lido GC was course of C.B.Macdonald that had become "Missing Links"
during the world war II.
However, if the material of Lido GC is examined, we understand it is
different clearly.

                                                             Old Macdonald #6

Old Macdonald is not a replica of course of which C.B. Macdonald either.
There is Old Macdonald with capture and the strategic characteristic as the theme
of famous holes, Double Plateau, Biarritz, Eden, Cape, Redan , Road etc
It is necessary to evaluate Old Macdonald correctly.
You may learn it by DVD "A Journey to Golf Past.Cresting Old Macdonald"
 produced by Michael Robin.

Tom Doak, Gil Hanse
They are authorities of modern classic design.
And, they are important friends of mine a long time.
Especially, Tom and his wife Jenny.
and his son Michael Doak


MASA


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TRAVEL TIP

It was almost 30 years ago.
I stay at Dornoch Castle Hotel.
And, the hotel owner invited me to links of Dornoch.
The experience of first Links course for me.

                                              Dornoch Castle Hotel  1983

A lot of friends say.
"Your first links is Royal Dornoch? ! You were the luckiest man in the world ! "
I return to Royal Dornoch whenever going to Scotland.
And, I stay again in Dornoch Castle Hotel.
When I stayed for the first time there, an old tower house(Bishop's palace)with history
from the 16th century
However, it is redecorated to the luxury hotel of four stars now.

.                                            Present Dornoch Castle Hotel   2010.

MASA

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Recent situation of golf course development of Asia

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　StoneForest Leaders Peak(C)  #15 PAR4 382yrds

 A central government of China announced
the golf course development ban officially again
It was already announced officially in 2004.
However, after 2004, 300courses has been born
in China.
The many are the one that the development permit was obtained from the local government.
The golf population of China has increased rapidly.
but,  a lot of Golfer will not be able to pay member fee of high priced.

                                             Stone Forest Leaders Peak(C) #12 PAR3 201yrds

Excellent public course is necessary for China of the future.
Stone Forest GC that exists in World Heritage of Shilin.
One and Leader Peaks C course in that are masterpieces of Brian Curley.
However, the suspension of business instruction was given from a central government in June.
The news struck close to home to Golf course mania all over the world.
It is told that the leased land problem of the farmland is a cause.
but, is the problem only it? I don't think so.
There must be a right to see everyone in the wonderful scenery as much as
Shilin StoneForest Park of World Heritage.
Leader Peaks course should be open to the public.
It offers the hefty profit to the town of Shilin.
Does a Chinese government request suspension of business even so?

                                                          Great Sand Dunes DaNang


The golf course development of Vietnam is a resort project that the government
combines with the enterprise. DaNang was the starting point.
A grand sand dune belt continues to the coastline.
The development of wonderful golf course can be expected there in the future.

                                                         Danang GC #5  PAR5 575yrds

                                                         Danang GC #8  PAR3 175yrds

Danang golf club was nominated to the Asian amateur championship.
Starting holes(#1-#3) of Danang is wonderful.
The design concept in the sand dune belt is expressed with these 3 holes.
4 holes is drive-able 4. two holes becomes possible by the season.
This is an interesting idea.

                                                         Danang GC #16  PAR3 148yrds

The regrettable one is to be done laid out only 1hole to ocean front.
It's signature hole of #16 Par3..
Developer gave priority to the villa development.
However, Danang GC and Dalat Palace GC of Vietnam are great courses that represents Asia.

                                                       Dalat Palace GC #7 Split Fairway                 

Montgomerie Links located in the next door of Danang GC.
The course was a modern style.  Good course,too

                                                        Montgomerie Links

    

Wonderful Golf course was born in Thailand.
It is Ayodhya Links.
Ayodhya is in the distance of only one hour from Bangkok.
Golf course around Bangkok is in flat geographical features.
It is difficult to make excellent golf course in flat land.
However, Ayodhya has wonderful terrian.
Our panelists are evaluating as best course of Thailand.


MASA


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TRAVEL TIP

There is a village of World Heritage by which it should stop when you go to Danang.
It's Hoi An.  just 17km south from Danang GC there.
Hoi An prospered because of the trade of Asia in the 17th century.
Famous bridge of the 17th century. It is called "Japan Bridge".
The Japanese, Chinese, and the Vietnamese jointly built this bridge.
There is a small shrine in the bridge.

The building of the cultural heritage is used also for the hotel, the restaurant, and the cafe.
My friend's Howie Roberts invited me to supper in Hoi An.
He ordered fresh King Prawn.
We were surprised that size.!
The size was almost the same as the lobster. Thanks Howie !!

Please stop by HoiAn after Danang GC and Montgomerie GC.
Memories of your travel are decorated there.


MASA