Kawana (Fuji)
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Course Type
Resort -
GOLF Top 100 World Rank (2023-24)
53 -
Year
1936 -
Architects
C.H. Alison/Kinya Fujita -
Par
72 -
Yardage
6,701
Course Overview
Great courses do not automatically emerge from great sites, because routing a design — making all 18 holes connect while simultaneously complementing one another — is enormously difficult. It is a true gift to be able to do so, and it is the primary differentiator between being a good architect and an elite one. In the case of the Kawana Resort, its owner, Baron Okura, did not think that a routing done by a Japanese architect took full advantage of the site’s wonders, which range from jaw-dropping views of snow-capped Mt. Fuji to cliff-top panoramas of the Pacific. So, he organized for C.H. Alison to assess the property while he was working at Tokyo GC. Alison developed a different routing and several years later, the course was built under the expert guidance of Koymo Ohtani and Kinya Fujita. The result is what some people consider to be their favorite course along the Pacific Ocean — California and Oregon’s offerings included! There isn’t a single weak hole, and golfers eventually run out of superlatives when describing how well this undulating land was utilized. Recent tree-clearing along the perimeter has enhanced the site’s stunning coastal setting. (Photo: Courtesy Kawana)
3 things to know
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Hole everyone talks about
No. 15, par-5, 480 yards: Perched atop a cliff along the Pacific, this dramatic downhill par-5 isn’t the most challenging by today’s standards. But the views are unbeatable, and the fairway’s massive undulations, which roll across the landscape like waves, make for an interesting target. -
Best non-golf amenity
Be sure to check out Hot Spring Brisa Marina, a multifunctional bathing facility equipped with an open-air bath, as well as private baths that offer breathtaking views of the Pacific. -
Insider tip
Take a caddie. The elevation change is 165 feet from the highest point to lowest so an experienced looper will help you judge the distance.