Our 27-hole world class golf course design assignment at Zhuhai Golden Gulf began not long ago as a vision from our owners. The site was almost non-existent, but they realized that they had the resources to create the site with good sandy material, the same type of material that was found in my homeland (the birthplace of golf) in Scotland. The first golf courses, in fact, were not built at all, but were found along the coasts of Scotland, where the sea had receded millennia before, leaving grass covered sand hills that were ideal for grazing sheep and playing the game of golf. Those coastal areas are known as linksland and give the early courses the name "links."
To complete their incredible vision, the owners at Zhuhai Golden Gulf decided wisely that they needed a golf course designer familiar with the site conditions, and so they went to the very source of the game itself: Scotland. And there they found me! My professional golfing accomplishments aside, I grew up playing golf at Royal Troon, by the Firth of Clyde, which is as true a test of links golf as there is anywhere. I have also been fortunate to have played the world's best courses in my career, and I have harnessed those great experiences into my assignment at Zhuhai Golden Gulf. Don't be afraid, though, because while Zhuhai Golden Gulf can test the best players in the world, it is very much designed with the mid handicapper in mind. With this in mind, allow me to take you on a guided "tour" of what you will see when this marvelous gem is completed in the near future.
Both myself and my Director of Design, Brit Stenson, recognize the similarities of Zhuhai and the native linksland of Scotland: namely, the wind and the sandy soil. We also see the differences: smartly integrated housing, the warm monsoon climate and the need for excellent drainage and numerous lakes. Accordingly, we have proposed a modified links course that captures much of the essence of great links play, but which also provides for the needs of the overall project and the Asian golfer.
The features that recall links golf include generous fairway widths to allow enjoyable play in windy conditions, greens that are open in front to allow run-up approaches, and chipping areas around greens that encourage a wide range of short game options as on the great links courses. The features that depart form links golf, and which make Zhuhai very much its own course, include plenty of lakes for strategy, drainage, irrigation, and as separation from the adjacent housing. The housing that adjoins the golf course will enjoy splendid views but it has been arranged in such a way that it will not impact the golf experience. Housing setbacks are generous and there are no holes with housing on both sides of the golf hole. The landscape that will be developed for Zhuhai Golden Gulf will in part be suggestive of linksland, but will not be so punishing of errant shots, and it will include plenty of trees to provide shade in the much warmer climate. A strong understory of screening shrubs will further soften the visual relationship of golf and housing.
What will the course be like to play, then? It will be challenging but very fair. It will encourage bold, heroic play but will graciously accommodate thoughtful, even cautious, strategic play. It will foster creativity in shot and club selection around the large undulating greens. The course will be beautiful to look at with an ample blend of turf, water, bunkers, and local vegetation. And the course will have plenty of variety, especially with three equal and interchangeable nines. The practice facilities proposed are state-of-the-art with a full sized, double-ended range, a short game practice area and two putting greens. The course will even utilize a state-of-the-art grass in the fairways, roughs, and tees; a grass that needs less watering and less chemicals to maintain it than the grasses on most courses in the region.
We are closely managing the course's progress, as its features are taking shape daily. I have no doubt that this project will combines the best elements of links play with the needs of the local Zhuhai golfing population, the other nearby golfing communities, and the regional golfer to create a unique and memorable golf experience.
I look forward to seeing you on my next visit to Zhuhai.

Colin Montgomerie