Kunming OCT Wind Valley Golf Club - Jack Nicklaus Course

China, Yunnan, Kunming
4.2 (5)
Designer:
Course Opened: 2014

A short drive from the Spring City Resort and located on the same northern side of the pristine Yangzong Lake, the OCT Kunming Yangzong Lake Resort is set on a hillside overlooking the water and features two courses by Nicklaus Design. One was said to be designed by Jack Nicklaus himself, and the other by his young cub Jack Nicklaus Junior. Both enjoy views across the lake and toward the surrounding mountains, the senior Nicklaus getting closer to the water but the younger Nicklaus enjoying the more dramatic terrain.

The primary course at Kunming OCT Wind Valley is a more modern design and features more formal bunkering and, as mentioned, gets closer to the water than the second course. Originally the holes were even closer to the lake, but after being built they were ordered inland by the government and a wetlands buffer installed between the golf and the shoreline. The lack of interaction with the lake itself is only a minor disappointment, along with the neighboring power station, which scars the occasional outlook.

The golf though is fairly solid, and sure to please those who enjoy playing Nicklaus Designs. The start is a little slow, as holes work their way uphill, but then the routing shifts downward and heads toward the lake. The long par three 4th and perched green site on the sidehill 5th are highlights of the front nine, along with the views beyond the 6th green and from the tee on the downhill par three 7th hole. Holes nearest the water standout on the back nine.

While there are few surprises across the layout, the bunkering and greens construction is good and there are pleasant views from a number of holes. The Chinese in particular are likely to enjoy this course.

The OCT site was very difficult for both courses from the outset, and the project experienced delays, construction overruns and budget blowouts over several years. Given the rock, the severe elevation changes and difficulty of working in places like China, the Nicklaus team and various construction managers did well to bring sensible golf to this part of Yunnan Province.

 

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