Korean Tour "The Devil's Course is Elysian Gangchon"

Analysis of KPGA Venues: Elysian Gangchon Hole 11 Ranked 'Most Difficult Hole', Aramir Hole 18 Ranked 'Easiest Hole'

Course view of Elysian Gangchon Golf Course, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do.

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "There were exactly 9 birdies."

Elysian Gangchon Golf Club in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province (Par 70, 7,001 yards) was ranked as the toughest course among the Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Korean Tour venues this year. The 11th hole (Par 4, 522 yards) was especially challenging, ranking first as the "most difficult hole" during the August Maekyung Open with an average score of 4.58 strokes. There were only 9 birdies, compared to 117 bogeys, 15 double bogeys, and 11 triple bogeys or worse. Changing the par 5 hole to a par 4 created a critical point in the competition. Players’ green hit rate was only 30.61%.

Elysian Gangchon earned a notorious reputation as the "Devil’s Course" with the addition of the 17th hole (Par 4, 512 yards). It ranked second with an average of 4.57 strokes. There was 1 eagle and 2 birdies, but bogeys totaled 137, with 23 double bogeys and 3 triple bogeys or worse. Interestingly, both the eagle and the 2 birdies occurred during the second round. No birdies were allowed on the first and final days. The challenging greens hindered players from maintaining their scores.

The 17th hole (Par 4, 436 yards) at Ferrum Golf Club East-West Course in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, the battleground for the September Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyung-ju Invitational, ranked third with an average of 4.48 strokes. Over four rounds, there were 30 birdies, 130 bogeys, 13 double bogeys, and 3 triple bogeys or worse. In fact, Lee Chang-woo (27, Srixon) won with a score of 3-under-par 285, the lowest this season. He sealed the victory with an "85m shot eagle" on the fourth hole of the final round playoff.

The 18th hole (Par 5, 558 yards) at Aramir Golf Club in Changwon City, Gyeongnam Province, where the Woosung Construction Aramir CC Busan Gyeongnam Open was held, ranked first as the "easiest hole" with an average of 4.47 strokes. Over four days, there were 16 eagles and 239 birdies. The 6th hole (Par 5, 523 yards) at Ildong Lake Golf Club in Pocheon City, Gyeonggi Province, which hosted the August Hazzys Golf KPGA Open, ranked second with an average of 4.51 strokes. Aramir’s 5th hole (Par 5, 539 yards) ranked third again with an average of 4.58 strokes.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.