[Field 3GO] Anseong Benest, Coexistence of Elegance and Trend

Samsung is one of the domestic companies with the most golf courses. Currently, it operates a total of six golf courses: Anyang Country Club, Lakeside, Gapyeong Benest, Anseong Benest, Dongnae Benest, and Glenross. Among them, there is one that has recently received focused attention. That is Anseong Benest. It has completed preparations to provide the best service and is ready to welcome customers.

Anseong Benest is a healing golf course located at the foot of Chilhyunsan Mountain. Photo by Anseong Benest

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◆EnjoyGO= Anseong Benest is a golf course where elegance and trends coexist. Located on the foothills of Chilhyun Mountain in Anseong, it offers a wide-open view and a panoramic sight of the beautiful valley ridges. With wide fairways and fast greens, it is a challenging course loved by many golfers. The course design was undertaken by the late Im Sang-ha, a master of domestic golf design. Utilizing the natural elevation changes of the mountainous terrain, he meticulously arranged the fairway ups and downs and the undulations of the greens. Thanks to this, players can enjoy a round while experiencing harmony with nature. It consists of a 27-hole membership course (West, South, North courses) and a 9-hole public course (East course).

Anseong Benest has eight best holes. The West Course 3rd hole ‘Cherry Blossom Garden,’ North Course 2nd hole ‘View Point,’ North Course 5th hole ‘Chilhyun Waterfall,’ South Course 1st hole ‘Tee Shot Under Clear Sky,’ South Course 9th hole ‘Sunset Hole,’ East Course 5th hole ‘Observation Deck,’ West Course 3rd hole ‘Seven Peaks,’ and West Course 8th hole ‘Cheongpung Hongpung’ are known as the ‘Anseong Eight Views.’

Anseong Benest is characterized by its wide fairways and fast greens. Photo by Anseong Benest

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Supported by the ‘Turf Environment Research Institute,’ Korea’s first turf-specialized research center operated by Samsung C&T, the course maintains optimal turf conditions. The fairways, made of Korean-type turf called ‘Jungji,’ allow for stable shots, and the green speed is maintained at about 3.0 meters, providing a comfortable putting environment. Recently, accessibility has also greatly improved. Last month, the Sejong-Pocheon Expressway section from Guri-Yongin-Anseong (72.2 km) opened, reducing travel time. Departing from Seoul Yangjae IC, it used to take about 1 hour and 10 minutes via the Gyeongbu Expressway and Pyeongtaek-Jecheon Line, but now it is possible to arrive within 50 minutes by taking the Yeongdong Expressway and the Yongin-Guri section to Anseong Matchum IC.

◆EatGO= Anseong Benest is a smart golf course that actively incorporates digital technology. In particular, it was the first golf course in Korea to introduce the ‘S-Front’ system. Customers can check in and make payments using only their mobile phones. Kiosks and dedicated information desks are installed to make it convenient for elderly or group customers. After improvements such as enlarging font size and using intuitive icons, the usage rate, which was only 20% at the initial introduction, has increased to 96%.

Anseong Benest allows check-in and payment through a mobile phone. Photo by Anseong Benest

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Five delivery robots are active in the clubhouse. Their names are ‘Geumgang-i,’ ‘Samheung-i,’ ‘Chilhyun-i,’ ‘Kkeokjeong-i,’ and ‘Sanhong-i,’ named after Anseong Geumgang-myeon, Samheung-ri, Chilhyun Mountain, the bandit Im Kkeokjeong, and Yeongsanhong (the golf course’s representative flower), respectively. Their appearance resembles wearing a beautifully dressed hanbok, giving customers a friendly impression. Thorough preparations are underway to allow more customers to experience AI robots.

The restaurant offers more than 16 different menu items and two course meals. Anseong’s representative dish, ‘Anseong Gukbap’ (in the style of Yukgaejang), is perfect for a hearty meal after a round. The signature dish of the shade house, Shabu Odeng Tang (shabu fish cake soup), is especially popular in chilly weather.

Anseong Benest's popular menu item is Anseong Gukbap. Photo by Anseong Benest

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◆SeeGO= Near Anseong Benest is the tranquil rural village of ‘Gume Nongsam Village.’ Located in front of Chilhyun Mountain’s Chiljangsa Temple, this village is famous as the ‘Bokjori Village.’ ‘Gume’ is an old word meaning ‘hole,’ symbolizing small-scale farming in a small area. The villagers earn high income through making bokjori (traditional Korean rice winnowing baskets) and also hold experience events for making bokjori and jukbong (bamboo sticks) with a 400-year tradition. Especially, tourists can make miniature bokjori or kitchen bokjori themselves. Basic work is assisted by villagers, and it can be completed in about an hour. This place is also known as an ecological village. It features an ecological pond and waterways and operates various experience programs. In the traditional medicinal tea-making program, visitors can make lotus leaf tea, mugwort tea, mulberry leaf tea, bamboo leaf tea, and persimmon leaf tea using white lotus grown in the village pond. Independent lodging facilities are also available, making it perfect for visitors seeking a quiet rest.

If you visit Anseong Gume Nongsam Village, you can experience making bokjori (bamboo rice strainers). Photo by Korea Tourism Organization

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