Springfield Village Golf and
Spa
27 Holes | Par 72 | By Jack Nicklaus
| Opened 1993
About
the course
You could not mistake this Nicklaus design - long waste
bunkers on seral holes, other bunkers exactly where a club
golfer hits the drive and water to keep the player hitting
in the direction Jack wants you to. It's as if he takes
an average handicap player out with him, watches the player
hit and then says, "Let's put the hazard right here!"
Far from main roads and towns, this
is a peaceful setting and a delight for all levels of player.
The fact that several Asian PGA players base themselves
in this area, and practice and play here regularly, is testament
to Springfield's draw as a club with excellent facilities.
The addition of a new hotel and spa,
as well as a new nine holes, in 2006 has made this a premier
golf destination. Th Valley Course (the new 9 holes) is
very tough and while it is bedding down, the established
Mountain and Lak 9's are the best ones to play. When the
Valley Course is really settled down, it will be a serious
test of your game.
Playing
the course: White tees
The 2nd 483 yards par 5 on the Mountain
Course is an enticing one if you get a good drive away.
A bunker and water left should keep you in the middle or
out right, but if you catch the drive well, you'll be left
with a fairway wood to reach the green in two shots and
have a go at an eagle. However, the green is protected by
bunkers right and left and by a small stream that runs away
from you to the right. Not a hole to slice your second shot
on.
The8th 347 yards par 4
on the Mountain Course is to be treated with respect. A
big lake left, and bunkers on the right, make this an intimidating
drive and a massive tree also shields the left side of the
green. This is a sacred tree to the locals and you'll see
coloured ribbons and flowers tied round it, signigying that
a friendly ghost inhabits it. Once the drive has been negotiated,
you are left with a medium iron into a bunker protected
green that is raised and has two tiers so a wicked putt
awaits you if you get the approach wrong.
The 4th 386 yards par 4 on
the Lake Course is a trademark Jack Nicklaus hole with a
huge waste bunker and lake down the right and trees on the
left. If you don't hit a good drive, you're left with a
longish carry over a canal to an uphill sloped green protected
by a single bunker.
The 19th
hole
The cluhouse gives you the feeling you're at a quality course.
There's and indoor restaurant but it's much better to sit
outsikde on the shaded veranda and take in the views looking
over the finishing holes of the course and the hills in
the distance. Then there is, of course, the spa and a hotel
with the best swimming pool in the district.
