Bunkers, hills, water and wind, they’re all challenges players will face on the Ocean Course at Sky 72 Golf Club in Incheon, South Korea, the site of this week’s LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship. A Nicklaus Design course, LPGA Manager of Rules and Competition Bo Ream says strategically placing shots on each and every hole will be the key to navigating the course’s various challenges.

“I would consider this to be a “hilly” golf course,” Ream told LPGA.com via email. “The optimum play on most holes is dictated by some sort of hazard, either bunker or water hazards, which often require laying up or playing to a safe side. It generally features notable Jack Nicklaus design styles which includes large bunkers and undulating greens.”

Ream says there are a variety of different style bunkers throughout the course that will force players to assess how much risk they’re willing to take off the tee or sacrifice length to avoid the sand.

“There are many bunkers on the course. Many of them have steep faces and are quite deep. There are also a lot of fairway bunkers, which come into play on the tee shots. They require players to make a decision off the tee on whether to challenge them, or play it to a safe side, leaving a longer approach shot to the green.”

The Ocean Course runs along the East China Sea, which creates yet another challenge for golfers who will have to take into account the winds coming in off the ocean.

“Winds are definitely stronger in this area,” said Ream. “Some areas of the course are also elevated and exposed so wind will feel stronger and have more of an effect on golf balls.”

Players who have managed to successfully navigate the various bunkers and gusty conditions will still have to contend with the rough. At just 2 and a half inches in height, the Kentucky Bluegrass and Perennial Ryegrass blend creates enough of a challenge that it doesn’t have to be long to have an impact.

“The rough will be a challenge because it is quite thick. Overall the height is not what we would consider as long, but the type of grass makes it play much more difficult than it would seem.”

With enough tests already in place, Ream says no major changes were made to the course for this year’s tournament and applauds the local staff for maintaining overall good course conditions given the drought they faced during the summer months.

“It has been quite dry for the most part in this area. We did receive some rain over the weekend which has helped so we should start seeing some more grass growth,” said Ream. “Unfortunately, drought conditions have existed for most of the summer growing season here so the turf is showing some signs of stress. The maintenance staff has done an excellent job keeping the putting greens in very good shape.”

Greens will run between 11 and 11.3 on the stimpmeter this week according to Ream. The Ocean Course will play to a par 72 at a total yardage of 6,364 for this year’s tournament.

Sand, Water and Wind - The Ocean Course Is a Tough Test

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