Golf Course Architecture - Issue 58 October 2019

17 and set up for sizeable tournament were also accounted for during the design development at Hoiana.” Hoiana Shores plays firm and fast on native, well-drained sand; the ground game is a viable option on most of the holes. Hoiana Shores exhibits many of the same linksland playing characteristics found in the British Isles, but in a tropical setting. The design team says a ‘tropical links’ has emerged, highlighted by restored coastal dunes and the dramatic Cham Islands looming a few miles offshore. The course has also been developed in accordance with sustainability principles laid out by the UK-based GEO Foundation. “In Southeast Asia, there are no other golf developments at this stage of construction that are going through this programme,” said GEO executive director Sam Thomas. “I think it’s fair to say that, if they continue on this path, Hoiana Shores will be first past the post, the market leader in this regard.” Agronomics were managed by Turfgrass of Ireland. Greens are grassed with TifEagle bermuda, and all fairways and tees feature Zeon Zoysia – sourced from Sports Turf Solutions’ turf farms. “Zeon Zoysia frankly freed up the architects and shapers to manufacture some wonderful shapes and contours – a lot of created architecture that could not be rushed,” said Rob Weiks, golf course superintendent at Hoiana Shores. The golf course will be the first facility to open within the new 985-hectare, US$4 billion Hoiana Integrated Resort, which will include more than 1,000 rooms, suites and villas managed by Rosewood Hotel Group, four kilometres of beach, numerous pools and restaurants, a beach club, an entertainment facility managed by Suncity Group, and an array of retail partners. Mike Gorman, senior architect at RTJ II, said: “We have built many unique elements within this course design that golfers will appreciate. There are three distinct alternative loops, a six-hole ‘beach loop’ and a three-hole ‘sunrise loop’ that are seamlessly designed within the 18-hole course. These details and a family short course option add fun and flexibility to the playing experiences.” “The client asked us to create a championship golf course that would be fun for resort players and still maintain a good pace of play” With firm and fast surfaces on the sandy site, a ground game is viable on most holes TEE BOX Photo: Gary Lisbon