Nine Bridge Named as One of the World’s Top 100 Private Golf Courses

Nine Bridge Golf Club (par 72, 7,190 yards, president: Kim Un-yong), located in Namjeju-gun Province, was selected as one of the Top 100 private (membership) golf courses in the world by the U.S.’s Golf Magazine.

It is the first time a private course among the 200 courses in Korea has been given such an honor in Korean golf’s 100-year history since the first golf course was built in Wonsan, Hamgyoung South Province around 1900. Nine Bridge has experienced one happy event after another, recently placing first in the “Korea’s Best Golf Course 2003” rankings of Golf Magazine’s Korea edition, published by Seoul Economy.

“The World’s Top 100 Private Golf Courses” are chosen by 100 panelists, who were asked by Golf Magazine to evaluate course conditions and management every 2 years. It doesn’t grade them by rank, unlike the “World’s Top 100 Golf Courses” rankings.

The most striking attraction of Nine Bridge is its active natural scenery, highlighted by the edges of nearby Halla Mountain. Natural water hazards, which flow along various curious rocks and valleys, and breezy winds from Jeju Island bring challenges to golfers.

“Golf Queen” Annika Sorenstam (Sweden) praised the course highly. “It is a fantastic course. I can’t believe it is only two years old,” she said when she participated in the CJ Nine Bridge Classic on the 2002 U.S. LPGA Tour. The champion at the time, Pak Se-ri (CJ) mentioned, “I learned a lot by concentrating in spite of many difficult challenges. The course compares with courses used at Majors tournaments.”

Also, the club’s strict membership, well-maintained accompanying facilities (a spa, condos, and a conference room) and one-stop service (golf, lodging and travel arrangements) distinguish Nine Bridge from other golf courses. These factor received many points in making it to the list of “The World’s Top 100 Private Courses.”

Nine Bridge will host the second World Club Championships for 3 days starting on May 5. The championship is a club competition between champions of world on the top 100 membership courses.

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com