I think there is nothing new in that Korea is one of the most valuable golf markets in the world. A recent study of the Yuwon Golf Foundation found that the golf industry in South Korea is worth an estimated 11.4 trillion won, with the market for so-called ‘screen golf’ services alone thought to exceed one trillion won (about US$882 million), accounting for 10 percent of the total.
In 2015, the KLPGA generated 19 billion won (about US$16.76 million) in ticket sales, far surpassing the revenue of the KPGA.
This is why thought it is worth to pay attention to the latest renovation project of The Club at Nine Bridges.
What are the latest developments at The Club at Nine Bridges?
The 5-time host of the World Club Championship (WCC), The Club at Nine Bridges (a private golf club at Jeju Island, South Korea; Golfplan / David Dale design; 18-hole, par-72, 7190 yards) has decided to rebuild its 15 revetted bunkers (=faced covers of sand, walled with bricks of sod in the style of Scottish links; it can have 25-50 layers; you can find such bunkers, for instance, at the Old Course at St. Andrews). This project is in line with The Club at Nine Bridges custom to rebuild its revetted bunkers every 2-3 years.
What makes interesting this renovation project at The Club at Nine Bridges that it will be the first-in-the-region Durabunker installation. David Dale said that they are expecting from this new solution to increase longevity fivefold.
What makes Durabunker installation attractive that it is built from 100 percent recycled materials, maintains design integrity, prevents sand contamination, resistant to UV, and requires no watering.
They are also offering a 20+ year life design and providing a consistent appearance that does not deteriorate over time. This method is promising significant cost and maintenance savings as well. Their methods were implemented in the UK among the others at St Andrews Links, Turnberry, and The Old Head.
David Dale explained that “over the course of 15 years really, we’ve reduced the number of stacked-sod bunkers by 75 percent and rebuilt the remainders with Durabunker. We’re also removing several traditional bunkers on the course, again, to provide maximum strategic and visual impact.”
This will not be Durabunker’s only project in the region. They have agreed with Better Billy Bunker to cooperate. As part of their cooperation, Better Billy Bunker will be the sales representative for Durabunker, while Durabunker will become a certified licensed installer of the Better Billy Bunker construction method.
Here are the impressive achievements & of The Club at Nine Bridges:
- #43 place in GOLF Magazine’s World Top 100 ( the highest of any Asian club built after 1940; Golf Digest ranks it #59 on the planet),
- Voted as Korea’s #1 golf course for 4 consecutive years by Korean Golf Digest.
- Nine Bridges hosted the LPGA 4 times between 2002-2005. Nine Bridges was the 1st Korean golf club to host the LPGA.