Four New Golf Courses Open at China's Mission Hills Hainan


Schmidt-Curley Design has announced that four more of its courses have opened at Mission Hills Hainan, China.

The Stone Quarry, Shadow Dunes, Double Pin and Stepping Stone courses now bring the resort's total to 10. With long-time partner Mission Hills, Schmidt-Curley has transformed Hainan Island's ancient volcanic terrain into a golf destination with plenty of options.

"At Mission Hills Hainan, golfers can select from a global menu of golf design genres," says Brian Curley. "Each layout has a distinct 'personality' - levels of difficulty, bunker styles, green sizes and undulations, landscaping, par and yardage were intentionally varied to distinguish the resort from competitors and celebrate its status as an international golf destination."

Stone Quarry (par 70, 6,029 yards). A tribute to the genius of Pete Dye - mentor to the Schmidt-Curley team - Stone Quarry showcases the hallmarks of his designs: railroad tie sleepers, abrupt mounds, long waste bunkers, devilish greens and railroad car bridges. These elements are made even more dramatic by a routing that snakes through volcanic quarries supported by steep rock walls and timbers. Remnants of coal cars, railroad tracks and abandoned mining equipment complete the setting. Dotted with 215 bunkers, the course demands shot-making over brute strength.

Shadow Dunes (par 70, 6,428 yards). Shadow Dunes incorporates the towering dunes and native vegetation found along the vast, unspoiled beaches of Hainan Island. It features sweeping contours that send balls running and some of the largest (averaging 11,500 square feet) and wildest greens at the resort. Accuracy with the short game is a must as the course is designed to avoid being overpowered by bombers. Intimate green-to-tee connections make it walkable.

Double Pin (par 54, 1,921 yards). This collection of par-3 holes has a unique characteristic: two pins on each green. One is relatively accessible while the other is protected by both bunkering and severe contours. With holes ranging from 98 to 153 yards, this course is fun for families or transitioning beginners from the practice tee to the course. Double Pin's features colorful trees and flowers.

Stepping Stone (par 54, 2,176 yards). Stepping Stone features islands of turf framed by lava rock and rugged, sandy expanses are similar to those found on the Blackstone Course. Only open to walkers, the layout blends with the landscape of black rock and thick vegetation. Although short, it is no pushover and a great place to polish your short game.

"I am very optimistic Mission Hills Hainan will help show Asian golfers and developers it is more about offering a great experience - that may or may not involve length - and less about presenting a 'standard' scorecard," said Curley. "Some of the courses, like Blackstone and Lava Fields, will play long and test the best players. However, we also designed courses that are still challenging and thought-provoking but tailored to be more forgiving to mid- and high-handicappers."

Only 15 minutes from Haikou Meilan International Airport, Mission Hills Hainan's other amenities include a 518-room hotel; spa; Hainan's largest mineral springs; 12 restaurants; a sports and recreation center; meeting facilities; villas; and resort-themed residential towers.

For more information, visit www.missionhillschina.com/hainan/home.aspx.