Construction Complete at Moganshan Gowin GC Near Shanghai


Construction has been completed on 18-hole Moganshan Gowin Golf Club, located in one of China's premier resort areas about 100 miles from Shanghai. The course, designed by Illinois golf architect Rick Jacobson, is expected to open next spring.

Jacobson now has designed and overseen construction of five 18-hole courses in China; he currently has several others in varying phases of development in the country.

Construction crews broke ground on Moganshan Gowin GC in mid-2009. Moganshan Gowin has been grassed and now is in its grow-in phase, the point at which Jacobson's architectural drawings come to life in the form of a completed golf course. The course is the focal point of an environmentally sensitive, mixed-use development that includes hotel, residential, and retail elements.

"It is always nice when construction is completed and the grow-in phase begins, because you know it won't be long until golfers are out playing the course," Jacobson said. "From the perspective of the architect there's nothing more satisfying than knowing golfers are enjoying the great game of golf on a facility we designed. The Mogan Mountain area has been a premier vacation and resort destination for many years, and we are delighted to provide tourists with a championship quality golf course that will serve as another outstanding amenity for the region."

The course winds through mountains and valleys, and has water features on 13 of its 18 holes, Jacobson said. The par 72-course measures over 7,100 yards from the tips and just over 5,100 yards from the forward tees with three sets in between. Strategic bunkering provides risk-reward options off the tee. In addition, every green is designed with flexibility so that pin placements may be "tucked" for championship competition.

"Consistent with our firm's longstanding philosophy, Moganshan Gowin GC has been designed to appeal to and challenge golfers of all levels," Jacobson said. "The combination of aesthetic beauty and competitive challenge makes Moganshan Gowin GC an attractive destination for members, guests and the highly skilled international professional."

The front nine features elevation changes in excess of 80 feet from tee to fairway. Several holes are framed by trees and groves of stunning bamboo forests. Seven holes incorporate a variety of water features that include lakes, streams and waterfalls.

The back nine, which plays through a wide valley, is framed on three sides by mountains and features several large, native sand bunkers. Three manmade lakes have been integrated into the design to challenge golfers on six holes of the inward nine.

The 18th hole is especially memorable, Jacobson said. A three-shot par-5 measuring 609 yards from the tips, the closer plays along the base of the mountain with a stream running along the left side of the fairway. The green is located amid a waterfall complex built into an abandoned quarry; a vertical rock formation provides a backdrop for the green.

Moganshan Gowin has been built to be environmentally sustainable and sensitive to valuable water resources, Jacobson said. Storm-water runoff will be collected by a system of streams and lakes and will be directed by gravity flow to a central collection lake. The irrigation pump station will then recycle the water back onto the golf course.

In addition, numerous areas have been planted with a blend of wildflowers that provides a habitat for wildlife and aesthetic beauty throughout the golf course. "We feel that environmental sustainability is an important element in the construction of any new golf course," Jacobson said. "We have the technology to make sure the golf course improves rather than detracts from the environment and we're committed to using it."

For more information about Jacobson's firm, visit http://www.jacobsongolfcoursedesign.com/.