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If you are looking for a Pete Dye design course at Mission Hills Hainan, you won´t find one, instead you will come across the Stone Quarry Course, designed by Brian Curley of Schmidt-Curley design, in honour of his mentor Pete Dye.
And what a course he has created.
Not to the same level as the Blackstone or Lava Fields tracks, but such a good test of golf that you just have to play it.
At just 6029 yards the par 70, Stone Quarry course is short, but as you would expect from a Pete Dye inspired course the challenge lies within the intricacy of the design rather than the length.
Winding their way through the ancient volcanic rock formations, the use of railway sleepers, large bunkers and distinctive mounding create a dramatic and pleasing 18-hole golf course that will test every area of your golf game.
With the Dye influence present on almost every hole, the Stone Quarry course is diverse, exciting and challenging.
The amount of carries over volcanic rock may cause some golfers to feel as though they are always battling to find fairways, but the carries ad to the charm of this golf course.
A particular delight early on is the long par three 2nd, at 226 yards from the back tees it is another cracking par 3 to join the long list of great par 3s at Mission Hills Hainan. A large sleepered bunker protects the hole.
Another superb feature to this course is the fortified bunker on the 5th ready to gobble up anything short of the green.
As with the majority of Mission Hills, Hainan courses the par threes stand out above, on the back 9 we have three stunning examples, the 11th which flowing sleepered bunkers, the 15th requiring a carry over the volcanic quarry and the devilish 17th a short hole with a green perched precariously.
An incredible design awaits you at the 13th, a short par four, that will confuse and delight in equal measure. A large, triple decker bunker, laced with volcanic rock is confusing to the eye and creates a sense of mystery as to how the hole should be approached.
The green is no picnic either, wide and undulating the green if found successfully will further confuse the golfer, as it is heavily contoured and its width will leave few short or easy putts.
The 6 par threes make this course interesting and although there are no incredible par 4s or par 5s this is still a very good golf course overshadowed by its siblings.
Dye was a master craftsman and his legacy can be seen in bucket fulls here, and Curley can be pleased with what he has achieved in a relatively confined area.
Stone Quarry will be the favourite of many and a mickey mouse course to others who prefer to let the big dog eat.
+66 (0) 88 867 2867
