Canadian architecture firm Carrick Design has been commissioned to design a new oceanside course in China.

Located on the Dalian Peninsula and overlooking the Yellow Sea, the former industrial site, does require ‘some clean up’, but features some spectacular coastline, according to architect Doug Carrick.

“The golf course layout is designed as a traditional links with the intent of providing interesting ground contours, with fast and firm conditions that will encourage a combination of aerial and ground (bump and run) approach shots,” said Carrick, speaking exclusively to GCA.

“Wide, tightly mown fairways and green surroundings will provide a variety of interesting and challenging shots for the skilled golfer while providing fun and playable conditions for the less skilled golfers,” added Carrick. “The routing was carefully developed to ensure that the golf holes constantly changed in their direction of play in order to present the golfer with a variety of wind conditions on the exposed site.”

Carrick Design was hired after a recommendation from Brad Ewart, a golf professional, golf writer and golf consultant living in Vancouver. Ewart caught wind of a golf course project under development in China that needed some architectural and marketing advice from the mother of one of his students. Carrick was recommended as the architect, and Ewart is providing the marketing and project management consulting.

“Not only do the holes constantly change direction, but the length of holes vary widely with both long and short holes facing different wind conditions,” concluded Carrick. “The course is designed with short distances between green and tee to encourage walking. The finishing holes of each nine are both par fives that return the clubhouse along the coastline, in opposing directions, to a large double green that is reminiscent of St Andrews.”