SLICE Shanghai – miscellaneous pages

It is an international
course that could stand
its ground anywhere
a computer screen. All that should
come to a welcome end when an
extensive tree-planting programme
breaks earth in coming years.
Designer Nick Song of Lanxing
Golf has made extensive use of
water in his Forest layout, notably
on holes 13 and 14. As the course is
located at the entrance to Binhai’s
extensive chunk of property, there
are no ocean views.
The par-four 13th is a hard dogleg
left that wraps around a lake from
tee to green. The temptation is to
go for the green in two, and change
the hole into a par-three birdie
attempt. Wind will play a major role
in deciding whether to go for it or
not. The 14th is an interesting par
five that again borders a lake for its
entire length. Long hitters can cut
off the edge of the lake and go for
the green in two, but anything but a
confident hit will likely end up wet.
Finally, a polite SLICE
warning: though the 3,880rmb
Par Membership deal includes
unlimited golfing on weekdays
with no green fees, the fine print
reveals a cost of 200rmb each
time you play to cover caddie and
facilities. The total rises to 580rmb
on weekends. The club shuttle bus
costs 40rmbrmb round trip.
That’s not a complaint - while
half of China’s 200-plus golf clubs
lost money in 2004, Binhai had
the balance right between what
it charges, and what it offers the
discerning golfer. It makes money
by offering a decent product at a fair
price, and so the club has recently
overhauled its restaurant facilities,
added a 340-player men’s locker
room and an expanded pro-shop.
Check it out when you can.
Shanghai Binhai Golf Club
Nanhui District, Pudong. CHINESE
ADDRESS HERE. Tel: (86 21)
5805-8888. Fax: (8621) 5805-8588.
Web: www.binhaigolf.com. Email:
marketing@binhaigolf.com.
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