Oak Valley Country Club

Robert Trent Jones II is proud to have been involved with Oak Valley, a Hansol Eco-Resort near Seoul, Korea. This 36-hole complex is part of a large-scale development authorized by the Korean Ministry of Culture and Sports and funded through private capital. The goal of the project was to create a harmonious eco-tourism destination where nature, culture, and sports converge. We helped the developers achieve this goal by designing a pair of golf courses that embrace and enhance the natural environment.
In building the golf courses at Oak Valley, RTJ II's plans guided the placement of eight million cubic meters of dirt and rock into a surrounding valley to create a bowl-shaped setting. The golf courses nestle among hardwood forests that deliver spectacular fall foliage.
Our Oak/Maple layout, stretching to 7,134 yards, was the first to be completed. The Oak nine encompasses the highest point on the property. The Maple nine, which displays striking red coloring both in autumn and when the rhododendrons bloom in May, calls for precision and calculation. Holes four through nine here play through an intimate valley where a meandering, rock-lined creek borders or crosses the fairways. The continuous 7,172 yard Pine/Cherry course features ponds, streams, and a double fairway. Both layouts at Oak Valley boast demanding greens, elevation changes, and rich vegetation. At the behest of the owner, nearly 8,000 flowering fruit trees (including apples, pears, and apricots) were planted on the site.
The three holes which return to the clubhouse play nearly to the edge of a huge 20-acre expanse of grass and cherry trees, a bold design feature otherwise unknown in Korea. This dramatic, manicured feature contrasts beautifully with the rugged nature of the golf holes and surrounding topography, and welcomes players back from their journey.