[Field 3GO] Lakewood CC, the 'KLPGA Hometown'

Four Female Professional Golfers Born in 1978
Major Tournament KLPGA Championship Dedicated Course
Urban Terrace and Restaurant Equipped for Various Banquet Events
Exploring Hoam Temple Site History and May Royal Festival Attractions

Golf culture is gradually changing. It is shifting from a personal hobby to a family leisure activity. Golf is no longer just a pleasure for golfers but a sport to enjoy with family. Due to this change, a golf course being good alone is not enough to be the best. There must be good field conditions, food, and attractions. We introduce the ‘Field 3GO’ golf courses that are suitable for spending happy times with golf.

Lakewood CC is a historic golf course where the first Women's Pro Test was held.

◆EnjoyGO=Located in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, Lakewood CC is a golf course boasting history and tradition. It is a first-generation golf course in Korea, opened in 1972 as Royal Country Club. It is a historic site where the first Women's Pro Test was held in 1978. Professional players No. 1 to 4, including Kang Chun-ja, Han Myung-hyun, Koo Ok-hee, and Ahn Jong-hyun, were born here. They were the pioneers who established the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour.

Lakewood CC started with 18 holes and expanded by 9 holes in 1992 and 2013. The redesign was entrusted to the world-renowned golf course designer David Dale. It is a famous course that adds fun with precisely designed obstacles, various distances, and uniqueness. It has a harmonious natural beauty with a total of 36 holes. The teeing area uses Kentucky Bluegrass, the fairway uses Zoysia grass, and the greens are Bentgrass.

The Lake Course is divided into flower paths and water paths. Flowers and trees that signal seasonal changes, along with well-maintained ponds, create a lyrical atmosphere. The undulation of the fairway is gentle. There is not much elevation difference between holes. It is a parkland course composed of flat terrain, which is rare in Korea. The greens have difficulty levels, allowing players to feel tension until the end.

The Wood Course consists of forest paths and mountain paths. It is a challenging and strategic course. You can experience a tournament course with a high level of difficulty. The KLPGA Championship, a major tournament of the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour, is held on this course. You can enjoy the fun of golf in the best environment. Strategic pond placements allow for cross hazards. Difficult bunkers are placed at landing points. The long layout favors long hitters. There are quite a few holes that differentiate the value of shots.

At the Lakewood CC clubhouse, you can enjoy a European-style outdoor view.

There is an urban range for golfers. It has 64 state-of-the-art hitting bays. There is also a Royal Box where you can enjoy outdoor screens. Additionally, a swing analysis room, outdoor putting practice area, and short game area await customers. Popular spots also include the Lake Lounge and Wood Lounge, designed like a hotel club lounge, and the Urban Terrace, where various banquet events can be enjoyed. It is only 30 minutes from Gangnam, Seoul, making it easily accessible.

◆EatGO=Lakewood CC has a world-class, high-end clubhouse. It offers elegant and comfortable service. The European-style luxurious design, lighting, and environment are harmonious. It is the best clubhouse where the aesthetics of design come alive. It appears after crossing a bridge over a quiet lake at the entrance. The movement of water flowing from waterfalls of four surrounding lakes is also artistic. There are group rooms that can accommodate from 8 to 150 people. You can also enjoy a spa in a spacious and clean place.

At the Lakewood CC restaurant, you can enjoy dishes recommended by the top chefs.

At the clubhouse restaurant, you can enjoy a pleasant and comfortable meal while admiring the outdoor scenery. You can taste special dishes recommended by top chefs. The food and beverage service is at a hotel level. A top chef prepares food with fresh ingredients from 4 a.m. every day. The natural taste of the ingredients is preserved. Abalone clam flounder seaweed soup, pine mushroom Korean beef brisket soup, and pine mushroom Korean beef shank bone hangover soup are good for morning health meals. On weekends only, seaweed abalone porridge and grilled flounder are served. The menu is diverse, including steak, LA galbi, hot pot, sweet and sour pork, and fried chicken with sauce.

◆SeeGO=Yangju Hoeamsa Site is an ideal place for studying history. It is the largest royal temple and a representative Seon (Zen) Buddhist temple site from the late Goryeo to early Joseon Dynasty. The founding period is estimated to be the 12th century. During the Joseon Dynasty, Monk Muhak stayed here, and King Taejo Yi Seong-gye frequently visited. After abdicating as the retired king, Yi Seong-gye stayed here. Until the 17th century, there was a royal shrine where memorial tablets of successive kings and queens were enshrined. It was abandoned due to anti-Buddhist policies after Queen Munjeong’s death and an unexplained fire. Admission and parking are free.

Yangju Hoeamsaji is famous as a place frequently visited by Yi Seong-gye.
[Photo by Korea Tourism Organization]

If you visit in May, you can see the Hoeamsa Site Royal Festival. This year it will be held for three days from the 10th. You can experience the brilliant history and culture of the early Joseon Hoeamsa Site throughout the area. There are various programs, including a pre-opening night event, King Taejo Yi Seong-gye’s royal procession, K-Hanbok fashion show, media art performances, and royal healing concerts. Additionally, experiences that enjoy the identity and value unique to Yangju Hoeamsa Site, such as archaeology and traditional market experiences, are conducted.