[Field 3GO] Ipo CC 'Feeling the Atmosphere of the Forest'

Yeoju Cheongjeong Lake Geumsaho, Colorful Wildflower Harmony
Refreshing Fairway Round 'Golf Course of Forest and Flowers'
Restaurant Seasonal Special Menu, Popular Sky Lounge
Enjoy Namhangang and Ipobo Scenery at Yeoju Pasaseong

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.

Ipo CC boasts wide and refreshing fairways.
[Photo by Ipo CC]

◆EnjoyGO= Ipo Country Club (CC) opened in 1992 in Yeoju. It is a members-only 18-hole golf course. It is a course where you can feel the atmosphere of the forest near the metropolitan area. It is a beautiful place featuring Gumsaho, the only pristine lake in Gyeonggi Province, and colorful wildflowers creating a spectacular view. The wide and refreshing fairways leave a strong impression. It offers a ‘play in harmony with nature’ experience unlike anything you have had before.

The location is excellent. It is close to Seoul. It takes 24 minutes from Dongseoul Tollgate on the Jungbu Expressway and 26 minutes from Seongnam IC on the Seongnam-Janghowon Expressway. Using the Jungbu Inland Expressway to exit at Bukyeoju IC, it can be accessed within 30 minutes. Additionally, the 2nd Yeongdong Expressway opened in November 2016. Exiting at Heungcheon or Ipo IC, you can reach the golf course within 4 minutes.

Ipo CC is a course where trees and flowers harmonize.
[Photo by Ipo CC]

The total length is 6,450 meters. There are four teeing grounds: Blue (Champion), Sky Blue (Regular), White (Front), and Red (Ladies). The 18 holes of Ipo CC each have unique names derived from four-character idioms (Sajaseong-eo). These include Cheongun Ipji (?雲立志), Juma Gapyun (走馬加鞭), Inja Mujeok (仁者無敵), Chiljeon Palgi (七顚八起), Saeongjima (塞翁之馬), Gwonto Jungrae (捲土重來), Jago Umyon (左顧右眄), and Sanjeong Muhan (山情無限). It is fun to enjoy golf while reflecting on the meanings of each course.

The out course offers a fantastic view of the open field unfolding alongside the forest. You can play leisurely like taking a walk while feeling the forest atmosphere. The 2nd hole on the out course is impressive. It is the Hwajowolseok (花朝月夕) hole. The sound of water rushing beneath your feet from the Gumsacheon stream, along with the cozy forest and pond, harmonize beautifully. It is a stunning course that can move even the most stone-hearted person. It requires the virtue of moderation to gently pass over the fountain without overflowing.

The clubhouse at Ipo CC features a design reminiscent of traditional thatched roofs.
[Photo by Ipo CC]

◆EatGO= The Ipo CC clubhouse is a house resembling nature, surrounded by mountains and a lake. Passing through the entrance surrounded by dense forest paths, the clubhouse’s round cardinal red roof, reminiscent of an old thatched roof, warmly welcomes guests. Upon entering the clubhouse, the elegant interior with front glass windows offers a panoramic view of the first hole. Inside the clubhouse, works by world-renowned masters like David Gerstein (Israel) enhance the space’s dignity. You can enjoy a cup of tea in a space where nature and art blend harmoniously.

The Ipo CC clubhouse features a sky lounge where you can enjoy the scenery under a clear sky.
[Photo by Ipo CC]

On the second floor of the clubhouse is a restaurant. It offers various dishes in a relaxed space. Especially, special menus are prepared each season. The best dish is Ipo Hanwoo Jangteo Gukbap (beef soup with rice). It uses domestic Hanwoo beef. The dish maximizes the taste enjoyed in traditional market stalls. Seasonal delicacies include Tongyeong sea squirt bibimbap and Jeongeup Hanwoo yukhoe bibimbap. These are good for anti-aging and diabetes prevention. If you make a reservation before your round, you can enjoy a Chinese course meal.

You can satisfy your hunger at the start house. There are Olive Jajangmyeon, Black Bean Noodles, Beef Brisket Soup Tteokbokki, Seasoned Flounder, Native Sundae (Korean blood sausage), Seasoned Cuttlefish with Samchae, and Somyeon noodles. Snowflake red bean shaved ice, which can beat the summer heat, is also waiting for customers’ choice. On the rooftop of the start house is the Ipo Sky Lounge banquet hall. You can enjoy an open view under the clear sky.

If you climb Yeoju Pasaseong, you can enjoy the scenery of the Namhan River.
[Photo by Yeoju City Hall]

◆SeeGO= There are many good places for walking in Yeoju. Pasasan Fortress, located on the ridge of Pasasan Mountain, is representative. The path to the fortress is steep. Hiking boots or sneakers are a must. Walking along the refreshing forest path of Pasasan Mountain, you can see the blue sky and fortress walls. The fortress was built over several centuries from the Three Kingdoms period to the Joseon Dynasty. The construction methods of the fortress walls vary by section. Pasasan Fortress is made of volcanic rock stone walls. It offers the beauty of scenery, history, and nature simultaneously. From the fortress walls, you can enjoy a wide view of the Namhan River and Ipo Weir. The highlight of Pasasan Fortress is the evening sunset. The sunset embracing the sky and river is a work of art.

Gumsamyeon, where Ipo CC is located, is a typical rural village. The Namhan River flows through, and beautiful mountains surround it like a folding screen. Farmstay villages and deer villages have been established early on. The representative agricultural product is the golden melon called Geumsaragi Chamoe. Every May, the ‘Geumsa Melon Festival’ is held. Gumsamyeon is suitable for walking tours (Yeogang-gil). In Gumsamyeon, there is the 11th course of Yeogang-gil called ‘Donghak’s Path.’ The length is 9.5 km and takes about 4 to 5 hours. It is a walking trail centered around the tomb of Haewol Choi Si-hyung in Jurok-ri, Gumsamyeon. Following the valley, the Jurok-ri village road leads to a steep uphill where you find Choi Si-hyung’s tomb. Jurok-ri is a good place to walk in all seasons. Especially, the autumn foliage of larch trees and the pine forest are exceptionally beautiful.