Nidom Classic Course (Ikoro Course) Pirika & Kamui

Course Data
LocationHokkaido, Japan
Yardage6992 yards　Par 72
Course Rating72.7
Playing Date5 Aug. 2004
DesignerNao Sugaya
Opened5 Aug. 2004
CaddyYes
Golf CartYes (Limited number)
Rating
Overall Rating
4.00
Course Layout
4
Difficulty Level
4
Greens Condition
4
Fairways Condition
4
Landscaping & Views
4
 

A view
The Nidom is made of up 2 courses totaling 45 holes: The Ikoro Course (27 holes) and The Nispa Course (18 holes). Both are forest courses utilizing the natural undulations with 25 meters of difference of elevation. Needless to say accurate shots are required at the Nidom because thick trees line the relatively tight fairways. The Ikoro is easier thanks to the more generous fairways than the Nispa. The Nispa has three 9 holes: Pirika, Kamui and Ashiri. The Pirika & Ashiri Course, which I played this time is the best combination among the 27 holes of the Nispa Course.
 
3rd　Par 4　470 yards
An almost straight, long par 4. The tee shot is steeply downhill with an OB on the right. A carry of 210 yards is needed to clear the left fairway bunkers. A slightly elevated green is well protected by bunkers.
 

3rd　Par 4　470 yards (3)

3rd　Par 4　470 yards (2)

3rd　Par 4　470 yards (1)
 
5th　Par 5　555 yards
A dogleg to the left, the “signature hole”. The tee shot is sharply downhill, and 20 meters (70 ft.) is the change in the elevation. A creek meanders along the left. Accuracy in driving just short of a big bunker is more important than distance. The second shot is over a creek crossing the fairway. The creek comes into play on the third shot, too, as it crosses in front of the green. This hole is challenging as well as beautiful.
 

5th　Par 5　555 yards (3)

5th　Par 5　555 yards (2)

5th　Par 5　555 yards (1)
　
6th　Par 3　183 yards

6th holes seen from the green

6th　Par 3　183 yards
A neat par 3 with a creek on the left. The view around the green is wonderful, too.
　
9th　Par 4　415 yards
A slight dogleg to the right. The fairway is relatively tight with trees protecting both sides. Bunkers left and right of the green are in play.

 

9th holes seen from the green

9th　Par 4　415 yards (2)

9th　Par 4　415 yards (1)
　
10th　Par 5　579 yards

10th　Par 5　579 yards (2)

10th　Par 5　579 yards (1)
An slight dogleg to the right. There is a fairway bunker on the left, 240 yards off the tee. The green is surrounded by trees and bunkers.
　
15th　Par 4　433 yards

15th　Par 4　433 yards (2)

15th　Par 4　433 yards (1)
A dogleg to the left, a difficult par 4 with a gently downhill tee shot followed by the gently uphill second shot. Bunkers are placed around the green. The green slopes from front to back, so downhill putts are demanding.

　
16th　Par 3　214 yards

16th　Par 3　214 yards
A long par 3 over a stream. Bunkers guarding the green are superbly placed.
 
19th hole

It is a 20-minute drive from Shin Chitose Airport. Cottages adjacent to the course are available. Visitors can play. I played both courses, the Ikoro and the Nispa, in one day. The Ikoro Course hoisted “JPGA Mach-Play Tournament” from 2001 to 2003.

The other Nao Sugaya designed courses are Mitusi Kanko Tomakamai GC and Sapporo Kokusai CC.