Eagle Ridge (Isao Aoki)

Established in 2000, the Isao Aoki layout was the third course to open at the impressive Eagle Ridge Golf & Country Club facility, four years before Aoki became the first Japanese male golfer to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

As everyone knows, Isao Aoki developed an unorthodox toe-in-the-air putting style, but this idiosyncratic technique worked and he is remembered for being an excellent putter. Therefore, it will come as no surprise to hear that his course at Eagle Ridge is largely about putting.

Unlike the rest of the course, which is lightly bunkered, with wide fairways, little rough and is relatively flat (in comparison to the other three courses), the Aoki greens are devilish. Some are shallow, while others are narrow, but many are elevated, canted and tricky to read.

The Aoki course was fashioned for the casual golfer to get from tee to green relatively easily but then to be tested on the dance floor, especially if the ball ends up on the wrong side of the flagstick.

The clubhouse is designed in the Japanese style, where there’s sushi on offer after a relaxing soak in a Japanese bath.