▲ Sagewood CC Yeosu Gyeongdo

 

‘Sagewood CC Yeosu Gyeongdo’, a complex resort where you can enjoy golf, relaxation, and sightseeing, is emerging as a winter golf mecca in Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, at the end of Hallyeo Waterway and with the beautiful scenery of the Namhae.

 

In 2012, the Jeonnam Development Corporation created various leisure and cultural facilities in line with the hosting of the Yeosu World Expo, which included a golf course. What's unique is that a golf course was built on the island. After Mirae Asset Group acquired it at the end of 2019, it changed its name from Yeosu Gyeongdo Golf & Resort to Sagewood CC Yeosu Gyeongdo.

 

Sagewood CC Yeosu Gyeongdo, which is considered the center of Yeosu's night sea and the best place for island tourism, which has recently become an issue, is a complex resort complex with 100 condominium rooms as well as a 27-hole golf course. To visit this golf course, I arrived at Daegyeongdo Pier next to Gukdong Port in Yeosu in 4 hours and 30 minutes by car from Seoul. Gyeongdo Island can only be accessed by ferry. Please note that the boat does not operate from 12 PM to 5 AM.

 

The ferry, which carries residents, golfers, cargo, and cars, arrives at Gyeongdo Island in about 8 minutes. When I got back in the car and arrived at the clubhouse, which was built as an old-fashioned two-story Korean house, the staff greeted me warmly at the entrance. At the clubhouse restaurant, I sat down with the famous abalone porridge while enjoying a panoramic view of the ocean off Yeosu.

 

 

 

The best place for winter golf with a warm climate

 

Sagewood CC Yeosu Gyeongdo is warm with an average annual temperature of 14.6 degrees, has little precipitation, and even though it is an island, there is little wind and it rarely snows in winter, making it warm and cozy. Even if it snows, it melts quickly so there is no problem in playing. Although it has warm sunlight and is adjacent to the sea, it is surrounded by large mountains that block the sea breeze, so the perceived temperature remains above freezing.

 

Palm trees and cacti, which are common in subtropical regions, can be seen here and there on the island, creating an exotic atmosphere. Even though the date I played my round was early December, the temperature was so warm that I had to play in light golf clothes, so I felt there was a clear temperature difference compared to the metropolitan area. For this reason, it boasts optimal location conditions as a winter golf course preferred by families and golfers. The golf course fairway is grass, so you can play a round while looking at the green grass even in winter. What is unique is that one robot caddy per person (limited to applicants) is being operated to reduce costs and provide convenience to golfers.

 

 

 

A unique 27-hole island golf course

 

Sagewood CC Yeosu Gyeongdo Golf Course, an island golf course, consists of a new concept of seaside, or links hole, with a spectacular view of the deep blue South Sea sea from all holes, and is considered one of the most prestigious golf courses in Korea. It has already been selected as one of Asia's top 100 golf courses and as one of the top 10 golf courses in Korea by numerous golf magazines and media outlets. Most golfers who visit this place are from the metropolitan area and Yeongnam area rather than local customers. It is a golf course that is greatly loved by regular customers who want to visit again after playing a round.

 

The golf course consists of a regular 27-hole golf course, divided into the tournament course Dolsando Course, Geumodo Course, and the resort-type course Odongdo Course. The three islands around Yeosu, Seomdolsando, Geumodo, and Odongdo, were used as course names.

 

 

 

The course was designed by David Maclay Kidd, designer of DMK, a representative links course. DMK Golf Design is an authoritative global company in this field, having been selected as one of the top 100 course designs in the world and Course Designer of the Year. It is the first course designed in Asia and has put a lot of effort into making it a bridgehead for entering the market in this region.

 

In particular, the course design that takes advantage of the strengths of island golf courses, which are not common in the world, stands out, based on DMK's extensive experience in links course design. When taking your tee shot, you aim towards the sea, when taking your second shot, aim for a green floating in the sea, and when you step on the green, you feel like you have conquered the sea. It is an exciting concept that has never been experienced before.

 

 

 

Befitting its reputation as the best island golf course in the country, more than 17 holes face the sea and 3 holes require crossing a sea valley. If you hit a tee shot from a high hill toward the blue sea while admiring the beautiful scenery of the Dadohae, you can enjoy the pleasure of ocean golf, with the ball rising high into the cobalt sky and falling into the green fairway.

 

The Dolsando course, with its distinct landscape changes between the sea pine forest and the sea, consists of a beautiful hole stretching out towards the sea. The true fun of golf can be felt, and the masculine Geumodo Course, with its refreshing blue sea and cool breeze of the South Sea, is enough to stimulate the competitive spirit and interest of golfers. The Odongdo course requires precise distances against the backdrop of gentle hills and the archipelago. The course's 9th par 3 hole (168 yards) is an island hole that requires crossing the sea to reach the green, and the beautiful Dolsan Bridge creates a wonderful backdrop.

 

 

 

Quaint European-style condominium and surrounding tourist attractions

 

The condominium is located a 5-minute drive from the golf course clubhouse. It has an impressive cozy and luxurious atmosphere, inspired by the characteristic architectural form reminiscent of the scenery around the Mediterranean coast, and has a total of 100 rooms. There are four types of resort rooms, most of which have views toward the South Sea. The kitchen is equipped with cutlery so you can cook your own meals. If you wake up early in the morning, go to the living room, and open the window, you can see a wonderful sunrise rising over the horizon of the beautiful South Sea. This place, where you can relax after a round of golf, is equipped with large seminars, wedding halls, and is fully equipped with various auxiliary facilities.

 

Additionally, for golfers and tourists, along with the trail and swimming pool, if you go to downtown Yeosu, you can experience the Marine Experience Center, Odongdo Lighthouse, Camellia Flower, Dolsan Hangilam, and Geumhodo Bireong-gil. It is a mecca for all-season tourism and winter golf where you can enjoy the seafood of the South Island, various things to see and enjoy, and play ocean golf to your heart's content. I was so disappointed with the 36-hole round in 2 days and 1 night that I left the golf course feeling the urge to take it easy and stay another week.