Golf in Paradise

Blackstone Course at Mission Hills Resort Haikou

A combination of factors makesHainan Island and Mission Hills Haikou a “mustvisit” locale.

There are natural aspects:white sand beaches with blue water lagoons; a rustic tropical countryside wherenature has remained intact and the main industry is agriculture; a wonderfulclimate, with temperatures and weather remaining comfortable all year around.

Hainan is one of the world’s lastpristine environments. It offers exceptional air quality and myriad naturalwonders such as 1,500 km of coastline, 280 islands, 68 bays, coral reefs, rainforests and hot springs. It’s easy to see why Hainan is known as “Eastern Hawaii”.

About10,000 years ago, achain of dormant volcanoes called Qiongbei located at the Northern part of Hainan Provinceerupted in a grandiose display of nature’s unchallenged fury. After thousandsof years of natural evolution, a vast area covered by black rock and ruins wasrecreated here.

Then, just like Hawaii, there is spectacular golf – especially the dramaticBlackstone course at Mission Hills ·Haikouand the host venue of the inaugural Mission Hills Star Trophy.

Blackstone is a350-acregolf course weaving through a striking landscape of mature trees;thick, jungle vegetation; expansive lakes and wetlands; and ever-present lavarock – the most dominant characteristic of the championship layout.

Dramatic elevation changespunctuate the rolling topography. To preserve the abundant lava rock andstately trees, great care was taken to discover as many natural holes as possible.Paspalum fairways gently sweep across the land and were routed to maximizesurface drainage.

"We wanted it to appearas if liquid turf was poured from the sky and flowed along the terrain just asthe lava did centuries ago”, says course architect Brian Curley of Schmidt-CurleyDesign. 

“From tee to green, playersexperience an immaculate blanket of turf – Blackstone does not feature anyrough, even on bunker fingers and surrounds”, he continues.

The course begins in the moreheavily wooded portion of the property with a compelling variety of hole sandnatural amphitheater green settings. It crescendos by snaking through raisedterrain, offering excellent spectator vantage points for the closing holes.Intimate green to tee relationships will make the course easily walkable forplayers and spectators alike when it hosts major international tournaments.

At 7,808 yards and with severalrisk / reward opportunities, Blackstone will quickly prove to be one of theworld’s premier tournament courses. Several holes must be negotiated with acumenfor success.

The fourth hole at 518yards is perhaps the most difficult hole on the entire course. This long par 4demands a big carry off the tee over a deep ravine.  A series of fairway bunkersleft punish errant drives, and balls to the right drop down a severe slopeleaving a blind second shot. The green incorporates a fall away slope thatwill gently guide approaches properly played up the left side. 

At 211 yards, the par-315th is a beautiful hole requiring a long carry over rock lows and sandyexpanses to a green framed by bunkers. Back left pins are only accessiblewith a finessed, softly-drawn tee shot. Windy conditions, exacerbated bythe hole’s exposed location, make par a score to be celebrated.

The finishing 18th, a par 5of 539 yards, is sure to become one of the great closers in golf. The dauntingtee shot features a lengthy carry over marshland and lava rock. Long andaccurate off the tee is a must if you want to reach this green in two. Theapproach shot plays to a green set just above the lake edge, smart play fromthe left can use contours to funnel the ball to the green. A picturesquebackdrop of trees, sand and the enormous clubhouse is both intimidating andmemorable.

Bold, dramatic and visuallystunning, the Blackstone Course at Mission Hills Haikou is world-class.