The BWD Tournament Hole of the Week: October 20 – October 23, 2016. The 18th at Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course, Home of Blue Bay LPGA.

Tournament: Blue Bay LPGA – Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course, Hainan Island, China
Hole: 18th – Par 5, 485 Yards
Architect(s): JMP Golf Design – 2012

Architectural Summary:

Blue Bay’s finishing hole is a risk-reward par 5 measuring 485 yards. The hole is named “Cape,” and, as such, gently bends left around a large lake running the length of the hole where competitors must determine how much of the lake they are willing to carry on their tee shot. Regardless of the level of risk taken on, players must find the fairway from the tee, which narrows to 25 yards at the first landing area, if they want to reach the green in two shots. Nearly half of the field will likely attempt to reach the green in two after finding the fairway. Should competitors find one of the four fairway bunkers or a bad lie in the rough, a lay-up will be required. A single pot bunker is located in the middle of the fairway at 190 yards, in addition to a left fairway bunker at 255 yards and two right fairway bunkers. The right rough will be a likely “safe” bailout spot, due to the narrow nature of the fairway and the large lake left, but finding a bad lie in the rough will result in an automatic lay-up. Second shots played as “lay-ups” will once again simply look to find the fairway because of the narrow width, while also avoiding two deep bunkers short of the green. The green itself slopes from back-right to front-left and features three tiers. Players will look to find the correct tier in order to set up a look at birdie. Overall, accuracy is paramount to finishing well at Blue Bay.

Statistical Analysis:

During the 2015 LPGA season, the Blue Bay LPGA tournament resulted in the highest winning score for the season at -2. We expect the par 5 finishing hole to play to par or slightly under par.

Fun Facts:

  • During the 2015 tournament, South Korea’s Sei Young Kim sank a seven-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to win the Blue Bay LPGA title by one shot. The title was the third victory of the LPGA season for the 22-year-old rookie.
  • This year’s event will mark the third playing of the Blue Bay LPGA, which is part of the fall Asian swing on the LPGA.
  • Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course is considered to be among the most challenging golf courses on the LPGA Tour.