Digital Museum

Evolution of the golf courses

1929
Original drawing
18 holes of the East Course are completed. Their architects were composed of the Club’s five founding members including Kinya Fujita and Shiro Akaboshi.
1931
British golf architect C.H. Alison proposes renovation of the East Course.
1932
Course layout
18 holes of the West Course are completed (Architect: Kinya Fujita). First golf course in Asia having 36 holes.
1933 Renovation proposed by C.H. Alison is completed.
Greens of the West Course (Bent grass)are damaged by a heat wave, and construction of sub-greens is started.
1935 Main greens of the West Course are changed from Bent grass to Korai grass, and the sub-greens are changed to Bent grass
1936 Greens of the East Course (Korai grass) are severely damaged by heavy snow.
1937 Kasumigaseki determines that a two green system (one for summer and another for winter) is desirable given the local climate.
Supply of well water has begun.
1939 Sub-greens of the West Course are completed. With sub-greens of the East Course completed in the previous year, the two green system is completed for all 36 holes.
1944 Part of the East course is sold to NKK Farm.
Part of the West Couse is requisitioned by the military.
Operation of the course continues with nine holes from the East Course and nine holes from the West.
1945 The course is closed in April.
Immediately following the end of World War II, Kasumigaseki is requisitioned by the U.S. Air Force.
Recovery work is started.
1946 Recovery of 18 holes (nine from East, nine from West) is completed.
1950 Part of the East Course sold previously to NKK Farm is repurchased.
1952
Recovery of the East Course is completed by Seiichi Inoue.
Requisition by the U.S. Air Force ends.
1954 The New West Course is completed by Seiichi Inoue and is reopened as an 18-hole course.
1957 The East Course is partly renovated by Seiichi Inoue prior to the Canada Cup.
1986 Main greens of the East Course are changed to Bent grass.
1993 The West Course is renovated by Taizo Kawata. Greens are changed to Bent grass, and the layout of holes No. 9 and No.10 are changed.
1998 The West Course is changed to have just one green per hole, by Taizo Kawata.
2016 The East Course is completely redesigned by Tom and Logan Fazio. Course yardage is lengthened and each hole now has just a single green.
2018 Driving range for the Olympics and temporary green was constructd on West No.18.

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