Course Profile: Kipahulu Reserve
Kipahulu Reserve
Theme: Tropical
Firm / Speed: Med / Med-Fast (164)
Top 100 Ranking: Debuts March 2016 (Expected Top 10)
Designer Feature: Henrik Sundqvist
What was your goal or intention for the course when you started?
I wanted to do a jungle course set in a mountainous area, with ravines instead of water as the main geographical characteristic. I also wanted learn more about how to do bunkering, and although I overdid it slightly in some cases, I definitely picked up some new techniques along the way. I’ve been playing the game for 6-7 months now, but there’s still so much to learn.
Were there any real life courses or locations that inspired your course?
I looked at some areas in Hawaii, the name of the course is inspired by a national park there. But other than that, I just did whatever came to mind. I design hole by hole, doing sketches on paper, and don’t really take to much consideration to what the GNCD gives me.
What is your favorite hole on the course?
I was pretty happy with hole 8, a par 5 that can be played in a variety of different ways depending on wind, player skill and pin placement. I try to design holes where most shots give you something to consider, as opposed to just smashing a drive down a straight fairway.
What’s next?
I recently released a new course called Idanha Ridge Golf Club, which I’m pretty happy with, and I’ve just started working on my first recreation; National Golf Links of America.