Golfers green getaway celebrates grand opening

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Kentavist Brackin | The Taiyo Golf Club began the design process eight and a half years ago and was completed in January 2010. The club staff invites golfers of every skill level and challenges all to come out and try the fairways.  

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

03.01.2010

Story by Lance Cpl. Kentavist Brackin 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

The time finally came to retire Awase Meadows Golf Course, when Taiyo Golf Club unveiled its fairways at the grand opening, March 1.

Taiyo Golf Club is a brand new facility with the latest technology in irrigation systems and state-of-the-art computerized maintenance programs which allows for ground maintenance to be completed in the most time efficient manner possible, said Rich L. Erland, director of golf for Taiyo Golf Club, Marine Corps Community Services.

The facilities are a significant step up from the 61-year-old course it replaced, according to an MCCS release.

Taiyo carries forward a tradition of commitment to operational excellence and superior service to military service members and their families, Department of Defense civilians and local nationals, who enjoy golfing, according to the release. Taiyo Golf Club translates to "The Golf Club in the Sun," and with its unveiling brings in a new era for golf lovers throughout Okinawa.

Erland has been with the Taiyo Golf Club project since the design process began more than eight years ago, he said. It has been quite the project, being able to see it in the beginning stages and to see it completed is a satisfying feeling, he added.

"I will be excited when I see the Marines having the opportunity to enjoy the new facility and see their response," said Erland. "It is a top-notch club in every way."

The clubhouse was designed to make service members feel like they can get away, said Erland.

It's meant to be a more country club-style setting, and hopefully it will help service members relax, get away from rank and just "hang out" with fellow golfers, said Erland.

Ground broke on Taiyo, June 20, 2005, and the course construction was completed in December. The project required 39 construction companies and 14 architecture and engineering companies to complete it. During construction, special care was taken to preserve the area's natural beauty and condition, including protected wetlands habitat, according to the release.

Taiyo Golf Club will have the same standards of play as Awase Meadows Golf Course allowing Japanese citizens the opportunity to play on a space-available basis. They are not required to have a SOFA member escort.

For more information, visit www.mccsokinawa.com or call the Taiyo Golf Club Pro Shop at 622-2004/2006 or the Lanai Restaurant at 622-2020.

• Date Taken: 03.01.2010
• Date Posted: 03.22.2010 02:36
• Story ID: 46977
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP