[Buck Wolter]

Saw on twitter that OCCM had recently completed the renovation of this course just outside Shanghai. Been to China many times and have never played golf but will be spending a weekend in Shanghai this fall and this looks worth making the effort to go see while I'm there.

From Bunkershot.com
“The mere fact that we’ve created a true links track at Yangtze Dunes makes it stand out from nearly every golf course that currently exists in Asia,” said Ashley Mead, the OCCM partner who directed renovation activities here on Chongming. “For whatever reason – cultural or climatic – Asian developers have not chosen to build many courses in the links tradition.

“As a firm, we’re deeply committed to designing golf courses that represent the local environment. And here’s a relevant fact: Chongming is the largest alluvial island in the world –alluvial being a fancy way of describing sand islands formed by river currents. So, we’re in China, on a giant sand bar in the middle of the mighty Yangtze River, just northeast of Shanghai, in the shadow of the towering Yangtze River Bridge. This site was crying out for a full-on links and we’re very pleased Yangtze Dunes so strongly accentuates this place and culture.”

[Garland Bayley]

Since it is farther South than Los Angeles, the true links claim fails the truth test. Unless your name is Rudy perhaps.

Save the money and play Torrey pines.

[Buck Wolter]

I will blame it on my initial post but I'm a little surprised this hasn't gotten one serious reply. OCCM (Ogilvy Clayton Cocking Mead) redesigning a course in China on a sand based site with results like this seems like big news.

This is within a cab ride of one of the worlds biggest cities!

[Thomas Dai]

Took me a while to locate it -https://earth.google.com/web/@31.45900968,121.81335832,1.59341002a,4384.47124094d,30y,0h,2.62797786t,0r - should show the location. Not just one course located there either.
I hope a voice from Down Under will tell us more. Grass types, ability to play the ground game, usual wind strength, all that kind of stuff.
atb

[Adam Lawrence]

Here is a pretty detailed writeup on the Yangtze Dunes project from GCA's July issue:


http://digital.tudor-rose.co.uk/golf-course-architecture/issue53/20/

[Tom_Doak]

I will blame it on my initial post but I'm a little surprised this hasn't gotten one serious reply. OCCM (Ogilvy Clayton Cocking Mead) redesigning a course in China on a sand based site with results like this seems like big news.

This is within a cab ride of one of the worlds biggest cities!

Yes, but that big city is pretty far from where most of us live.

[Rick Emerson]

I have made about three trips out to Yangtze Dunes this past year as there has been no outside travel and I needed a links fix as I have been stuck in China for about a year and a half now. I bought a drone and finally decided to do something I have wanted to do for a long time and flew most of the holes and made a video. Here is the link if anyone is interested. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1kSZEQOgLI
I am also thinking of making a second edit where I talk about the architectural features and strategy.
Also, this is a truly great course and is my personal favorite in China. I haven't played Shanquin yet, but I have played just about everywhere else of note in China and this is better by far than all of those. Ashley Mead of OCM did a heck of a job.
I'd love to hear peoples thoughts although please remember that this is a first try and I am learning as I go.

[Buck Wolter]

Rick -
Good work with the drone -- does a nice job of showing the features


I played there a couple years ago post renovation and really enjoyed it -- seemed like the kind of place that would grow on you with multiple plays. Is it still walking only? It was very hot when I was there and I would say the it was 3 to 1 people playing on the other course in carts.


Buck

[Rick Emerson]

Buck,
It definitely gets better with multiple plays. There are lots of kicker slopes and features to help you work your ball into different pins and the greens themselves and their surrounds are wild. Also, where to hit it off the tee isn't readily apparent the first time around.
What you said about the members is true. It is still walking and the members play the second course more often both to be in a cart but also because the other course is very lush and green and is more what they are used to and have been told is "good golf". It makes the course less busy for me when I visit but, I think that the more the members play Yangtze Dunes the more they understand how fun and different it is. Being a member at Lanhai actually gives you access to two very different courses. It is great for variety.

[Mike_Clayton]

I have made about three trips out to Yangtze Dunes this past year as there has been no outside travel and I needed a links fix as I have been stuck in China for about a year and a half now. I bought a drone and finally decided to do something I have wanted to do for a long time and flew most of the holes and made a video. Here is the link if anyone is interested. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1kSZEQOgLI
I am also thinking of making a second edit where I talk about the architectural features and strategy.
Also, this is a truly great course and is my personal favorite in China. I haven't played Shanquin yet, but I have played just about everywhere else of note in China and this is better by far than all of those. Ashley Mead of OCM did a heck of a job.
I'd love to hear peoples thoughts although please remember that this is a first try and I am learning as I go.

Rick


OCCM:)

[Rick Emerson]

Yes sir Mr. Clayton. OCCM it is.
It is difficult to attribute things. it was OCCM when the course was reworked. However, now OCCM has become OCM if I am not mistaken.
I am correct that Ashley Mead did most of the work with the redesign right? I have always tried to steer clear of the politics of the Architecture game.
Mr. Clayton, I can say that I love your work based on courses I have seen.  I thought Victoria was my sleeper favorite from my trip to the sand belt and I absolutely love Barnbougle Dunes.     

[Mike_Clayton]

Yes sir Mr. Clayton. OCCM it is.
It is difficult to attribute things. it was OCCM when the course was reworked. However, now OCCM has become OCM if I am not mistaken.
I am correct that Ashley Mead did most of the work with the redesign right? I have always tried to steer clear of the politics of the Architecture game.
Mr. Clayton, I can say that I love your work based on courses I have seen.  I thought Victoria was my sleeper favorite from my trip to the sand belt and I absolutely love Barnbougle Dunes.   

Rick,


Mr Clayton was my dad! Mike is fine.


Yes - OCCM became OCM - but it was an OCCM job and Ashley spend a lot of time on the site and did a great job.
Next time you're down here let me know - it's always fun to play at Victoria and I'm sure you missed a few when you were here.

[Rick Emerson]

Mike,
I definitely did miss a few. There is so much good golf down there. I would really like to check out Peninsula Kingswood, Yara Yara and St. Andrews Beach if I ever get to return to Melbourne. I'm sure you have other recommendations as well. Last time I played Royal Melbourne East and West, Metropolitan, Victoria, and Kingston Heath. The problem is that I live and work in China and right now if I were to leave it would mean a 3 week quarantine to return. Also, if you leave only those with work visas can return. That means if I left with my family my kids would be unable to return.  I think We will be stuck here until next year. I hear rumors that China may open up for overseas travel in March of 2022. I have dreams of returning to Australia but, right now I would just like to be able to let my kids see their grandparents in the USA and possibly visit the club where I keep an overseas membership in Scotland. However, I am thankful that no close family has had serious issues with Covid and that China really has very few cases and life is pretty normal here.

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