Located in Naguo Peach Garden, close to the CCTV film studios outside of Guangzhou, Nanhai Peach opened for test play in the middle of 2005. May 2006 saw the Grand Opening of the club, which included the unveiling of an impressive brand new clubhouse.

Built on the site of a former brick factory, the 18 hole course, designed by Mark Hollinger of JMP, who is also responsible for the layouts at Long Island and Agile (South), is undoubtedly one of GZ's most enjoyable tracks and looks set for a promising future thanks to sound management and excellent maintenance, two aspects that you can't always associate with golf in China. A further 9 holes are slated to open in mid 2007.

Brand new so facilities are in pristine condition.

Western/Chinese Cafe
Bar
Pro Shop
Changing Rooms

Club and shoe hire available.

Undulating course featuring plenty of water (semi-island greens) and expansive bunkering. Fairways are generous however, and it's at the greens where the real excitement begins: Multi-tiers, run-offs and collection areas require deft short game.

Fairly long on the scorecard but plays a bit shorter. Risk reward opportunities present themselves on the par fives.

No real rough to contend with and it's ok to spray it off the tee a bit. Longer hitters will have the advantage but good scoring is only made possible if you're able to manufacture a variety of shots around the greens. Shades of Agile South with split fairways giving players plenty of options. Not over-taxing, but no walk in the park either. Very enjoyable.

Salem Paspalum fairways are in beautiful shape and the Bermunda TifEagle greens are certainly more than acceptable - little slow when we played, but running smoothly.

Overall conditioning is very impressive and it's interesting to note that the Paspalum/TifEagle combination is becoming the grass combination of choice for a number of new courses.

Perhaps they knew I was coming, but my caddy's English was very good. In fact they all seemed to be able to communicate well. Could read putts which was obviously a big bonus. This being Guangzhou they all understand Cantonese too. Understand they've all been put through a pretty extensive caddie program and it really does show.

All round excellent club. Course is an enjoyable test (and in great shape) and the new clubhouse is a huge improvement on the sauna shack that visitors had to use before. Distance from HK a bit of a problem but it's worth staying the night at the nearby Fountainbleau Hotel (www.ftbl-hotel.com.cn) and getting in a couple of rounds. Albatross 05/06