Century Seaview Golf & Country Club

Superbly located overlooking the coast at Nanao, Century Seaview Golf Club is about an hour's drive from the Huanggang border crossing (Taxi Fare Approx RMB 200).

Since opening in 2003 the course has earned a rather fearsome reputation thanks to its tricky design and exposure to the elements (it can get rather windy) but it's still recongnised as one of the region's premier courses.

The clubhouse is suitably grand and offers excellent sea views.

Sadly, there is still no driving range.

Accommodation is provided in the clubhouse and down by the seashore where a number of luxury villas are located.

The restaurant serves a decent variety of Asian and Western food but if you like seafood it's worth going into Nanao village (5 mins away) for some reasonably priced local specialities.

The two 9s at Century Seaview are very different. The front side is a wild strech of holes characterised by long carries (over ravines), narrow fairways, extreme changes in elevation and small greens, while the back nine is more of a parkland course with more accommodating fairways and large, highly undulating greens.

Photos: (L) The infamous 1st hole, (R), Short par 4, 12th hole

The 385 yard par 4, 1st at Century Seaview is the most notorious hole in Guangdong. Players have to hit to a fairway that slants dramatically from left to right (which sends a lot of balls into a ravine) and then hit the perfect shot to the uphill green. It has to be perfect because a) the narrowness of the entrance means that anything wide of the green will likely be lost, b) end up short of the green and the slope in front of the putting surface will send your ball back down the fairway about 60 yards, c) end up on the wrong level of the green (it's really two tiny greens divided by a collar of rough) and you're left with a virtually impossible putt/chip. Is it fair? Probably not, but I'll leave the complaining to the members. Besides, the views from the green are great!

Fortunately the course calms down a bit after that tought start and is an immensley enjoyable and beautiful layout. Other notable holes on the front side include the par 4, 4th and the nice and short par 5, 6th.

The back nine features a lot more in the way of water

but is generally considered to be a more straightforward test. Watch out for the greens though - some of them feature outrageous slope so don't be surprised to be on the end of a dreaded 4-putt.

The back side is also the home of one of the most unforgettable holes in China - the par 5, 17th. (See title photo).This three-shotter snakes uphill and to the left but it's the sea views on the right side of the hole that have made it famous. From the green you can see the beautiful island of Ping Chau and beyond.

For the recreational golfer Century Seaview is extremely tough so it makes a lot of sense to play from the shorter white tees, which makes the carries much easier to handle. Play within 5 strokes of your handicap and you've done very well indeed.

Footnote: Due to an endless list of complaints, the club's management have decided to start all rounds from the 10th tee. Starting from the 1st is obviously hazardous to one's health.

Landscape & Course Maintenance

The surrounding area of the course is simply beautiful. Both the fairways and greens are in very good shape. Sep 2005.

This is an interestingly designed sea side course & one of the hardest courses's you're likely to come across. Having said that it is still an very enjoyable place to play and the views alone are worth the trip.

I also found the course is played a bit shorter than less 6,607 yards (blue tees) due in large to the many downhill holes you encounter.

Finally, I would advice you to play the easier back 9 to warm yourself up first, going straight to the front 9 can be very dangerous, even suicidal!

If you're looking for trouble, you've come to the right place! Eagle 9/05