"We aim to go beyond a simple large-scale golf course and create a golf resort that represents Korea — a destination that golfers from around the world will visit."
Kim Kang-ho, vice chairman of Gunsan CC, made the remarks on the 27th at a press conference held at Gunsan CC in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, under the theme "The Future of Korean Golf Courses with David McLay Kidd."
Gunsan CC plans to begin renovating its Jeonju and Iksan courses in partnership with world-renowned course designer David McLay Kidd. The Scottish-born Kidd built his reputation by creating the first course at Bandon Dunes in Oregon in 1999. The opening of Bandon Dunes prompted a shift in course design trends across the United States and the world toward naturalism, which minimizes artificial elements. St. Andrews, "the home of golf," has several courses besides the Old Course, including the Castle Course, which opened in 2008 and is also Kidd's work. He is currently regarded as one of the world's top course designers alongside Tom Doak.
Kim said, "Because we host about 100 tournaments a year at Gunsan CC, we wanted to create a highly discriminating course, and that led to the Tournament Course, whose renovation was completed in 2023." He added, "Going forward, we plan to renovate the remaining courses sequentially to transform Gunsan CC into a golf resort that golfers from around the world will visit." Kim said he toured several prestigious courses in the United States and Scotland to find a designer for the renovation, ultimately choosing Kidd as the best fit.
Kidd, visiting Gunsan CC for the second time, said, "Creating a great course requires many different elements. Among them, the owner's commitment and passion are the most important, and nowhere have I seen enthusiasm like that at Gunsan CC. I will create a course unlike any seen in Korea before."
If North Jeolla Province succeeds in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics, the golf events are reportedly set to take place on the Jeonju and Iksan courses at Gunsan CC that are now being renovated. Kidd said, "If the Olympics were held on a course I designed, it would be the crowning achievement of my course design career."
At the conference, concerns were also raised about the soil quality of Gunsan CC, built on a former salt field, and Korea's climate. Kidd expressed confidence, saying, "I have worked in many places around the world, including several reclaimed-land sites. I have also worked in regions with a climate similar to Korea's. Through extensive experience, I have built up the relevant knowledge, technology, and techniques. I have created new terrain and laid out courses in places where nothing existed."
Asked what makes a great course, Kidd said, "A course can only be great if it has its own theme." He added, "A great course does not lose its value even after 100 years. I want to apply to Gunsan CC a solid design that transcends the trends of the times, faithfully reflects the history of the game, and endures for more than 100 years."
