The Design and Neon Lights at Korea’s Whistling Rock Country Club

A drive down Magnolia Lane or walk over the Swilken Bridge connects us with golf’s cherished antiquity. History is paramount with the game and we’re always looking back at the players and the golf courses they played. When South Korea’s Whistling Rock Country Club chose Mecanoo, a modern Dutch architecture firm to design its clubhouse and teahouses, they looked ahead through contemporary a lens.

The Delft-based architecture firm is located about 35 miles southwest of Amsterdam and they’re mission statement reads, “we combine architecture, interior design, urbanism and landscape to create unforgettable spaces.” Their promises check out with their work at Whistling Rock; its clubhouse is ultra-modern, sheik and comfortable. The clubhouse includes fine restaurants, luxury apartments, a pro shop, meeting rooms, spa and several grandiose lobby areas. Its wine cellar displays more than 100,000 bottles, which pair well with beautiful views of the golf course. The clubhouse’s straight lines were meant to contrast the surrounding undulation. Its neon light accents glow at night and give it an electro-modern feel. Its style is contrarian to bright white paint and green shutters which is nice, but we already plenty of that.

 

“The 27-hole private club in Chuncheon, South Korea has 280 members,” David Fisher, vice president of international business at Whistling Rock told us. “The experience is first class and we’re more formal compared to American and European clubs. Our members bring their clients and a lot of business is done here. Our caddy system is the first thing that sticks our guests not familiar with golf in Korea. Our members love our caddy system. Each cart seats five, holds four golf bags and the cart stays on path, their caddy has a remote control and brings the cart up the hole from afar – keeping it on the path which keeps the grass in good shape. It’s a luxurious way to be treated on course, it’s a very comfortable way to play golf,” Fisher continued.

Each nine-hole course and its coinciding teahouse are commonly named: Cocoon, Temple and Cloud respectively. The teahouses were designed by Mecanoo, the three nine hole courses were designed by Robinson Golf of Laguna Beach, California. The three unique teahouses are ideal if the contract is ready for ink, the group wants a bite or of course, tea.

“The golf course is in tune with the surrounding nature, streams and rivers – it’s incredible and we think it’s one of the best experiences in the world,” Fisher added.

Golf is has plenty of antique mahogany… perhaps it’s more neon lights we need.

whistlingrockcc.com