Following the tournaments in Thailand and Singapore, the third leg of the LPGA Tour’s Asia Swing, the Blue Bay LPGA, kicks off on March 5th as the action shifts to Hainan Island, China.
Last year, Rio Takeda secured her second LPGA victory at this very event. Below is an overview of the tournament, the course, and the featured players, along with the latest updates.
Tournament Overview
- Event Name: Blue Bay LPGA
- Dates: Thursday, March 5 – Sunday, March 8, 2025
- Venue: Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course
- Title Sponsor: Hainan Greentown Blue Bay Resort
- Total Purse: $2.5 Million
- Winner’s Share: $375,000
- Defending Champion: Rio Takeda
Japanese Contingent
The following eight players from Japan are officially entered:
Rio Takeda, Ayaka Furue, Saki Baba, Yuri Yoshida, Yuka Saso, Erika Hara, Kokona Sakurai, and Haruka Morita.
Additionally, Yuna Nishimura is currently at the top of the waiting list, with Hinako Shibuno listed fourth.
About Blue-Bay Golf Club
1. Course Profile
Located at Qingshui Bay, about an hour’s drive southeast of Sanya in Hainan, the course forms a premier golf resort alongside the adjacent Westin Blue Bay Resort & Spa.
- Course Type: Tropical Links-style
- Scale: 18 holes / Par 72
- Total Length: Up to 7,555 yards from the championship tees (allowing for an extremely tough setup).
- Turf: Sea Isle 2000 Paspalum is used for the tees, fairways, and greens. This grass is highly resistant to salt spray, ensuring vibrant green fairways and consistently fast greens.
2. History
- Opened: January 2, 2012.
- Background: Developed by the Jian Lake Group of Shaoxing. Since its opening, it has consistently ranked among the top 10 courses in China.
- Tournament Record: The course has hosted the Blue Bay LPGA since 2014. Top players worldwide highly praise its challenging layout and stunning beauty.
3. Designer
The course was designed by Mark Hollinger, lead architect of the JMP Golf Design Group based in California, USA.
Emphasizing “harmony with nature,” Hollinger utilized the original sand dune terrain. By incorporating sleeper-walled bunkers and vast waste areas, he created a unique landscape that fuses traditional links aesthetics with tropical vegetation.
4. Signature Holes
- 17th Hole (Par 3 / 232 Yards)The most famous hole on the course.
- Features: A breathtaking hole built along the coastline with panoramic views of the South China Sea.
- Difficulty: The green is a massive U-shape (horseshoe) with a pot bunker in the center. Strong sea breezes make club selection difficult, and errant shots are often swallowed by the “beach” (natural sand), making it a thrilling challenge.
- 18th Hole (Par 5 / 551 Yards)The dramatic final hole where tournaments are decided.
- Features: A stunning long hole with the blue sea stretching behind the green.
- Strategy: The green is split into left and right sections, resembling “spectacles,” with deep pot bunkers guarding the front. Players must choose between the courage to go for the green in two or playing it safe.
- 3rd Hole (Par 5 / 589 Yards)
- Features: A straight hole with the ocean stretching endlessly along the right side. The scenic beauty and wide fairways provide a sense of openness.
Comments