"We had 90 years to prepare" , said Ryoichi Ohno, the captain of the Kasumigaseki Country Club, which will host 20 Olympic competitions in 2020.

For a few uncomfortable months, the spotlight was on Rio's Olympic course, designed by Gil Hanse, built specifically to host the Rio Games in 2016. Construction delays and logistical problems were at the center of concerns at the approaching the Rio games, which has led to many controversies. But last Tuesday, as Ohno presented on a tour of the East Kasumigaseki course, it was clear that Tokyo 2020 organizers had no such concerns.

Kasumigaseki is one of the oldest and most respected golf clubs in Japan and the East Course, which will host the Olympic men's and women's competitions, is a championship course. The East - which was renovated by CH Alison in 1930, barely a year after the track opened - has twice hosted the Japan Open and the Canada Cup, which is now the World Cup.

In 2016, Tom Fazio completed a second phase of the renovation of the East route which considerably lengthened the route from 6 meters; converting the two greens layout to a more traditional simple green layout.

Many older courses in Japan, such as the Narashino Country Club, which this week hosts the Zozo Championship, feature two greens for each hole to combat the region's extreme weather conditions. One green normally has grasses in warm weather while the other has turf that can withstand cooler conditions. By switching to just one green per hole, Fazio was able to add over 350 yards to the course.

Although the number of meters varies for the male and female events, Ohno predicts that the ninth par-4 hole (476m from the tee of the tournament) will be the most difficult and the 14th hole par-5 will be the most complicated of the holes with complex green.

Players will likely have the opportunity to improve their final score on the 17th hole. The uphill par-4 could be set up as a risk / reward option at around 275 yards with a large mound effectively reducing the width of the fairway; while the 460 meter hole of the 18th hole with a very strong right dogleg towards a green protected by a water hazard and two long and narrow bunkers.

Ohno also explained that due to the extreme heat in late July and early August, players should expect somewhat slower speeds on the green as well as thick Zoysia grass on this par. -71.

What players and officials won't have to worry about next year are the anxieties that defined the moments leading up to the tournament in 2016. As Ohno explains, Kasumigaseki has been preparing for it for almost a year. 'a century.

To know more : https://www.kasumigasekicc.or.jp/english/