MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan — Heads up, golfers: The No. 10 hole at Gosser Memorial Golf Course is getting a face-lift.
The par-3 green is the first on the 18-hole course being redesigned to U.S. Golf Association standards.
“It will be a lot tougher,” said Mark Doinoff, Misawa’s golf director. “When I look at this hole, I picture No. 12 at Augusta.”
The hole is considered one of the most picturesque on the course: From the tee, it slopes steeply downhill, commands a view of Lake Ogawara (on clear days) and is flanked by trees.
“It’s our signature hole,” Doinoff said.
When finished, the hole will measure 186 to 192 yards over water to a much larger, 5,000-square-foot putting green. The pond — with two water fountains — is a new addition.
“If you land short, your ball will filter into the pond,” Doinoff said. “There’s not much room to bail out.”
New sod was rolled out on the putting green Monday. It will be dusted with sand to help fill in any holes and watered every day. The roots on a USGA-certified hole are much deeper due to stratified layers of gravel, sand and soil that enhance drainage and help retain turf moisture, reducing maintenance and watering requirements.
The project is being completed in-house for about $20,000, Doinoff said, and the ultimate goal is to bring all 18 holes at Gosser, built in 1952, up to USGA standards.
The No. 10 hole — which still will be a par-3 — is slated to open in mid-July or early August. Brig. Gen. Sam Angelella, 35th Fighter Wing commander, has invited Misawa mayor and avid golfer Shigeyoshi Suzuki to be the first to tee off.
While No. 10 remains closed to golfers, hole 13, a par-5, will continue to be broken into two holes for scoring purposes.