Denarau Golf and Racquet boasts many unique qualities that set it apart in the South Pacific as the premiere golf club in the region. Located steps from the Starwood properties on Denarau Island, and just twenty minutes from Nadi (Fiji’s main airport), the oceanside setting could not be more perfect. Among its many unique traits, is the bunkering which is clearly a signature of the Japanese born architect Mr. Eiichi Motohashi. Known in his homeland, Motohashi blends Japanese architecture into golf design and a look at the bunkering, which eschews many tropical shapes, including many forms of sea life. Perhaps lost on the first time visitor as the shapes present themselves rather subtly on the ground level, the aerial photography shows the great artistry that Motohashi instilled in the golf course. The challenge of the course is not lost on the golfer either as the Aaron Baddely Junior Tournament and the Fiji Open have both been held on the venerable layout.

Water and sand abound and beach bunkers, which merge the two, are also found throughout. Lending plenty of challenge for the resort golfer as well as the visiting pros, the course stretches to 7,164 yards from the back markers.

The courses aesthetic nature is revealed on the 176-yard par three third hole. The tidal bunker that fronts the green means that depending on the tide, a ball hit shot may either mean a one stroke penalty or long bunker shot. Either way, the green’s irregular shape means that finding the proper portion of the green is difficult and requires the proper club selection.

The second par three of the front side could be named ‘Swordfish’, for the eponymous shaped grass island that highlights that bunker over the green. However, the task at hand must not be ignored, because the hole stretches to 235 yards and requires a long club to a small putting surface. Offsetting the length of the hole is the wide opening in front of the green, which allows the ball to be run into the green as mandated by the design.

The front nine closes with a par five that forces the golfer to cross two water hazards on the way to the green. Measuring 563 yards, the drive must be played to a wide fairway, to set up a second shot that is played over a water hazard as close to the centre of the fairway as possible. From there the pitch into the green is played between two bunkers flanking either side of the green and begging the golfer to carry the many fingers of sand that seem to capture approach shots.

The 15th hole at Denarau is surely the pinnacle, with a backdrop that is tough to rival anywhere in the world. The 444-yard par four plays directly out to the ocean and while overwhelming in beauty can also play among the hardest on the course. The drive must find the fairway, which angles to the left, while avoiding the two fairway bunkers that guard either side of the landing area. From there the golfer faces a long second shot that is to receptive green, which is open in front. Upon the reaching the green, the golfer can take in the ocean behind, which can be particularly stunning at sunset!

After the formidable par three 17th hole, the golf faces the exciting 520-yard par five finisher that can yield scores of 3-13. The golfer is once again asked to cross the water twice, but only after a solid drive to a welcoming fairway. With the second shot, the golfer is asked to go for the gusto and carry two streams and a beach bunker fronting the green or lay up to the fairway that bridges the hole. Three bunkers guard the landing area, though as the golfer gets closer to the second stream, the fairway is more generous. The fun is hardly done though, as the approach to the green must be played over the water and sand to one of the wildest greens on the course. With distinct tiers, the golfer is required to use a fine touch to find the appropriate section of the surface and faces a tricky putt for birdie.

For those resort golfers who complain of boredom from resort courses lacking unique characteristics, need to look no further than the South Pacific island of Fiji . With bunker shapes that range from footprints to swordfish and everything in between, the golfer is treated to a round in paradise that meet all of their needs.