The Lion Lake Country Club in Guangzhou, China, now has 27 of its 36 holes open for play.

Designed by Chicago-based architect Rick Jacobson, the front nine of the resort’s Moonlight course, joins the eighteen hole Moon course, which opened last year, and which was voted best course design of 2009 in the country by China Golf magazine.

“It is very gratifying to see golfers playing the front nine of the Moonlight course,” Jacobson said. “The course was designed to challenge the top players in the world while being fair and fun for members and resort guests. Golf is a difficult game. Our design philosophy is to try to make the game as enjoyable as it is challenging. These two goals are not inconsistent with one another.”

Jacobson said Moonlight was designed to contrast with the Moon course, which has an unrefined quasi-inland links feel. By contrast the Moonlight course has highly manicured look with a lush tropical landscape. 

“Our goal was to give golfers at the resort two contrasting styles of courses to play while visiting Lion Lake,” Jacobson said. “I believe we have achieved that goal.”

The Lion Lake facility is a mixed-use hotel, resort, residential, and office development located in the China’s largest golf market. Internationally known golf course management firm Troon Golf operates the golf facilities.