"They require more attention than my own children. Even so..."
The "guardians" who protect Miyazaki's beautiful greenery

The narrator of this story

Phoenix Seagaia Resort
Director of Greening Management Department

Teruhiko Kodama

Akihiko Kodama

He is in charge of the Green Management Department, which oversees the entire resort. He devised and promoted a measure to repurpose frost protection fans used in tea plantations for use on the greens as a countermeasure against summer grass dieback. Currently, he is leading the efforts to protect the black pine forest, working in cooperation with arborists and local government officials to implement pest control measures.

Phoenix Country Club
Chief Greenkeeper

Yoshihiro Kubo

Yoshihiro Kubo

Originally from Tokyo, he moved to Miyazaki to attend university and joined the resort as a new graduate in 1993, the year it opened. For over 30 years since then, he has been involved in course management, earning him the title of "turf professional." Currently, he leads a staff of approximately 40 people and oversees the maintenance of two golf courses.

The symbol of the resort: Professionals who protect the beautiful greenery.

Phoenix Seagaia Ocean Tower. When you open the curtains in Guest rooms, the deep green of the black pine forest stretching along the coast below and the light green of the grass covering the golf course create a vivid contrast.

The lush green landscape is what makes Phoenix Seagaia Resort a special space, completely separate from everyday life.

However, maintaining it is by no means easy. There are Miyazaki's hot, long summers and the vast grounds. And above all, nature doesn't tell us anything even if something is wrong. The scenery that captivates visitors regardless of the season is built upon the careful observation and diligent care of the professionals on site.

First, we'll introduce you to the little-known behind-the-scenes workings of the "turf professionals" who are in charge of some of Japan's most prestigious golf courses.

As the person in charge of course management for the world's top professional golfers

The resort features two golf courses: Phoenix Country Club, which hosts the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament every November, bringing together top professional golfers from around the world, and Tom Watson Golf Course, which offers a more casual playing experience.

The most distinctive feature is that by sowing winter grass seeds across the entire course in early autumn, they have achieved an "evergreen" that remains beautifully green even in the dead of winter. This requires a great deal of effort and is rarely seen at golf courses in Japan.

The person in charge of maintaining both courses is Chief Greenkeeper Yoshihiro Kubo, a seasoned veteran with 30 years of experience in course management.

"Our job is to keep the course in top condition at all times by reading the weather and temperature changes. We have about 40 staff members in total, and we observe the grass every day, selecting fertilizers and chemicals according to the conditions, and adjusting the mowing height."

Although Kubo has a gentle personality, his expression naturally becomes serious when the conversation turns to course management.

"The tournament in November is our goal for the year. Top professionals gather there, and it's televised nationwide...the pressure is immense. We spend each day praying that we can get through it without any problems. After the tournament is over, I feel so relieved that I can barely move for about a week."

Thanks to Kubo and his team's meticulous maintenance efforts, the course remains beautifully green throughout the autumn and winter months.

Early in the morning, staff members perform maintenance on service vehicles. Some of these vehicles are said to be as expensive as luxury cars.

Closely examine the "expression" of the grass... Taking on the biggest challenge: surviving the summer.

Course maintenance is mainly carried out in the early morning and evening so as not to interfere with play. Every morning around 6 a.m., Kubo and other experienced staff members spread out across the vast course to patrol, and when they find even the slightest damage, they apply fertilizer or medicine precisely to those spots.

The greens, in particular, demand a high degree of precision. The deliberate use of turf suited to cold climates in order to achieve a smooth ball roll further increases the difficulty of maintenance.

Kubo says:

"How to get through the increasingly long summers? Surviving the summer is our biggest challenge."

To combat the heat, fans are installed at each green space. In addition, easily absorbed fertilizers are used to reduce stress on the plants, and because bacteria can easily enter through even the slightest cuts during pruning in the summer, meticulous attention is paid to the use of machinery and blades down to the millimeter.

As evidenced by Kubo's words, "Just like humans, the grass gets tired easily in the heat," the staff members look at the grass with the same meticulous care they would give to a human being. They are familiar with the individual characteristics of each of the 27 greens, and it is said that they often comment on the grass, saying things like, "Its expression has changed a little, hasn't it?"

It's incredibly difficult to discern the state of these silent "pets," but that's precisely why the joy of seeing the grass respond to the love you've poured into it is all the greater.

"The previous goalkeeper told me, 'They're more trouble than your own child.' And he was absolutely right. They don't grow the way you want them to, and the changes don't appear immediately. But if you keep taking care of them without giving up, after a few months, the grass will become lush and green. When that happens, you feel a quiet sense of joy, thinking, 'I did it!'"

The beautiful green carpet that captivates players is the culmination of a wordless dialogue.

A strong shield protecting the resort. The spirit inherited from the "Matsuken Constitution."

It's not just the care provided by the staff that protects the grass. The black pine forest stretching along the coast also acts as a strong shield against the sea breeze.

The pine trees, stretching 11km from north to south and 1km wide, number over one million. They were planted about 200 years ago for the purpose of protecting against tides and wind.

Phoenix Seagaia Resort has maintained its commitment to protecting the pine forest as a valuable asset since the golf course opened in 1971. In 1996, it established the "Pine Constitution," a set of strict rules for all employees of the group. Beginning with the philosophy that "the foundation of Seagaia lies in its rich pine forest," the constitution explicitly states that "in expansion, renovation, and piping installation work, as well as golf course remodeling, pine trees must be given priority in the design, and no pine trees should be cut down." This spirit is carried on today as the "Seagaia Black Pine Forest Declaration."

Teruhiko Kodama, head of the Green Management Department at Seagaia, says the following:

"Pine trees require more care than you might think. If proper pruning is neglected, their function as a windbreak deteriorates, and they can no longer adequately protect the grass from sea breezes and other elements. We want to continue to cherish the pine forest, which is an asset to our resort."

The "pine wilt" problem is worsening. Public-private partnership measures have begun.

Contrary to Kodama's hopes, the pine forest is currently facing the threat of "pine wilt," a disease transmitted by longhorn beetles and other insects. The damage has been rapidly increasing since around 2023, with approximately 1,000 pine trees dying every year around Phoenix Country Club alone. Field staff are busy with felling and injecting chemicals into the tree trunks, but the vast pine forest is intricately bordered by residential areas, a zoo, and public and private forests, limiting the measures that can be taken. Despite the best efforts on the ground, they are unable to stop the damage from spreading, a frustrating reality.

Standing before the stump of a pine tree that had been cut down out of necessity, Kodama speaks.

"I am filled with regret and feel like I could cry. However, I cannot dwell on the regrets. I am determined to work together as a department to protect the pine trees that are still alive by implementing pest control measures and to regenerate the areas where the pine trees have withered."

The local government also shares the sense of crisis regarding pine wilt disease, and in February of this year, Miyazaki City launched a three-year emergency project called "THE GREEN PROTECT MIYAZAKI." With the government taking the lead, it has become possible to spray pesticides across areas that are not managed by other entities, and to cut down dead pine trees on private land that is often neglected, thus enabling more thorough and wide-area control measures.

Responding to this movement is ICONIA HOSPITALITY, which manages the resort. They made a corporate hometown tax donation of 15 million yen each to Miyazaki Prefecture and Miyazaki City. The person in charge said, "The beautiful black pine forest is a treasure that not only Seagaia but also Miyazaki City and Miyazaki Prefecture can be proud of. From the perspectives of the environment, scenery, and disaster prevention, we want to do everything we can to support the preservation of as many pine trees as possible for the future."

In response to the pine tree wilt problem, a system is being put in place for the government and businesses to cooperate and tackle the issue as a whole region.

To the ultimate stage where the pride of craftsmen comes alive.

The culmination of the many layers of black pine shields and the dedication of the craftsmen who work with the turf within them will be the stage for the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament, held in November.
The period before and after a tournament is when the course is in its most beautiful state, so we highly recommend that golfers play during this time. Also, during the tournament, you can walk around the course as a spectator, making it a great opportunity for those who don't play golf to experience the charm of this place.

Come and experience the breathtaking green landscape, where the carefully preserved black pine forest and the pride of the professionals thrive, at Phoenix Seagaia Resort.

Stargazing golf and a new swimming pool. Discover a variety of attractions this summer.

Phoenix Seagaia Resort continues to evolve the ways in which guests can enjoy their stay.
This summer, the "Splash Area" will open inside "THE LIVING GARDEN." With the addition of two types of slides and "Bubble Hill," a water play structure making its debut in Kyushu, family Activity will be even more enjoyable.
Furthermore, for a sophisticated evening getaway, we recommend night golf at the Tom Watson Golf Course. You can enjoy a half-round while feeling the cool night breeze after arriving at the hotel, and then play a full round the next day, making for a truly luxurious golfing trip.