Asia’s next best design?
Brian Curley has routed a new course over dramatic mountain terrain in the East Java region of Indonesia.
Near the city of Kediri in Indonesia’s East Java region, the new Dhoho Golf Club is ready to open one of Asia’s most dramatic new courses.
Part of the Surya Dhoho destination development that is designed to attract tourism and business to the area, supported by new road and airport infrastructure, the club’s eye-catching new layout was designed by Brian Curley of Curley-Wagner Golf Design.
Dhoho is set in the eastern foothills of Gunung Liman, a 2,500-metre-high dormant volcano that defines the landscape for at least 25 miles in every direction from its peak. As a result, the golf course site has significant elevation change, prominent ridgelines and a network of streams.
“This property offers substantially varied terrain and backdrops,” says Curley. “The result is a design with wildly different and unique holes that create great memorability.”
Curley, whose extensive portfolio of designs in Asia meant he was perfectly at home with the challenging site, sought to create a golf experience that embraces the site’s natural characteristics. “The grand scale of the property demands a combination of fairway width and massive bunkering at times, punctuated with bahia grass islands,” says Curley. “The streams dominate many holes and the overall landscape, as they can be seen from many angles due to the elevation change.”
Some earthmoving was inevitable to create a playable golf course, as Curley explains: “The terrain is very severe in some places, so we did move a little under 500,000 cubic metres of dirt, which may sound big compared to many sites but I feel we got a lot out of a tough site with a relatively modest earthmoving effort given the terrain. The results mean dramatic views are incorporated at most holes, with all holes looking very natural, something most visitors comment on, which is always a compliment.”
The project was originally planned as 27 holes, incorporating some land in a second, lower valley. “While this is a very dramatic setting with a good-sized stream, it also caused long connection issues between greens and tees due to a significant slope,” says Curley. “This land was also less open to breezes and can get stagnant and hot.” The change to 18 holes saw the elimination of five holes that had been planned for this area, and a reworking of the holes on the rest of the site.
Curley sought to maximise the potential offered by the varied and expansive landscape.
“The course has a heap of great par threes, all with dramatic backdrops and distinct character, while from tee to green,” he says. “I love the finishing stretch, which features a mid-length par-four fifteenth that runs alongside and then over a stream; the volcano backdrop on the par-three sixteenth; the risk-reward huge carry over the quarry; and the reachable par-five eighteenth that includes a waterfall from a lake below the clubhouse.”
“I have created what may be some of the largest, most varied and wild green surfaces I have ever done.”
Curley designed greens that echo the movement of the overall landscape.
“At Dhoho, I have created what may be some of the largest, most varied and wild green surfaces I have ever done on 18 holes, and they create a unique ground game experience.”
“In the months to come, the native vegetation surrounds will grow in, and the holes will pop out of a stunning, dense tropical landscape with dramatic views down to golf and up to mountains.”
Construction was completed in February 2026 by Martin Moore’s Flagstick firm. The contractor installed 60,000 metres of drainage while contending with some unusually heavy rain events.
“Martin and I agree that Dhoho may be one of our more satisfying projects… not only to finally see the course come to fruition, but to even surpass our expectations,” says Curley. “It’s truly a phenomenal accomplishment.”
The project team also included Sports Turf Solutions, who supplied Zeon Zoysia and Primo Zoysia grasses, irrigation design firm Cadsult, equipment distributor Jebsen & Jessen, Toro Asia and water feature specialists WR Rock Group.
“We are fortunate to have so many great things align here: a wonderfully committed owner, a fantastic property, amazing surrounding views and incredible design,” says Curley. “I am confident this project will be heralded as one of Asia’s best.”
Source: Golf Course Architect