Tokyo, Japan: Sagamihara Golf Club will return to the spotlight when it plays host to the 2021 Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup Golf.

The decision to stage the historic Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC)-supported event at the Kanagawa Prefecture club’s storied East Course was ratified at a Board meeting of the Japan Golf Association (JGA).

“We’re delighted to confirm that Sagamihara Golf Club’s East Course has been secured and approved as the venue for next year’s Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup Golf,” said Andy Yamanaka, the JGA’s Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer.

To take place from May 13-16, 2021, the event is co-sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour Organisation and the Asian Tour, a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation. The seventh edition had been due to take place two months ago but was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

One of the JGA’s four National Championships, alongside the Japan Open, Japan Women’s Open and Japan Senior Open, the Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup Golf was recognised by The R&A last year with the enticement of an invitation to the champion to compete in The Open.

Among its other unique facets, the Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup Golf gives a start to the winner of the previous year’s APGC Junior Championship Mitsubishi Corporation Cup while a number of exemptions are allocated to the APGC for them to invite leading amateurs from the region to participate.

Under guidance from the JGA, it was in 2014 that the Diamond Cup Golf and Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship merged into the Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup Golf, in partnership with the Mitsubishi Corporation and Osaka-based Kansai Television Co Ltd.

Taimur Hassan Amin, the APGC’s Chairman, said: “We look forward to the Diamond Cup returning to the schedule stronger than ever in 2021. Our thanks go to the Japan Golf Association for its continued support in providing such wonderful opportunities for our players to gain top-level experience in the early portion of their golfing journeys.”

A one-hour drive from downtown Tokyo, Sagamihara Golf Club has hosted the Japan Open Golf Championship on three occasions with Toru Taniguchi emerging triumphant the last time it was held there in 2007. It was also the venue for the Japan Women’s Open Golf Championship in 2013, won by Mika Miyazato.

Designed by Yuji Kodera, the East Course was opened in 1955. The course was remodelled by Yoshikazu Murakami in 1963, allowing for two greens on each hole, ensuring the layout is playable year-round.