Will Ananti set new trend at golf clubs?

By Bae Ji-sook

Let’s be honest ― Golf gives men a great excuse to stay out of their homes even on the weekend.

They leave home around 5 to 6 a.m., enjoy tee-off around 7 a.m., have plenty of snacks then a great lunch and drinking till late in the afternoon; then the sauna to get themselves sober enough to return home late in the evening to face disgruntled children and wives.

Wives were given the moniker “golf widows,” while children always gave the cold shoulder to their fathers who didn’t show up during the weekend.

But Ananti Club Seoul, located in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, just a 40-minute drive from southern Seoul, is about to set a new trend, satisfying both fathers and the rest of the family by providing a family-friendly resort with a quality golf course.

Formerly known as the Ritz Carlton C.C., Ananti marked its grand opening in June and is enjoying over hundreds of bookings for weekend rounds.

The club is nothing similar to others in Korea. The main club house is more like a piece of great architecture; the grey building with an abstract aluminum gate reminds people more of an art gallery or museum. Inside, it is more of a Southeast Asian resort, with a fountain on the wall and trendy Asian meditative music playing in the rather dark interior. The way to the locker room is more of a spa, where black and white photographs line the hallway.

The 27-hole course is a perfect place to brag about or please your guests. Classified into three levels ― zelkova for beginners; white birch for mid-level players; and pine trees for the aficionados ― each bringing the both challenge and comfort. The newly planted Kentucky blue grass is a great fit for the putters while water hazards― longer than most other golf clubs ― and gentle slopes challenges the best amateur players.

Modeled after the Augusta National Club in the U.S., its bridges and landscaping are more of an artwork. There are some streams in the middle which entice the players to leave their golf carts and take a stroll in the middle of their game.

But the golf course isn’t the end of the story. Fathers can treat their families by inviting them to other parts of the club house. There is an outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts alongside great lounge and outdoor diners. Sun beds and decks are always full of youngsters in bikinis and speedos enjoying the sun, while children are busying dabbling and diving in the pool. On the tennis courts, various programs invite fathers to spend time with their children wielding rackets.

At the poolside, the club’s executive chef Christopher Choi presents fine dining, not even remotely close to conventional fast fatty and rich snacks. From fresh salads to fried noodles, pizza and even cakes and tarts, all foods are freshly and exquisitely cooked.

In the private dining room section, assorted dinner courses are presented under the orchestration of Choi. Each dish beats high-end hotel menus with creativity, execution and presentation. “I plan to make every dish look delicious rather than crafty or beautiful. What’s the use of being pretty when you don’t even want to take a bite?”

On weekends, some cultural programs fill the air ― from pop-opera singers to small orchestras and dancers, there is no space for boredom nor frustration.

Yes, Ananti could start a new trend, where families can be happy enjoying their own interests but gather at dinner tables for intimacy, love and chatting. While fathers enjoy golf, kids can enjoy water sports at the poolside and mothers, cooking class from Choi. It is a great way to spend the weekend, getting rid of stress and at the same time, networking with exclusive socialites.

It’s not a golf club with good facilities, it is a clubhouse with a great golf course.

Ananti aims to be comprehensive resort

When you go to Ananti, talk to Sante Ahn about an excursion. He will be more than glad to give you a tour.

He is the first Korean to become a general manager of General Hotel Management, an international management chain, operating the Ananti Club Seoul and the Ananti Geumgang in North Korea.

Ahn stressed that Ananti Club Seoul is a new lifestyle space with room for all family members to enjoy their time. “Yes, we have a standout golf course and a state-of-the-art tennis court alongside great cuisine. But what we are aiming for is not luxury or exclusivity but more coziness and family-friendliness. This will be the place where everyone is welcome and can have great time, mingle and make friends,” he said.

Ananti is planning to build a hotel inside the club. The Japanese architectural style with outside pools will create both serenity and dynamicity. A 2-kilometer monorail will link the hotel to the clubhouse.

“Imagine: it will be a total resort with everything you need in a single facility!” he laughed.