South Korean golf star KJ Choi checks out Hann Reserve

Choi with Hann Reserve Chairman & CEO Dae Sik Han

MANILA, Philippines — KJ Choi, the legendary South Korean professional golfer, who currently plays on the PGA Tour Champions, visited Hann Reserve last week to look over one of the club’s signature courses that he designed.

This project marks Choi’s first project as a golf course designer under his own name, with Six Moons serving as his debut signature course. The project reflects his personal design philosophy and deep understanding of the game, translated into a championship-level layout. The course is designed with a strong emphasis on precision and natural harmony, featuring rolling fairways that blend seamlessly with native vegetation. His design philosophy highlights both strategic playability and environmental integration, offering golfers a challenging yet visually immersive experience.

“Having played on the Asian Tour for about six years, and later making my way to the PGA Tour through the Japan Tour, I can honestly say that throughout all my years of playing in Asia, I have never experienced a course like this. From the course conditions and design to the grain and quality of the grass, everything is truly exceptional. I feel incredibly proud seeing what Hann Reserve has been able to accomplish, it gives me a great sense of pride and confidence that something of this level can be achieved here,” said Choi.

The veteran golfer is not only known for his successful professional career but also for his growing influence in golf course design. His work at Hann Reserve reflects his commitment to creating world-class courses that respect the natural landscape while elevating the game.

Talking about the design philosophy behind Six Moons, Choi emphasized the importance of fundamentals, discipline and strategic play. He shared that the course was designed to challenge players through precision and thoughtful course management, while remaining balanced, for both male and female golfers.

“I believe it is important to stay faithful to the fundamentals. The word ‘fundamentals’ may sound simple, but many people tend to overlook them. Whether it is maintaining the right lifestyle, practicing consistently, working on basic elements such as the grip, or following the proper training methods, these are things that must be repeated and maintained over time. If a player fails to take care of these basics, small cracks will eventually begin to appear. That is why I believe a professional golfer must consistently manage himself and remain committed to the fundamentals,” stresses Choi.

He also discussed the design inspiration.

“Designing a course in this way is truly a challenge. To be honest, my main profession is as a player, not as a course designer. However, what I wanted to create was a course that ordinary golfers could enjoy, a course that feels comfortable, yet still challenging; a course where players want to make a good score, and most importantly, a course they would want to come back and play again,” he explains.

Six Moons stands as a testament to this vision — an 18-hole course that combines technical challenges with scenic beauty, making it a standout feature of Hann Reserve.