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For expats who enjoy a day on the links, Malaysia has much to offer. Join golf aficionado David Bowden as he tees up and scopes out some of the fairways and greens of both Peninsular and East Malaysia.
Reputedly, golf was first played on Malaysian soil at the Sarawak Club in East Malaysia in 1876. Now, a growing number of golfers in both West and East Malaysia enjoy playing on one of some 200 courses throughout the country. For those used to playing on courses in the temperate latitudes, Malaysia’s tropical conditions can be taxing, but Malaysian golfers wouldn’t have it any other way. Malaysian golf courses are known for their variety and here are several courses in both West and East Malaysia that offer just that.
Langkawi Trio
There are three golf courses on the island of Langkawi in the far northwest of Peninsular Malaysia – Gunung Raya, Datai Bay, and 99 East. The first two are 18-hole courses while 99 East is currently a ninehole course but with plans to be eventually developed into a full championship course. The Golf Club Datai Bay has been masterfully crafted through tropical rainforests by golfing legend Ernie Els. This 18-hole championship course was recently redesigned to offer a more challenging layout featuring confined, forest-lined fairways.
The 18-hole Gunung Raya Golf Resort includes a driving range, pro shop and clubhouse which has panoramic views over the rounded limestone hills in the northeastern part of the island.
In Langkawi, the number 99 has special significance in that there are 99 islands in the archipelago and its geographical location is 99 degrees east of the Prime Meridian in Greenwich. It is hardly surprising that Langkawi’s most recently established course chose the name 99 East Golf Club, which was formerly known as Langkawi Golf Club, but its closure six years ago, redevelopment, and subsequent reopening in July 2011 has transformed Langkawi’s golfing landscape.
This course is an integral component of an extensive 365-ha integrated tourism development that will eventually include a low density residential estate plus leisure and recreational facilities. Designer Ross Watson has devised a course with design references borrowed from his native Australia as well as elements of Scottish links courses. Arguably the most demanding hole is the par 4, fifth at 417 yards. It plays uphill with a dog leg, so choosing the appropriate club combined with accuracy off the tee is important.
While the course winds through tropical rainforest, water comes into play on several holes. The course’s highest point is the tee box on the 6th hole from where commanding island views are an added bonus in enjoying the course. Most golfers are impressed with the course’s immaculate condition that includes meticulously maintained fairways and greens of Tiffeagle Bermuda grass.
Sandakan, Sabah
Over in East Malaysia, Sandakan Golf and Country Club is situated within minutes of both the airport and harbourside city centre. The course has just changed from being an entirely walking course and now offers carts for those who want to use them. New all-weather pathways have been put in place to enable this conversion to carts.
The front nine has ponds on most holes while the back nine is slightly longer but easier in being mostly downhill. It is a very mature course with well-established landscaping and some large remnant emergents from when the course was once covered in rainforest. Most fairways are generously wide and the rough gets mown regularly to make it easier for golfers to play any wayward balls that end up here. Sandakan’s signature hole is the par 3, 17th at 194m from the championship “tiger tail” tee, golfers need to negotiate a lake in front of the green and a strong drive from the tee is essential.
Outsiders are welcome to play the course and there’s always a club member available to provide some friendly advice on how best to play the various holes. Local advice is important as first timers will find it a tough course to conquer without some guidance. While this is the only 18-hole course in Sandakan, Hilltop Golf Course at Mile 5 offers nine holes for those seeking a shorter and quicker game.
The course opens daily at 6am and closes at 6.30pm with the last tee off being 4.30pm for nine holes. It is worth bearing in mind that the sun rises and sets an hour earlier in East Malaysia than it does on Peninsular Malaysia.
East by Eastwood
Elsewhere in East Malaysia, Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club, just five minutes drive from Miri Airport has only been open since 2005 and in its short history, has made a significant impact upon golfers who live in or visit northern Sarawak. A second 18-hole course has just been completed here and will soon open to the public. Eastwood Valley is ranked in the top ten Malaysian courses and has staged prestigious tournaments such as the Asian Development Tour in October-November 2012.
Apart from the weekends, which tend to be busy with locals and neighbouring Bruneians enjoying their game, visitors can almost be guaranteed immediate access to the par 72, 6,630m course at other times of the week.
Wide-open fairways greet golfers and the first hole heads south from the grand two-storey clubhouse which is connected to various open-sided covered areas that can accommodate up to 12,000 guests for special events, dinners, cocktails, concerts and conference events. The club recently hosted the inaugural Asia Music Festival staged here in early October and planned to be an annual event.
The Glen Nickle-designed course uses Seesaw Paspallum grass on the fairways and Bermuda Tifdwarf grass on the greens and the surface on both is more like a billiard table than a golf course. The grass and sub-stratum provide excellent drainage and buggies can driven on the fairways at all times except during rainstorms. Ominous “beware of snakes” signs on a few holes remind golfers that balls hit into the rough are best considered permanently lost.
There is nothing too complicated about playing from tee to fairway as the wide open spaces are very forgiving. Split level, undulating greens are where problems can start so golfers need to be on top of their putting game. It’s a known fact amongst regulars that putting your ball on the green is easy; sinking it in the hole is where the difficulty arises.
While electric carts are available, the course is an ideal walking course for those who like a little exercise. Golfers can choose to tee off from five tee positions ranging from the longest of gold to shortest, red. The signature 13th hole is the one golfers will enjoy playing most. While just a short par three (196m from the gold and 127m from the red tee boxes), the island green design will test the ability of most golfers. Naturally one requires accuracy to place the ball on the green or take another shot after seeing your ball plunge into the surrounding dam waters.
Miri in northeast Sarawak is well known as the centre of East Malaysia’s oil industry but the city offers much more than a home for the international oil community. The city is also a gateway to eco-adventures in national parks such as Mount Mulu, Lambir Hills and Niah Caves as well as remote highland communities like Ba’kelalan and Bario.
CONTACT:
99 East Golf Club (www.99east.com)
The Golf Course Datai Bay (www.dataigolf.com)
Eastwood Valley (www.eastwoodvalley.com)
Gunung Raya Golf Resort (www.golfgr.com.my)
Sandakan Golf and Country Club (www.sandakangcc.com)
Source: The Expat November 2013
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