OUT OF THE BUNKER

V KRISHNASWAMY, Sports columnist and golf commentator reveals the beauty of the world’s golf courses – travel destinations in their own right

 

Malay style

Bookplates, once used by buyers to assert their ownership of a book, today have dedicated collectors and a market that few in India know about

You need to hand it to Malaysia. They have got it right. A perfect blend of local culture, quality hospitality and golf at the right price – neither too cheap – which makes you start looking for catches – nor too expensive, in which case you start looking at your wallet and feeling the credit card.

Having positioned itself as a major travel hub in South-East Asia, Malaysia is now taking advantage of its unique setting wooing both the Western and Asian audience. For a Westerner seeking a new destination there is local flavour at an affordable price and for the Asian, who wants to retain a bit of Asia and have Europe at the same time, it is all there in the right mix.

In an economic climate, where pricing is becoming more and more important, Malaysia has done it perfectly. It has facilities, tourist and golfing, at various price points, making it easy for the customer to choose.
Malaysia’s uniqueness also stems from its diversity. A mix of Malay, Chinese and Indians and others settled it in Malaysia gives it a very open look. The trappings of the modern world co-exist with the forests and natural attractions and the weather varies between hot and humid to cool evenings.

In terms of golf, one of the first countries to adopt the sport to attract tourism and business, it has over 200 golf courses. And the choice to tee off exists all over. Whether it is in the cool highlands, amidst lush greenery or even in the city or on the fringes of the South China Sea, which provides a magnificent setting. Shopping malls, local markets, local and international food, good transport system and the ease of language – most people in cities understand English – make it a great destination for vacations with golf!
Kuala Lumpur, with its Petronas Towers and modern shopping malls, may be the best-known city in Malaysia, but it has much, much more.

A good sized country – it does not look so on a map – it is 329,847 sq. km in area, but separated by the South China Sea into two regions – Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo. It shares borders with major tourists centres like Thailand and Indonesia and Brunei besides maritime borders with Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Interestingly Malaysia has one of the best economic growth stories in Asia. Even at the worst of times like the 1999-2000 slowdown, Malaysia had managed to hold its own. Blessed with a lot of natural resources from its tropical forests and traditional art and culture, it has expanded with great infrastructure – the time taken to travel the 90km from airport to city is just under an hour – which is now being complemented by science, tourism and commerce. And, today the Malaysian Ringgit is a very strong currency.

 

Golf Courses

Over the years I have had the opportunity to visit a number of courses across Malaysia, whether as part of my work as golf writer and reporter or as someone simply interested in seeing tourism and golf as integral parts of the industry and business.

Over the last decade or two, a good number of the courses have been re-done. Top names in the business like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Greg Norman and Max Wexler have worked on courses and ensured the local environment has been taken into account while designing courses with their signature styles.

Malaysia’s great golf courses have resulted in the country positioning itself as one of the first Asian countries to attract high-quality golf events, players and sponsors. Sure, Japan and Korea have had an obsessive passion for golf, but in Malaysia it has been cultivated and used to the country’s advantage very well. Playing golf in Japan and Korea is prohibitive in terms of costs but it is not so in Malaysia, which while not compromising on quality and standards has kept the prices affordable.

But what makes it extremely interesting is the way its tourism department works with agents and tour operators, who seem to have a lot of freedom. And their interest in business is as focused as promoting their country.

With tour operators like MST Golf Vacations, who organised my visit, offering ‘Golf and Vacation Packages’ it becomes a hassle free trip at prices, which can be tailored. The ever-smiling Ching Ching Aung, the Golf Manager, Tour Operations at MST, guided us through the trip. She may not play golf as regularly as she would like to but she has patience that is amazing and her attention to detail would do a pro golfer proud. Her breadth of knowledge of golf is as amazing as her wealth of information on food.

My favourite in KL, if only for the fact that I lost only four balls during 18 holes and hit the Island green, too, besides landing a par or two, is the beautiful Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC). Apart from the Championship West Course and the enjoyable East Course, it has a variety of restaurants, sporting amenities and an ultra modern fully-automated driving range.

Less than 10 km from the heart of the city amidst the beautiful landscape of Bukit Kiara, the KLGCC is very well connected and surrounded by the city’s prime residential suburbs. KLGCC has lot of nature around it and makes for a perfect venue, for business, entertainment and leisure with golf thrown in.

 

The two courses at the KLGCC are:

West Course: This is the one for a shot-maker with imagination and a capacity for detail. It has sensational views of the hole and the scenery as shots from elevated tees seem to soar into eternity. It requires a lot of planning to negotiate this course.

East Course: A typical risk-reward course in parkland style. Its colourful landscaping and design reward the intelligent golfer. The length and the challenge also make it an ideal venue for major international tournaments. It has excellent fairways and greens and challenging elevation changes. With natural grasses and wetlands and a sanctuary to provide a habitat to the numerous forms of wildlife and birds in the area, it is indeed a great walk with golf clubs in tow!

The KLGCC’s 36-hole courses is said to be so busy that traffic exceeds 100,000 rounds a year besides hosting numerous international championships, the latest being the Sime Derby LPGA event. The KLGCC hosted the Malaysian Open at the West Course in 2006 and 2010. It was originally designed by Robin Nelson and Rodney Wright in 1991. In the 20 years since, it has positioned itself in the forefront of the highly competitive golfing marking in Malaysia.

Since then, it has redefined superior service and excellence; and its facilities and hospitality has marked Malaysia at the forefront of the world’s golfing industry.