Merapi

Gunung Merapi (translated as “Fire Mountain”) on the island of Java is Indonesia’s most active volcano. It’s been designated as a Decade Volcano for particular study, along with fifteen others around the world, due to its destructive eruptions and close proximity to large areas of population.

Yogyakarta lies 30 kilometres to the south and the course at Merapi Golf sits in between the city and the volcano, with fairways set out across its ancient lava flows. Developed as a public facility by businessman Yuwono Kolopaking when he retired in the late-1980s, the course is his way of giving something back to the local people.

The layout has not been without its problems in recent years. Following the last eruption of Mount Merapi in 2010, holes 9, 10 and 17 were covered in ash but the locals rallied together and quickly restored the course. Heavy rain that immediately followed also helped to wash the powdery residue away.