International Golf Festival in Kuala Lumpur (22nd to 24th January 2010)
Top 100 travelled to Malaysia last week to escape the long British winter and to develop a better feel for Malaysian golf courses.
Top 100 – or Andy to be precise – travelled to Malaysia last week to escape the long British winter and to develop a better feel for Malaysian golf courses. Additionally Andy attended the inaugural International Golf Festival in Kuala Lumpur – the first of its kind in the country – with an objective to attract more golfers to Malaysia.
The three-day event was split between a retail trade show and tour operators/golf venues all doing their very best to sell their respective services. Naturally, Andy utilised the opportunity to extol the virtues of the global Top 100 Golf Courses website to literally hundreds of Festival attendees and exhibitors.
A one-day trade conference ran alongside the exhibition, covering golf tourism and real estate. Several overseas speakers took to the stage and Mark Siegel, owner of Golf Asian – specialists in golf holidays in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam – was a powerful voice, painting a compelling picture as to why Thailand is a must-visit destination… guaranteed winter sunshine with midsummer temperatures and more courses than the Algarve and the Costa del Sol put together. Who wouldn’t be tempted?
Paul Gibbons, director of MST Golf, the largest golf retailers in the country with over 30 retail outlets, presented an interesting topic: “Why Golf in Malaysia?” While David Spencer, the architect of Dubai's long-term partnership with the European Tour, which has resulted in the creation of the Race to Dubai and the season-ending tournament – the Dubai World Championship – discussed “How To Use Professional Golf to Enhance the Credibility of your Destination and Drive Golf Tourism”.
Andy was fortunate enough to be invited to play four courses located close to Kuala Lumpur city centre and he was rather impressed.
The Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC) West course was one of his particular favourites and is currently ranked 12th in Malaysia. The 2010 Malaysian Open is being hosted at the KLGCC in March and promises to be a fabulous event.
The Mines Golf Club is currently our Malaysian No.1 and host venue to the World Cup of Golf back in 1999. The course will be back in the spotlight later this year when the USPGA Asia Pacific Golf Classic takes place here. There is plenty of water on the Mines back nine, which undoubtedly will create plenty of drama.
Andy’s tour continued with a lovely day at the Royal Selangor Golf Club, which is situated right in the heart of the Kuala Lumpur city. Royal Selangor has a long and rich history, established in 1893 with a strong British influence.
The club today is home to around 6,000 members including royalty, cabinet ministers and foreign diplomats. The clubhouse is a fine example of colonial architecture and the 2005 restoration project has given the building a noble facelift. The two courses at Royal Selangor are called the Old and the New.
The Top 100 plan is to feature more Asian courses on the Top 100 website and eventually create a unique collection of the Top 100 Golf Courses of Asia. It will be an exciting challenge.
We have entered into a partnership agreement with www.golfasian.com who are now our travel partners for Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. This partnership, which is similar to the relationship we have developed with www.golfbreaks.com, will enable us to bring you a wider, more global golfing holiday offering from two highly regarded industry leaders.
Click here to see our our featured Malaysian courses.
Experience Royal Greens – The Jewel of Saudi Arabia's Golfing Crown Your chance to walk the same fairways as the pros! Introduction Welcome to the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, a place where the vibrant green fairways contrast beautifully with the azure of the Red Sea and the rich blues of the Saudi sky. Following the exhilarating LIV Golf Saudi Arabia tournament, we invite you to indulge in the same world-class golfing experience that the pros enjoyed. Discover the splendour of this unique golfing oasis, where every hole tells a story, and every swing brings a sense of achievement. Main Preview Embark on a journey through the Royal Greens – a course that seamlessly blends the challenge of a championship golf course with the luxury of a premier leisure destination. Envision yourself perfecting your game in the footsteps of golfing legends, surrounded by meticulously landscaped greens and breathtaking vistas. Stay & Play: After the thrill of the tournament, the Royal Greens opens its gates to enthusiasts looking to emulate their favourite players. Check out exclusive Stay & Play packages at Top 100 Golf Courses Travel for an unforgettable golfing retreat. Exclusive Access: Elevate your experience with a touch of exclusivity. Join the esteemed Lockhart Travel Club for VIP treatment and unparalleled service that complements the majestic setting of the Royal Greens. Register & Reserve: Ready to tee off on this majestic course? Sign-up now for an opportunity to secure your spot in paradise. Limited slots are available for those eager to challenge themselves where the greats have played. Course Review Page: Wondering if the Royal Greens lives up to the hype? Visit our Course Review Page to read testimonials from golfers who have experienced the magic firsthand. Your next golfing adventure awaits. Top 100 Lists: See how Royal Greens ranks among the best. Explore Top 100 Lists to see where this course stands on the global stage, and why it's a must-visit for any serious golfer.
Experience the Texas Children's Houston Open at Memorial Park Club Introduction Elevate your golfing journey with an unforgettable experience at Memorial Park Club, following the prestigious Texas Children's Houston Open tournament. Nestled in the heart of Houston, Texas, this renowned course promises not only world-class golfing but also unparalleled hospitality and luxury accommodations. Discover the perfect blend of challenge and relaxation as you immerse yourself in the rich history and breathtaking beauty of Memorial Park Club. Main Preview Immerse Yourself in Golfing Excellence Following the excitement of the Texas Children's Houston Open, Memorial Park Club invites you to embark on a golfing adventure like no other. Here's what awaits you at this esteemed venue: Championship Golf: Test your skills on the meticulously crafted fairways of Memorial Park Club, designed to challenge and inspire players of all levels. With its strategic layout and impeccable greens, this course promises an unforgettable round of golf. Luxurious Accommodations: Experience the epitome of comfort and style with our selection of luxury accommodations. From elegant suites to charming villas, each option offers the perfect retreat after a day on the course. Exclusive Travel Packages: Elevate your golfing getaway with Top 100 Golf Courses Travel. Explore our curated selection of travel packages, designed to cater to your every need and ensure a seamless and memorable experience. Unlock Premium Benefits: Become a member of Lockhart Travel Club and gain access to exclusive perks and privileges. From VIP treatment to special rates, our club offers an unparalleled level of service for discerning travellers. Plan Your Memorial Park Club Experience Secure Your Spot: Ready to join us for an unforgettable golfing experience? Sign up now to reserve your place at Memorial Park Club and create lasting memories on the green. Explore Course Reviews: Curious to learn more about Memorial Park Club? Visit our Course Review Page for insights, tips, and recommendations from fellow golf enthusiasts. Discover Top 100 Lists: Explore the Top 100 Lists to discover more world-renowned golf courses and plan your next golfing adventure. Conclusion The Texas Children's Houston Open at Memorial Park Club is more than just a tournament; it's an opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich tradition of golf and hospitality. Whether you're challenging yourself on the course, relaxing in luxurious accommodations, or indulging in world-class amenities, your experience at Memorial Park Club promises to be unforgettable. Join us for a golfing getaway that transcends the ordinary and embraces the extraordinary.
Top 100 Golf Courses updates its Southeast Asia rankings Earlier this month, we published the second of three Asian chart releases, reporting on the South Asia countries of India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This ranking announcement now concentrates on the Southeast nations of Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. In this article, we report on the best golf courses to be found within a huge geographic area of four and a half million square kilometres, where approximately 650 million people live. We feature exactly two hundred courses across the eight countries that we’re revising so we think we have things pretty well covered across this subregion. It’s not the easiest of geographical areas to keep a close eye on so we’re grateful for our reliable network of contributors keeping us fully informed. In particular, Kimi Hoshiyama, our China and Southern Asia correspondent consistently goes the extra mile on our behalf to ensure we stay ahead of the game in this part of the golfing world. Indonesia The top four positions in our Indonesia Top 30 remain unchanged, so the Jack Nicklaus Signature course at Taman Daya Golf Club & Resort near Surabaya holds on to its No. 1 status. Unveiled in 1995, this resort layout is set on a rolling landscape with deep valleys and drainage canals adding to the playing interest. It was once the exclusive preserve of members and their guests but green fee-paying golfers can now play here with a little prior notice. Taman Daya Golf Club & Resort The highest of four new entries arrives at No. 15 and it’s the 18-hole layout at Parahyangan Golf Bandung, which opened for business in 2018. Laid out by Bob Moore from JMP Golf Design Group, the course sits thirty kilometres from Bandung, where two distinctive 9-hole circuits have been routed around terraced rice paddies and fish farms, totally integrating golf with its environment. Parahyangan Golf Bandung Only nine courses make an upward move in the new listings and two of them progress four places. The first of these layouts is Riverside Golf Club, located midway between Jakarta and Bogor (at #13), which is a Bob Harrison design from when he worked with Greg Norman. The second is the Sea View course at the 36-hole Bintan Lagoon Resort on Bintan Island (at #21), and this Jack Nicklaus Signature course overlooking the South China Sea fully complements Ian-Baker Finch’s Woodland track at the resort. Rank/ To view the complete detailed list of the Top 30 Golf Courses of Indonesia click the link. Laos The landlocked country of Laos in the middle of the Southeast Asian Indochinese peninsula has a new No. 1 and it’s the 18-hole configuration of the Vientiane and Long Thanh nines at Long Thanh-Vientiane Golf Club, on the outskirts of the capital. Part of a large residential project that will eventually include a hotel, school and hospital, the development is due to have a fourth 9-hole circuit completed this year, enabling six different 18-hole combinations to be brought into play. Long Thanh-Vientiane Golf Club To view the complete detailed list of the Top 5 Golf Courses of Laos click the link. Malaysia Nine golfing layouts in our Top 40 remain in the same position as last time and one of the non-movers is our national No.1, the West course at TPC Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, retaining the top spot for the fifth successive edition of our Malaysian rankings. Venue for the now discontinued CIMB Classic tournament between 2013 and 2018, this is a Nelson & Haworth design that was extensively renovated by Ted Parslow and Jason Winter to toughen it up at the start of the new millennium. TPC Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club - West course The biggest climber in the new listings is the course at Impian Golf & Country Club, reversing a three-place fall in our 2018 chart with a nine-place rise to No. 20. Designed by Ross Watson, the course is draped across a 142-acre property as two returning circuits, the Golden nine and the Negara nine, with a number of the holes carved through a hardwood tropical rainforest. Impian Golf & Country Club The first of two new entries appears at No. 32 and it’s the Jack Nicklaus and Jack Nicklaus II co-designed Legacy course at the 36-hole Forest City Golf Resort in Johor. In contrast to the tight Classic course which opened at the resort last year, the older Legacy layout is characterised by wide fairways that run through mangrove swamps bordering the Pulai River, with many of the holes flanked by these water hazards and sandy waste areas. To view the complete detailed list of the Top 40 Golf Courses of Malaysia click the link. Myanmar Our new No. 1 for Myanmar is the course at Myotha National Golf Club, which is an 18-hole layout from Schmidt-Curley Design that debuted in 2018, forming the sporting centrepiece of a master planned community outside Mandalay. Packed with dramatic elevation changes, this 8,000-yard goliath is grassed with Zoysia to help foster firm and fast playing conditions. Bunkers, in the words of Brian Curley, are “strong and bold, in keeping with the scale of the property,” while greens “are often large (with) strong slopes including backstops and bowls”. Myotha National Golf Club To view the complete detailed list of the Top 5 Golf Courses of Myanmar click the link. Philippines The Country Club course was ousted from the top rung of the Philippines Top 30 when we last re-appraised this country but it has immediately bounced back from the runner-up slot to regain the No. 1 position. Situated to the south of Manila, between Santa Rosa and Canlubang, this Tom Weiskopf-designed layout has recently been extended, allowing it to host major national events like the Philippine Open, with the last three editions of this event held here. The Country Club Only six other courses improve their chart standing and the one to make the biggest impact is Anvaya Cove Golf & Sport Club near Subic Bay, which gracefully glides up four places to No.3. Kevin Ramsey of Golfplan laid this one out within a substantial seaside residential development and there are two distinct 9-hole circuits, “Mountain” and “Seaside,” with the front nine set out around housing further inland, followed by a back nine that heads towards the shore before returning to the clubhouse. Anvaya Cove The highest new entry arrives at No. 16. and it’s the Tagaytay Midlands course at the Tagaytay Highlands resort mountain resort located around sixty-five kilometres south of downtown Manila. Developed in the mid-1990s as a retreat for those wanting to escape from the capital, the resort is split into three residential communities, with two of them, Highlands and Midlands, boasting their own 18-hole course. Such is the extreme terrain here, the two clubhouses are connected by a funicular transport system. To view the complete detailed list of the Top 30 Golf Courses of the Philippines click the link. Singapore Unfortunately, golf in Singapore has contracted in the last few years as the government has taken a rather hard-line stance of not renewing land leases with golf clubs. The national plan in the early 1990s was to increase the number of courses from 22 to 29 but there are now only fifteen still in operation. As a result of this decline, we’ve reduced our Top 15 to a Top 10. The Serapong course at Sentosa Golf Club maintains its strong grip on the No.1 berth at the top of the chart. Designed by Ron Fream of Golfplan back in the early 1980s, the layout was renovated fifteen years ago by current general manager Andrew Johnston when he worked with Bates Golf Design Group. Now he’s heading an in-house team that’s just embarked on an intensive 3-month upgrade, having only recently carried out a redesign of the Tanjong course. Sentosa - Serapong course The Sentosa’s fairway drainage is being improved, bunkers are to be relined and new white sand installed, greens are undergoing a “drill and fill” enhancement program, and tees are to be resized, re-lasered and re-grassed with Platinum Paspalum. It’s this sort of ambitious project which keeps Serapong ahead of the pack so, for the current host venue for the Singapore Open, upgrade work like this is totally understandable. The most impressive positive move in the rankings is made by the Dendro and Vanda nines at Orchid Country Club, which lies next to the Lower Seletar Reservoir, advancing four spots to No. 10. Host to the Singapore Open in 1999, the course was also used by the Asian Tour for the short-lived Singapore Classic professional tournament from 2010 to 2012. To view the complete detailed list of the Top 10 Golf Courses of Singapore click the link. Thailand Having started out with a Top 10 for this country ten years ago, we’ve gradually included additional courses to our Thai table to create a Top 50 chart. There’s been quite a shake-up with this, the fifth revision of our inaugural listing, as there are only five non-movers and eight new entries. The course at Ayodhya Links is still the national No.1, a position it’s held for the last eight years. Originally designed and built by Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett, the entire layout was subsequently raised by Founder/Chairman Pitak Intrawityanunt to prevent the possible recurrence of flood damage suffered in 2011. Ayodhya Links Our US Consultant Fergal O’Leary posted a review six months ago, saying “the greens have interesting shaping and certain pundits laud over them. I appreciated them for the setting they were in, and the character that they add. Some are better than others for sure… I was more captivated by the commendable chipping areas and the routing”. The highest new entry at #26 is Grand Prix Golf Club’s track which is located an hour’s drive north of Kanchanaburi. This golf facility was developed by Dr Prachin Eamlumnow, Chairman of the Bangkok International Motor Show, with holes laid out around a series of lakes in two returning 9-hole circuits. A sizeable river bisects the property, adding to the challenge, as do quite a number of split fairways and multi-tiered greens. Grand Prix Golf Club The biggest rise in chart position is made by the Rajjaprabha Dam Golf Course (up nineteen to #31), lying close to the Khao Sok National Park, where a dramatic 18-hole layout was carved from a dense rainforest by the electricity Generating Authority of Thailand at the start of the new millennium. It’s one of Thai golf’s best-kept secrets due to its remote location. To view the complete detailed list of the Top 50 Golf Courses of Thailand click the link. Vietnam Two years ago we added five courses to our Vietnam chart, fashioning a Top 25. Such is the pace of golfing progress in that country we’re now extending our standings to a Top 30 and, with two courses falling away from our last revision, we’re actually adding seven new tracks this time around. The big news is that the Greg Norman-designed course at Bluffs Ho Tram Strip holds off a very strong challenge from a couple of new 18-hole layouts that come crashing into the national chart at #2 and #3 to continue as the No. 1 course in Vietnam. A reviewer last year termed this “an outstanding course… very well-conditioned” with “a great variety of holes [and] green complexes [that] are beautifully engineered”. Bluffs Ho Tram Strip Tom Doak included Bluffs Ho Tram Strip as one of the eighteen “Gourmet’s Choice” courses in Volume 5 of The Confidential Guide to Golf Courses, with one of his co-authors, Masa Niishijima (our International Consultant), writing: “above all, The Bluffs makes good use of the unique dunes terrain, and at every hole you feel connected to the ocean, even if you can’t always see it”. Incredibly, only two tracks make any forward advance in our new table: the first is the Dunes course at the BRG Da Nang Golf Resort (up two to #4) which was Greg Norman’s first Vietnamese design when it opened a decade ago, and the second is the B and C nines at Chi Linh Star Golf & Country Club (up four to #14), where the first professional event (the Carlsberg Masters) in the north of the country was hosted back in 2004. BRG Da Nang - Dunes course The two highest-placed newcomers make their chart debut quite a bit ahead of the others. The course at Hoiana Shores Golf Club is a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design (new at #2) that opened just last year, situated close to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An on a coastal property of pure sand. The architect describes his experience of working in the region as “a lovely treasure hunt that ends with us finding a golf course project hard by the sea. Where great land meets the sea, great golf can happen.” It seems like that’s exactly what has transpired here. Hoiana Shores Golf Club Hard on the heels of RTJ2’s new production, yet another Greg Norman course enters the chart at No.3. KN Golf Links Cam Ranh, Norman’s 3rd Vietnamese course and his 104th worldwide, is also situated on the South Central Coast of Vietnam, with fairways occupying a landscape dominated by enormous sand dunes. According to the designer, “the scale and natural topography of the property lends itself to a great variety of golf holes. It plays links because there’s a lot of up and down and natural contouring to the layout [and] it’s a lot of fun”. KN Golf Links Cam Ranh To view the complete detailed list of the Top 30 Golf Courses of Vietnam click the link. Jim McCann Editor Top 100 Golf Courses
