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| The golf course nestles amongst the 1.5 million years old
virgin rainforest, the 2nd oldest and 2nd largest rainforest in the world.
The elevation stands at 1000 meters (3000 ft.) above sea level, so it is
cool throughout the year. It follows the natural contours of the rugged
mountain terrain, enclosed on all sides by the Borneo rainforest. The course
was designed to reflect the natural features and contours of its unique
highland location. The result is a course which does not impose itself on
the ancient rainforest, but works in harmony with it. You can sometimes
enjoy playing golf in clouds. |
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| A double dogleg par 5 with a slight dogleg to the right followed by a
dogleg to the left. The tight fairway line is marked by a tropical rainforest
on both sides. The second shot is especially demanding as the landing area
is very narrow. The right half of the green border water, so the third shot
needs to be accurate as well.
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A beautiful hole with a downhill tee shot. The green is elevated with jungle
on the left and a hazard at the back. |
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A straight, very short par 4 but a signature hole. The fairway drops some
50 meters (160 ft.) from the tee, so it is possible to hit the green in
1. The green looks tiny below and the overlapping mountains extend beyond
it. The green sharply slopes to the left. |
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| A straight, gently downhill hole. The fairway is tight on this short par
5 as well. Long hitters are able to hit the green in 2 but need to decide
to go for the green or lay up as there is water in front of the green. |
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A dogleg to the right with the green swung to the left. Because of dense
tropical rainforests growing thickly on both sides, the hole looks narrower
than it actually is. There is a pond on the left of the green. It is a mysteriously
charming hole. |
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| A slight uphill, near straight & difficult hole. Three creeks cross
the fairway. You drive toward a towering mountain, which makes you feel
good. A creek runs on the landing area of the second shot and a big lake
extends on the left. You can see neither of the water hazards from the second
shot area., which is a demerit. The green is set on a foot of a mountain
and surrounded by a tropical rainforest, so a precise approach shot is required. |
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A downhill, straight hole. A creek crosses the fairway 280 yards from the
tee therefore players who hit more than 250 yards tee shots can’t use drivers.
The green is protected by water at the back and a large bunker in the front,
so the right club selection taking downhill into consideration is important.
The view seen from the second shot point is really superb. |
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An almost straight, long par 4. You need a big drive to reach the green
on the second shot. The fairway is a double fairway separated right &
left by a creek. The creek running in front of the green could catch errant
shots. The green is slightly elevated and slopes from right to left. Watch
out for 2 bunkers guarding the left of the green as they are deep.
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It is a 1 and half hour drove from Kuching City and a 1 hour and 10 minutes
drive from Kuching Airport. It is a 1 hour 45 minutes flight from KL to
Kuching. The direct flights between Hong Kong and Kuching with one stop
over at Kota Kinabalu were available this time, so it was easy to move.
Lodge is available. Steam sauna, spa & massage, Jacuzzi bath and fitness
center are also available. |
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A four-wheel drive vehicle is needed to run on the steep maintain road
to the golf club. You go to the nearest gate by taxi, and then change
into a pick up car and ride for 20 minutes but you must ask the club the
pick up car beforehand. Or, you can ask the club for the entire transportation
by a club car. I arranged this time to be picked up by the car at the
airport and to bring us to a hotel in downtown. When I played 2 years
ago in Mount Kinabalu
GC in the same Malaysia, I had frustrating experience of using a taxi
to get there. Instead, I should have used a 4-wheel drive. This time,
I took advantage of the bitter experience and prepared the suitable car
in advance.
Neil Crater is Australian and his designed other courses are Astana
G&CC in Malaysia and South
Palms CC in China.
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2nd Par 5 560 yards (3)