Karambunai Resort Golf Club
Course Data
LocationSabah, Malaysia
Yardage6708 yards Par 72
Course Rating71.3
Playing DateApr. 11, 2004
DesignerRonald Fream
Opened1996
CaddyNo
Golf CartYes (Compulsory)
Rating
Overall Rating
3.20
Course Layout
3
Difficulty Level
3
Greens Conditions
3
Fairways Conditions
3
Landscaping & Views
4

 

It is a flat course located on the scenic Karambunai Peninsula. The landscaped lakes & ponds, the mountain, and the palm trees are pretty. Strategically placed fairway bunkers and water that comes into play on 13 out of 18 holes give you a fair challenge.


A view from the clubhouse

A coastline seen from 4th tee
10th green seen from the 11th
 
3rd　Par 3　214 yards

3rd Par 3 214 yards
A pretty par 3. The water faces the left front of the green and the bunker in front of the green is in play. The views of the green and the lake in front and the palm trees at the back are really charming.
 
4th　Par 5　530 yards
An interesting par 5 that could be a straight hole or a slight dogleg to the left, depending on your strategy. The second shot is over the lake and a long hitter can aim at the green directly or play up on the small fairway in front of the green. Otherwise, you need to hit to the wide fairway on the right of the lake to be safe. There are bunkers extending 100 yards from the green, bisecting the fairway, so you had better avoid them to score well.
 

4th hole seen from the green

4th Par 5 530 yards (2)

4th Par 5 530 yards (1)
 
6th　 Par 4　370 yards

6th Par 4 370 yards (2)

6th Par 4 370 yards (1)
A not long but difficult par 4. Use a fairway wood from the tee to hit the much wider fairway and avoid the bunker and lake which narrow the landing area to a mere 20 yards. The green is small, undulating and protected by bunkers on the right. Water surrounds three sides of the green except for the front.
　
10th　 Par 5　582 yards

10th Par 5 562 yards (2)

10th Par 5 562 yards (1)
An almost straight par 5 with a meandering creek diagonally bisecting the fairway. From the tee, a pond encroaches from the left and threatens to swallow any pulled or hooked tee shots. The pond is on the right for the second shot and the landing area of the fairway is undulating and narrow. Pay attention to the deep bunker guarding the right of the green and the hazards of the over the green.
 
17th　 Par 4　394 yards

17th Par 4 394 yards (2)

17th Par 4 394 yards (1)
A slight dogleg to the right with the lake on the right side of the hole. The elevated tee provides a clear view of the entire hole. The second shot needs to be hit over the water and the bunker guarding the right front of the green is deep.
 
18th　 Par 5　499 yards

18th Par 5 499 yards (2)

18th Par 5 499 yards (1)
A relatively short par 5, a slight dogleg to the left. You need an accurate drive because there is the water on the right and OB and a big fairway bunker on the left. A long hitter can reach the green in 2 but the water right in front of the green means it must hit hard enough to reach the putting surface, so it can be dangerous.
　
19th hole
It takes 45 minutes from Kota Kinabalu. Nexus Resort Hotel is adjacent with excellent rooms are restaurants. The spa of the hotel has a high reputation, too.

The other Roanld Fream designed golf courses in Asia are Saujiana G&CC, Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam, Awana Genting G&CC and Bangi Golf Resort in Malaysia, Mountain Shadow GC, Natural Park Hill GC, Panya Indra GC and Windsor Park &GC in Thailand, Bonari Kogen GC, Happy Valley GC and Oumurawan CC - New Course in Japan, Asiana CC and The Club at Nine Bridges in Korea, Tianjin Warner International GC, Grand Shanghai International G&HR and Orient Xia Men G&CC in China, and Royal Brunei CC in Brunei.