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GOLF MALAYSIA MAGAZINE'S GOLF COURSE POLL 2001/2002 The
10 Top Courses in Malaysia Chosen by you, the readers of Golf Malaysia
magazine!
Copyright: Golf Malaysia Magazine Kota Permai Golf & Country Club, a Ross
Watson-designed 6,396-metre layout, was convincingly voted Malaysia’s
Best Golf Course in Golf Malaysia magazine’s 6th biennial golf course
poll. This astoundingly beautiful Klang Valley-based venue received 35
percent (2,229 votes) of the 6,772 ballots. It also marked a significant
upward move in the club’s ranking - leapfrogging from fifth in the
1999/2000 polls to the top spot this time around. Golf Malaysia’s course poll was inaugurated in 1991. The poll is an
exercise based purely on the preferences of the golfers themselves, with
all 204 Malaysian golf courses eligible for nomination. The exception
being Saujana Golf & Country Club, which on the strength of it
sweeping the previous five polls for best course and most difficult
course, was inducted into Golf Malaysia
magazine’s Hall of Fame. Perak’s Clearwater Sanctuary Golf Resort was runner-up for the second
consecutive poll, having collected 30% (1,912) of the votes. Commenting on the out-come, Golf Malaysia magazine’s publisher Juliana
Cheah said: “It is a deserved triumph for Kota Permai. Recent upgrading
has taken the course to a new level and the positive results of the RM1
million plus that was spent is reflected in the growing popularity of this
club. “There is no doubt that a selection process such as this will always
stir debate across the board. And we find this an encouraging aspect, as
it is a good indication that our readers are fully aware of design
characteristics and conditions of the courses they play. “Added to that, there are more and more people voting now, as
evidenced by the marked increase in the ballots received. This definitely
serves to show that the poll is being spread wider, and that the standards
are getting higher each time around. “But, most importantly, we would like to thank the 6,772 voters who
took the time to serve as judges and improve the weight the rankings
carry. “This year, to spice things up a bit, we added two brand new
categories to the list - the Best 9-Hole Golf Course and the Best Private
Members Club awards.” In keeping with the tradition of the rankings, no restrictions were
placed on the selection process. Considerations, though, were taken into
account for the challenges each golf course had to offer, based on shot
values, course design and the degree of playability, aesthetic appeal and
course conditions, among other things. After all the ballot forms were checked and counted, their percentages
were then used to determine the ranking order for the awards. Kota Permai, an excellent golfing affair splendidly laid out to absorb
the natural terrain, is a worthy champion.
As the venue for the Asian PGA Tour’s Volvo Masters for four consecutive
years up to 2001, Kota Permai is renowned for its rolling fairways,
majestic views and tough greens, plus its demanding yet enjoyable golf
course. The 27-hole, 6,482-metre Clearwater Sanctuary is the pride of Perak.
Stylishly designed by Tim Woolbank, the holes make grand use of 730 acres
of spent mining land. It plays to a par-72, regardless of which combination of nines are used,
and clear water is featured on almost every hole. Clearwater is also home to old, giant rainforest trees, fruit trees and
vast spans of lotus flowers - the ideal habitat for a wide cross-section
of bird life, including the brightly-coloured Kingfisher. After two succesive second place finishes, the next poll could well see
Clearwater Sanctuary breathing easy at the top of the poll! Third place went to Palm Garden Golf Club in Putra Jaya, which broke
into the Top Ten
for the very first time by garnering 27.7 percent (1,761) of the
total votes. Malacca’s A’Famosa Golf Resort failed to clinch the third
spot by a mere 0.2 percent to again finish in fourth place with 27.5
percent of the votes (1,752). Palm Garden was the prime mover in this year’s ballot, shooting up to
third from its previous 17th spot.
Recognised and acknowledged for its warm, rich countryside appeal, Palm
Garden has indeed done Putra Jaya proud. Rolling hills are a key feature
of this Richard Robbins-designed 27-hole layout comprising the 2,963-metre
Putra, the 3,022-metre Palm and the 2,784-metre IOI ‘Plantation’
nines. A’Famosa is also a 27-hole course and boasts an amusement park as part
of its sprawling 1,100-acre development project, found just off the
North-South Highway. Australian master designer Ross Watson skillfully
used natural rock boulder outcrops as hazards to add drama and danger to
several holes. A 16th-century stone gateway, a reminder of the state’s
rich past and diverse cultural heritage, welcomes visitors to
A’Famosa’s numerous attractions. Kelab Golf Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah climbed from 9th in the last polls to
a commendable fifth with 22.7% (1,422) of the votes. Bukit Jambul Country Club, which did not appear in the last poll, came
in at sixth - with 22.5% (1,438) of the votes. It was more than welcome
recognition for this Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed 18-hole Penang course
which is a stunningly pretty, yet immensely tough, par-71. The layout
measures 5,763 metres and winds its way through 130 acres of rocky, hilly,
tree-covered land. Staffield Country Resort in Negeri Sembilan emerged seventh in the
standings - a slip down one notch from the last poll. Designed by former
Malaysian Open champion Graham Marsh and master architect Ross Watson,
Staffield is a 27-hole layout on 335 acres with three nines totalling
9,525 metres. It picked up 21% of the ballot with 1,336 votes. Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club was adjudged the eighth top course
with 18.4 (1.171) percent of the votes cast, while Sungai Long Golf &
Country Club finished 9th with 17.5 percent (1,115) and The Golf Club
Datai Bay of Langkawi island tenth with 17.3 percent (1,102). KLGCC has a distinct air of elegance and sophistication about it, but
without a whiff of overindulgence. It was designed by the architectural
firm of Nelson, Wright & Haworth and comprises two 18-hole layouts -
the West and East courses. The West plays to a par-72 and goes on for
6,165 metres, while the shorter East
measures 5,816 metres and is a par-71. Course-crafter Robin Nelson
certainly ensured a stylish landscape that blends in well with the
affluent suburbs that surround it. Sungai Long, the first Malaysian golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus
is not only a difficult course to get on, but one that offers a
nerve-wrecking test of golf as well. The layout, the centrepiece of a
450-acre residential development project, covers some 150 acres and can be
played at 7,015 yards. The Golden Bear included double greens (on four
holes) and impressive deep sand bunkers to go with several gaping ponds
and lakes. Langkawi’s Golf Club Datai Bay, the first island course to breach the
Top 10, is well and truly worthy of the final spot in the poll. The
18-holer Datai Bay was designed by Abu Bakar Noh of Landmark Berhad and is
a par-72 course stretching 5,994 metres. Supremely carved out of a green
forest between the majestic Machincang Mountain range and the deep blue
Andaman Sea, it’s back-to-nature setting, combined with lush tropical
rainforests, brought it the coveted ‘Most Scenic Golf Course’ title. More
than 100 voters will be receiving fantastic lucky draw prizes ranging from
a full set of Ben Hogan Apex irons and bag to green fee vouchers courtesy
of Saujana Golf & Country Club, Swatch watches, Precept Golf balls,
Spin Golf shirts and TOPPRO golf gloves for their efforts. Golf Malaysia
magazine wishes to thank everyone who voted and remind all that it is
never to early to think about one of the questions that could pop-up on
the 2003/2004 poll: My most memorable moment in golf was... The Top Ten Kota Permai Golf and Country Club (35%) Location
: Selangor Designer :
Ross Watson Description : Par-72, 6,396 metres (First nine 3,207 metres, Second nine
3,189 metres). A well-laid out course and one of the most popular in the
Klang Valley. Venue of the Asian Volvo Masters for four straight years -
1998, ’99, 2000, ’01 - Kota Permai underwent extensive renovations at
a cost of more than
RM1 million last year to improve the drainage systems on the
fairways. It was also the recipient of the Most Memorable Golf Course and
Most Scenic Hole (#2) awards. Clearwater Sanctuary Golf Resort (30%) Location :
Perak Designer :
Tim Woodbank Description : Par-72,
6,482 metres (Raintree nine 3,267 metres, Lakes nine 3,215 meters). One of
the most beautiful courses in the region. Built on a disused mining
concession, Clearwater features huge shimmering lakes, sculptured bunkers,
majestic raintrees and wild grass. The resort also has a 9-hole course,
equally scenic and challenging. Among the other recreational
facilities this public course a shade more than 15 kilometres from
Ipoh has to offer is an aquatic driving range. Palm Garden Golf Club (27.70%) Location :
Selangor Designer : Richard RobbinsDescription : Par-72 (Putra nine 2,963 metres, Palm nine 3,022 metres,
IOI ‘Plantation’ nine 2,784 metres). A spectacular 27-hole course that
sweeps over hills and valleys, Palm Garden is all about gradients and
accuracy off the tee box. The hilltop tee box at No. 12 paints a marvelous
picture of the landscape, which is typical of Richard Robbins’
exceptional utilization of natural terrain. An outstanding championship
layout, Palm Garden also picked up the Customer Service Club award. A’ Famosa Golf Resort (27.5%) Location :
Malacca Designer :
Ross Watson Description: 27 holes,
Par-72 (Rockies nine 3,182 metres, Palm nine 3,215 metres, Crocodile nine
3,154 metres). This resort is situated on a 1,100-acre partial residential
development project found just off the North-South Highway. Ross Watson
used rock boulder outcrops to telling effect in the landscaping,
presenting a nice, fine touch, yet also employing them as genuine hazards.
A rich heritage is evident in the 16th-century stone gateway that leads to
A’Famosa, which is but a tiny reminder of its richly-diverse culture.
Also adjudged the Best Resort Course. Kelab Golf Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah (22.7%) Location
: Selangor Designer :
Thomson, Wolveridge & Associates Description: 27 holes,
par-72 (Sultan nine 3,535 yards, President nine 3,442 yards, Alam Shah
nine 3,494 yards). Kelab Golf Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah, the central focus of
Selangor’s state capital of Shah Alam, is an international championship
course. The use of sand bunkers demands good accuracy on the Sultan and
President nines while water is also wisely utilised to good effect
throughout the layout. A stylish, expertly-designed course courtesy of
Peter ‘Thommo’ Thomson and friends. Bukit Jambul Country Club (22.5%) Location :
Penang Designer :
Robert Trent Jones Jr. Description: 18 holes, Par-71, measuring 5,763 metres. The island state
of Penang is famously referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ and
this golf course, built on 130 acres of hilly, rocky and majestic
landscaping, certainly plays its part in ensuring that the reference is an
apt one. Bukit Jambul truly deserves recognition for this tough par-71 so
delightfully laid out by Robert Trent Jones Jr. The opening nine,
marginally shorter, is lined with exotic tropical flora while the back
nine is a lot more undulating with most of the holes playing downhill. Staffield Country Resort (21%) Location :
N. Sembilan Designer :
Graham Marsh & Ross Watson Description: 27 holes, Par-72 (West nine 3,108 metres, South nine 3,108
metres, North nine 3,197 metres). A mere 45 minutes drive south of Kuala
Lumpur, this course has been among Malaysia’s leading golf resorts for a
long time, and that today it ranks right up there with the best comes as
no surprise. The combination of architects - Marsh and Watson - who had a
hand in the layout are gurus with extensive experience and knowledge of
Malaysia’s terrain. Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (18.4%) Location: K. Lumpur Designer: Robin Nelson & Rodney Wright Description: 36 holes, Par-72 (West course 6,164 metres, East course
5,750 metres). Affectionately referred to as KLGCC, the two courses here
are immaculately kept and provide extremely testing layouts. The West
Course fairways are relatively generous but the hazards and obstacles make
up for any advantage in equal measure. The East, more than 400 metres
shorter, is deceptive in that it is ruthless if approached complacently. Sungai Long Golf and Country Club (17.5%) Location :
Selangor Designer :
Jack Nicklaus Description : 18 holes, Par-72, 7,015 yards. This is the first Malaysian
golf course designed by the great Jack Nicklaus. It features one of the
more difficult layouts around, and is also the centrepiece of a 450-acre
residential development project, of which the course takes up 150 acres of
brilliantly beautiful surroundings. Several of the holes have double
greens and there are some real big bunkers and a number of ponds and lakes
to be negotiated. In essence, this course demands a great deal of accuracy
if one is to make any headway. The Golf Club Datai Bay (17.3%) Location :
Langkawi Island, Perak Designer :
Bakar Noh, Landmark Bhd Description: 18 holes, Par-72, 5,994 metres. The first island course to
make the Top 10 is absolutely beautiful. Datai Bay is to be found on the
Isle of Legends and was designed by Abu Bakar Noh of Landmark Berhad.
Exquisitely perched between the imposing Machincang Mountain range and the
Andaman Sea, Datai Bay’s natural surroundings of tropical rainforests
gives it an seeming air of invincibility. It a welcome addition to
Malaysia’s 10 best courses, and that it was ranked the third Best Golf
Resort by US-based Golf Digest is little wonder. HALL OF FAME Saujana Golf & Country Club This
internationally-ranked golf course was inducted into Golf Malaysia’s
Hall of Fame after it topped the poll for a record fifth time in
1999-2000. As a result, it no longer features in the poll. Closing
In On The TOP 10 11. Tropicana Golf & Country Club, Selangor
17% 1082 12. The Mines Resort & Golf Club, Selangor
16.5% 1051 13. Shan-Shui Golf & Country Resort, Sabah
16% 1020 14. Palm Resort Golf & Country Club, Johor
15.8% 1005 15. Meru Valley Golf & Country Club, Perak
15.5% 989 16. Pantai Legenda Golf & Country Club, Pahang
14.7% 937 17. Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam, Kuala Lumpur
14.1% 899 18. Pulai Springs Country Club, Johor
13.6% 867 19. Awana Genting Golf & Country Club, Pahang
13.1% 835 20. Damai Laut Golf & Country Club, Perak
12.2% 777 SPECIAL CATEGORY AWARDS Best
Resort Course A’Famosa
GR, Malacca
31%
(1,976 votes) Followed by: Pulai Springs GR, Johor: 27% Penang GR, Penang: 25% Best
9-Hole Course Royal
Kampung Kuantan G&CC, Selangor 43%
(2,547 votes)
Followed by: Kelab Golf Angkatan Tentera, K.L.: 22% Kelab Golf Darul Ehsan,
Selangor: 20% Most
Memorable Golf Course Kota
Permai G&CC, Selangor 39%
(2,485 votes) Followed by: Palm Garden GC, Selangor : 26% Sungai Long GC, Selangor : 18% Best
Private Members Club Royal
Selangor GC, Kuala Lumpur 26%
(1,657 votes) Followed by: The Mines Resort & GC, Selangor:
23% Kelab Golf Negara Subang, Selangor :
21% Most
Difficult Golf Course Kelab
Golf Perkhidmatan Awam, Selangor 29%
(1,847 votes) Followed by: Bukit Tinggi G&CC, Pahang: 23% Templer Park CC, Selangor:
20% Most Difficult Golf Hole Templer Park CC, Selangor (Hole#18)
13% (828 votes) Followed by: Kelab Golf P. Awam, Sel. (#12,
Hills) : 12.6% KGSAAS, Sel. (#2, Sultan) 9% Most
Scenic Golf Course Shan-Shui
G&CR, Sabah
24%
(1,529 votes) Followed by: Damai Laut GC, Perak: 22% Awana Genting G&CC, Pahang: 19%
Best Customer Service Club Palm Garden GC, Putra Jaya 43% (2,738 votes) Followed by: Tropicana G&CC, Selangor:
32% Awana Genting G&CC, Pahang:
24% Most
Scenic Hole
Kota
Permai G&CC (Hole #2), Selangor 32%
(2,037 votes) Followed by: Awana Kijal B&GR (Hole #14), T’gganu: 17% Ibai G&CC (Hole #13, Nipah 9), T’gganu: 11%
Best Maintained Golf Course Sungai Long GC, Selangor
23% (1,465 votes) Followed by: Kuala Lumpur G&CC, Kuala
Lumpur: 21% Kota Permai G&CC, Selangor:
19.8% Best Clubhouse/Facilities
Tropicana G&CC, Selangor 37% (2,357 votes) Followed by: Kuala Lumpur G&CC, Kuala
Lumpur: 29% Glenmarie G&CC, Selangor:
27.3%
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