Tourism – Product Tee time! Featuring golf courses in Brunei Brunei is a favourite destination for many eco-<strong>to</strong>urism adventures with pristine tropical forests, as<strong>to</strong>unding underwater scenery as well as rich cultural heritage. As for golf, the first major international <strong>to</strong>urnament was held in 2005. For the golf enthusiasts, Brunei offers fantastic golf courses of international standards! 32 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Apr-Jun2012
Tourism – Product Foremost, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei’s capital is easily within reach from most Asian capital cities, superb infrastructure everywhere in the Sultanate and world-class hotels in this Abode of Peace as the nation is common known. The world’s golfing community shuns <strong>place</strong>s where huge crowds are always present, preferring quiet, beautiful surroundings for their passionate pastimes and Brunei certainly fits the bill. With three international championship courses and two other international standard ones, this is the venue for golf like you have never swung before. In fact, the Royal Brunei Golf and Country Club is so exclusive that even “tee-time is never guaranteed!” The Royal Brunei Golf and Country Club was previously reserved for dignitaries and friends of Brunei’s Ruler, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and only opened quite recently <strong>to</strong> others. As expected, the bookings <strong>to</strong> tee-off in this par-72, 6,175-metre course is well advanced and famous names like former US President Bill Clin<strong>to</strong>n, Greg Norman, Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Nick Faldo and Tony Jacklin have featured here. The course set up by Ron Fream is based on Augusta National of US Masters fame with meticulously maintained greens of US PGA standards. The Jack Nicklaus designed Empire Hotel and Country Club course is arguably the most well known golf course in Brunei, having been the chosen venue for the nation’s first international championship <strong>to</strong>urnament in 2005. The par- 71, 6,427-metre course is simply magnificent in its layout, nestled along the scenic shore of South China Sea with five-star resort facilities <strong>to</strong> compliment the stay for golfers, friends and their families. There is nothing that you shall want which cannot be found in this resort, the epi<strong>to</strong>me of living in <strong>to</strong>urism paradise. Wait, there’s more! At night, the 18-hole course comes alive with the opening of the floodlights, allowing for evenings teeoff <strong>to</strong> those preferring less sun-tan like the lady golfers. This venue is certainly Brunei’s best gift <strong>to</strong> the international golfing community. RBA (Royal Brunei Airlines) Golf Club, five minutes drive from the international airport, was the first public golf course in the nation. The generally flat layout spread over 6,380-metre with man-made lakes strewn in plays well for most golfers, even for the pros. As with all golf courses in Brunei, bookings are recommended here as more people have begun <strong>to</strong> discover the wonders of playing golf in the country. Pantai Mentiri Golf Club is another 18-hole, par 72 course located just 15minutes drive from the capital. Opened <strong>to</strong> the public, this 6105-meter course has water features as the main challenges and it also has panoramic view of Brunei Bay. It was the venue for the 1999 SEA Games and other <strong>to</strong>urnaments and complements golfers with a fine restaurant serving wonderful Asian dishes. In the Seria district, the Panaga Golf Club welcomes members only and so visi<strong>to</strong>rs will need <strong>to</strong> have friends with membership cards <strong>to</strong> play here. The location along the South China Sea is itself a compelling reason <strong>to</strong> play here while there are many other facilities in this Brunei Shell run club. The 18-hole course was completed in 1964 though records show that it was hosting golfers here as early as 1928. For further information, please contact BRUNEI TOURISM, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Jalan Menteri Besar, Bandar Seri Begawan BB3910, Brunei Darussalam. Tel: (673) 238 2822, 238 2832 Fax: (673) 238 2824 Email: info@brunei<strong>to</strong>urism.travel www.brunei<strong>to</strong>urism.travel Apr-Jun2012<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 33
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