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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 places
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 to others. As expected,
the bookings to tee-off in this
par-72, 6,175-metre course is well
advanced and famous names like
former US President Bill Clinton,
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
tournament 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 to
compliment the stay for golfers, friends
and their families. There is nothing
that you shall want which cannot be
found in this resort, the epitome of
living in tourism paradise. Wait, there’s
more! At night, the 18-hole course
comes alive with the opening of the
floodlights, allowing for evenings teeoff
to those preferring less sun-tan like
the lady golfers. This venue is certainly
Brunei’s best gift to 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 to 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 to 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
tournaments and complements
golfers with a fine restaurant serving
wonderful Asian dishes.
In the Seria district, the Panaga Golf
Club welcomes members only and
so visitors will need to have friends
with membership cards to play here.
The location along the South China
Sea is itself a compelling reason to
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@bruneitourism.travel
www.bruneitourism.travel
Apr-Jun2012BorneoTalk | 33