More awards for Bali National Golf Club at Asia-Pacific meet

By Rahul Banerji

I had the pleasure of playing the Bali National Golf Club in December-January 2017-18 and was delighted to see that the course was recently adjudged the best golf course in Indonesia and second best golf resort in the Asia-Pacific region at the recent Asian Golf Awards.

Bali National went through a redesign by Nelson & Haworth Golf Course some four years ago and has since then established itself as one of the premier golf destinations in the ASEAN area. Not only is it a challenging golf layout, but it also lays out some spectacular views of the sea and has Mount Agung as a backdrop,

According to International Association of Golf Tour Operators, it received the prestigious Asia Pacific Golf Group Award for best renovated golf course in Asia-Pacific in 2014, Best Golf Courses 2018 in 206 Countries by Golf Digest USA and best international resort on Editor’s Choice Awards by Golf Digest USA alsolast year.

“The awards are the greatest gift for Bali National Golf Club since it was given to us in the same month of our fourth anniversary celebration. It is an honour for us to receive the awards and we would also like to say thank you to golfers from around the world for choosing Bali National for the recognition,.” said the club’s genial general manager, Mark Holland

‘Great challenge’

“As Bali is emerging as a world-class golf and accommodation destination, Bali National is aiming to become the flagship golf facility in Asia Pacific. It will be a great challenge for us and we cannot wait to make it happen,” he added, according to IAGTO.

I will reproduce a part of what I wrote about the course on return a year and some months ago, all of which is still very fresh in the mind.

Bali and golf do not readily mix in the mind, The island is better known for its beaches, exotic rituals, great food, or simply lots of sun and fun.

Excellent facilities

Yet, for those willing to make the effort, there are well-maintained courses, trained caddies and excellent facilities on offer with the golf. As a bonus, every course on the island offers a wide variety and quality of cuisine.

Yet, make no mistake playing Bali National is a test, especially for golfers of the hack and dlash variety.

Facing the first tee box at Bali National is a massive, intimidating bunker. I promptly dumped my first two shots into the trap. Not that there is any respite once you clear the sand as the hole is a healthy 440-yard par four. Interestingly, the front nine has only one par-five, while the back nine has the other three.

Flagship course

This is the flagship course in Bali, especially after a complete revamp and redesign that brought it up to international standards some years ago. Located in the upscale Maj Nusa Dua tourist complex, which the Indonesian government has carved out and converted into a deluxe gated area, the parkland course is a spectacular one.

From ocean views to a bewildering mix of flowering trees, statuesque palms, lush fairways, generously scattered water bodies and nature trails, if offers challenges to the golfer, even as it soothes the soul.

The course is laid out in three parts. The front nine is a traditional parkland spread though it also has some massive bunkers that I encountered with great regularity, and one small lake.

Water and sand

From hole 10 to 16 in the second section it is dominated by water bodies and more bunkers while the final section is home to holes 17 and 18, also with three lakes and most of the club facilities.

So as I swung and cursed my way through hole after superbly-maintained hole, the layout and scenery came as balm for a sorely tested soul.

And till the last, one needs to be fully focused, The 17th hole an island green that requires you to be perfect off the tee and the 18th, a long dog-leg that brings you back to the clubhouse and a very welcome meal and drink.

As a consolation for the weary hacker, the locker rooms are well appointed and the restaurant and bar happily stocked.

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