FINNA GOLF CLUB, SURABAYA

I have been to Surabaya Indonesia many times on work related trip and played a few rounds of golf there namely at Ciputra Golf Club, Graha Family Golf Club and Bukit Darmo Golf. there are two other less popular golf clubs, the 18 holes Par 3 course at Pakuwon Golf and Family Club and Ahmad Yani Golf Club, a walking course. There are 2 other golf courses located further away from the city, about 70 minutes drive from city centre and these 2 courses are Taman Dayu Golf Club and Finna Golf Club located near the mountains and resort village of Tretes.

On my recent trip to Surabaya in May 2014 I was able to take time off from work to travel to Finna Golf Resort with some friends. The journey took us to the direction of Malang and Pasuruan and exiting the highway at Sidoarjo. People said Finna Golf Club would be very cool but we felt the opposite, quite hot...

So off we went to play golf...

So what's so great about playing golf in Indonesia ? Was it the course, cheaper rates or anything else? The best kept secret amongst golfers is all about the caddies...they are beautiful and seductive ( on the golf course..), can't blame them as they will do that and expect a fat tip from you after the games. So what is a few hundred thousand Rupiah for a 4 hour companionship? Hehehe..check out these photos?

NEW KUTA GOLF CLUB, BALI, INDONESIA

Taking the 777-200 aeroplane is much better than AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur to Bali and reached there in about 3 hours. The Ngurah Rai International Airport is a pretty busy airport but quite modern and relevant to modern day travellers. There were 16 people in the delegation and 3 missed the plane in Kuala Lumpur so they have to take the next scheduled flight to Bali, cannot blame them as they were all first time overseas travellers.

We stay away from town centre at the place called the Pecatu Indah Resort about 30 minutes drive from the airport and near the KLAPA New Kuta Beach. We stayed at the Lorin New Kuta Hotel apparently quite cheap at IDR 480,000 nett including breakfast. For dinner we went to the beach and have seafood dinner at the famous Jimbaran Bay located on the Jimbaran beach. The food was quite nice but pretty expensive, this was to be expected as Bali is a commercial town with a lot of tourists.

After the morning trip to several Agarwoods and Sengon plantations about 2 hours from the hotel, we played golf in the afternoon at the New Kuta Golf Club. It was quite expensive as the club charged foreigners USD 170 per golfer inclusive of twin sharing buggy and lady caddies. The golf club is located by the sea and wind factor certainly added to the difficulty of playing this championship course. From the blue tee it played 6,000 metres. It once hosted a LPGA event back in 2009.

It was a very good golf outing for all of us but didn't managed a good score, the best was +2 over net score by Nordin Bren who played a handicap 24. I played +4 over 92 gross for a 18 handicapper, never mind the scores we enjoyed the golfing experience.

We flew to Surabaya in the evening...

GOLF IN PATTAYA, THAILAND

Many years ago, me and my golf buddy Razak boarded the AirAsia flight to Bangkok and traveled down to the beach town Pattaya and spent a few days golfing.

The AirAsia flight from KLIA to Bangkok return trip cost us RM 280. On arrival in Don Muang (DMK) airport Bangkok, we took a taxi to Pattaya and cost us RM 120 per trip and the journey took about 2 hours. We checked in at Areca Lodge for RM 120 per night, the rooms were booked through Sawadee.com. 

There are 26 golf courses within 40 km radius of Pattaya! During the 5 days 4 nights there, we played at Laem Chabang GC designed by Jack Nicklaus, Khao Kheow GC designed by Pete Dye, the Pattaya Country Club and the Burapha Golf Club. 

Opposite the hotel, there was a Pub called Kromberg, a meeting place for golfers. There is a notice announcing the venue and date where you can register your name to play golf at that particular course, then other Pattaya resident golfers who are interested will put their names. Once the participants are confirmed, they will determine the fares incurred by each golfer who shared the transport charges. Easy...but the locals don't play on weekends. The transport to and from golf courses ranged between RM 12 to RM 20 per person depending on location. Green fees ranged from RM 60 to RM 170 and cart fee about RM 60 twin sharing. Add some tips for caddies RM 15-RM 20 would be acceptable. For easy conversion THB 100 equal RM 10. 

The town is busy at night with guys with Harley Davidson bikes or other huge bikes rode the street near the beach. For me and my friend, a trip to the many foot massages outlets, for THB 200 per 1 hour session. 

Meals for Muslims a bit tough, not many Muslim restaurants to be seen at town centre. But I survived with plenty of fruits, breads and eggs. Eating at the hotel is the best.. 

Laem Chabang International Country Club

This is my pick of the courses in Pattaya. 27 holes of great beauty. we really enjoyed the experience which this course offers. Its presentation is fantastic. beautifully mowed fairways with lovely greens and well maintained bunkers.

It has the most beautiful clubhouse with great views from the balcony. Change rooms are excellent. The caddies are generally excellent but my caddy complained of the heat, she was rather pretty and afraid the sun might darken her skin.  When in Pattaya, put this course on the top list as this is a must play course and I am sure you will enjoy and remember your golfing here for a long time.

There are many drinking huts where cold drinks are available...

large bunkers to test your skill...

and lakes too...

and ever smiling caddies...loved their job I guess!

PON HLAING GOLF CLUB, YANGON

The Pun Hlaing Golf Club is a 7,012 yard Gary Player Signature layout that offers some of Asia's most challenging and rewarding golf holes set in a mature, manicured tropical landscape which is bordered by lakes, the Hlaing River and the grand mansions of the Pun Hlaing Residential Estate in the background.

Pun Hlaing is a private golf club that regularly hosts the Asian Tour and welcomes international golfers for weekday rounds and, occasionally, slots during the weekends.

We called the Club to book our tee-time and got a morning slot to avoid the traffic chaos leading to the industrial estate. Unfortunately the caddy said no SLR camera was allowed so only camera phones was used!

There were more than 80 caddies available at the club when we arrived in the morning and we got the most experienced caddy albeit not the prettiest caddy..but I think they are beautiful ladies.

Pun Hlaing GC is now the finest golf club and course in Myanmar and its a private property. This was my second time playing here and the course was great and play was fun and we scored really well in the mid eighties!

Happy golfing!