Good golf resorts abound, but the one that is favourably talked about among golfers and holiday-makers long after the game and stay is the outstanding one. A’Famosa Golf Resort does not feature a conventional golf course where the turf is inferior and the scenery is monotonous. It offers a championship course with some of the most demanding and challenging holes in Malaysia surrounded by pristine greens and beautiful scenery.

Accessible via the North-South Expressway, A’Famosa is a 30-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur’s International Airport at Sepang and a two-hour drive from Singapore. The golf resort even has a private runway for light aircraft and helipad, making it the only Resort in Malaysia to have such an exclusive service for its golfers.

The 18-hole golf course (with another 18 scheduled to be completed by December 1997) is designed by renowned Australian based golf course architect Ross Watson, who is famous for moulding beautiful and challenging golf courses out of natural rough terrain.

The course is set upon elevated ground amidst the hills, with boulder rock outcrops, clusters of palm trees and scenic waterways, all combined to provide a natural setting for an enjoyable round of golf.

With deep valleys transformed into man-made lakes, set against hilly greeneries, the course is scenic and its atmosphere is tranquil. High winds surround the course and the cool evening breeze will relax busy executives as they enjoy a round of night golfing.

Each hole is uniquely accentuated by the original undulating contours; hence, each hole has its own character. There are two signature holes - holes 4 and 5, of which the latter is one of the most the difficult.

The drive on hole 4 (par 5,525m) plays uphill to a fairway flanked on the left by outcrops and on the right by large boulders and a bunker. On top of the hill, golfers are confronted with a huge boulder which may block the view of the green. Hole 5 ( par 4,375m) will put the golfer’s patience to the test with a lake along the entire left side, accompanied by the strong north-easterly wind.

The 17^th, a par 5,500-metre, is the long hole which will make a good championship hole in the event of a tournament. Golfers tee-off uphill to a crested landing area guarded by a large rock outcrop interspered with large bunkers on the left. A strong draw shot would make if possible for the second shot to go over a central mounted rough area and high swale with rock outcrops which intrudes on the left with a large bunker waiting on the right.

There are 90 buggy cars and turf-mates and a 30-bay driving range for professionals as well as beginners.

Cosy and elegant, the Clubhouse offers an array of facilities to cater for the different recreational interests of guests and their families, ranging from sporting facilities to a children’s play-ground, a library, games room, a gymnasium and banquet hall which accommodates 1,000 people. In addition, guests can relax in the coffee house, or savour the sumptous dishes at the Chinese restaurant.

The self-contained township of A’Famosa Resort features a Water World together with the other facilities of golf and accommodation. Set in the Resort, the 20-acre water theme park features a series of unique slides, all built to thrill. However, if a less dramatic experience with water is desired, the Lazy River and the Wave Pool are perfect spots for a swim or unwinding.

Other exceptional recreation activities include an exhilarating experience aboard the hot-air balloon and archery shooting at the range.

For those who desire a stay at A’Famosa Resort, A’Famosa Bungalows are available for a one-night of a one week/weekend stay for golfers, non-golfers and corporate outings. The bungalows are 3 to 5-bedroom units ranging from 6,500 to 12,000 sq. feet. Each unit is fully equipped with air-conditioned rooms, a kitchen and modern amenities complete with a private swimming pool.