Indonesia

BATAM Island , Nature Golf
at 20 km from Singapore

Hong Kong February 2003 - There is a great gap between Singapore and the nearby 3000 islands of the Indonesian Riau Archipelago. But the closest one, Batam, at only 20 minutes by speed air conditioned ferry, is seen by other islands as a haven of opportunity as it has been declared free trade zone in 1989. It became support base for the State-owned Pertamina oil company and its offshore oil exploration. In addition to the oil support industries of Batu Ampar and a fast growing electronics industry, it has had a rapid-growing economic and industrial development. Now it attracts a lot of tourists coming from Singapore for duty-free shopping, great seafood and. great golf.

- Where to play

There are four golf clubs or resorts on Batam Island, the Southlinks Country Club being the nearest one to the main city Jodoh Nagoya, the three others staying near the Nongsa Ferry Terminal, along the seashore:

- Palm Spring Golf & Country Club ranks as one of most popular courses with three nine-hole layouts - Resort course, Palm course and Island course.

Sculpted fairways and gently sloping grassy depressions with breathtaking ocean views from the green are part of Palm Spring.
The Palm Course incorporates a signature green on the waterfront and from several holes, high level views of natural forest and mangrove swamps.

The Resort course is over varied topography with hills rising steeply and strategic pin locations to heighten the challenge.

The Island course gradually moves away from wide fairways to intricate hazards. Luxuriant with swaying palm trees and mangrove vegetation, the course is suited to beginners as well as the more skilled.

The Balinese-style luxury clubhouse boasts restaurants, function rooms, recreation rooms, sauna and steam baths and 12 private massage rooms.
- Jalan Hang Leiku - Nongsa, P.O. Box 616 - Batam , Indonesia -
Tel:  011 778-761 222 - Email:   pspring@indosat.net.id
- Singapore Office : AFP Resort Marketing Services .
400 Orchard Road #09-05 Orchard Towersnn- Singapore 238875 -
Tel: 65-6276 1027  - Email: pspring@cyberway.com.sg

- Southlinks Country Club is a manicured Floridian style golf resort: it stands on an elevated ground within 213 hectares of lush rolling country side adjacent to the Ladi Reservoir with an old Cham temple on the top of a hill. Southlinks Golf and Country Club offers facilities that are on par with the best in the region. The design philosophy was based on the blending of lush woodlands and undulating plains so the nature is left virtually undisturbed.

Peaceful and refreshing atmosphere with breathtaking views from its elevated position. The course was designed by Japan 's renowned Hisamitsu Ohnishi, architect of Cypress Golf Club or Takamaki Country Club in Japan . The design concept allows golfers of different skills to enjoy the game.

18 holes par-72, 6308 from the back tees. Open in 1996. Signature holes: Hole 6 dog-leg par-5: the question is: cut the corner or not which needs to carry 200 meters to overfly the water!
- Jalan Gajah Mada 9 km 5kp. , Sei Ladi, Sekupang Batam - Tel - 011-778-324 168 / 128
Singapore Office: 1 Maritime Square, #09-58 Harbour Front Centre, Singapore 099253 -
Tel 6270 0062 - Reservation : 6278-7079

- Indha Puri Golf Course
Set in luscious greenery and ringed by waters, the Indah Puri Golf course is quite spectacular. The course was designed by renowned golf architect Ronald Fream and each of the 18 holes of the championship course is distinctive and offers its own special character.

  The course runs parallel to the beach, then dog legs scenic lakes and bunkers. Spread over 80 hectares of manicured landscaping it provides golfers, both amateur and professional, with plenty of challenge.

The clubhouse overlooks the main lake and the 1st, 9th, and 18th holes.
Jln. Ir Sutami, Patam Lestari 24922 Sekupang, Batam   Tel: (62) 778 323702/3  
    Tel

What to see

Batam is a natural tropical island which has retained pockets of rural charm, peaceful spots with quiet beaches. White sand beaches are fringed with palms and kampung life carries on almost undisturbed. As it is a flat island, the highest point is on the middle of the Trans Bareland Bridge ; therefore it is a major attraction for the visitors.
Fishing villages supply delicious fresh seafood to visitors. In fact, One of Batam's biggest attractions is the fresh and delicious seafood. Giant prawns, live still crawling crabs, live fish taken straight from nets in the sea, lobsters, clams and shellfish are cooked in a variety of styles and all deliciouo. Try the local 'gong-gong' conch shell where the succulent meat inside is fished out with a pin and dipped in a spicy sauce before eating.
In the "Padepokan Seni" art center in Sekupang arts and crafts from all over Indonesia are exposed, as well as various kinds of performances, which are staged every day for the visitors and tourists. Another art center in Sekupang is "Desa Seni", Indonesian art village, which main objective is to "maintain, conserve and develop the Indonesian culture".
Even ihe local culture has a Malaysian and Islamic origin, there is a monumental Chinese temple called Yihara Budhi Bhakti which is worse a visit near Sungai Panas.

- Where to stay

NOVOTEL : The ACCOR Group hotel is very near the city yet the setting of the deco in the Hotel does'nt give this impression. The ambience and its natural setting bodes well for a relaxing time. The staff are very polite and interactive. Something that is a rare commodity in a country where majority do not speak English.
The Novotel offers 254 comfortable room (14 suites) mainly with balconies (53 non smoking), 2 bars and a restaurant, large meeting facilities, fitness centre, indoor pool and Jacuzzi (with flowers).
As in many Novotel, golfers are welcome and can find information for playing around and manage tee times and transportation to the courses.
- Jalan Duyung Sei Jodoh - 29432 BATAM - INDONESIA
Tel :+62778 425555- E-mail : guest@novotelbatam.com

Transport : by ferry from the Waterfront city (former World Trade Centre) at Singapore to Batam Centre : 30'
Visa : mainly required and can be purchased at the Singapore Harbour Front Centre.

Batam new city

Seafood shelves: make your choise

Trishaw is very popular

Palm Spring golf resort


Palm hole 7 along the beach


Cham temple on South Winds golf

and view from club-house


Indha Puri club house


Tering Bay golf view


Trans Berelang bridge


local fruits


Novotel façade

Novotel conference room

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