 Malaysia
At Johor Bahru
Flower Courses at Sofitel Palm Resort
Johor, November 2007 - Johor is the southernmost state of Malaysia facing Singapore . Its capital city Johor Bahru has been established in 1855 by the late Sultan Abu Bakar (Father of modern Johor) and is now the administrative centre of the state. Located at the tip of the peninsula, it is the southern gateway connected to Singapore by road via a modern causeway. It takes about an hour drive from the centre of Singapore to the famous Sofitel Palm Resort Golf and Country Club which makes it a favourite destination for Singaporean and international golfers visiting that part of South Asia .
by R. Bourne
 What to see ?
Where to play ?
Where to stay ?
What to see
Johor Barhu boasts of myriad landmarks, such as the Grand Palace with its Anglo-Malay architecture, which houses the museum where priceless treasures of the Royal Collection are showcased.
The "Ghazal" music, which is unique to Johor, is usually performed during cultural shows and weddings. The "Kuda Kepang" spun from tales of Islamic heroes where dancers imitate the movement of horses is another Johorean famous performance.
Shopping opportunities abound in JB. Modern malls, arcades, handicraft centres, bazaars and markets offer international and local products. Local craftwork makes lovely souvenirs. Furthermore, the JB Duty Free Complex located at the JB International Ferry Terminal. Known as "ZON", encompasses more than 150 retail outlets and a hypermarket where to find all international brands.
Sofitel Palm Resort is a premier leisure and conference destination set in 800 acres ( 325 hectares ) of lush surroundings, only 2 km from the airport or 60 km from Singapore . Features include 330 luxurious rooms, 4 restaurants, a lobby lounge and 2 poolside bars. The adjacent golf and country club has three 18 hole golf courses and a recreation complex that includes a golf driving range, tennis courts, squash courts, a gym, bowling alleys, billiard tables, table tennis, children's club and the luxurious Mandara Spa. All aound the resort there are many palm trees, the high welknown Travellers tree being on its logotype
Where to play
The three golf courses of the Palm Resort Golf and Country Club , Allamanda, Cempaka and Melati, have been designed by the world-renowned Hiromasa Inagawa. The courses have been named after the flowers found on each course. All are 18-holes and have been designed with a distinctive brand to cater to the sportive demands of players. Ensconced within undulating terrains punctured by elements of challenge in water features and massive bunkers, all three courses are surrounded by an abundance of landscaped gardens and natural flora where leave different species of local birds.
Palm Resort Golf & Country Club has been voted n°1 in Johor by readers of the Golf Malaysia Magazine in 2002 and ranked in the top 10 courses on Malaysia in 2003. It has been voted n°2 by Asian Golf Monthly in 2002.
Allamanda course is the most established of the three courses at Palm Resort. It has played host to prestigious tournaments such as Johnnie Walker Super Tour 1998 were many world famous names in golf graced its fairways and greens. In October 2002, the Davidoff Nations Cup was also played there.
The course presents a real challenge with 11 holes of water! It is the 'resort' course with extensive landscaping and two signature holes n° 2 and n°15. Total length (to the middle of the greens) from the championship tees is 6271 m , 5928 from the blue, 5508 from the white and 4539 from the red. Some greens are severely undulated and well guarded, requiring planning of approach and good lecture of the slopes.
The Allamanda flower or Golden Trumpet is a yellow flower which trims to a shrub of 3 to 4 meter high.
Cempaka course is considered as the resort's championship course measuring 6492 meter from the pro tees (6158 from the blue, 5785 from the white and 5100 from the red). Watch out for the island fairway of the n°9, the coffee plantation between holes n° 12 and 13 and the ravine on n° 14.
Cempaka or Malay Magnolia Tree is the yellow and orange flower of a plant called Hardwood, Evergreen of a height of 8 to 10 meter .
Melati course is a links with a 'first tee only' start but the longest of the three courses with 6592 meter from the black tees, 6145 from the blue and 5590 from the white. The course counts 68 bunkers, 6 water holes and some other very unique features. A sea of sand like Nicklaus or Van Hagge are used to design defends the green of the par-3 hole n°2 (this bunker is considered as the largest in Malaysia) while the hole 15 is the country's longest hole with 624 meter from the back tee. The length must be replaced by accuracy on the hole n° 16 where an island green is surrounded by water.
Melati is a fragrant white flower derived from Jasmine plant family of a height of 2 metres . It is appropriate to be clipped into topiary shapes or a bonsai.
Palm Resort is also home of the Asian PGA and Asian PGA Golf Academy making it the best teaching centre in Asia .
The Malaysian style club-house is located on the top of a hill with a wonderful view over the golf courses. It is the main centre of activity where players can tee-off and return for a midway break for a refreshing drink at the Spike Bar, some light meals at the Golfers Terrace or a more serious dining at Las Palmas under the high palm trees.
Palm Resort Golf & Country Club
Jalan Persiaran Golf, Off Jalan Jumbo , 81250
Senai Johor , Malaysia
Tel: (6 07) 599 6222
Fax: (6 07) 599 6001
E-mail: prgcc@palmresort.com
Where to stay
Built in the Malaysian style around a central swimming pool, the 5-star SOFITEL Palm Resort offers large and open volumes where the natural air circulation replaces easily the air conditioning.
The 5-star Sofitel Palm Resort has 330 luxurious room and suites to cater to the discerning traveller, where each room comes with a balcony and en-suite bathroom supported by a host of the finest amenities and services consistent with the sterling hospitality standards of ACCOR hotels worldwide. Be he an avid golfer, a leisure seeker or a business traveller, he is assured of a memorable stay which will entice him to return for more.
For dining, guests have the choice between three restaurants where food is first class : - The Ishwara, cosy brasserie and terrace with international and local very good selections , - Kin-Shan Long which offers the best Chinese specialities in Oriental setting ; - great Japanese cuisine et the Sobasei but in a winter cold air conditioning!
Drinks at the Turquoise Bar (where music and singers are too loud) and the Soleil Sports Bar and Café offers quick poolside refreshment and snacks.
The Mandara Spa at Sofitel Palm Resort is located at the ground level of the resort and overlooks the lush tropical garden and offers unique pleasures of a pampered lifestyle. Traditional therapies and services rejuvenate the body, calm the soul and refresh the spirit by using the purest and the highest quality ingredients for that memorable experience.
The "Best of Mandara" is an elaborate and exotic combination of six spa treatments featuring : Aromatherapy Footbath, Lavender Body Wash , and your choice of Body Scrub (Balinese Boreh, Javanese Lulur, Bali Coffee or Soothing Coconut), Floral Essential Oil Bath and our signature "Sofitel Massage" (Balinese Massage).
Sofitel Palm Resort
Jalan Persiaran Golf, Off Jalan Jumbo , 81250
Senai Johor , Malaysia
Tel: (6 07) 599 6000 - Fax: (6 07) 599 7028
website : www.palm-resort.com
E-mail: reservation@palmresort.com
Singapore office:
11, Japanese Garden Road,
Singapore 619229
Tel: (65) 6838 6500 - Fax: (65) 6838 6501
E-mail: sofitel@singnet.com.sg or sso@palmresort.com
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