Golf Travel to Sabah
The Best Time To Visit
Sabah has an equatorial climate with day temperatures ranging up to the mid-thirties Celsius and high humidity from the regular rainfall. The wet season is from October to February and the drier season from March to September. Typical of tropical climates, it is usually clear skies in the morning with heavy rain in the afternoon. These tropical conditions promote lush fairways and receptive greens.
Dalit Bay Golf and Country Club
Ensconced within the 400 acres of Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, this superb 18-hole championship course designed by Australian Ted Parslow, provides a stimulating and uplifting playing experience. Bordered by the Tambalang and Mengkabong rivers with a stunning vista of Mount Kinabalu in the distance, Dalit Bay is a prime wetland course where water comes into play at every hole.
Nexus Golf Resort
Undulating across a series of small lakes and waterways, amidst a panoramic expanse of natural and landscaped surroundings, the Nexus Golf Resort Karambunai captivates golfers with breathtaking views of Karambunai Beach, the South China Sea and Mount Kinabalu. Set against the backdrop of a 130-million year old tropical rainforest along its eastern edges, the par 72, 18-hole international championship golf course was designed by renowned golfing architect Ronald Fream.
Sabah’s Best Courses
Sutera Harbour Golf and Country Club was designed by leading Australian golf course designer Graham Marsh, Sutera Harbour Golf Club has garnered various awards of distinction. The course is finished with Bermuda grass and strategically challenging bunkers. Playing any combination of 18 holes, golfers will enjoy a par-72, six thousand metre course. The 27-hole championship golf course is beautifully landscaped with undulating terrain and numerous waterways, providing a challenge for both amateurs and top professionals alike. You can even tee off well past sunset as the Resort offers the only night golfing opportunity in East Malaysia and one of the largest facilities in Malaysia.
Lake Course As the starting 9 from the Club House, this set of nine was named for the obvious richness in water hazards and the man-made lakes nestled between the undulating greens and landscaped vistas.
Heritage Course With a fantastic view of the Kota Kinabalu city backdrop from the horizon across the fairway, the Heritage Course is a peaceful and secluded course in which to relax and play.
Garden Course The Garden Course presents a spectacular area richly landscaped with shady trees and sand bunkers with ocean and island views in the horizon and golf holes running adjacent to the South China Sea.
The Golf Academy Borneo at Sutera Harbour offers first-class teaching facilities with a 42 bay floodlit driving range, large putting/chipping green, practice bunker and grass tees.
Sabah Activities
There are some great experiences to be enjoyed in Sabah. Day tours to the surrounding islands are a great way to take a break from the golf course. You may even want to climb Mount Kota Kinabalu, one of the highest peaks in Asia. Deep sea fishing and other water activities are a great way to relax and the local shops and malls provide some bargains. There is also an excellent day tour to Borneo which takes in the orangutans, a Buddhist temple, local markets and the Sandakan Prisoner of War camp where the Japanese held thousands of Allied POW’s during World War 2 before sending on the now infamous ‘Death March’. Only six men survived to tell of the horrors of their time at Sandakan
The Accommodation
Sutera Harbour Resort
Nestled between the shores of the South China Sea, fronting the tropical islands and the majestic Mount Kinabalu, is the grand expanse of Sutera Harbour Resort. The 384-acre resort provides a spectacular array of activities from its luxurious five-star hotels, championship golf course, marina and recreational facilities.
The elegant business setting of The Pacific Sutera Hotel is complemented by the resort ambience of The Magellan Sutera Resort, offering a total of 956 guest rooms and suites of luxurious comfort.
At the heart of this complex lies Sutera Harbour Marina, Golf & Country Club, incorporating the 27-hole Graham Marsh-designed golf course, a 104-berth marina, internationally renowned Mandara Spa and a host of recreational facilities.
The luxurious 5-star The Pacific Sutera Hotel features 500 immaculately appointed rooms and suites with contemporary décor and dramatic views of either the sprawling golf course or of the sea and nearby tropical islands.
Shangri La Rasa Ria Resort
The resort is home to an eco-friendly championship golf course and the magnificent Spa at Dalit Bay. Unique to the Rasa Ria resort is the Orangutan Education Centre where you’ll meet Sabah’s icon. Even the kids have their own fun club. And the more adventurous ones get to help the rangers look after the baby Orangutans in the resort’s care.
Recommendations
The novelty of night golf is definitely worth experiencing when in Kota Kinabalu. Playing golf under flood lights adds a whole new dimension to the game. Distance and depth perception are altered and the game takes on an entirely different dynamic!
The tour to Borneo to take in the orangutans is also well worthwhile. There are many different aspects of this tour which will be sure to keep every member of a travelling party happy.
There are some great little islands to visit and unwind on the beautiful beaches and in the crystal clear waters.
Getting There
Malaysian Airlines offer flights to Kota Kinabalu via Kuala Lumpur which can be a great way to break up the travel with a stopover in Malaysia’s amazing capital city.
