by Yulius Martinus

Palm Springs Golf & Beach Resort is located in the Nongsa, Batam. If you look at a map the island of Batam, the fields are located in the northeast of the island. For tourists, especially golfers, they can come to the area from two terminals, Nongsa Pura Ferry Terminal, Batam, which only takes 5 minutes, and Hang Nadim Airport, Batam, the journey took only 15 minutes time.

Palm 8

Spread out on the land area of 244 hectares, Palm Springs is the first golf course, and also the largest with 31 holes, in Batam.

Designed by veteran pro Larry Nelson and IMG, the field was founded in the early 1990’s. The course is called Talvas Golf & Country Club. In 1995, the course was complete  in 18 holes (Island Course and Resort Course), and increased to 9 holes (Palm Course) in 1997. And right now Palm Spring Golf has 31 holes. For the last nine holes, the manager only adds a few holes only, and the rest of the other holes using Talvas field. However, it was done with some adjustments.

Management of the course is currently under management of the Sinar Mas Group. In addition to Palm Springs Golf Course in Batam, Sinar Mas Group also has a golf course in Johor, Malaysia, the Palm Resort Golf Country Club, and another one was in Jakarta, namely Sedana Golf and Country Club.

Each course in Palm Springs have their own characteristics. In Island Course, the holes have the characteristics such as mangroves, marshes, and ponds (lakes). Meanwhile, the Resort Course has the contour lay out up and down.

Most holes at the Palm Course is located on the seafront. Being at the beach, you can see the skyline of Singapore and Johor which is across. This is certainly the main attraction that became the pride of the Palm Course. Palm 6th (hole 6th) is the signature hole of the Palm Course. All courses use a type of Zoysia grass Matarela (fairway) and Bermuda Tirdwarf (green).

In 2006, Palm Springs Golf is getting an award as one of “10 Best Golf Course in Indonesia” by ASIAN GOLF Monthly. It means that Palm Spring is the only golf course in Batam Island which is received the award.

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By Yulius Martinus

In the north of Pattaya, there is a huge building made of wood work of high art. Name of  huge building is Sanctuary of The Truth. Founded in 1981, this building still under construction today. In fact, the building was estimated to be completed in 2020. Ancient science of architecture, this building reflects the thought and spirit in eastern cultures. Building height reaches 100 m, while the length and width ranges between 30-40 m.
This place is open every day from 9:00 am-6:00 pm. To enter you just pay the 500 baht.

Go to Pattaya (tips):

Located 147 km from Bangkok, Pattaya can be taken within 2:30 hours. Meanwhile, from Suvarnhabumi Airport is only 1:40 hours. You can use taxi, but without meter. Especially, when you’re not a Thai. Usually more expensive. If you want to save money, you can use the bus – are air conditioned and the bus condition is not bad – for the purpose of Pattaya. The difference between taxis with buses was 6-fold. Most Western tourists choose the bus transportation.

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By Yulius Martinus

Drive 18 km to the south of Pattaya, and then turn left from Sukhumvit Road, you’ll find a huge park called the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden by providing a resort.
Garden area of 600 acres was originally a land that was planned by the couple, Pisit and Nongnooch Tansacha, to develop fruit plantations such as mangoes, oranges, bananas, and other local fruits. However, Nongnooch finally decided to build conservation of tropical botany. In addition, he built Thai-style houses, cottages, villas seminar halls, and other facilities for the benefit of tourists.

Nong Nooch Tropical Garden opened in 1980 for the public. This park is the largest in Southeast Asia, and visited about 2,000 tourists from around the world each year. Aside from being a tourist destination, Nong Nooch was dedicated to education, preservation, and research on consevartion botany.
Besides enjoying the giant park, visitors can enjoy traditional performances, Thai culture, such as dance, martial arts, and ceremonial. The show featured 4 times in 1 day. Then, you will be entertained as well with Elephant show about 30 minutes. The elephants are displaying his ability to play basketball, soccer, painting, bowling, and so forth.
To get into this park, you have to spend at 100 baht, but to watch the show you must buy a ticket for 400 baht.

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By Yulius Martinus

Located on Sukhumvit Road, Nong Prue, Pattaya, a large aquarium called Underwater opened to the public. This place is exhibited various collections of marine fish species in the Gulf of Thailand. Visitors can view the collection by browsing to a tunnel along the 105, watching various kinds of fish swim in an area 180 degrees. The tunnel is divided into four zones: the first zone containing the fish are beautiful and rare, such as angel fish and Butterflyfish; second zone showing soft bony fish, like sharks and stingrays; third zone presents water creatures that categorize “economic”, as turtles and napoleon fish, and the fourth zone is the area for the fish that live in the Amazon river. There is also a fish feeding show, on the water and in water.

Underwater is open daily from 8.30 am until 6:00 pm, with admission ticket price of 450 baht (THB exchange rate 1 = USD $ 290) for adults and 250 baht (children).

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By Yulius Martinus

The beach has become the main destination of tourists from everywhere when they travel to Pattaya. The beauty of the beaches along the 3 km is the main attraction. Although much visited by tourists, the beach is kept clean. Local governments are always responsive to organize this beach that still provide traction.
The arrangement was done by making a special road for pedestrians, adjacent to the beach. Footpath is a versatile area because it can be used for walking, jogging, and biking. The region began to busy when the time began to show at 15.00. Festivities continued into the early hours because many bars and cafés are starting to open at 20:00 or 21:00.

However, for those who like sun and water sports, Pattaya is a great place for swimming and water activities, including speedboats and jet skis. Or you visit Ko Lan, an island located in south Pattaya, which can be reached by ferry or speedboat for 45 to 15 minutes. The beauty of the beach there attracted you to swim and enjoy water sports.

Ferry service operates every day at 7:00 am-6:30 pm, at Pier Laem Bali Hai. Meanwhile, from Ko Lan, scheduled at 6:30 am-6:30 pm. It costs only 20 baht. For speedboat (max. 10 passengers), you can rent at a price 2500-3000 baht, depending on your negotiation.

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By Yulius Martinus

Thailand became one of the favorite countries for tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. One of the places that became the most visited tourist is Pattaya, a coastal city located in the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Bangkok in Chonburi Province. According to Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Pattaya, the city is visited every year about 5 million travelers. Pattaya has high season for tourists visiting each November to April.At that time, some countries in other parts of the world indeed is entering winter, so they go abroad, to tropical countries like Thailand. No wonder if Pattaya is one of the largest tourism centers in Thailand.

A view of Pattaya from mountain

This situation is actually very different if you look at Pattaya 30 years ago. At that time, Pattaya is just a small fishing village until the U.S. troops came to this area in the 1960’s. At that time the Vietnam war was raging. Pattaya is a resting place U.S. military officials to establish a private bungalows. In 1979, after the Vietnam war, U.S. troops leave Pattaya. The area was a no man’s land.

However, in the last 10 years, the economy bounced back in Pattaya, and became the major joints of the Thai financial sector, tourism. Pattaya has been transformed into a modern fishing village. Today, Pattaya tourism potential not only depend on tourism activities in Pattaya Beach, but also extended to other areas, such as Underwater World, Nong Nooch Tropical Garden & Resort, and Sanctuary of The Truth.

In addition, Pattaya was a golf destination for local and foreign golfers. About 20 golf courses scattered throughout the area of Pattaya. Five courses of them are worth for you to try (see: Visiting Pattaya).

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By Yulius Martinus

Bogor is a city which is located in West Java province, Indonesia. In the past, the Dutch colonial era, Bogor is known as Buitenzorg. At that time, Bogor is a favorite place of senior Dutch as a resort. Green scenery, fresh air, and away from the crowds are several factors that the main attraction of the city which has an area of 21.56 km2. The city also known as rain city, because it has a very high rainfall.

Today, the city is experiencing rapid growth. Every weekend, Bogor become tourist destinations for tourists from other cities. In addition to typical Bogor Palace and Bogor Botanical Gardens, the city offers another attraction to the tourists, from a culinary tour to shopping.

Also, Bogor provides a variety of golf courses. There are 10 golf courses that spread from the highway toll Jagorawi to Bogor and Sukabumi, Riverside Golf Club, Emeralda Golf Club, Jagorawi Golf & Country Club, Permata Sentul Golf & Country Club, Sentul Highland Golf Club, Rainbow Hill Mountain Course, Gunung Geulis Country Club, Klub , Klub Golf Bogor Raya, Rancamaya Golf & Country Club, and Lido Golf Club. Not surprisingly, though Bogor has become a “paradise” of golf for golfers.  You can just set up a schedule tee off on the ground where you want to spend time for a weekday or weekend in Bogor.

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By Yulius Martinus

Located in the regency of Ciawi-Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, Gunung Geulis Country Club can reached in 45 minutes drive along the Jagorawi Highway, about 50 km from the business center of Jakarta. The course is actually at an elevation of between 400 to 500 meter above sea level. The site bordered at the north by the Cikeas River opens onto a vista of Bogor and Jakarta in the far distance. You can imagine how cool are the evenings and how fresh is the mountain air – the right climate for good golf and great holiday.

The course has 36 holes which is designed by Peter Thomson, Michael Wolveridge, &  Ross Perret . Founded in 1992, Gunung Geulis (means beautiful mountain in Indonesia language) operates the West Course, also known as the Old Course. Three years later, the East Course is also in operation. Characteristic Gunung Geulis is a magnificent atrium-shaped clubhouse. The atrium is a landmark of Gunung Geulis.

Playing in two of this course, you will experience two different experiences. West Course which seem more wide exactly is considered more difficult, based on the course rating. The Green is very tricky. And almost all the holes have the greenside bunkers.  This bunker is deep and not easily conquered.. With a length of 6075 m, you have to be patient when playing golf here. Beside requiring good skills, you also need to equip themselves with course management and choosing the right club.

The others is the East Course. Distance each hole is seems so long, and the contours follow the slopes of the mountains.  It can be seen in hole 1 to hole 9.  The holes look more difficult, but in second nine relatively the holes are easy. Even so, the East Course will be difficult for those who first tried it. Is 6065 m, the first nine field has an undulating contour, while the back nine more areas of compromise with wider fairway.

WEST COURSE

Tee Box          Course rating             Slope rating

Blue                 73,1                             138

White              70,0                             134

Red                 71,9                             133

EAST COURSE

Tee Box          Course rating             Slope rating

Black               73,2                             138

Blue                 71,7                             131

White              69,9                             124

Red                 71,3                             121

Gunung Geulis Country Club

Jl. Pasir Angin, Gadog

Bogor 16720, Jawa Barat- Indonesia

P: +62251-8257500, +62251-8257400

HP: +62251-7157086

F: +62251-8257430

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W: www.gununggeulis.com

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By Yulius Martinus

Opened in 1994, Emeralda Golf Club to be evidence of presence Arnold Palmer in Indonesia. Total hole was increased to 27 holes after the Jack Nicklaus designed the nine holes participate. The course provides a challenge.

Emeralda, which is located is along the toll highway Jakarta-Bogor is divided into three areas in each of nine holes, the river and lake, which was designed by Palmer, and plantation by Nicklaus. Each nine holes has a different challenge based on their individual names. Challenges played at Emeralda is a relatively long distance, contour challenging field, and almost every fairway and green there are bunkers.

River Course is believed by the golfers (mostly) the course the most “friendly”. With many rivers that cross the fairway, this course more enjoyable for golfers of various handicaps. Signature hole is a hole 1 River. Meanwhile, when facing the Lake Course, golfers face test in the form of water hazard and a slightly undulating hills. Hole 2 (Lake) is the signature hole of Lake course.

Plantation Course feels more conventional than the two previous course. Nine holes combines natural areas and vegetation, with palm trees are high. To a certain extent, this characteristically Jack Nicklaus-designed course also raises the degree of difficulty somewhat in the form of hazards of a less familiar kind: coconut leaves waving at the tree tops.  This course has a signature hole, the Hole 4 Plantation.

Emeralda is known as a course championships. Besides Indonesia Open 2006, several other international events ever held here, such as Johnnie Walker Super Tour (1997) and The Volvo Masters of Asia.

Emeralda Golf & Country Club

A: Desa Tapos, Kecamatan Cimanggis, Bogor

P.O. Box 38 Depok 16957, Jawa Barat

P: +62 21 875 9019

F: +62-21 875 9021

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By Yulius Martinus

Two top world golfers built golf courses in Bintan Lagoon Resort, Bintan, Indonesia. The first was Jack Nicklaus, who designed Sea View Course (18 holes). The course with par 72 has a length of 6352 m. Five tee created to accomodate golfers of various levels of ability. Sea View offers some beautiful views of the sea.

Hole 12 Par 3, with the South China Sea view

Hole 12, par 3, has the South China Sea view. A lot of wind blowing from or toward the sea. When the wind was blowing very hard, a club which is usually used for the distance of these holes will be added up to four clubs, especially from the championship tees. Hole 13, par 4, resents a unique feature of green, which is made separately, because a river flows that cut through the greens. This makes the hole becomes very difficult and challenging of Sea View Course. Hole 18, par 4, is also considered as difficult hole because there are large bunkers and a lot of bumps.

Sea View has an undulating landscape,  but ocean view of this course is beautiful and soothing. That is, when the game was not good, you’ll still enjoy the scenery during the 18 holes.

Designer a  second 18 holes course is Ian Baker Finch.The 1991 British Open champion designed a field called Woodland Course. The course along the lay out of 6203 m offers a dramatic change with a green area which is made to create the effect of Amphitheatre.

The biggest challenge lay out of this course is a natural blend. Ian makes this course in order to unify the various attributes landscape with a sense of belonging, typical of all the big course.

Every hole offered its own challenges. Hole 8, par 5, for example, has a reputation for something that “well”, from a high tee, the fairway rolled into the downhill, dogleg sharply to the left, by crossing the bunker, facing the lake, and ends at the elevated green. Meanwhile, the par 4 13th hole promises an interesting scene between the ocean and the seaside villa. Hole is known by the nickname “Beauty & the Beast”.