Berjaya Hills Golf

Tee off in the highlands
Friday October 2, 2009

JUST 45 minutes from Kuala Lumpur is the perfect highland golf getaway - the Berjaya Hills Golf and Country Club.

The resort, spaciously spread across 6,500ha, with a rainforest as the backdrop, is easily accessible from the Karak Highway.

Berjaya Hills is a challenging and picturesque experience. It is a par-72, 18-hole tract designed by acclaimed golf course architect J. Michael Poellot.

It stretches all of 6,312m from the black, or championship tee box and has played host to the World Inter-Team Amateur Open, the Hospitality Asia Golf Championship and the Pahang Men & Ladies Amateur Open Golf Championships.

Tricky: The Par 5, hole no 18 at Berjaya Hills can lead to birdies as well as bogeys.

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Given the course's location in the highlands, Poellot did an excellent job of taking in the natural surroundings and using the undulations to great effect.

The sweeping fairways, tricky greens, strategically-placed sand bunkers, as well as the water hazards that come in the form of natural streams and lakes, all chip in to make this an interesting course that leaves an impression on one forever.

Berjaya Hills opens with a 350m par-4. This hole is a gentle uphill dogleg that is marked by a friendly fairway while the large green should provide a smooth start to a round. Off the tee box, players should note the fairway bunker on the right, which encourages one to play down the left, from where the flag can be targeted.

The second hole is the first par-5 and measures 485m. The water on this Index 3 hole, is close to the left of the green and then comes down towards you as you approach, before turning across the fairway and directly influencing the second shot.

And because the hole plays downhill, the tee provides for a brilliant view of the entire hole. It is good advice to play the tee shot from right to left so as to take the two fairway bunkers on the right out of play.

Two holes later on No. 4, golfers find the most difficult challenge at Berjaya Hills.

Unforgettable: Tee-off at the picturesque Berjaya Hills Golf and Country Club.

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This 396m par-4 gives nothing away and demands total focus.

Anything less than precision is punished wholesale. A huge valley runs across this harsh dogleg and comes into play on both the drive off the tee and the approach shot.

Thus, accuracy off the tee is of great importance here, as one must clear it in order to safely reach one of the layout's most strikingly beautiful greens.

Berjaya Hills' signature hole is the No. 17, and for good reason.

It features two routes to the green as it doglegs to the right. The “Tiger line” to the well-protected putting surface is long and must fly over Stony Creek to a tight landing area.

The other route is much safer, as one plays to the left and leaves Stony Creek out of the equation. This, however, does mean that a demanding uphill approach shot will follow.

On arrival at the clubhouse, after parking the buggy, golfers and their guests can indulge in the comfort of well-laid out facilities and enjoy good food.

“The Restaurant” at the clubhouse overlooks the swimming pool and the picturesque Titiwangsa range, and offers a variety of dining options on local and international cuisine.

The Golfer's Lounge, meanwhile, also enjoys a panoramic view of the golf course, while the bar, music room and karaoke rooms are ideal venues for relaxation and to unwind after a round of golf.

There is also a gift shop at the clubhouse for guests' convenience, and a pro-shop that is well-stocked with golf equipment and souvenirs.

But that is not all; golfers can also spend the night here, as the club features 21 luxuriously furnished suites and 12 golfer's rooms.

All the suites are fully equipped with modern amenities, such as TV set, with in-house movies, IDD telephone line, and coffee/tea making facilities.

This is probably the best time to visit the Berjaya Hills, as the club has just launched its seasonal golf package. A flight of four only has to pay for three golfers, and this works out to about RM70 for green fees, buggy and insurance.

For more information and reservation, contact: Tel 09-288 8180. --The StarMetro

Great fun at the peak (Genting Highlands)

Great fun at the peak (Genting Highlands)
Story and photos by Helen Ong
Sunday February 24, 2008

For that adrenaline rush and more, head for Genting Highlands.

IF you’re at a loose end one Sunday morning, what about piling the family into the car and heading for Genting Highlands?

Although only about an hour or so from Kuala Lumpur, the place is definitely worth staying over for a night or even longer.

Huge: The outdoor theme park in Genting.

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With six hotels and 10,000 guest rooms, (including the First World and its 6,000 rooms which makes it the biggest in the world), there is accommodation available to suit every budget.

Mention “Genting” and the other G word immediately springs to mind, but actually, although the casinos are definitely a major attraction, there is plenty more to do besides, and you can have a fabulous time without even putting a foot (or, for that matter, sen) in one.

The first major town you hit on the way up is Gohtong Jaya, named of course after the amazing personage who had the vision to create this incredible resort out of what was virgin jungle.

It is generally where visitors stop for a wee (in every sense) break, as there are many restaurants here and some of the best Hokkien Char around.

Short but thrilling: The Corkscrew ride.

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Just a few minutes’ drive from there is the Awana Genting Golf Resort. At 1,200 metres above sea level, it is cool but not too cold; perfect for a few rounds on the 18-hole PGA-standard course, which is listed as one of the world’s top 100.

Those who fancy a bit of R&R time away from noise and bustle will delight in the peaceful and lovely grounds, the spacious, recently refurbished rooms, and their extensive list of free activities led by qualified instructors.

If, however, you prefer a bit more excitement and somewhere even cooler, then head up another 800 metres, straight to the peak itself, which is another 15 minutes away. The Highlands Hotel here is connected to Gohtong Jaya by the Genting Skyway cable car – at 3.38km the longest in South-East Asia – and a shorter ride goes from Awana to the top.

It’s a slow and relaxing ride, although the queue to get on during peak times can be exhausting, but the view is quite spectacular, including the Chin Swee Caves Temple which took 18 years to build.

At the top, there’s a real buzz in the air. At its heart is First World Plaza, the huge covered concourse where a monorail and roller coaster weave in and out, the shrill screams of their thrill-seeking riders adding to the already high noise level and excitement of the milling crowd.

Sheer enjoyment: The cool fresh mountain air and relaxing greenery of Genting Highlands is worth a drive there for a weekend.

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Over 50 different rides in the indoor and outdoor theme parks will ensure everyone, including the little ’uns, the young and the young-at-heart are kept entertained.

Shopaholics, worry not – there are nearly 80 retail outlets in First World Plaza alone, including some big names and larger chains, and I even managed to acquire some clothes and sandals I just had to have, at very reasonable prices too.

However, a very important consideration is, as far as I am concerned: food; what’s to eat there?

Actually, considering almost everything has to be transported up, there is an amazing number of restaurants and outlets with all kinds of quite delicious, very reasonably priced cuisines, from kopi tiams to popular franchises and award-winning fine dining.

With over 90 eateries, it seems like no matter what you fancy, at whatever time, there is some place, which will offer it – even if it’s pizza and spaghetti in the wee hours of the morning.

The Lake View Seafood Restaurant has a good variety of tasty dim sum, and at the 24-hour Hainan Kitchen you can even get quite authentic yau char kwai and coffee.

Interesting: You can even climb on board a London bus in Genting.

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The nightly international buffet at the Coffee Terrace in Genting Hotel is impressive, and excellent value for money – senior citizens get a 50% discount at certain times.

Awana Genting’s Rajawali has a lovely terrace overlooking the golf course, and it’s cool enough to dine al fresco by the pool with their recently-introduced Imu Hawaiian Buffet, the only one of its kind in Malaysia, where different kinds of marinated meats are barbecued in a specially made pit.

Genting has made a name for itself in the entertainment industry, and many international stars have sung in the 6,000-seat Arena of Stars, but even without a big name, there is an extravaganza on at The Pavillion practically every night. It’s usually suitable for all the family and a marvellous way to end a wonderful, fun-filled day.

To sum it up: there are many activities available in Genting, and one or two days were quite insufficient to do the place justice. -- The Star Metro.