Island Splendour

The Indonesian islands of Bintan and Batam have long attracted Singaporean golfers looking to escape the rigours of city life. Now it’s time for Hong Kongers to follow in their footsteps

The Banyan Tree resort on Bintan

NEED TO KNOW

GOLF

Ria Bintan Golf Club
Contact: www.riabintan.com
Green Fee: HK$975-1,345 (includes cart and caddie)

Laguna Bintan Golf Club
Contact: www.banyantree.com
Green Fee: HK$365-735

Bintan Lagoon Resort
Contact: www.mozaichotels.com
Green Fee: HK$920-1,475

Palm Springs Golf and Beach Resort
Contact: www.palmsprings.com.sg
Green Fee: HK$460-645 (includes cart and caddie)

ACCOMMODATION

The Banyan Tree resort on Bintan (www.banyantree.com) was one of the luxury chain’s first outlets and retains its status as the most palatial address on the island. After several years of use, it was inevitable that the resort would show some signs of age. However, a major recent refurbishment has given it a renewed lease of life and digs are as upscale and appealing as you would expect for the not inconsiderable price. Villas (from HK$4,200) come in a range of categories. If you have cash to splash, opt for the ones with their own private swimming pool.The resort boasts a range of leisure facilities; there are two pools, a spa, a library and a private beach. Meanwhile, dining experiences can be sampled at the resort’s three restaurants – Saffron (Thai), The Cove (European), Treetops (Asian fusion) – or through a private in-villa barbecue or a specially prepared beachside meal.

GETTING THERE

Ferries from Singapore to Bintan (brf.com.sg) and Batam (batamfast.com) leave Tanah Merah Terminal at frequent intervals. Return fares to Bintan cost around HK$390 and HK$300 to Batam. A seven-day visa for Indonesia is available on arrival for US$10.

Pages

Written by Duncan Forgan

Click here to see the published article.

The Charm of Fanling
How can you not enjoy playing at the Hong Kong Golf Club? It’s got a bit of everything and more: 54 holes routed over sweeping terrain bounded by dense vegetation and cityscape - some contrast...
Chambers Bay - My Verdict
I have never been to Chambers Bay in person but I have seen enough pictures and read enough articles to know what I would expect if and when I do pay a visit. Admittedly I watched bits and pieces of...
The 19th Holes of St Andrews
A game of golf just isn’t complete without a post-round tipple at the 19th hole. Discussing the highs and lows of the round - a snaking downhill putt holed from long range or a topped drive...
Less is More
A few years back I was ask to deliver some thoughts on the state of golf and golf course design for The Campaign for Real Golf - a noble initiative geared towards making the game more attractive...
Golf on the Wild Side
"Slow your swing down mzungu, there’s no need to rush,” urges Nathaniel, my caddie, as I watch my third drive of the morning at Nairobi’s Muthaiga Golf Club assume an unfortunate leftward...
Green Havens
Most of us live in a concrete jungle - by that I mean we live in a place surrounded by high-rise buildings, overcrowded transport systems, busy roadways and a lot of smog and pollution. Just...
Raising the Bar
Asian Tour players are in for quite the treat when they tee it up at the Ho Tram Open in December. The reason? Allow me to explain. It’s an ill-kept secret that professional tournaments aren...
Close Encounters
From an early age I’ve had the fortune (or perhaps misfortune) of coming in close contact with a variety of different arachnids and creatures of the reptilian sort. In particular I have...
Tee Time in Tehran
The bumpy fairways and patchy putting surfaces - more burnt-out browns than grassy greens - are not much to look at. In Iran however, this is golf at its finest. In the same way that the streets...
The Good Doctor
"I have been reduced to playing golf with four clubs," Alister MacKenzie wrote in a letter to Augusta National. "I am at the end of my tether, no-one has paid me a cent since last June, we have...

Pages