The USD 415 million Forest City Golf Resort has officially opened its doors to the world of golfers on 1 September 2018 after a 3 day ceremony and media tournament.
The first of three golf courses, the Legacy Course, is a Nicklaus design which boasts the ever green Paspalum Platinum through its immaculate condition fairways and greens.
This course has a ‘desert style’ concept and is surrounded by mangroves and natural water features. There are many ‘wastelands’ around the 18 hole course where it doesn’t severely punish wayward tee shots and ‘OB’ are kept to minimal.
Its an additional plus point to play at this course as buggies are allowed on fairways to both speed up play and enhance the pleasure of the round.
There are choices between local Malaysian female caddies and foreign China female caddies to enhance the overall experience.
While there is no club house for this course, the 5 star Forest City Golf Hotel is centrally located in the middle of the property. The lead-in rooms are 45 sq m2 with large spread of breakfast in the morning. The grass turf driving range also welcomes all golfers before or after their game. Best yet, this property is located a mere 25 minutes from the Johor city centre and international airport.
ENDS
See interview below between IAGTO Malaysia Representative Eushen Ng and David Wang, Golf Club Operations Manager of Forest City Golf Resort in Johor State, at the opening of its Legacy Course on 1st September 2018.
Outside of the domestic market, which countries do you think will send the most golf travellers to Forest City Golf Resort?"
I think the leading international markets will be Singapore, Mainland China, Korea and Japan, while we hope to attract golfers from all over the world who are looking to enjoy a 5 star golf experience that is totally ‘self-contained’.
The second golf course should be ready by September 2019 and construction of the third course will begin once the second course is complete. We will be sharing more updates from time to time on these exciting developments."
Why did you decide to join IAGTO ahead of the Grand Opening?
"I have long known the importance of affiliating with IAGTO especially when it comes to global golf tourism presence. We know that golf tour operators need to plan well in advance so we wanted to be able to communicate to them the progress of the development and assure IAGTO members that we are set up commercially to encourage and reward their business. IAGTO will be able to help us to promote our golf resort and the entire region here in Southern Malaysia so that it will become a one of South East Asia’s top golf destinations. With IAGTO’s support Johor will become a must-visit destination for golfers when they visit Malaysia. All in all both the state of Johor (and its 26 other golf clubs) and the whole of Malaysia will benefit from this. Forest City has what it takes to be a world class championship course and the future is very exciting!"
What makes Forest City different from the other golf clubs in Johor state?
"The father and son partnership at Nicklaus Design have created a ‘desert course’, one that I would say is unique in South East Asia! And here at Forest City Golf Resort we really do deliver on providing a world class facility, with amenities and services to match for the benefit of all golfers when they visit us. We stick by our claim to be a one-stop centre for all golfers looking for the best in their golf travel. Furthermore, our location cannot be beaten as we are close to just about everywhere in Johor and to Singapore."
What are the aspirations of Forest City Golf Resort over the coming years?
"The next three years are going to be incredibly exciting as the resort develops, and I hope that we will play an important role in growing the game in Malaysia, and, if all goes according to plan, we would like to achieve No.1 Golf Club status here in Malaysia and be listed as a Top 100 golf club in the world."
Lastly, enlighten us on your previous experience within the golf industry
"I graduated from Lucerne, Switzerland majoring in Hospitality & Tourism. Fresh from college I worked in the hotel industry in Mission Hills Golf Resort, China, and was given the opportunity to branch out managing international golf events including the Omega World Cup Golf. Upon returning to Malaysia I managed the Maybank Malaysian Open (co-sanctioned event with Asian Tour and European Tour) and managed golf operations in various local clubs and eventually ended up here overseeing Forest City Golf Resort grow from scratch to where it is now with the launch of the Legacy Course."
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About Country Garden Pacificview Sdn Bhd
Incorporated in Malaysia on 29 April 2013, Country Garden Pacificview Sdn Bhd (CGPV) is the master developer of Forest City, Southeast Asia’s largest mixed-use green development at Iskandar. CGPV is a joint venture between Country Garden (60%) and Esplanade 88 Danga Bay Sdn Bhd (EDSB), an associated company of Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor (KPRJ).
About Forest City
The Forest City is a 30km2 mixed-use development located at Iskandar Malaysia. Adjacent to the Malaysia–Singapore Second Link, it is a JV development between Country Garden and Malaysian partner Esplanade Danga 88. With a committed investment of approximately US$100 billion, it comprises of four reclaimed islands with the twin themes of ‘integrating businesses and the city’ as well as ‘urban innovation’. The project aims to generate economic growth through eight key industries – tourism and MICE, healthcare, education and training, regional headquarters, nearshore finance, e-commerce service base in ASEAN, application of emerging technique and service centre, and sectors related to a green and smart city.