Background to the course

Architect:
Robert Muir Graves

Type:
Mountain course

Landscape:
One of the highest altitude courses in the world at over 1800 metres, undulating with ravines, rivers, lakes, farmlands and valleys and stunning, cool rainforest scenery. Situated on the foothills of Mount Kinabulu, the highest peak in South East Asia, with spectacular views of the mountain and surrounding farmlands of Kundasang and Kota Kinabalu.

Course facts

- The course is located in Kinabalu Park, Malaysia's first World Heritage Site which covers 500 square miles. Its diverse flora is in part owing to the region's wide temperature range. The park is home to Sabah's largest ethnic community, the Kadazandusun, who consider themselves the guardians of the sacred Mount Kinabulu

- Just a short walk from the course is one of the main routes up Mount Kinabulu - 13,500 feet of dense forest and jagged rocks. The lower slopes of the mountain are carpeted with some of the world's most diverse flora and fauna including the rafflesia - the world's largest flower (which can reach over three feet in diameter), over 1,000 species of orchids, orangutans, gibbons, anteaters, and hundreds of species of birds. The slopes are also home to nine species of carnivorous pitcher plant. One of the largest specimens has been found containing seven pints of water and a drowned rat.

- The course itself has been known for some rather large animals such as wild pigs and numerous monkeys to pay a visit to the course from time to time.

Playing the course

Golfers will find this 18-hole course physically as well as mentally challenging to say the least. Ever-present winds, steep slopes, and rolling mists will test you to your limits. Some days the fog can be so thick you could think you were really playing among the clouds. The 10th (par 4, 370 meters) has a huge rock in the centre of the fairway which you can attempt to carry over or bail out to a slope on the right as the left side is out-of-bounds with natural vegetation hazards. Similar hazards are found throughout. The signature hole, the 14th (par 3,142 meters), features a gushing river at the bottom of a deep ravine; here you will need an accurate shot from the elevated tee across the Mesilau East River to land on a miniscule green perched on the edge of a cliff. Playing at 5000 feet above sea level means thin air, which makes the ball go faster and further, but it means your breathing will be impaired. Most curious of all, is the "magnetic" effect of the mountain. Putting is a huge challenge as the ball seems to roll away from the mountain - even uphill!

Score card

Address:
WDT 25, 89309, Kundasang, Sabah, Malaysia

Telephone:
60 (0) 88 889 445

Fax:
60 (0) 88 888 255

Courses and lengths:
18 holes, par 72, 6319 meters from the back tees

On the course dress code:
smart-casual

Green fees:
Weekdays MYR 60 ($16 US), weekends MYR 100 ($26 US)

Other costs:
Caddy fee MYR 18 ($5 US), golf clubs MYR 35 ($9 US), shoes MYR 15 ($4 US).

Facilities:
A spacious clubhouse, golfers' lounge, practice putting and chipping green, pro shop, a caddy service, and rental of buggy, golf shoes, and golf sets.

Location:
Borneo is 600 miles of ocean east from Kuala Lumpur in the state of Sabah. Kundasang is a two-hour drive from Kota Kinabalu in Kinabulu Park.

More information

Adventure Golf: Malaysia