A true epic
The combined vision of two giants of world golf has left us with a great deal to savour
DESARU Coast will be a name some are familiar with. For others, it is one they can expect to hear a lot more about in the future. The masterplan for this destination is ambitious – a string of hospitality brands will eventually populate the coastline. Aman Resorts & Villas, Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, Anantara saru Resort and The Westin saru Resort will frame the 3,900-acre shoreline development. There are two golf courses at Desaru Coast - the Ocean Course (27 holes), which first hit headlines in October last year, and the Valley Course (18 holes). Together, they combine to create The Els Club Desaru Coast – one of two destinations under The Els Club Malaysia brand. The other is The Els Club Teluk Datai in Langkawi. The Valley Course is the product of a world’s first collaboration between Ernie Els and his close friend and fellow Major champion and World Golf Hall of Famer, Vijay Singh.
The Valley Course is nothing short of epic. The immediate impact of the undulating landscape and smattering of uniquely placed white sandy bunkers is unforgettable.
It is apparent from the moment you arrive you are in for something a bit different. Whether it is the unique landscape of Desaru Coast, the anticipation of experiencing a course designed by two of golf ’s modern-day legends or just the attentive nature of the staff, you can be confident The Valley Course is going to leave a positive impression.
Vijay Singh has built a modest portfolio of courses today, but this will surely rank amongst his very best and rival the top courses in the world.
The combined vision of these giants of world golf is mouth-watering on paper, but even better in person.
The scale and promise of the challenge ahead is clear upon stepping onto the first tee. Creative routing, clever elevation changes and some of the most dynamic bunkering you will see anywhere in world golf are immediately presented to the golfer. The condition and quality is a cut above. Managed by Troon Golf, the world’s leading golf management group, every detail is meticulously catered to.
Precision is most certainly at a premium on the course. There are some high tariff shots, but the setting and brilliance of the design leaves you thirsty for more. The range of teeing options are aptly placed, giving all standards of golfer fair options to get the most out of their game.
The front nine eases you into the round, albeit with a stern opening tee shot.
Generous fairways allow you to navigate the fairway bunkers, while the better you hit it off the tee, the more accessible the elevated greens become.
The par five 5th provides the perfect blend of risk and reward. A good hit that navigates the bunkers will leave you a straight look at a green that sits uphill, surrounded by well-placed bunkers. The choice for golfers is whether to risk getting there in two or carefully plotting your way towards the green in three shots. This hole will certainly provide many a cherished memory for those ready to use a fairway metal for their second, but they will do so in the knowledge that fortune does not always favour the brave.
The hardest hole on the course is the 9th with water guarding both sides. You need to find the fairway if you have a chance of making a par or better. If you get your drive away you will be left with a mid to long iron into the green, which, whilst generous in square footage, will be more than satisfying if you hit.
As you reach the turn, great holes abound. From start to finish, the back 9 at The Valley rivals any of the world’s most cherished layouts. In time, this will become a much talked about and revered stretch of holes.
The 11th tee gives golfers a look at what Desaru is all about; a real coastline escape. The vista is picturepostcard and certainly one worth taking the time to soak up. The hole is a downhill beauty. With water skirting the left hand side and a striking brook running through the fairway, you have a few options worth considering when tackling this beauty.
The 13th par 3 is a stand out hole. With a water feature on the left, you are forced to the right hand side. Whilst the hole banks up on the right hand side, providing a natural backstop, an accurate tee shot is required to find the green.
It will be interesting to discover if the 18th hole is to set the scene for prominent victories by the world’s best players in future years. It is as dramatic a finishing hole as you could wish to find, and one that would not look out of place as the climactic setting for the world’s most prestigious professional events in the years to come. A downhill tee shot gives you the opportunity to gain some distance to attack. The second shot is uphill, to another beautifully bunkered green complex.
The Valley is a true epic. Alongside its neighbour, The Ocean Course and The Els Performance Academy, it is hard to imagine a more complete golf destination.
For more info, visit www.elsclubmalaysia.com