The designer of the newly-opened Bukit Pandawa Golf Club has called for the construction of more short courses around the region.
An 18-hole, par-three layout, sculpted by Bob Moore, a Partner at the JMP Golf Design Group, a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation, Bukit Pandawa was officially opened at the weekend.
And Moore hopes the project will persuade other golf course developers in Asia to look at similar-style layouts.
Moore, who has worked extensively in Indonesia and Asia over the past two decades, said: “I believe that courses like Bukit Pandawa have to be embraced for the good of the game. If we can provide alternatives to 7,000-plus yards and five-hour plus rounds then I believe golf has a healthy future.”
From the Black Tees, the new Bali course measures 2,767 metres. In total there are four tee-boxes. From the Purple Tees it’s just 1,301 metres. Playing to a par of 54, the time limit set to complete 18 holes is two hours and 15 minutes, although it’s possible to play it in 90 minutes.
Citing also his renovation at Jakarta’s Senayan National Golf Club, Moore said: “We really must expand our definition and perception of great golf experiences. Senayan has been a great success since its makeover in 2012.
“Eighteen holes on 32 hectares with a par of 69 and a length of less than 6,000 yards does not fit anyone’s traditional perception of great golf if you simply assess the numbers.
“Yet golfers have embraced Senayan for its beauty, inner city location and quick pace of play. For the sake of golf’s future we need more Bukit Pandawas and Senayan Nationals, more fun options for enjoying the game and fewer formula driven layouts on steroids.”
Moore said when he first met the owners of the Bukit Pandawa site their intention was to build a regulation nine-hole course.
Hotel development was driving the project and they could not devote 50-plus hectares to golf.
Moore said: “I strongly believed that a standard nine-hole course would be considered second rate and would have real difficulty competing in that Bali market. But I also believed that an 18-hole, par-three course could provide a very desirable golf option, especially given the resort nature of South Kuta.
“I therefore recommended that we create a world-class par-three course with a playing experience to rival Bali National, Nirwana and New Kuta.
“It seemed common sense that a first-class golf experience that could be played in half the time, thereby freeing more of the day for other resort activities, would have a great chance of succeeding. It would also provide a much less intimidating setting for beginning golfers and families to experience the game.”
JMP Golf Design Group http://jmpgolf.com/