Laguna Golf Bintan - A New Beginning

Golf Course Overvew

It’s a real assault on the senses and has to be seen to be believed.

Fairway on 2nd hole at Laguna Golf Bintan

Laguna Golf Bintan was a golf course originally designed by Greg Norman and opened for play in June 1998.  A popular golf course, for both locals and visitors, the tough decision was made to completely revamp the golf course and work began in 2015.  To improve on the course which was already in place, was not an easy task but with clear ideas and a solid structure in mind, work started and was completed very efficiently.

Today, the golf course opens up to fantastic views of the ocean, especially through holes 2 and 4 and the pleasant lagoons make for a splendid feature on holes 6 and 8.  The course then takes a steady uphill climb towards the 9th hole, which is a par-4, played towards the clubhouse.  Dense jungle and rock formations come in to play on holes 10 to 15 and perhaps the most spectacular hole on the course, the 15th, is played through the jungle, towards the sea.

In the closing stretch, it’s the 17th hole which really stands out.  It’s a tremendous hole, which features a tee position over the sea and a challenging shot, directly over natural rock formations.

Laguna Golf Bintan is clearly a golf course which offers a number of different facets throughout the 18 holes, including lagoons, jungle, rock formations and the ocean.  It’s a real assault on the senses and has to be seen to be believed.

The basic information every golfer needs about Laguna Golf Bintan is shown below:

Par:  72

Length (Yards)  : Black – 6,890, Blue – 6,460, White – 6,055, Red – 5,467

Course Slope Rating:   TBC

Designer:   Greg Norman (Revamped by Laguna Golf)

Agronomy:  Greens – Bermuda Tif–Dwarf, Tees – Zoysia Matrella, Fairways/Rough – Bermuda 419

The golf course is open to members, those staying in the resort and members of the public, who can pay for individual rounds.  Therefore, regardless of whether you are making use of the lovely facilities at Laguna Golf Bintan or simply visiting to play the golf course, you will always be welcomed with open arms.

Renovation

"The layout of our golf course in Laguna Bintan is remarkably strong in terms of design and playability"

Green on 2nd hole at Laguna Golf Bintan

The actual renovation of the course commenced on the 1st June, 2015 and was completed by the 30th of June, 2016.  During the 12 months of work, all 18 holes of the golf course and the practice area were renovated and to keep disruption down to a minimum, the work was completed in two, nine hole sections.

The approximate cost of the renovation was around close to $1 million and by taking one glance at the new layout, it was clearly money well spent.

Mark Lawson was the man tasked with improving the course and making it one of the finest examples of a championship golf course, anywhere in Asia and throughout the world.  The general conditioning of the course has improved significantly and the natural features around Laguna Golf Bintan, have been tactfully incorporated into the new course.

Paul Wilson, Group Director of Golf for Laguna Golf, commented “The layout of our golf course in Laguna Bintan is remarkably strong in terms of design and playability. Our main focus of this project has been restoring the green complexes to their original size and structure while giving emphasis to the enhancement of the natural surroundings such as highlighting the beachfront, accentuating the natural rock formations and dense jungle”.

Laguna Golf Bintan is the only course in the region, which features beach front holes on both the front and back nine and each of them are tremendous, in both the way they play and the views they offer golfers.  The course winds its way around inspiring, old rock formations, forestland, natural wetland and beachfront coconut groves, all of which combine to make playing Laguna Golf Bintan a unique and memorable golfing experience.

The villas, plenty of which are found alongside a number of holes on golf courses throughout the world, differ to many in that they actually add to the charm of the golf course.  They have been structured and decorated in such a way, as to appeal to the eye and become a pleasurable addition to a round of golf at Laguna Bintan.

The new and improved layout, plays to a total of 6,890 yards off the black tees and provides a challenge to golfers of all abilities.  A good mix of risk and reward holes, offers players with plenty of birdie opportunities but thought must go in to each shot, otherwise the risk of attacking a hole may result in dropped shots.  However, the feeling of striking a great shot and sinking a birdie putt at Laguna Golf Bintan, is one never to be forgotten.  

It’s advisable to take a moment to reflect on your surroundings when playing a round here, as there is so much to enjoy in terms of the aesthetics.

Additional Improvements

A round of golf at Laguna Golf Bintan is a truly memorable experience, thanks to the unveiling of the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape

It becomes clear, when stepping on to the golf course, great lengths have been taken to ensure a visually interesting and strategic set-up is in place.  The greens have been rebuilt to their original size and subtle contouring has been added, providing superior playability on every green throughout the course.

A round of golf at Laguna Golf Bintan is a truly memorable experience, thanks to the unveiling of the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.  Furthermore, landscapes and grassing areas were reduced, which helps to make the golf course a more sustainable environment than it ever was before.

The original front and back nine holes have been reversed and this has led to a much stronger finishing set of holes than previously experienced.  Approximately 60,000m3 of materials were moved to improve the strategic and visual elements of the course, in addition to changing the overall layout and flow of the front and back nine holes.

Each and every green has been rebuilt and reshaped, to the strictest USGA standards.  The sand and gravel quantities meet the strictest guidelines and the irrigation is second to none, meaning faster and truer greens, all year around.

Existing tees were elevated and a number of new tees were added.  These offer a greater selection of thrilling tee shot locations, which give a buzz to all who step up and look out to the hole opening up before them.  The number of bunkers on the course have been significantly reduced and those which remain have been better positioned and rebuilt, to add to both the strategic value of the course and the visual interest.

All of the trees and bushes which were removed to allow the natural landscape to shine through, have all been recycled and used in seating, steps, signage, tee markers and woodchip areas around the golf course.  Water features have been improved upon, with new cascades and existing bridges renovated to their former glory.

Areas of the golf course which were left looking ‘empty’ have seen a number of local flora and fauna planted within them, offering a lusher and more natural looking setting.  For example, Allamanda has been planted around paths and tee areas, which add a lovely dash of colour and vibrancy to Laguna Golf Bintan.

The overall conditioning of the golf course has greatly improved, thanks to the work completed.  Surface and sub-surface drainage help to keep the course in top playing condition and the new grasses included on the course, have also added to the new, improved conditioning.

The improvements implemented have been vast, yet at the same time, you can step on to the golf course and it’s as if nothing has happened.  It’s testament to how well the team have done, in terms of making Laguna Golf Bintan a spectacular but natural looking golf course.  

Local Staff Benefits

Although some sections of the golf course had to be closed for the improvements to be made, this did not mean members of staff were left without work.  On the contrary, the opportunity was taken to train staff on the requirements to prepare and maintain a top championship golf course.  How to build greens, bunkers and install drainage were some of the key skills the staff at Laguna Golf Bintan had the opportunity to learn.

Therefore, when you make your next visit to play the golf course, you can rest assured that the staff not only know their golf but also know their golf course and how to keep it in the same, fantastic condition, throughout the year.

The Resort

Laguna Bintan is true paradise, for golfers and those who crave a relaxing, yet stylish break

Room at Banyan Tree Bintan

Situated along a private beach, which stretches 3 kilometres long and nestled within tropical parkland, Laguna Bintan is true paradise, for golfers and those who crave a relaxing, yet stylish break.  

Coming complete with deluxe hotels and villas, the South China Sea provides the perfect backdrop to the resort, with spectacular sunsets a regular sight over the ocean.  The luxurious Banyan Tree and Angsana Spas can be found on the pristine private beach front and the authentically decorated villas look beautiful, blending in nicely with the overall tone of the resort.  The villas are raised with stilts and set in eloquent hillside spots around the park and there is also the option to stay in more contemporary property, if you so desire.

Additional Facilities

The objective, before the renovation, was to make Laguna Golf Bintan an exciting, spectacular and challenging golf course, which will always be in great condition.  These objectives have not only been met but have been surpassed. However, with a great golf course must come top facilities and Laguna Golf Bintan does not let you down.  The resort offers the following facilities for golfers:

Clubhouse:  The traditional Indonesian-inspired clubhouse sits at the highest point of the property, featuring stunning views over the golf course and beyond.

Pro Shop:  Well-stocked selection of leading golf apparel and equipment.

Club Café:  This delightful terrace café offers a selection of local and international fare, with both casual indoor and outdoor dining.

Locker Rooms:  Full facilities including lockers, changing areas, showers and luxury personal amenities.  Overnight golf bag storage is available upon request.

Practice Facilities:  The extensive practice facilities including comprehensive short game areas. Experienced PGA golf instruction is also available, subject to availability.

Rental Equipment:  Titleist and Callaway rental clubs and Footjoy golf shoes are available in both ladies’ and men’s specifications.  Junior rental clubs are available upon request.

It soon becomes clear, Laguna Golf Bintan have really gone beyond the call of duty, to get their golf course up to a very high standard, a standard which will keep golfers coming back time and time again.  The only way to experience and enjoy it, is by booking a golf break and soaking up everything it has to offer.