Where in the World is DJ: Els Club Desaru Coast, Malaysia March 2023
This month, DJ has headed off to Asia for an exciting visit to the region. His first stop was to Malaysia where he has been catching up with the team at The Els Club Desaru Coast, home to the stunning Ocean and Valley golf courses. Read his experience of returning to this incredible golf destination.
This week, I have had the opportunity to visit The Els Club, Desaru Coast, which is located to the southeast of peninsular Malaysia in the Desaru Coast Resort. Just a short drive from Singapore, the resort continues to improve with the addition of more hotels and amenities which have propelled this into a must-visit destination for any discerning golfer. Malaysia as a whole has come a long way in becoming a viable golfing destination; over the last 20 years, golf has become increasingly popular in Malaysia with significant growth in both the number of golf courses and the number of golfers. According to the Malaysian Golf Association, there were only 36 golf courses in Malaysia in 1995, but this number has since grown to over 200 courses in 2022. This expansion has been driven by the growth of tourism, as well as by the increasing popularity of golf as a sport among Malaysians.
Along with the growth of golf courses, there has been a substantial rise in the number of golfers in Malaysia; in 2000, there were an estimated 80,000 golfers but by 2020 this number had risen to over 250,000. This growth has been supported by initiatives by the government and private sector to promote golf as a sport, as well as by the increased accessibility of golf courses to the general public.
The growth of golf in Malaysia has also had positive economic impacts, with the sport generating significant revenue for the country. According to a report by the Malaysian Golf Association, golf contributed RM 1.1billion (approximately USD 260 million) to the country’s economy in 2019, with a total of 12,500 people employed in the industry.
If it is not already on your list as a future golf destination, Malaysia should be. The Els Club Desaru Coast is home to The Els designed – Ocean and Valley Courses. The Valley course was cooperatively designed by Ernie with Vijay Singh. Access to Desaru Coast is a 1-hour and 20-minute drive from Woodlands Crossing & Johor Causeway, Singapore, soon also to be connected by a 30-minute direct ferry service. Definitely a destination worth visiting for any golfer who is looking for a spectacular experience.