Asia's Emerald Isle

Home to just a handful of courses, Sri Lanka might lag behind some of the region's most popular destinations in respect of playing opportunities. But with a tradition in the Royal and Ancient game virtually unmatched in this part of the world, golf is the perfect complement to a visit to this rejuvenated nation's many off-course wonders

The delightful par-3 12th at Victoria Golf & Country Resort

Nurawa Eliya Golf Club ***

Further up into the central highlands lies Nurawa Eliya Golf Club. Situated in the centre of the former British hill station, the par-71, 6,100-yard course plays a bit shorter because of the altitude. Built in 1889, the club has definite old world charm with a typical colonial clubhouse and uniformed staff.

The course itself is a delight, with fir-lined fairways and deep rough making accuracy from the tee all the more important. While at Royal Colombo and Victoria the caddies are very good, at Nurawa Eliya they are excellent: highly knowledgeable and quick to dispense helpful advice.

It is possible to stay at the club, as there are a few rooms available to visitors. Overseas guests are welcome throughout the week, but it is best to avoid the town in April when finding a room can be difficult due to the Sinhalese and Tamil New Year.

Par: 71 Yardage: 6,075
Greens Fee: US$35-44
Architect: Unknown
Contact: www.negc.lk

Pages

Written by Alex Jenkins

Photography by AFP

Click here to see the published article.

The Charm of Fanling
How can you not enjoy playing at the Hong Kong Golf Club? It’s got a bit of everything and more: 54 holes routed over sweeping terrain bounded by dense vegetation and cityscape - some contrast...
Chambers Bay - My Verdict
I have never been to Chambers Bay in person but I have seen enough pictures and read enough articles to know what I would expect if and when I do pay a visit. Admittedly I watched bits and pieces of...
The 19th Holes of St Andrews
A game of golf just isn’t complete without a post-round tipple at the 19th hole. Discussing the highs and lows of the round - a snaking downhill putt holed from long range or a topped drive...
Less is More
A few years back I was ask to deliver some thoughts on the state of golf and golf course design for The Campaign for Real Golf - a noble initiative geared towards making the game more attractive...
Golf on the Wild Side
"Slow your swing down mzungu, there’s no need to rush,” urges Nathaniel, my caddie, as I watch my third drive of the morning at Nairobi’s Muthaiga Golf Club assume an unfortunate leftward...
Green Havens
Most of us live in a concrete jungle - by that I mean we live in a place surrounded by high-rise buildings, overcrowded transport systems, busy roadways and a lot of smog and pollution. Just...
Raising the Bar
Asian Tour players are in for quite the treat when they tee it up at the Ho Tram Open in December. The reason? Allow me to explain. It’s an ill-kept secret that professional tournaments aren...
Close Encounters
From an early age I’ve had the fortune (or perhaps misfortune) of coming in close contact with a variety of different arachnids and creatures of the reptilian sort. In particular I have...
Tee Time in Tehran
The bumpy fairways and patchy putting surfaces - more burnt-out browns than grassy greens - are not much to look at. In Iran however, this is golf at its finest. In the same way that the streets...
The Good Doctor
"I have been reduced to playing golf with four clubs," Alister MacKenzie wrote in a letter to Augusta National. "I am at the end of my tether, no-one has paid me a cent since last June, we have...

Pages