The Best 19th Holes

What makes the perfect clubhouse? Paul Myers selects his favourites in Southeast Asia

Danang Golf Club at night

Out With the Old

Obviously we’re biased but we believe Hong Kong has arguably the finest collection of clubhouses of any major city in Asia. The Hong Kong Golf Club boasts two wonderful colonial-era establishments that breathe history, while Shek O Country Club’s terrace overlooking the Tathong Channel has become a favourite venue for enjoying a few post-round libations. First-time visitors to the Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club are simply in awe of the views and top-notch locker rooms, and Discovery Bay Golf Club impresses with its comfortable patio and extensive menu. The Thai-inspired 19th hole at SkyCity Nine Eagles, meanwhile, serves up a spectacular array of Southeast Asian delicacies.

Kau Sai Chau’s clubhouse has always been functional as opposed to glamorous – which as a highly utilized public facility is absolutely right – but ongoing renovations to the main building have transformed the pre- and post-round experience here. Locker rooms have been modernized, the golf shop is undergoing a thorough overhaul and the main coffee shop / restaurant has been smartened up significantly. It’s no exaggeration to say that, once complete, the clubhouse will match the island’s three outstanding courses in terms of quality.

The revitalized coffee shop at Kau Sai Chau

Pages

Written by Paul Myers

Click here to see the published article.

"Tiny Tims"
I am particularly fond of those short par-3 holes labelled the “Tiny Tims of golf” by Golden Age architect Albert Tillinghast. I am talking about a hole somewhere between 100 and 130 yards...
Walking in Memphis
It’s hard to believe that the Marc Cohn classic song “Walking in Memphis” was released back in 1991, especially since many of the lyrics are still entirely relevant today. In the song Cohn is...
Finding Yourself
It's 10:30 a.m. on an already steamy Friday and I'm playing the first hole of the Quy Nhon course, one of three nines at Vinpearl Golf Phu Quoc. At least I think I am. Given the welcome...
Time for Change
In late November I was invited to St Andrews by The R&A to speak on the subject “Is modern golf design responsible for slow play”. The two-day conference, entitled “Time for Golf”, brought...
Out With the Old ...
Cape Wickham Links It has only been playable for a matter of months but already Cape Wickham Links is making waves as one of the most spectacular courses to have opened anywhere in the last...
Faldo Urges New Approach to Golf Course Design
Six-time Major winner Sir Nick Faldo has joined a growing chorus of current and former players and industry icons who have called for a new approach to golf course design and alternative formats...
A Year of Discovery
I love travel and golf travel in particular. I am fortunate that my work as a golf course architect has taken me to some of the most spectacular places across the globe. I have visited – and...
The Case for Regeneration
I went camping a few weeks back with the family. On one of the days we decided to go on a walk through some of the coastal sand dunes that made up much of the nature park where we were staying. As a...
Laucala - The Ultimate Bucket List Destination
Ask five golfers why a particular golf course is on their “bucket list” and you will likely get five different answers. Some focus on the architecture of the course. Does each hole offer a unique...
A Most Personal Legacy
When commenting to friends and fellow golfers, professionals and single figure amateurs among them, that I was champing at the bit at the opportunity to visit Pasatiempo Golf Club in Santa Cruz,...

Pages