J ungle clad mountains, dense and humid forests, vast plantations of rubber trees and oil palms and miles of golden beaches make up Malaysia. In a combination of heat and high humidity a thousand different kinds of orchids bloom. Lush and tropical, Malaysia is one of the most successful of the developing countries – the world’s largest producer of rubber, palm oil and tin and a major source of hardwoods and producer of oil and gas.

A storm brewing over the capital Kuala Lumpur at sunset

All this has resulted from the unlikely union of West (now Peninsula) Malaysia and East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak) on the island of Borneo. They are separated by 700 km of the South China Sea. They had no ties with each other apart from the accident of British colonial rule; and the West was far more developed than the East.

The Borneo Golf & Country Club, Sabah - by Jack Nicklaus

Malaysia’s success has been achieved by 16 million people who are a potentially explosive cocktail of races: Malays (48%), Chinese (34%), Indians (9%) and a variety of other indigenous peoples. The Malays are politically dominant while the Chinese are economically powerful.

Today Malaysia is rapidly emerging as South East Asia’s latest golfing destination. Over two hundred golf courses are currently available throughout the country. Well designed and maintained to a high international standard the variety of courses allow the visitor to tee off in the cool highlands amidst lush greenery or the coastal low lands that fringe the South China Sea.

The famous Saujana Palm Course near Kuala Lumpur

International golf course designers like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Greg Normal and Max Wexler have all left their mark on the beautiful courses created in Malaysia.

Two of the most highly rated courses are the Mines Resort Golf and Country Club and the Saujana Golf and Country Club offer the height of luxury both on the course and in the clubhouse.

The country seems to have a seemingly endless calendar of events, festivals and shopping fairs.

On the golfing front 2008 the country is hosting the World Amateur Inter-team Golf Championship which should help its efforts to establish its attraction to travelling golfers and businessmen who visit the area.

Saujana Bunga Raya course, Petailing Jaya

The Mines Golf Resort

End