Johor's Forest City golf course opens even as mega-project's fate is unclear
Prospective buyers look at a model of the development at the Country Gardens' Forest City showroom in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on Feb 21, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS.
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): A RM1.8bil golf resort and golf course at Forest City opened its doors to the public as at Sept 1, with Country Garden touting its economic benefits as the mega-project comes under scrutiny.
"Forest City Golf Resort and the Jack Nicklaus designed Forest City Legacy Course will attract golfing enthusiasts from all over the world and elevate the state of Johor's golfing tourism reputation in the region as this is a world-class championship course. This will also in turn draw major investments, promote the state tourism, opportunities and skill transfers to the locals," said Country Garden Malaysia director of strategy, Ng Zhu Hann, in a statement on Monday (Sept 3).
The hotel in the golf resort has over 150 local employees making up 90 per cent of total hotel staff, the company said, and Forest City has so far created 1,200 job opportunities for locals, which is what it said is an 80 per cent localisation rate of the total employee workforce through master developer, Country Garden Pacificview (CGPV).
CGPV is a a joint venture between Country Garden (60 per cent) and Esplanade 88 Danga Bay Sdn Bhd (EDSB), an associated company of Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor (KPRJ).
The new golf course, designed by golf legend Nicklaus and his son, has a "desert-style" concept, surrounded by mangroves and natural water features, said Forest City Golf Resort and Golf Course general manager, Arthur Yeo. He said that there will be homes, retail shops and travel offerings surrounding the new golf resort. That brings the number of golf courses in Johor to 27.
Johor Golf Tourism Association president Kol Mohd Jamal Salleh said he was hopeful that the golf course will help revive golf tourism which was popular in the 1990s, but has simmered down due to a gamut of factors including what he said was competition from golf clubs in Indonesia and Thailand, and a lack of direct flights to Johor.
The launch came after Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said last week that foreigners will not be allowed to buy homes or granted visas to live at the mega-project which was marketed primarily to Chinese buyers and is touted to be home to 700,000 people.
Malaysia's Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali on Saturday said the government is scrutinising the Forest City project because free residential units in the development were allegedly being offered in exchange for investments in China. He said that the the transaction is not done in Malaysia, and this does not benefit the country and its economy.
The developer is continuing with construction and reclamation work and selling apartments, and promoting the Shattuck-St Mary's Forest City International School, which opened last month. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
~News courtesy of The Star~
Fore!(est): Forest City Golf Hotel, Legacy Golf Course open to public
Part of the massive Forest City development, the Forest City Golf Resort adds a special tourism component to the current residential, leisure, retail and business offerings of the project. Pix by Hairul Anuar Rahim
Today’s opening of the Forest City Golf Hotel and the Legacy Golf Course will help elevate Johor’s profile as a choice leisure destination in the region.
Country Garden Pacificview (CGPV) vice managing director Syarul Izam Sarifudin said it will also help draw more major investments, create greater job opportunities and facilitate skills transfer for the benefit of Johoreans.
“The Legacy Golf Course, which was designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus and his son Jack Nicklaus II, has a desert-style concept. It is surrounded by mangroves and natural water features, which makes this a one-of-a-kind golf course set to please novice and professional players alike,” said Syarul Izam.
He said that as an added and exciting feature of the course, players will also have to contend with strong winds due to its location.
The Legacy Golf Course – the 28th golf course in the state – is the first of three golf courses that will make up the Forest City Golf Resort.
Part of the massive Forest City development, the Forest City Golf Resort adds a special tourism component to the current residential, leisure, retail and business offerings of the project.
“It also provides the perfect setting in Johor for businessmen to enjoy a warm-up session prior to having a business discussion.
“(Today’s) opening of the hotel and golf course (is also in line with) the government’s efforts to promote sports tourism in the state,” said Syarul Izam.
He added that the Forest City Golf Hotel and the Legacy Golf Course will also prioritise the hiring of locals.
“The Forest City Golf Hotel currently has over 150 staff – and all of them are locals,” he said.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
Golf courses
Johor Bahru is reasonably well known for its golf courses. During the height of the country's boom, there is almost a golf course planned every 3 months. Here are some of the best in Johor Bahru.
* Royal Johor Country Club probably the most expensive club in Johor Bahru. It is also the first course in this city.
* Tanjung Puteri Resort one of the largest courses in Johor Bahru and boasts of many awards. Very well designed courses and attracts a fair amount of visitors.
* Leisure Farm easily accessible by Singaporeans via the second link. It is located near Gelang Patah and Nusajaya.
* Pulai Spring Resort Partly owned by a Singapore company and hence a popular joint among the Singaporeans.
* Austin Hills Golf Resort within the Tebrau Corridor and nearby Tesco hypermarket and Jusco Tebrau City shopping mall. Nestled amidst the lush greens of 27 hole golf course, the resort clubhouse boasts 66 exclusive suites, free-form swimming pool, tennis courts, 8-lane bowling alley, sauna, jacuzzi, karaoke and banqueting facilities all under one roof.
Johor to attract golfers from Japan, China and South Korea
The state will step up efforts to lure golfers to Johor to boost its sports tourism industry.
Johor Tourism Committee chairman Hoo Seong Chang said the state had 29 golf courses to offer.
“We are targeting golfers from Japan, China and South Korea. The first group of golfers from South Korea is expected to arrive by the end of the month,” he told a press conference here recently.
He also said that talks with Chinese and Japanese travel agents to promote golfing were going well.
“The sports tourism industry is growing in the region. We feel the state should capitalise on its golf courses to rejuvenate the tourism industry this year,” he said, adding that golfers from the three countries were the most likely to take up golfing holiday offers in Johor.
-News courtesy of The Star-
