160910 - Golf in Singapore and Bintan - by Diethelm Golf

Singapore & Bintan

Diethelm Golf

Why Diethelm Golf?

Awarded Best Travel Agency in Thailand by TTG Asia for the last four years and named Best Tour Operator at the 2009 World Travel Awards, Diethelm Golf brings unrivalled credentials to the world of golf in Asia-Pacific.

We have personally evaluated and constantly monitor hundreds of golf courses across the region.

We recommend and offer only those courses which can meet the standards of course maintenance, respect for the environment, quality of service and the playing experience our clients expect.

Our service includes the selection and frequent review of hotels, transportation providers and other suppliers to ensure all of our clients enjoy a memorable golfing experience in all of the countries in which we operate.

We are “Trade only” – do not sell direct to the consumer and we do not have a consumer website We offer a “One Stop Shop” which enables bookings to golf resorts at any of our golf locations to be channelled through our dedicated golf division.

We offer instant confirmation of on-line bookings through our B2B website.

All of our staff are committed to help you create a memorable golf holiday experience.

Singapore - Overview

Although small in land area, Singapore’s influence on Asia-pacific and the world is very much larger than its size suggests. In reality, Singapore is an exciting multi-cultural city which is populated by people from many different ethnic backgrounds and religious beliefs and offers some great tourist attractions. There is so much to do here you might want to stay longer with museums and galleries to visit, a colourful nightlife scene, rainforests and gardens and several existing and newly opened theme parks. As you would expect there are plenty of golf courses with more than thirty 18-hole layouts although many of them are private clubs and not open to the public. Those that do allow visitors often restrict this to weekdays only so if you are planning to visit Singapore then you would be well advised to avoid the weekends as securing tee times is difficult and the green fees are very expensive.

Bintan - Overview

Bintan is in Indonesia and is the largest island in the Riau province and is easily accessible from Singapore by ferry which takes about one hour from the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal which is close to Singapore Changi Airport. Bintan is famous for its white-sand beaches and many recreational activities which include snorkeling, jet-skiing, canoeing, wind surfing, fishing, sailing, diving and of course golf.

There are three 18-hole layouts and one club with 27 holes and they all offer some truly fantastic golf and during the week there is hardly anyone around and you can enjoy a leisurely round amidst the lush tropical scenery.

The Best Time To Play Golf in Singapore

Singapore and Bintan are a few degrees north of the equator and are hot and humid throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from 30ยบC/86ยบF during the day and 23ยบC/74ยบF at night. Humidity levels vary from 60 to 95 percent. The Northeast monsoon which occurs from November to January brings more rainfall and stronger winds, but the weather is mostly sunny year round.

Visas All foreign visitors are now able to obtain an Indonesian visa upon arrival at the ferry terminal in Bintan and the cost is US$25 per person. No photographs are required and you need only fill in an arrival card,

Singapore Golf : 4 days/3 nights

DAY 1: SINGAPORE ARRIVAL(-/-/-) Arrive at Changi International Airport and transfer to the hotel (rooms may not be ready until afternoon).

Rest of the day at leisure (no car and guide provided).

Lunch and dinner are at your own account. Accommodation at hotel of your choice.

DAY 2: SINGAPORE (B/-/-) Breakfast at hotel.

Transfer by hotel transfer to Orchid Country Club, for 18 holes.

After golf, transfer back to your hotel.

Lunch and dinner are at your own account. Accommodation at hotel of your choice.

DAY 3: SINGAPORE (B/L/-) Breakfast at hotel.

Transfer by hotel transfer to Sentosa Golf Club, for 18 holes.

After golf, transfer back to your hotel.

Lunch and dinner are at your own account. Accommodation at hotel of your choice.

DAY 4: SINGAPORE DEPARTURE (B/-/-) Breakfast at hotel.

Day free until your transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

See separate price list

Singapore Hotels: 3-Star

Royal @ queens Hotel Royal @ Queens is a 3-star hotel in a great location within walking distance of Marina Square, Raffles Shopping Centre, and Bugis Village. The hotel with its recently renovated lobby and public areas has 223 guest rooms furnished in contemporary style and internet access is available in all rooms. Featuring Asian and western cuisine, Queen's Brasserie offers a la carte and set menus as well as buffet and the pub/lounge offers live music and entertainment. Very good value for money in an excellent location.

Bayview hotel Bayview Hotel Singapore is centrally located close to Singapore's most popular shopping area and the business district. The 131 well-appointed guest rooms are equipped with modern facilities Including TV, Broadband, Mini Bar, Hair Dryer and Coffee and tea making facilities. The Bayview CafĂŠ serves a combination of the Local and West cuisine or enjoy a drink at the Bayview Terrace. The Lobby Lounge serves light snacks. Other facilities include a Roof-Top swimming pool with hydro facility, Sauna & Fitness room

Singapore Hotels: 4-Star

Parkroyal on Beach Rd

Grand Park City Hall

In a very convenient location on Beach Road within the city’s Central Business District, the hotel is an ideal base for exploring the city. All of the 343 rooms and suites are modern and contemporary with all of the facilities you would expect. The Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant features authentic Sichuan cuisine and Plaza Brasserie serves up delicious Asian and Western favourites. The Spa offers a tempting and relaxing range of therapies or you could take a dip in the landscaped outdoor pool.

Fitness enthusiasts have access to state-of-the-art equipment in our fitness club and aerobics studio.

Grand Park City Hall is a ten-storey atrium hotel next to Raffles City, Suntec and Marina Bay shopping hubs and within walking distance are some of Singapore’s oldest and historic landmarks. Elegantly styled with dark wood furnishing, the Superior Rooms are equipped with broadband internet access, coffee/tea making facilities, inroom safe and more. Unwind at the beautifully landscaped outdoor swimming pool, or refresh your tired spirit at the outdoor Jacuzzi. For an energetic workout, the fitness centre offers a variety of exercise machines, as well as personal fitness instructors.

Singapore Golf Courses

Orchid Country Club - The course is located beside Seletar Reservoir with great views over this picturesque waterway and has three 9-hole courses named after different orchids. The Aranda Course (Par 36, 3125m - blue tee) is good for higher handicaps with wide fairways and generous greens. The Vanda Course is a Par 36 (3043m - blue tee) and is the shortest of the three courses but requires careful course management to avoid the water hazards. Dendro is the longest of the three 9-hole courses (Par 37, 3197m - blue tee) with one of the longest Par 5’s in Singapore.

Raffles Country Club - This club features two 18-hole courses. The picturesque Palm Course measures 6,072 metres from the blue tees and is the more difficult of the two with tight, undulating fairways strategically placed bunkers and several water hazards. The Lake Course was extensively renovated in 2001 and is the more forgiving of the two courses and is a par 72, measuring 6,041 metres from the blue tees. The course runs alongside the Tengeh Reservoir and offers great views of the lake and the green hills beyond.

Sembawang Country Club - A very natural setting, Sembawang Country Club's 18-hole golf course is an undulating course crisscrossed by streams. The golf course is par 72 course and measures 6090 metres. The course is owned and managed by the Singapore Armed Forces and is affectionately known as the "Commando Course" as it is probably one of Singapore's most challenging golf courses. There is a restaurant, golfers terrace and beer garden. The course is due for a major renovation some time in late 2010.

Singapore Golf Courses

Sentosa Golf Club - Situated at the South-eastern tip of Singapore’s premier island resort of Sentosa, Sentosa Golf Club is home to not one, but two of the most challenging golf courses in the region – The Serapong is one of the top five championship courses in Asia, and is well-known as the home of Barclays Singapore Open. The Tanjong course was recently remodeled and offers panoramic views of the Singapore harbour and the seemingly endless South China Sea, thus living up to its reputation of being the most scenic course in Singapore.

Keppel Club - Located at the southern tip of the island this very tight and undulating golf course was extensively renovated in 2004. Although only 5917 metres long the course is very challenging and the narrow fairways put driving accuracy at a premium. There are plenty of water hazards and often streams cross the fairways forcing you to lay up. Greens are fast and true and many of them have different tiers and are protected by strategically placed bunkers and hazards. A very good test of golf.

Bintan Golf : Day Tripper Package

SINGAPORE – BINTAN – SINGAPORE Pick up from your hotel in Singapore and transfer to the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal – after clearing customs and immigration board the ferry for the 55 minute ferry journey to Bintan.

On arrival you will be met and transferred to the golf course of your choice for 18 holes of golf.

After your round enjoy a hot shower and then you will be picked up from the course and taken back to the ferry terminal for your return journey to Singapore.

On arrival Singapore you will be met and transferred back to your hotel.

Bintan Golf : 3 days/2 nights

DAY 1: SINGAPORE - BINTAN(-/-/-) Pick up from your hotel in Singapore and transfer to the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal – after clearing customs and immigration board the ferry for the 55 minute ferry journey to Bintan.

On arrival you will be met and transferred to the golf course of your choice for 18 holes of golf – after your round you will be transferred to your hotel.

Lunch and dinner are at your own account. Accommodation at hotel of your choice.

DAY 2: BINTAN (B/-/-) Breakfast at hotel.

Transfer to the golf course of your choice for 18 holes of golf After golf, transfer back to your hotel.

Lunch and dinner are at your own account. Accommodation at hotel of your choice.

DAY 3: BINTAN - SINGAPORE (B/-/-) Breakfast at hotel.

Morning free to relax on the beach and enjoy the many recreational activities – an extra round of golf can be organized if you wish.

Afternoon transfer to the ferry terminal for your return journey to Singapore.

On arrival Singapore you will be met and transferred back to your hotel or transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

See separate price list

Bintan Hotels

Bintan Lagoon Resort Bintan Lagoon Resort is set amidst 300 hectares of tropical landscaping overlooking a long white sandy beach about 20 minutes from the ferry terminal on Bintan.

Recently renovated, the resort has 470 deluxe rooms, suites and villas with brand new built-in refreshment unit, flat screen televisions and Indonesian designer teak furniture. Enjoy more than 30 water sports or try more than 20 other activities or check out the cuisine from around the world at the 12 restaurants, bars and cafes.

Angsana Resort & Spa Right on the beautiful white sands of Tanjong Said Bay with views over the South China Sea, Angsana Bintan features a total of 109 rooms and suites, some with balconies overlooking the sea. Each room is equipped with: Television , Mini bar ,Personal safe , Coffee and tea making facilities and Hairdryer. There are plenty of outdoor activities and excursions to enjoy including tennis and sailing, Thai/Indonesian Cooking Classes or perhaps you prefer to relax in the spa. Food & Beverage outlets include Pantai Grill & Bar, the Fisherman’s table and the Lotus CafÊ.

Bintan Golf Courses

Bintan Lagoon Golf Club – Ian Baker-Finch Woodlands Course - One of the most difficult courses in the area winds its way through spectacular jungle which leaves little margin for error and straight hitting is essential. Even if you do hit the fairway you are faced with some dramatic elevation changes and the undulations on the course mean that you are often playing from an uphill or downhill lie. Many of the greens are celevated with deep bunkering and you will encounter plenty of water as well. A wonderful natural layout set amidst virgin forest . .

Bintan Lagoon Golf Club – Jack Nicklaus Seaview Course - The front nine starts with a series of stunning holes which wind their way through the natural undulations of the jungle surroundings. There is extensive use of bunkers and water comes into play on many of the holes. The back nine starts off in similar fashion but when you get to the elevated 11th tee box you start playing towards the sea. The par 3 12th is the signature hole right on the beach and the next four holes all bring water into play before the 18th which gives elevated views over the whole course.

Ria Bintan Golf Club – Gary Player Course - Without a doubt the best course in either Singapore or Bintan and ranks with best in Asia – this stunning layout starts off at the top of the hill and winds its way past numerous water hazard and through the jungle to the waters edge. The last few holes of the front nine are right on the ocean and include the par three 9th which is the signature hole. The back nine may not be as picturesque as you work you way back to the clubhouse but some of the holes are very special. They also have a 9-hole Forest course.

Bintan Golf Courses

Laguna Bintan Golf Club – Greg Norman Course - This course is not in as good condition as the other courses on the island but the standards are improving. It features an undulating front nine which meanders through the forest and natural wetlands and the back 9 which is flatter but offers some spectacular and visually stunning holes, Both nines visit the beach and the par three 8 th is very intimidating with a tee shot across the beach to a green surrounded by large boulders. An excellent and very playable course that can be enjoyed by every golfer.

Golf Tips

Dress Code: Courses in Asia are not usually overzealous about clothing but to be safe wear shirts with collars and ensure you have the proper footwear with rubber spikes.

Caddies: You will have a pay a caddie’s fee at all courses and you will be expected to pay a tip in cash direct to the caddie. It’s entirely up to you but US$10-15 is usual practice depending on the service you receive. If you are really unhappy with the caddie please note the number and advise us.

Sun Protection: Please ensure you use sufficient sun block to protect yourself against the very strong sun in Thailand. The best protection is to use your umbrella as a sunshade. It’s also possible to hire a second caddie to hold the umbrella.

Dehydration: In warm or humid conditions you may need to drink more than usual to continue to ensure your body functions properly. It is advisable to drink some water before you start playing to ensure that your body is properly hydrated at all times. If you are feeling thirsty, that is a sure sign that your body has already lost too much liquid and you should take a drink immediately. All courses have regular drinks kiosks so please use them.

Golf Tips

Change of Clothes: All courses have well-equipped locker rooms so you can shower and change after your game so remember to take a change of clothes with you. Lockers are free of charge, but do not leave anything valuable inside – also it is customary to give a small tip to the attendant.

Golf Carts: Some courses are walking only and do not allow golf carts and at the courses that do permit them they may not be available during busy periods so please ensure that you request one in advance. Also it’s strictly one cart per person at most courses and depending on the weather you may have to stay on the cart path.

Non-Golfing Guests: If you want to bring a non-playing companion on the course please check with us first as not all courses allow this and they may also make a charge.

Equipment: You can hire clubs, shoes and umbrellas at most courses although the standards do vary and it may not always be the latest equipment.

Diethelm Travel Group

Diethelm Travel is part of the Swiss organisation Diethelm Keller Group, which has operated international businesses with emphasis on Asia for almost a century and a half.

Having an unblemished track record in the travel industry is a hallmark of our success. Diethelm Travel has been operating with distinction for more than 50 years in this diverse and dynamic region. Our customers and suppliers trust us implicitly with their business.

With our history of delivering creative travel experiences and serving our customers with care, Diethelm Travel has sculptured a travel brand recognised and respected the world over.

Diethelm Travel's geographic spread covers twelve countries through 29 offices, welcoming almost 500,000 customers from more than 103 countries and territories to the region.

Diethelm Golf supports IGOLF IGOLF was created to encourage a healthy, sustainable golfing experience.

Through its five-part program, IGOLF: 1.

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acknowledges courses which promote environmental and social responsibility; shares knowledge of best practices among golf course operators; promotes responsible behaviour and golf etiquette; spreads the message of sustainability and success via the media; rewards excellence.

We encourage you to use IGolf Laureate courses whenever possible.

For further information please go to http://www.golfandlife.ch/.

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Contact us at: Mr. David Pettigrew Director of Golf Email : david.p@diethelmtravel.com Phone : + 66 76 315 840 Fax : + 66 76 315 845 Mr. Chavaroon Sattarujawongse Golf Manager Email : chavaroon.s@th.diethelmtravel.com Phone : +66 2 660 3501 Fax : +66 2 660 7020-1 Scandinavia Representative Office: Mr Folke Nyberg Email : folke@europeanevent.se Phone : + 46 709 922 455 Australia Representative Office: Mr Rod Robson Email : robson@i.net.au Phone : +61 413055050

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