MENA GOLF TOUR TOOK ITS FIRST SWING AT THE ELS CLUB DESARU COAST
April 11, 2023, Desaru Coast, Johor Bahru – The renowned MENA Golf Tour has made it to the Desaru Coast shores and has kickstarted its 2023 first series of Malaysian Swing I at The Els Club Desaru Coast.
The first MENA Tour 2023 golf tournament was held on April 10, 2023, at the world-class golf course, The Els Club Desaru Coast – Valley Course, designed by Vijay Singh and Ernie Els Design Team, who requires no further introduction to the Golf arena. The golf tournament has received overwhelming responses from more than 100 golfers all over the globe. During the game, golfers strived to maintain good mental skills and consistent awareness and effort as they conquered each hole. Golfers’ skills were tested, and they competed with each other by climbing up the Order of Merit.
A collaboration between Johor Golf Tourism Association and The Els Club Desaru Coast together with support from Tourism Malaysia, MENA Tour was staged by Malaysia Swing I, April 10 to 13, 2023, comprising one practice round and 54 holes competition, and Malaysia Swing II which was held from April 17 to 20, 2023.
Over the six days of tournaments, the men who conquered the course and bagged the MENA Tour Malaysian Swing I and II wins are:
Malaysian Swing I
Champion: Joe Herarty (England)
First Runner-Up: Aron Zemmer (Italy)
Second Runner-Up: Paul San (Malaysia)
Malaysian Swing II
Champion: William Harold (England)
First Runner-Up: Ervin Chang (Malaysia)
Second Runner-Up: Paul San (Malaysia)
This golf tournament was aimed to attract local and international players, dedicated to emerging Johor Darul Ta’zim and Malaysia as a golf championship destination for amateur and professional golfers.
The Mena Tour Malaysian Swing I and II series ended on a high note when the participants gathered for the Swing I and II Grand Finale Gala Dinner at Desaru Coast Conference Centre, Westin, hosted by Tourism Malaysia.
The organisers of the MENA Tour received an overwhelming response from over 30 nationalities arriving in Johor, which sets a new record for multi-national arrivals of professional golfers. This saw immense growth since its inaugural season in 2011, with 59 winners from 21 countries.
The Els Club Desaru Coast courses comprised Ocean Course and Valley Course. The Valley Course was designed by the three-time world champion Vijay Singh; one must endure different tests and obstacles. Every swing, mental strength and precision of play approach will determine one’s winning chance. The layout was well-premeditated to perfection, where Singh constructed the slopes on the course, which amounted to great difficulty even for those with lower handicaps and pros.
On the other side is the Ocean Course; the three nine-hole loops, Lakes, Coast and Ridge, make up a distinct course layout, requiring one to plot their way around the course to maximise scoring opportunities.
For more information on The Els Club Desaru Coast, please visit www.elsclubmalaysia.com.
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ABOUT THE ELS CLUB DESARU COAST
The 45-hole property in Desaru Coast, Johor, boasts two Championship courses designed by World Golf Hall of Fame members. The Ocean Course, designed by the club’s namesake and four-time major champion, Ernie Els, is set on one of the most spectacular plots of land anywhere in the world. Overlooking the South China Sea, the course can comprise any two of the three 9-hole courses on-site, offering individual variability. Each layout has its own character and personal touches by Els, but they all take inspiration from the famous links courses spread across the UK, with vast rolling greens and tight run-off areas designed to place a premium on a sharp short game. The Valley Course is an 18-hole golf course designed by major champion Vijay Singh and jointly developed with Ernie Els Design. The course traverses the valleys and stream of Desaru Coast with significant elevation changes providing the most eye-catching vistas. The 18-hole championship golf course covers approximately 41 hectares with 187 bunkers. Complementing the two fantastic golf venues, each class boasts a full-service clubhouse. The Ocean Course clubhouse is a dramatic masterpiece; at 45,000 square feet, it is also home to the 261 Bar and Restaurant; the ultimate 19th hole and the world-renowned Big Easy Bar & Grill; set against the backdrop of the Club’s remarkably scenic golf course and the South China Sea vistas. The Valley Course clubhouse is an al fresco dining area named Lembah, associated with its traditional golf club setup. Each The Els Club Desaru Coast course has state-of-the-art practice facilities, including a short game area, grass teeing grounds and The Els Performance Academy. The practice facilities are the perfect place to hone one’s game.
ABOUT DESARU COAST
Desaru Coast is a premium, integrated destination resort in Malaysia with a portfolio of globally renowned hotels and resorts, namely Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas and One & Only Desaru Coast. The destination is also home to Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast – one of the world’s biggest waterparks; Desaru Coast Conference Centre – a fully equipped conference facility; the Els Club Desaru Coast – 45 holes of golf in total with two distinct clubs, Ocean Course and Valley Course, and Desaru Coast Riverside – a 23-acre water-front landscaped retail and lifestyle village. The recently completed Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal will provide direct access from Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to the destination in just 90 minutes. Desaru Development Holdings One Sdn.Bhd. (“DH1”) is the master developer of Desaru Coast and is a subsidiary of Desaru Development Corporation Sdn.Bhd. (“DDC”) within the Themed Attractions Resorts & Hotels Sdn. Bhd. Group of companies
ABOUT ERNIE ELS DESIGN
Ernie Els Design is a full-service golf course design company wholly owned by its principal, four-time major champion and World Golf Hall of Fame member Ernie Els. The international scope of Ernie’s 70 professional career victories is mirrored in the increasingly global reach of his designs, with signature courses and renovations impacting emerging and established golf markets. Ernie Els Design enjoys unique relationships with the world’s finest developers who share the company’s ambitions, creating attractive destinations that adhere to the principles of sustainable development and sound environmental practices. Since its formation in 2000, the company has received global recognition with a string of prestigious accolades. Notably, in 2015 Ernie was voted “Designer of the Year” at the World Golf Awards. In addition, many of Ernie’s signature courses have won prestigious industry awards, including “Best New Golf Course in the World” for The Els Club Teluk Datai in 2014. In 2016, it became the first layout in the Ernie Els Design portfolio to be listed in Golf Digest’s prestigious ‘World Top-100’.
ABOUT TROON GOLF
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf management company, with over 590 golf courses in its portfolio. Also specialising in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues, the company oversees operations at Troon Golf, Honours Golf and Troon Privé properties in 36 states and 30 countries. Additionally, 53 Troon facilities enjoy a Top 100 ranking by national or international publications. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and Dubai, UAE, Troon’s International division is committed to developing Troon’s presence worldwide. This rapidly expanding division now oversees operations at 44 courses in 16 countries, including Australia, the United Arab Emirates, England, Russia and Spain, with further expansion planned across all regions. www.Troon.com
For further press information, please contact:
Nurul Farahin Samsari
Marketing Executive
The Els Club Desaru Coast
Mobile: +6013 994 2210
Email: farahin.samsari@elsclubmalaysia.com
Patricia Sik
Director of Sales & Marketing
The Els Club Desaru Coast
Mobile: +6013 337 5288
Email: patricia.sik@elsclubmalaysia.com