Nelson & Haworth set for upgrade

Royal Selangor Golf Course has recently engaged the design firm of Nelson & Haworth Golf Course Architects to remodel all 36 holes. The Royal Selangor Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur is one of Asia’s oldest and most prestigious golf clubs. Royal Selangor was established in 1893 and has continuously occupied the same site since the early 1930s.

The 17th hole will be largely unchanged in the renovation at Royal Selanger.

An increase in the length of both courses as well as improved greens, drainage and playing conditions are all prime goals of the renovation. In addition, Nelson & Haworth will create a traditional looking and playing course that retains most of the trees and respects the long traditions and heritage of RSGC.

The two courses at RSGC last received a comprehensive makeover just after the end of World War 2 in 1948 when professional Tom Verity restored the war-damaged courses to something approaching their prewar condition. Once a choice for the Malaysian Open, the pressures of encroaching development (leading to flooding and drainage issues), a decline in turf conditions and increased competition from newer golf clubs have led to the course no longer being considered one of Kuala Lumpur’s leading tournament venues.

Nelson & Haworth are one of Asia’s best-known golf course architecture firms and have been recognized as Asia’s best golf course designers by Asian Golf Monthly Magazine in 2003, and renowned for their empathy with the environment and local culture. With offices in Singapore, Shanghai and San Francisco, the firm has been responsible for more than 50 courses across four different continents. Included in this portfolio are some of Asia’s best known courses such as Bali Golf & Country Club in Indonesia, Shan Shui and Tiara Melaka in Malaysia, Warren Golf and Country Club in Singapore; Mimosa (Clark Air-base) in Philippines and Jade Dragon and Shenzhen Golf Club in China.

The renovation work at RSGC will be done nine holes at a time, commencing in June and the entire project is expected to be completed and ready for play by late 2007/early 2008.