World golf champion, Ernie Els’ Malaysian masterpiece, The Els Club Teluk Datai, named ‘World’s Best New Golf Course’ at the inaugural World Golf Awards

Just two weeks after its official grand opening, the four-time Major winner’s stunning Langkawi layout, which sits amidst a tropical rainforest stretching to the shores of the Andaman Sea, scooped the much-coveted accolade, voted upon by golf travel executives and members of the media.

In further recognition of Els’ remarkable design, which has already earned the admiration of the world’s golfing media, The Els Club Teluk Datai also collected the ‘Best New Golf Course in Asia’ award, rounding off an incredible evening at Quinta do Lago, Algarve, Portugal.

“The Els Club Teluk Datai is such a distinct and scenic property that it is impossible not to be blown away by the stunning landscape within which it is set,” said Els, the winner of more than 60 professional tournaments worldwide.

Recently, the award-winning course was unveiled in the company of Her Majesty Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajjah Haminah.

“We knew that we had something special when we first set foot on the site and to see what we have been able to achieve fills me with a great sense of pride. The Els Club Teluk Datai has captured my attention, as I’m sure it will with golf lovers worldwide, and I certainly plan to spend time relaxing out there,” added Els.

The Els Club Teluk Datai is playing an integral role in increasing the number of inbound golf travellers to Malaysia, as is the vision of Destination Resorts and Hotels Sdn Bhd (DRH), the company charged to grow the nation’s golf tourism offering.

Tunku Dato’ Ahmad Burhanuddin, Managing Director of DRH, commented, “Words cannot express the immense feeling of joy that we are experiencing right now with the news of The Els Club Teluk Datai being voted both the Best New Course in Asia and the Best New Course in the World at the World Golf Awards.”

He added, “The Datai site is a national treasure, and what Ernie Els and his design team have done with the golf course is simply amazing.”

“The coverage we received from the grand opening just a couple of weeks ago far exceeded our expectations, with global golf media featuring the course prominently in their publications, resulting in a sharp spike in business. Our hotel property, The Datai Langkawi, that sits adjacent to the course, has been a prolific award winner for the past 20 years, and it looks like now we have a golf course that is attracting the same international attention, making Langkawi a true international golf and leisure destination.

Both awards are a further demonstration of the building momentum and heightening interest for golf in Malaysia and The Els Club Malaysia Senior Vice President, David Townend, who received both awards on Els’ behalf, is excited about the prospect of welcoming visitors who have been intrigued by the prospect of golf on the peninsula.

He said: “To come away with two highly prestigious awards gives us great confidence in what has been created and the experience we offer our domestic and international guests at the Els Club Teluk Datai. These awards were nominated and voted on by the travel operators and media which tells us they really like what they see.

“The island of Langkawi is one of world’s most idyllic unspoiled gems, and with the international recognition and reputation we are garnering can only enhance the appeal of the nation’s golf and resort industry, which will generate valuable tourism dollars for the economy.”

“In a little over a year our Els Club Malaysia business model with further expand, with the opening of two sensational new properties in the southern state of Johor, with the 27-hole Els Club Desaru Coast and the 18-hole Els Club Desaru Valley in 2016. This is just the beginning of what we believe will complete an unrivalled golfing proposition in South East Asia.”

The Els Club Teluk Datai is managed and operated by Troon Golf, the global leader in upscale golf management, which oversees operations at some of world's pre-eminent golf resorts, and owned by Destination Resorts and Hotels (DRH), an investment arm of the Malaysian Government.

For more information visit www.elsclubmalaysia.com, follow @ErnieElsDesign and @TheBig_Easy

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Amanda Chong
Themed Attractions and Resorts
Email: amanda.chong@tar.com.my

About Destination Resorts and Hotels (DRH)

Destination Resorts and Hotels Sdn Bhd (“DRH”) is a strategic owner and developer of world class premier destinations. Established by the Malaysian Government’s investment arm, Khazanah Nasional Berhad (“Khazanah”), DRH is a catalyst for the continued development of Malaysia’s luxury leisure and tourism sector by providing relevant expertise focused on investment, development, management and oversight of world-class premier resorts, hotels and attractions.

Its current key investment portfolio comprises of Desaru Coast, the region’s first integrated luxury destination located at Johor’s Desaru coastline, Little Red Cube and Traders Hotel at the luxury waterfront of Puteri Harbour, Nusajaya along with Teluk Datai, Langkawi, a luxury eco-tourism destination surrounded by ancient rainforest and breathtaking views of the Andaman Sea, including the award-winning The Datai Langkawi and 18-holes golf championship; The Els Club Teluk Datai.

Working with world renowned and reputable partners that are the best in the industry, DRH is set to expand domestically and internationally as a premier luxury hotel, resort and residences investment, development and management company.

For more information on DRH and its developments, please visit www.drh.com.my.

About the World Golf Awards

Involving the leading 130 nations which are shaping the future of golf, the inaugural World Golf Awards were designed to celebrate and reward excellence in golf tourism, world-class courses and golf destinations.

Part of the long-established World Travel Awards, ‘The Oscars of the Travel Industry’, it is hoped the ceremony will raise the customer experience and stimulate domestic and international golf travel markets.