KUCHING: The 18-hole golf course at the top of Borneo Highlands, when fully developed, stands at the threshold of significant potential for Sarawak’s sports tourism industry.
The golf course, apart from its facilities, has unique features that distinguish it from other courses in the country.
Situated at an elevation of 1,000m above sea level, it offers players the experience of playing in the clouds – a feature shared by only a few golf courses in Malaysia.
Perched atop the Penrissen Range, which straddles the Sarawak-Kalimantan border, the Borneo Highlands resort spans 5,000 acres within one of the world’s oldest rainforests.
Its highland setting gives Sarawak a competitive edge in attracting high-spending golf tourists, combining golf with luxury wellness retreats, hotel facilities and a lush rainforest backdrop.
With the right development and promotion, the resort could become one of Sarawak’s finest sports tourism attractions, offering the same appeal and drawing power as sporting events such as marathons, triathlons and the traditional Sarawak Regatta, which attract large numbers of visitors.
Golf tourism is a fast-growing, high-value market driven by global affluence, with golf enthusiasts travelling worldwide to experience different courses and destinations.
Sarawak could secure a share of this market once the massive redevelopment project is completed and properly promoted.
For decades, Sarawak’s golf tourism market has relied largely on the established fairways of Kelab Golf Kuching (KGC), set up in the 1990s, and the Arnold Palmer-designed Damai Santubong Golf Resort, nestled near the seaside at Santubong.
Sarawak has also been promoting sports tourism by taking advantage of its natural settings through activities such as rafting, while organised sporting events such as marathons, triathlons, veteran sports events and the World Badminton Masters have attracted visitors. The traditional Sarawak Regatta is another established attraction.
However, golf tourism has yet to realise its full potential.
Neighbouring Sabah has overtaken Sarawak in terms of golf facilities, with several high-end golf resorts, including Magellan Sutera Resort in Kota Kinabalu, Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort and Spa, Nexus Resort and Spa at Karambunai, and The Pacific Sutera.
Peninsular Malaysia also has an extensive range of premium golf resorts in states including Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Pahang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka.
The Borneo Highlands resort originally opened in 1999 but closed after the COVID-19 pandemic. It is now set to reopen following a major redevelopment.
The golf course had been lying idle for years while awaiting further development.
One of the main challenges facing the highland resort has been its topography, particularly the difficult and, at times, daunting road leading to the plateau, which deterred and discouraged visitors.
In the 1990s, I personally visited Borneo Highlands despite a colleague discouraging me from making the trip because of the steep climb to the top.
His advice proved justified, as I was equally apprehensive about the gradient of the road leading to the resort. However, upon reaching my destination, I was rewarded by the sheer beauty of the place, including its sea of lavender, which resembled a giant flower garden.
The Sarawak government, through the Sarawak Land Custody Development Authority (LCDA) and its investors, has since invested in development plans to improve access and connectivity by upgrading the roads leading to the highland resort.
The initial phase of the original project under the previous private developer was scheduled for completion in November 1999. Following the ongoing redevelopment and revival, completion is now targeted for mid-2029 after 36 months of work.
The plans include upgrading the golf course and clubhouse, as well as developing a wellness centre, hotels and improved accessibility through upgrades to the challenging roads leading to the plateau.
After several delays, the resort is now poised to offer top-notch facilities as part of its redevelopment.
Apart from glamping activities organised at the resort, the area had been largely abandoned.
A key priority in the redevelopment is improving the golf course fairways. The developers will need to look beyond the natural beauty of the surroundings and address the challenges posed by the equatorial climate, including heavy rainfall, to ensure the course is capable of hosting international events.
The golf course will also need to maintain the standards required for high-level competitions, with an improved design that meets competition requirements.
With additional facilities such as hotels and a theme park, Borneo Highlands could become a prime destination for golfers seeking an exotic setting, while also offering attractions for local tourists and families.
The Borneo Highlands resort, located in the Padawan district, is part of a wider area earmarked for major transformation as the government pursues an integrated ecosystem centred on culture, adventure and nature to develop the area into a lucrative economic zone.
With established tourist destinations such as the Annah Rais and Benuk longhouses in the surrounding areas, the region’s rich cultural heritage also offers significant potential for community-based ecotourism and for showcasing local culture to the world.
