The Spectacular Els Club Teluk Datai Named Amongst Golf Digest's 100 Greatest Golf Courses

By: Golfshake Editor | Tue 26 Jan 2016

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The Els Club Teluk Dati, which is situated on the beautiful island of Langkawi, has received the esteemed accolade of being as one of Golf Digest's World's 100 Greatest Golf Courses in their 2016/2017 edition of rankings.

Joining the global publication’s biannual rankings, Ernie Els’ Malaysian masterpiece is a new entry at 83rd place for the 2016-17 standings, testament to its exceptional rainforest design, the unique proposition for international guests and its exemplary golf course conditioning.

Managed and operated by Troon®, the leader in upscale golf course management, development and marketing, the facility has gone from strength to strength since its hotly-anticipated course opening in October 2014, watched by Her Majesty Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajjah Haminah, The Queen of Malaysia.

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“We’re delighted with how far The Els Club Teluk Datai has come in little over a year of operation, the course has been very well-received by the golfing public and now the golf industry’s leading global voice,” commented Bruce Glasco, Chief Operating Officer, Managing Director, Troon International Division. “Golf Digest’s high ranking of the facility is testament to spectacular design and the continued effort of the team on Langkawi to present Ernie’s creation in exceptional condition year round.”

With this ranking, The Els Club Teluk Datai has added to an already bursting awards cabinet, collecting some of the golf’s most commended honors. In little under two weeks of operation, the facility collected its first award, the ‘Best New Golf Course in the World’ at the inaugural World Golf Awards. In further recognition of Els’ remarkable design, The Els Club Teluk Datai also collected the ‘Best New Golf Course in Asia’ award at the 2014 ceremony, an accolade it built upon at the 2nd World Golf Awards last year with the 2015 ‘Best Golf Course in Asia’ title.

The Group Managing Director and CEO of Themed Attractions Resorts & Hotels, Tunku Dato' Ahmad Burhanuddin, said, "We are blessed with one of the world's most idyllic locations and Ernie Els's design has certainly garnered us an international reputation. We are sure this recognition will continue to enhance the appeal of golf in Malaysia and serve as a catalyst for visitors looking for their next new golf experience, thereby growing inbound golf tourism to Malaysia."

The flawlessly manicured playing surfaces at The Els Club Teluk Datai are a constant, in true tribute to the design which carries its creator’s name. With no bunkers on the course, the layout relies on strategically placed tree-lines and a naturally meandering stream, both of which caught the eye of the ranking committee.

Citing a dominant theme in the new 2016 rankings, Golf Digest believes the sea plays an integral part of the rankings, with 46 of the World's 100 Greatest Golf Courses benefiting from a close proximity to the sea. The Els Club Teluk Datai doesn’t disappoint, with spectacular views across the Andaman Sea and shadowed by the Mat Chinchang Mountains.

As the market-leader moves in to the New Year, awards and recognitions continue to flood in – acknowledging Troon’s ability to provide exemplary golf course experiences across the globe. With the recent hauls at the 2nd annual World Golf Awards, the Middle East Golf Awards (MEGA’s) and this week’s rankings by Golf Digest, Troon looks to be welcoming in its second quarter-century where it left off the first.