Tiara Melaka Golf & Country Club is set to take the local golfing scene by storm. Malacca’s latest golf project, situated in the heart of the popular Ayer Keroh tourist district, incorporates a thoughtful and well planned design which should set standards for future developments.

Tiara Melaka will capture the hearts of the even the most hardened environmentalist let alone golfers. The 27-hole course, designed by Neil Haworth of Singapore-based Nelson, Wright, Haworth, is a case study on the preservation of the natural surroundings. Hundreds of old trees have been left untouched, even to the extent that several have become towers of defiance in the middle of fairways.

The project developers, Ayer Keroh Resort Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the Lion Group, had made it clear from the onset that Tiara Melaka would become not just an exclusive gateway but more so a resort for those in search of a healthy enriched lifestyle.

Said Syed Nasser Syed Omar, the resort’s Marketing and Sales Manager: "Our bungalow lots, most of which have spectacular views of the golf course, are 95 percent sold out. This underlines the enthusiasm that buyers want to be as close to nature as possible."

The development has 221 units of bungalow units ranging from 8,000 sq ft to 18,000 sq ft. The prices range from RM17.50 to RM27.00 per sq ft. A total of 680 units of condominiums will be built from 1996 and should be completed by mid-1999. The clubhouse which is now fully operational, offer facilities like swimming, jacuzzi, steam baths, sauna, squash, tennis, restaurants, pro shop, games room, driving range and gymnasium.

The first and second intakes for golf memberships at RM20,000 and RM25,000 respectively have been sold. The third intake is currently priced at RM30,000. Tiara Melaka is only 15 minutes from historical Malacca city, 90 minutes from Kuala Lumpur and two hours from Singapore. "Our location is perfect. The overnight visitor can complete 18 holes and still take in the multitude of attractions that Malacca is famous for," added Syed Nasser.

But it is the magnificent golf course which will prove to be the Jewel in the Crown. The golfer is in for a rare treat because Tiara Melaka will provide an experience in the tradition of this great game. A buggy ride through the 27 holes is like a walk in the jungle. Those involved in the planning and construction of the course went to great pains to save as much of the natural flora as possible. The terrain was perfect for what the architects had in mind – a rolling countryside course which will keep the adrenaline flowing at every hole.

Because of the abundance of the trees especially on the second and third nines, one gets the impression that the course has been around for decades. Haworth, who was also involved in the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club project at Bukit Kiara, emphatically said: "Mother Nature must have been a golfer. We could already envisage what the course would look like during our first site visit. All we had to do was to shape in the fairways, bunkers and greens."

Added Haworth: "We are very excited about the second and third nines at Tiara Melaka. I am confident that all golfers will enjoy the challenge and natural beauty of the holes which compliment nicely the first nine by providing an exciting jungle experience, typical of some of the older, traditional golf courses in Malaysia."

The golf course was first launched in 1993 and since then, 1,000 members have signed up. The club eventually intends to register 3,500 members including those who are already bungalow lot owners. The 52 bay 2 storey driving range offers semi automatic driving facilities.

Haworth has made full use of the natural surroundings. The water found on several holes provide for some spectacular challenges, while some tee boxes are nicely encapsulated by a foliage of matured trees. The second nine is tight, with jungle, water or out of bounds on every hole. The holes keep getting more and more challenging as the round advances, with the most difficult being the long par 4, 17th.