Longing to escape from the frustrations of every day city life in Kuala Lumpur? Dying to discover a weekend retreat away from the increasingly intolerable traffic congestion that is clogging the federal capital? Then Tiara Melaka Golf & Country Club is the place fro you. Located at Ayer Keroh, a 90-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur or 13 kilometres from Melaka town centre. Tiara Melaka’s 27 hole complex is already receiving rave reviews.

Designed by golf course architects Nelson Wright Haworth and landscaped by Belt Collins and Associates International the club is owned and operated by Hyline Berhad, a member of the Lion Group, one of Malaysia’s biggest corporations. In planning and constructing the club, no expense was spared. The result is one of the most beautiful and imaginative golf courses in the country. With three nine-hole layouts from which to choose and a clubhouse boasting a full range of facilities. Tiara Melaka appears set to succeed not only in attracting Malaysians seeking a quiet getaway, but also in luring Singaporeans who can drive there direct via the North-South Highway, and foreign visitors.

The three layouts named the Lake Course, Meadow Course and Woodland Course meander their way through the natural environment of a former jungle. Indigenous trees, some whose vintage is believed to date back to the founding of Malaysia’s oldest state Melaka in the 14^th century blend harmoniously with and extensive array of specially chosen trees and shrubs.

On the Meadow Course, there are also many species of palms. Plunging hills have been incorporated with man’s creation of rolling hills, while interesting contours and mounds further enhance this golfing experience. The maturity of the courses will surprise those who are visiting for the first time. In total, the country estate spans 400 acres with the 27 holes taking up more than three-quarters of the land. The remaining area is being used to build bungalows and condominiums. At 3,107metres, the Lake Course opened in December 1994 is the shortest of the three nines. Measuring 3,215 metres, the Meadow Course became playable in August 1995 while the 3,292 ,metres Woodland Course was unveiled this February. All three are buggy courses.

What makes a visit to Tiara Melaka so memorable is not only the exhilarating beauty that surrounds you, but also the fact that each of the 27 holes stand out on their own. No two holes are similar.

However many of the holes do have similar characteristics… such as narrow fairways, framed by rough and peppered with cleverly placed bunkers. The tapestry’s aesthetics are completed by trees, valley, lakes out of bounds and also a wild species of tall reeds. Accuracy is fully tested by the narrowness of the fairways and also the smallish size of many of the greens which are characterised by subtle undulations. As most fairways begin to narrow for approaches and hazards ensure that the journey becomes tougher, the emphasis is then on clubbing and properly targeted shots. Most of the par-threes are visually enchanting. Their attractiveness belies the difficulty in each of them. If you are not precise with your club selection and your aim, don’t expect to make pars. During the monsoon months and at other times of poor weather, swirling winds create havoc, especially if you’re playing from the black championship tees. It is less intimidating for ladies playing from the red tees because they do not have to strike their drives across the treacherous hazards. The introduction to the Lake Course is gentle with a short par-four of 301 metres. If you make your par there, it’s easy to be lulled into a false sense of security. That can prove costly.

Pretty though the 373-metre par-four second is there is little margin for error off the tee. On the right there is a high tree and mounds; on the left there is a valley. Bunkers on both sides of the fairway await errant drives. Rough tightens the uphill approach with the green cut on a hillock guarded by two sand traps front left. The green slopes from back to front and right to left. A par? A bogey is more likely! The fourth is a 490-metre par-five where every shot must be carefully manoeuvered away from the trouble that lurks menacingly. Addition to the fairway being littered with bunkers, trees line the right side. Even if you’ve successfully negotiated the first two shots don’t relax because 120 metres short and left of the long green, water creates a bottleneck with more sand to the right. When you make it to the evelated ninth tee, hold your breath and linger for a minute to take in the spectacular panorama.

Measuring 352 metres, the drive needs to be carefully thought out. First your ball must traverse a wide chasm before plunging dramatically down to a fairway that slopes towards a lake running along the right side. The left is dominated by trees with a bunker at landing distance. Water cuts into the front right of the green with a bunker waiting to save your ball from ending up in a watery grave. For those in need of recharging their batteries and collecting their thoughts (and buying a new sleeve of balls) before continuing, just beyond the green is the clubhouse.

On the Meadow Course, the third (usually played as 12^th) stands out because its two-tier fairway is split by bunkers at the bottom level. A 368-metre par-four, the tee shot intimidates as it has to carry the tall reeds. The ideal route is to the upper tier which offers an easier approach to a small two-tiers green that is bunkered on both sides.

While the fourth (or 13^th) is a 161-metre par-three where the tee-shot again is across a valley of reeds, the par-five seventh or (16^th) provides a bumpy big dipper ride down different steps framed by trees on both sides. Big hitters can attempt to go for the elevated green across a stream in two. Those who do not strike the ball so far should steer away from the water and be content to lay-up. The approach is across the stream to a shallow green that is bunkered front left. More water awaits on the Woodland Course, notable at the third (or 21^st). A long par-four, the fairway falls away from the tee before it rises again at the green. The best approach here is to carry the water with the tee shot. Failure to do so will mean taking the longer route along the right which means the player will be confronted by water and sand before reaching the putting surface. Trees also crowd the entrance to the green.

The ninth or (27^th), is a 383-metre par-four with trees to the left and a seemingly endless row of sand along the right. A cove of water will gobble up hooked approaches.

The Woodland layout is appropriately named as it is set in the heart of the jungle with trees acting as borders. As well as presenting many challenges, for lovers of nature this nine offers and opportunity to see birds and perhaps also spot an animal or two. Fear not, High fences makes this a forbidden territory for the wild ones (if there are any left).