Els Club Teluk Datai officially opened

The Big Easy's first South East Asian course open for business

Ernie Els
The new Els Club Teluk Datai in Langkawi, Malaysia

Ernie Els has officially opened the Els Club Teluk Datai following the conclusion of his first-ever golf course construction in South East Asia

Ernie Els has officially opened the Els Club Teluk Datai following the conclusion of his first-ever golf course construction in South East Asia.

The Queen of Malaysia was on hand to witness the four-time major champion's opening tee shot at the striking resort in Langkawi.

Other dignitaries, media representatives and VIP guest also gathered to celebrate the launch of the latest addition to the Ernie Els Design portfolio, which features properties in South Africa, Dubai and the Middle East.

"This is, without doubt, the most spectacular golf course setting I have had the pleasure of working on," said the Big Easy.

"I am incredibly excited about the prospect of inviting the first visitors to come and enjoy the Els Club Teluk Datai."

The 18-hole championship course is situated between rainforest and the Andaman Sea on the iconic Asian island, and will complement the pre-existing Datai Langkawi resort to create an all-encompassing first-class leisure facility.

"The course is truly breathtaking and I am delighted with what we have achieved here," added Els.

"I endeavoured to make the most of this unique location and I believe that we have done just that."

The Els Club Teluk Datai is one of three designs commissioned by Destination Resorts and Hotels Sdn Bhd - a company seeking to develop golf tourism in Malaysia.

The two other layouts - positioned in the southern state of Johor - are currently under construction.

"Ernie is an exemplary partner, whose Els Club brand stands for the kind of excellence we strive towards, which will add impetus in our efforts to attract tourists to the island of Langkawi," said Tanku Dato' Ahmad Burhanuddin, DHR's Managing Director.

"The Els Club Teluk Datai will certainly become a flagship asset for our business and give enjoyment for many more generations to come."

The course is managed and operated by Troon Golf, which oversees operations at some of the world's most highly-regarded golf courses.

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x