A NEW GOLF DESTINATION IS SET TO EMERGE IN THE LAST ROYAL CAPITAL OF BURMA
By DJ Penn
When Myanmar is mentioned, the first thought that comes to mind is always Yangon. However not many have explored further into the country and have seen other major cities such as Mandalay and even its administrative capital today, Naypyidaw. Despite its capital change to Naypyidaw in 2006, Mandalay remains Upper Burma’s main commercial, educational and health centre.
But what about golf? Despite a rich golf legacy left behind by the British which included the construction of many courses, Myanmar has not been known much for golf until recently. Today, the country is slowly changing and is gradually transforming golf into a big industry. Many affluent local businessmen are seeing the potential the industry possesses and are acquiring old courses and transforming them to new modern courses that will certainly boost golf tourism. Mandalay is slowly following suit and has some of its courses refurbished to not only cater to the vast local golfers but also foreigners seeking a lovely golf getaway.
Shwe Mann Taung Golf Resort
One such course is the beautiful and serene Shwe Mann Taung Golf Resort (www.shwemanntaung.com) set in the city overlooking the majestic Mandalay Hill. Boasting pristine conditions year round, the golf course continues to soar as the best in Mandalay and is comparable to other notables in Myanmar. In fact, these days the name Shwe Mann Taung carries much significance and is uttered by many if not all golfers who have played this golf masterpiece.
Set in the heart of the city just a stone’s throw away from the famous Mandalay palace, the course takes pride in living up to its reputation of being a premier club amongst golfers. With designs incorporated by renowned architect Peter Rousseau (P&Z Golf Design), the layout continues to impress both the locals as well as foreigners and receives great reviews continuously.
Holes 10 and 18, Shwe Mann Taung
“Despite the course playing shorter, the unexpected curves and undulating fairways make the Shwe Mann Taung golf course very challenging. It is a must-play for those visiting Mandalay,” said Ronald Charlajian, a tourist from Europe.
With so much talk one might ask, ‘What’s so great about the course?’ Well, the course in itself is a little unique in that both nines play to distinct turf conditions. A golfer will have to bring his best to counter the challenges offered and rise to the challenge. Playing to an overall length of 6,564 yards, the course showcases a modern layout that suits all types of golfers. Shorter hitters will enjoy it most as the course might give them greater opportunities to salvage pars and pick up a birdie or two along the way.
For the intermediate golfer, it is a fair layout that might see some shooting low scores on a good day. For the advanced players, some might shoot their personal best while those who do not strategise well could be punished to look like pure beginners.
The par-threes on the course pose a range of hazards such as wind and water that could lead to untoward outcomes (for the scorecard at least). Despite some being shorter holes, the challenges that come with it could post disastrous outcomes. The par-fours are generally a mix of easy and tough holes whilst the par-fives give the golfers various options to play, with the longer hitters being able to attack these holes in two. In general, the course at Shwe Mann Taung is a perfect fit for all types of golfers who will certainly have an enjoyable time yet be challenged.
For the convenience of golfers who might be on a strict schedule, Shwe Mann Taung offers extended play into the night with floodlights on all holes. The club will be offering full nine holes night golf regularly very soon. It is the only golf club in Mandalay that offers night golf.
Besides golf and in line with its plans to make play more accessible, the club has introduced term memberships for local golfers. These memberships are affordable and value for money. The club has also started to develop new ties with various clubs worldwide via affiliations for its members to play when travelling abroad. The course also attracts many visiting tourists as well as expatriates residing here. The rates extended to them are reasonably priced and this has certainly seen a surge in foreign play.
Hole 5, Par 4, Shwe Mann Taung
Soon the resort will also see the construction of a grand hotel with facilities such as a lounge, swimming pools with a roof-top bar, a spa and more. Within the clubhouse currently is a prominent automobile showroom, a proshop and plans are underway for two large restaurants. The proposed restaurant on the ground level of the clubhouse would cater to golfers whilst the outlet on the first floor, scheduled to open this month, will provide for a more relaxing ambiance with both indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor area by the pool would allow spectacular views of the majestic Mandalay Hill. Guests would also get to enjoy live music performances.
No resort would be complete without the professional services rendered by the resort’s staff who take pride in what they do and portray good customer service skills. Guests can be assured of a warm welcome and friendly smile when visiting the resort.
Overall, the resort is embarking on a mission to realise its plans and extend great facilities and services whilst its members and guests enjoy great camaraderie at the resort. All facilities should be ready and operational by the year 2021.
Other Golfing Options
Overall there are four other main courses to play in Mandalay within a 70km radius. A must-play would be the Myotha National Golf Club (MNGC), which opened last year. MNGC is an 18-hole championship course covering an area of over 380 acres. This 8,000-yard layout was designed by American firm Schmidt-Curley Design Inc and is managed by American firm Green Dynasty.
The club is built within a proposed 1,700-unit housing estate, with an international school, hospital and commercial outlets to come along soon. The course has been regarded as one of the best in Asia and is not yet formally opened for play.
Driving about a similar distance from Mandalay City (different direction though) is Pyin Oo Lwin, a town by the mountains which showcases cool weather, good food and blossoming flowers. The town is regarded as the Flower City of Myanmar. Here there are two courses – one opened to the public, whilst a newly renovated course owned and managed by the military only allows play by invitation. With the cool breeze in play, the courses here will definitely be enjoyable to play and the place itself is ideal for tourists to explore, appreciate and enjoy.
Two other courses, Ye Dagon Taung Golf Club and Shwe Sar Yan Golf Club, are within a 30-minute drive from the city. These courses may be old, but they offers great layouts boasting spectacular mountain views. Ye Dagon Taung, which is a 27-hole course, has also started refurbishment work and will have a brand new design and layout in the next one and a half years. The course is also adding a fourth nine and will then have two beautiful 18s.
Sights Of Mandalay
Besides golf, Mandalay is also a place for sightseeing as it’s slowly transforming to be a new tourist destination that will enable one to appreciate Myanmar’s history as well as enjoy all that the city has to offer. There are many pagodas with great historical significance such as Mahamuni, Kyauktawgyi, Kuthodaw, Kaungmudaw and Sandamuni, as well as monasteries such as Atumashi Kyaung and Shwenandaw Kyaung (Golden Palace Monastery). Shwenandaw is not only another example of a traditional Burmese monastery, but it is also a piece of the old Mandalay Palace.
Street view of Pyin Oo Lwin, a scenic hill town located in the Shan Highland
Those interested in the history of Myanmar should visit the Cultural Museum Mandalay where there are collections of royal regalia as well as royally commissioned art, along with palm leaf manuscripts and Bagan-period Buddha images.
Mandalay Hill, which overlooks the city, serves as a natural watchtower and is a great spot to watch the sunrise or sunset. According to legend, the Lord Buddha visited the hill and made a prophecy that a great city would be established at its foot.
Some 11km south of Mandalay is Amarapura, the capital of the Konbaung Dynasty during the reign of King Bodawpaya in the 18th century. Places of interest here include Pahtodawgyi Pagoda, U Bein Bridge across the Taungthaman Lake as well as cotton and silkweaving cottage industries.
Pwe Gauk Waterfall
Inwa, a small town south of Amarapura, was formerly known as the Kingdom of Inwa during the Second Myanmar Empire; sights to see here include the Nanmyint Watch Tower, Inwa Bridge spanning the Ayeyarwady River, and a lacquerware factory.
Other places of interest that would appeal to holidaymakers include the former British hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin or Maymyo, which stands about 1,000 metres above sea level; and Sagaing Hills, dotted with pagodas and monasteries. Ywahtaung Village in Sagaing is also worth a visit, home of the silversmiths’ guild.
Kuthodaw Pagoda
