ISLAND UPGRADE

The Els Club Teluk Datai in Langkawi has seen considerable improvements since the pandemic. Golf Asia talks to the management to find out what the golf club and The Datai Langkawi Resort has in store for visitors.

WHAT REFURBISHMENTS AND ENHANCEMENTS HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS AT THE GOLF CLUB?

In 2021, we started to work on a zero-waste-to-the-landfill programme and have in the meantime managed to achieve an average of 94 per cent of waste (year-to-date) avoided from being sent to the landfill. This programme comprises recycling, re-using, upcycling and more. We utilise the Waste Management Facilities located at The Datai Langkawi to process our waste. In tandem to this, we've also implemented steel flasks for drinking water used on the golf course, and glass bottles for restaurants, to avoid use of plastic bottles, installed solar panels on golf buggies, and used sustainable materials such as wooden combs, refillable hand soap, etc. in our locker rooms.

These are just some of the sustainability initiatives we've started.

WHAT PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS ARE IN THE WORKS?

We will be building of a pond near holes 1 and 10 as a new addition to the original Ernie Els design, to include more varied obstacles and provide additional habitats for flora and fauna around the course. We have plans to return the greens in 2025 or 2026. We will trial a few species of grass first to see which is most suitable for the tropical Langkawi climate.

We will also plan to open a padel court by the end of the year as a new sport offered at The Els Club Teluk Datai. This facility will primarily target guests of The Datai Langkawi and be the first such court in Langkawi.

HOW HAS USAGE BEEN SINCE THE END OF THE PANDEMIC, AND WHERE IS THIS COMING FROM?