langkawi magazine
Archives SECTION
New Golf Driving Range on the Isle of Legends
Prime Minister-to-be officially opens Langkawi's first municipal practice range at the Kuala Melaka River Park. It would be an amusing endeavour to survey and find out just how many non-golfing corporate bigwigs are trying to take up golf before November 1st - the day that current Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah bin Ahmad Badawi takes over the reigns of power in this country.
On 1-11-2003, Datuk Seri Abdullah, who is an avid golfer, will officially succeed Datuk Dr Mahathir Muhammad as Prime Minister. It was thus appropriate that the PM-to-be launched the new driving range of the Kuala Melaka River Park (Taman Sungai Kuala Melaka) on Langkawi Island in Kedah, the home state of the great man he will replace.
The official launch took place on a wet morning on Thursday, October 2nd, but the mood was far from damp. It was LIMA (Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition) time, and Datuk Seri Abdullah known affectionately as Pak Lah in these parts - was understandably on an extremely tight schedule. Nonetheless, he managed to squeeze in the time to launch the range in the recreation park, located in Padang Matsirat just a few minutes drive from the Langkawi International Airport.
Set within verdant paddy fields with enticing views of the inland mountains, the 20-acre park offers a host of activities for visitors including a chance to look at the going-ons at the fishermen's jetty, visit a mock Malay traditional house, cycling and jogging. Cultural shows are organized from time to time, while a seafood restaurant and a bistro provide tasty nourishment and refreshments.
Currently, a golf pro shop is located on site, while more retails outlets are expected to take up lots in the main complex. Plans are afoot to introduce boating and river cruises.
The 10-bay range is unique in that golfers hit into the river, using floating balls. Floodlights facilitate night use, so the range operates from 8 am to 10 pm daily, seven days a week. Late evenings is an excellent time to come here and tinker with your swing, as stunning views of the sun setting beyond the river, paddy fields and inland mountains can be savoured.
Bird lovers will have a field day here as eagles are a common sight in the sky while the paddy fields and wetlands teem with migratory birds and water fowl.
The Kuala Melaka River Park is yet another tourist product on Langkawi with its own unique attraction, said Datuk Seri Abdullah to the media after the ceremonial tee-off. If the park is promoted well, it will certainly succeed. Malaysia has the golf courses and facilities to be a major golfing destination, Datuk Seri Abdullah added when asked about the golf tourism industry in Malaysia.
Langkawi 4/10/2003
