Although sounding very much like an amateur golf tournament worthy of inclusion into any of the Pro tour schedules, the Golf Asia Challenge organised by Regent Media is more about spending a gratifying and enjoyable day out on the golf course with perhaps just an element of friendly competition thrown in for good measure.
Held this year at the Ria Bintan Golf Club’s beautiful, breathtaking and newly upgraded 18-hole Ocean Course, golfers were treated to smooth fairways with beautiful views of the South China Sea serving as the ideal backdrop for the Golf Asia Challenge. As golfers have noted, over the years the Ria Bintan Golf Club’s Ocean course has matured and on some holes, the fairways seem narrower, albeit visually, from the tees and from the fairways. This plus the natural elevation of the terrain, presents an ever-changing landscape and new challenges for golfers.
The chorus of natural sounds emanating from the wild fauna together with the sounds of the ocean, transport golfers from the built up urban city of Singapore to a golfing oasis which is Ria Bintan, which existing in a harmonious relationship with its natural surrounds and geography. Here’s a little known but important fact, the Ria Bintan Golf Club has been recognized for environmental excellence and has achieved the status of “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program. The club is the first course in Indonesia to receive the honour. The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, endorsed by the United States Golf Association or USGA, provides information and guidance to help golf courses preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, and protect natural resources.
Thankfully the great weather held on long enough for all to finish their entire 18 hole round, and then the skies opened up, just as the last couple of prizes were being given out. And like the previous editions of golf events organised by Regent Media, there were many generous sponsors such as Apexlynx Leisure Sport that put up a whopping S$888.00 in cash as a bonus lucky draw prize and TVG Singapore who decided to put the Hole-In-Prize of an exquisite Nitron timepiece into the lucky draw pool because no one managed to score an ace, as well as many others, along with the participants who contributed to the success of the event.

Winner of the S$888 Special Lucky draw!