Aerial image of part of Els Club Teluk Datai, via agif.asia

     At the inaugural World Golf Awards 2014, held in the Conrad Algarve Hotel, Portugal, Malaysia was awarded “Asia’s Best Golf Destination 2014.” The Els Club Teluk Datai, situated on Langkawi island 30km off the shore of Malaysia, was also awarded World’s Best New Golf Course. The awards, part of a global initiative to “recognize, reward and celebrate excellence in the golf hospitality industry,” came at an ideal time for officials in Malaysia, as government funding to improve and promote local golf courses was a part of the recent National Key Economic Areas initiative.

     The initiative, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, “identified golfing as a focal activity for the future growth of quality tourism.” With over 200 golf courses open year-round and local government and industry dedicated to their success, Malaysia really is a “must-play” location for many jet-setting golfers.