Golfing in Selangor 2020 (Post-MCO)

[Sports Tourism]

Over the years, the popularity of golf tourism has rapidly emerged so much so that individuals and groups even travel long distances just to play golf. Golf is a sport that is played in over 208 countries and has quite a following in Malaysia, judging by the number of golf courses!

As the MCO was lifted and non-contact sports were allowed again, Tourism Selangor arranged for me to have a private tour of the Saujana Golf & Country Club, which is one of the 29 golf clubs registered with Tourism Selangor. Aside from golf tourism, there are a variety of beautiful natural and man-made attractions in the Selangor to visit.

Since 2014, Tourism Selangor has been actively supporting a large number of golf events held in Selangor. Some of the earliest golf events supported by Tourism Selangor were the Selangor Masters 2014, PGM ADT Maybank Championship 2018, 46th Selangor Amateur Open 2019 and 1st Tourism Selangor Corporate Golf Tournament 2019.

The PGM ADT Maybank Championship 2018 event was a success as it managed to attract a large number of international golfers. Selangor even became the first state to broadcast professional golf programs on national television.

Following the success of the event, Tourism Selangor once again extended support to 46th Selangor Golf Amateur Open 2019 which took place at Lake Golf Club, Bangi, and garnered participation from 160 local and foreign amateur golfers.

In the same year, Tourism Selangor reached a milestone by organizing its own golf event, the Tourism Selangor Corporate Golf Tournament 2019. Tourism Selangor collaborated with key industry players and travel agencies, as well as Selangor’s State Government and corporate bodies. Tourism Selangor aims to make it as a signature annual event in Selangor’s tourism calendar for many years to come.

Many golf events have been planned out in Selangor in 2020 prior to the Covid-19 outbreak. However, as the pandemic takes its toll on the tourism industry on a global scale, many golf events that has been scheduled to take place in Selangor have been postponed, if not cancelled. Two of the planned golf events affected by the pandemic are the Selangor Golf Classic 2020 and the 2nd Tourism Selangor Corporate Golf Tournament 2020. Meanwhile, the Asian Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC 2020) which was supposed to take place in March has been cancelled to ensure the safety of the registered golf buyers and sellers as well as to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus in Selangor.

Golf clubs in Selangor that are back in operation are imposing strict hygiene Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs) to ensure the safety of the golfers. Members are required to check-in and non-members are required to fill in Health Declaration Forms. Both members and non-members must undergo a mandatory health screening. On top of that, separation plastics are installed in all buggies, only 4 golfers are allowed on the tee box, golfers need to ensure a 1-meter distance when queuing and starter huts are not open for seating. These SOPs are imposed to ensure the Golf Clubs will be back in business, with an emphasis on safety and cleanliness. Some Golf Clubs in Selangor such as Kota Permai Golf & Country Club have also taken extra precautionary measures with the introduction of “contactless ball extractors”.

Tourism Selangor’s General Manager, Mr. Azrul Shah bin Mohamad in a statement said, “Tourism industry players such as hotel and products operators, and Travel Agencies are encouraged to acknowledge the vast potential golf tourism poses towards their businesses. Following the aspiration, Tourism Selangor will strengthen its promotional initiatives in branding the State of Selangor as the premier, leading golf hub in Malaysia”.

Check-in and temperature checks before you can enter the clubhouse

Check-in when you visit the pro shop too

Stopped by the driving range. Everywhere, the staff were wearing face masks and the SOPs were observed.

Popped into the fitting shop which does custom fitting of golf clubs

We’re usually on the other side of the lake which is where the Saujana Hotel is located

Last but not least, lunch at the club house

The Saujana Golf & Country Club is a members only club. However, the Saujana Hotel is having a golf staycation and play promotion for those who are interested to have a round of golf at the club. For more info, head over to https://www.saujanahotels.com/

For more information on Tourism Selangor, head over to http://Selangor.Travel