Royal Kampung

This 99 years old Club, situated at Bukit Rotan, Kuala Selangor, is a legacy of the colonial masters who ruled the planting industry in Malaysia, up to the 1960s. Since the late 1980s these British and Scotish planters have either fully retired or have retrieved to Indonesia. Today there is practically none of them left in the Oil-palm dominated plantations in the Peninsula.
The logo of the Club carries the images of the three major economic activities of those glorious days - rubber, tin and oil palm.

Malaysia has now lost her world's Number One position in rubber and tin production and although she is still the world leading oil palm producer (with 3m ha plantings) this position will soon be taken over by Indonesia (with 6m ha of plantings, maturing).

Royal Kampung Kuantan Golf Club is unique in itself to be the only 9-hole plantation golf course which is accorded the royal status. Those who know the background to this royal charter would tell you that the close public relations with the Selangor Palace were the determinant factor, much to the dismay of the then District Officer who wanted to rule over the Club's future developments.

The Club house of 2009 has not been tranformed too much from those 1970s days when I first stepped into this Club during my business interactions with the planting communities. It is functional with a meeting/dance hall; a bar with two billiard tables; a Club office; a small pro shop and basic changing rooms for men and ladies.

This grand old tree must be as old as the Club. You can't miss it as you approach the Club entrance or when you are about to tee off as it is standing right at Tee Box 1/10. Many golfing enthusiasts and beginners have started their first golfing experience in this course, where the fairways are relatively flat and lined by matured trees. Unfortunately, many old trees are getting cut down or dying due to old age or disease. No apparent plans to replant new ones?

This golf course management has always been reflection of the high standards of estate management around the vicinity as most planters are members of the club. A poorly maintained and managed Royal golf course will a mirror image of the present day estate management mentality and standards. Lest we lose out to our neigbouring country, the young crops of planters should buck up, and soon.

The first/tenth fairway OB line stretches all the way from the tee box to the Par 4 green. Of course in almost every fairway, there is a lateral drain running across. All greens are elevated and hard. It is therefore a good practice ground for your chipping skills.

Hole no 4/13 Par 3 (199 meter from the blue tee) to me, is the signature hole of Royal Kampung Kuantan Club. On the right is a straight OB line (beyond which you would hit the Oil palms and squirrels) and just left of the green is a pond awaiting you, about 60 metres after the tree on the left. It is a hole which decide if you triumph or you break in any tournament here.

My sincere wish is that the Management will maintain the course for at least another 99 years, both for the golfers and club members but also for the tourists who would pass it when they come visit the "Fireflies" sanctuary at Pekan Kg Kuantan, about 3 km down the road.

For those who must have a good breakfast before teeing off at Royal Kg Kuantan, the attraction is at Ijok village where you can get Curry Tu Kah (weekends only).