Then there is the pearl culture station at Pulau Gaya, a short motor-launch ride from Sempoorna, and at the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary – the only one in the world – you can see the orang utan being fed.

For golf vacations, you can chose among these fine golf courses: Sabah Golf & Country Club, Kinabalu Golf Club, Keningau Golf Club, Tawau Golf Club, Sandakan Golf Club, Mount Kinabalu Golf Club, Kudat Golf Club, and Labuan Golf Club.

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The town recovered from the wreckages of World War II and began to prosper. As the standard of living rose, many clubs began to sprout, one of which was the Sandakan Golf Club.

Located some miles away from the town and one mile from the airport, the Sandakan Golf Club’s 18-hole par-72, course (3,132 metres) has been well blended with its surroundings to add a variety of challenges to the golf course. Though breezes prevail over the course, they rarely interfere with play.

The greens are generally longish and fast, sloping from back to front, and players who are able to study the grains well will be rewarded.

Sandakan Golf & Country Club
Course Description: 18 holes Par 72

Address: P. 0. Box 541, 90706 Sandakan, Sabah.

Contact: Tel: +089 – 660 557 Fax: +089 – 660 584

Its creation was inspired and motivated by two former Chief Ministers, Tun Dato Haji Mustapha Dato Harun and Datuk Harris Mohammed Salleh as early as 1972. Construction of the golf course cost about RM 7 million.

The layout, comprising some 200 acres of former estate land, boasts well-trimmed fairways, greens and tees, which is a joy to most golfers. But watch out for the water hazards in the form of five large lakes. In addition, golfers will also have to contend with the long par-fours and fives. You have to be a long hitter to survive at the Sabah Golf & Country Club course.

The club-house offers a commanding view of the course and features many amenities besides golf. There are five guest rooms with attached bathrooms which are comparable to most major hotels and can be reserved in advance.

No visit to Kota Kinabalu is complete without a round at this prestigious golf course, and no visitor can come away unimpressed with its layout.

Sabah Golf & Country Club
Course Designer: Robert Muir Grave

Course Description: 18 holes, 6927 yds, par 72

Address: Reservoir Road, Bukit Padang, P. 0. Box 11876 88820 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Contact: Tel: +6088 – 247 533 Fax: +6088 – 245 243

Built in 1952, the nine-hole golf course extends over 40 acres of pleasantly flowered bushland with plenty of traps and challenges for golfers.

An interesting aspect of the par-35 course is the wind that occasionally blows across the course from the South China Sea. Golfers will have to gauge the wind constantly to determine whether they will be playing with a tailwind, crosswind or headwind, in order to pick the correct clubs.

The most popular hole here is the short, 80 meter par-3, 14th. There is a strategically placed bulls-eye at the hole on which locals usually bet.

Play along with the minds and your game should be fine. Members of affiliated clubs in Malaysia can use the Kinabalu Golf Club facilities four times a year. It offers a practice green, swimming pool, two tennis courts, a billiard room, a sauna, a restaurant and a pro-shop.

Kinabalu Golf Club
Course Designer: Robert Muir Graves

Course Description: 9-hole Par 35

Contact: Tel: +088-251 615 Fax: +088-210 166

There is the Tawau Golf Club, situated along the Kukusan Road, offering a pretty, 9-hole golf course, where golf is played all year round, even during the rainy season.

The par-70 (5,810 m) course is relatively hilly and the fairways are generally wide. Numerous sand-traps are found on the course, and the fondest hole is the par-3 ninth, also known as the ‘Lily Hole’ because of its 30 yard-wide and 60 yard-long lily pond fronting the tee box that act as the ‘fairways’. Players have to carry over 120 yards across the pond to the green that slopes severely from back to front. Four putts are common here.

Lots of trees line the fairways of the par-35 layout with continuous breezes. Playing a round of golf here can be both pleasant and refreshing.

Set in magnificent scenery, the tight par-36 layout is surrounded by interesting landmarks, such as a former coal-mine and railway lines that were built during the British rule.

The golf course is well known for its tight meandering and its water hazards. It was designed by Jim Rogers and the construction was supervised by Tom Verity.

The fast greens are laid with Tiftwarf grass and its fairways are meticulously maintained.

Apart from the various amenities offered, the club house also provides accommodation for guests who wish to stay there.

Labuan Golf Club
Course Designer: Tom Verity & Jim Rajaratnam

Course Description: 9 holes Par 36

Address: P.O. Box 2176, 87008 Labuan Wilayah Persekutuan, Sabah.

Contact: Tel: +087-412 711 Fax: +087-416 260

Kudat most significant and unique symbol is the triple stems coconut tree, a tree that is a freak of nature.

This symbol, coincidentally represents the Kudat Golf Club,with its interesting nine-hole golf course.

Though the golf course is not situated along a beach, strong winds tend to affect play, especially during the monsoon season, when it will alter playing direction. One such hole is the par-5, fifth. The tee shots play into the wind, the landing area is narrow and golfers have to contend with the preferred lie all the way from fairways to greens. In fact, the drive decides your future here.

Kudat Golf Club
Course Description: 9 holes Par 36

Address: WDT No. 18, 89057 Kudat, Sabah.

Contact: Tel: +088-610 002

However, it is fast becoming a favourite haunt for golfers as well. The course designed by R.M.G. took shape at the Mount Kinabalu Golf Club in September 1983. It changed forever the quiet lifestyle of the Kundasang villages at the foothills of Mount Kinabalu.

Perched at the top of the Pinosuk Plateau, the nine-hole layout is an ideal highland golf course.

Due to the constant change of winds and clouds around the mountain, weather conditions in the area offer a blend of sunny periods, blustery bouts, clouds and fog.

Golfers are advised to finish playing before six in the evening, when visibility drops rapidly. It is also advisable for golfers to bring their equipment and a golf cart too, as caddies are scarce here.

Kinabalu Golf Club
Course Designer: Robert Muir Graves

Course Description: 9 holes, 3532 yds, par 35

Contact: Tel: +088-251 615 Fax: +088-210 166

But for golfers, a journey into the interior is just not complete without a round of golf at the Keningau Golf Club, which is just 3 km from the town centre. The flat 18-hole par-72 golf course layout could provide an enjoyable round of social golf.

Keningau Golf Club
Course Description: 18 holes Par 72

Address: P. 0. Box 990, 89008 Keningau, Sabah.

Contact: Tel: +6087-331 113 Fax: +6087-333 002