Bintan layout will provide finalists with demanding test

Ericsson Corporate Golf League regulars are used to tough golf courses but an even greater challenge is in store for members of teams who have qualified for the regional final in Indonesia next month.

Having encountered the slick greens of the Hong Kong Golf Club's layouts and the unforgiving rolling terrain of Kau Sai Chau's North and South courses, the top five teams play in a regional final against other winners of the JBA Corporate Golf League.

The event will take place from October 17- 19 at the Bintan Lagoon Golf and Beach Resort which was designed by Jack Nicklaus to accommodate professional tournaments, low handicappers and resort guests.

Situated 45 minutes south of Singapore by high-speed catamaran, Bintan is a vacation island, with activities geared towards the outdoors. It has several 'designer' courses and numerous resort facilities.

In addition to the Nicklaus course, the Bintan Lagoon Golf and Beach Resort includes a 6,900-yard layout designed by Australian Ian Baker-Finch.

This month, the Nicklaus course will host the inaugural US$500,000 Asia-Pacific Masters, an Omega Tour event jointly sanctioned by the Asian PGA and Australasian PGA.

The professionals will play from the back tees (7,050 yards). However, the corporate golfers will hit off from the user-friendly white tees (5,800 yards).