Exclusive club gets in swing

Not content with letting rival developers get the better of them, New World Development has entered the golf business with the opening of its Palm Island Resort.

The Hui Yang City-based club, which is an hour's journey by road from the Lok Ma Chau border crossing, is being marketed as an exclusive resort and is accepting just 800 members - by invitation and referrals only.

At present it has 100 members and club officials expect to complete the total membership count by 2002.

The 27-hole lay-out, which was completed last month, was designed by the Nicklaus Group, namely Jack Nicklaus Jnr. According to industry professionals, it would have cost double to have had the 'Golden Bear' himself design the course. However, the younger Nicklaus has done his old man proud with his first mainland layout.

At 10,318 yards (from the white tees) over the Lychee, River and Lake nine-hole layouts, the course is player-friendly but still provides a good test of golf. What can make it difficult is the Nicklaus trademark bunkering.

Sand traps are in abundance at Palm Island, coming into play at mid-fairway for most tee shots and providing fortification for the numerous undulating greens.

What makes the course enjoyable is the variety of holes which will provide experienced players with interesting challenges from the blue and black tees while also remaining playable for those learning the game.