Batanak Golf Resort is not far from Phnom Penh city center. It takes about 30 minutes by car along the Mekong River. Driving through the Phnom Penh Palace, where Cambodia's king lives, bustling squares, markets, schools, and motorbikes will reveal Cambodia's only 36-hole golf course.
Running for a long time from the entrance, a clubhouse aiming to be completed by 2024 will appear. When completed, it will be the world's largest. If it wasn't for COVID-19, Phnom Penh's golf kingdom would have already been completed.
Batanak Golf Resort, which aims to win Cambodia's top luxury golf course title, was designed by Nick Faldo and managed by global golf management Troon Golf. The regular course boasts the difficulty and condition of being able to host a professional competition right away.
The East Course, which was first introduced, was selected as Cambodia's best golf course at the 2020 World Golf Awards as soon as it welcomed golfers. The West Course, which has since opened, has also become Cambodia's best golf course in 2021. The nine-hole Dragoon Turn course, created for the night round, was also named the world's best nine-hole course at the 2021 World Golf Awards.
The modern facilities that contain the individuality of the golf course support Cambodia's best golf course. A two-story pavilion with a capacity of up to 200 people floats in the East Course 18th hole penalty area (water hazard). There is a tea house (shade house) in the middle of the East and West courses. On the side of the tea house, a pond with lotus flowers and an artificial waterfall were created. It feels like a well-furnished Southeast Asian garden. "It would feel good if I just eat here without doing the round." nodded to the exclamation of one's companion. The cart is equipped with a Visage GPS system that can determine the exact distance.
The Batanak Golf Resort also has a 250-yard driving range that can be used by 40 people at the same time, a lesson academy run by PGA Tour professionals, a simulator room and a screen golf facility using trackmen. The auxiliary facilities are available to all visitors. The opposite face West Course is feminine. There is undulation on the course, but the battlefield is short and cute. It is not as easy as it has many unique course layouts and mound near bunker or green. However, in the first round in a few months, it was enough to enjoy the unique landscape of palm trees in Southeast Asia and the heat. It's a great place for men and women of all ages to come.
The East Course is dynamic and challenging. Especially, there are 107 bunkers, which is a lot. Every landing point of mine seems to be waiting for a bunker. In addition, the first and 18th holes of the East Course are both par-5 holes, which is burdensome for beginners. Even the green is undulating. However, difficult courses have different pleasure.
Cambodia's unique scenery, such as large and small stone statues, flowers, and trees placed all over the hall, also attracts attention. This is also why golf course officials suggest walking golf. There are many stone statues in the middle of the fairway or where you move alone from the hall. It's fun to look up. On the West Course, the Elephant Terrace waited for me, the Bayonne on the East Course 4th hole, and the Mini Encore Wat on the 9th. You can soothe the regret of not being able to go to Siem Reap.
At the end of the fairway on West Course 7 (par 4) is the statue of Jayavarman VII. Jayavarman VII was the king who led the heyday of the Kingdom of Cambodia. There is a grandeur that you will not feel if you ride a cart to the green with joy after succeeding in the two-on.
