If there is one golf course that complements the region’s main attraction to an absolute tee, it is the Mount Kinabalu Golf Club. The 18-hole golf course is situated at Kundasang, the gateway for climbers of Sabah’s best known attraction – Mount Kinabalu. It is perched 1,500m above sea level, making it the highest golf course in Southeast Asia. If anything, playing at this golf course will give you an appetizer of things to come should you attempt to scale one of Southeast Asia’s tallest peaks.

Upon reaching the golf club, apart from being pleasantly hit by the chilly climate, I had the impression that it is a “Mickey Mouse” course. The characterless clubhouse is taken up by a large empty hall, and it has a Spartan changing room with low-pressure faucets. There were no food and beverage outlets, so make sure you have a full breakfast or lunch before making your way here. We did our bookings via a tiny hut, reminiscent of a Wilson Parking office by the gantry. There is a simple chipping and practice area, should you wish to warm up amidst the crisp weather.

Fortunately, the hackneyed saying of not judging a book by its cover applies very aptly here. This seemingly rustic course was designed by the late Robert Muir Graves, chief architect of renowned courses around the world such as the Sea Ranch Golf Links and the La Purisima Golf Club. The entire course measures a massive 6,965 yards in length off the blue tees, something that you wouldn’t normally expect from a mountainous course, where it is always constraint by space and terrain.

Balls are certainly a very valuable commodity here, especially for the less-accomplished golfer. Matured trees and long grass line the sides of heavily dog-legged fairways, swallowing any ball that decides to make an unintended flight there. Blind hazards are aplenty as well. At the 335 yard par-4 twelfth, I stood on the elevated tee box, looking down at the greens that appear a drivable distance away. Out comes my trusty driver and with it, comes a good hit. It looked as though my very first par-4, one-on was on the cards. Alas, any ounce of optimism was dashed by the stream that cut across fairway just before the greens, which was only discovered as I was approaching the greens. Needless to say, local knowledge and experience is pivotal to getting a good score on this course.

All in all, I hooked, sliced,  topped and duffed along the steep fairways and lost over 20 balls in one single round. For the result-oriented golfer, it can be particularly frustrating. However, the majestic backdrop of Mount Kinabalu and the temperate mountainous climate will more than make up for the bad scores.

Robert Muir Graves designed a very engaging layout around the plateau and at some elevated points, it left me spellbound, standing in awe of the rolling hills and sprawling farmlands in the distance. Quirky weather conditions can also add a further dimension to the enjoyment of the course. According to the Golf Manager Mr. Seto, clouds can descend immediately onto the fairways, obscuring your visibility considerably. Remember to bring your wet gear, as light rains can come intermittently. It may sound gloomy, but in actual fact, the ensuing sunshine together with the dew creates a nice sparkle to the intensely emerald fairways and greens. The cool and wet conditions also affect the greens differently from the ones we get on the “tropical lowlands”. Instead of being dry and hard, the greens at Mount Kinabalu Golf Club are soft and spongy. They are not fast, but putts roll very true. For those who are always attempting to get that impressive backspin on the greens, the chances of doing that successfully are a lot higher here.

The Mount Kinabalu Golf Club is a testy two-hour drive from Kota Kinabalu. However, the aweinspiring panorama, challenging golf course and cool, temperate climate will make it worth your journey. There is probably nowhere else in this part of the world that offers such a unique and fulfilling golf experience. Besides, it’s an excellent alternative to experience a taste of Mount Kinabalu’s distinctive meteorological and geological conditions, without the arduous climb.