Built on the former site of the largest open cast tin mine in the world, The Mines Golf Course is the centerpiece of a resort complex stretching across 1,000 acres.
Robert Trent Jones, Jr. was called in to design the Mines golf course as the condition of the land was so bad that many thought that it could not be developed. Trent Jones needed to do a lot of re-engineering to repair the soil and stabilize the land. As such the fairways are lined with a foot of sand to serve as a buffer against polluted soil and also to provide great drainage especial during the frequent monsoon rains.
The front nine is laid out through natural and jungle bounded terrain, with occasional water hazards complementing the impressive bunkering, which can be especially deep and protective around the excellent greens. Natural elevation changes are used to create some of the most memorable holes. Two such gems, are the risk-reward, downhill, short par-4 6th (with a deep swale awaiting anything hit left), and the plunging par-4 9th with its knee-trembling tee-shot and panoramic backdrop.
Perhaps the show-stealer on the front-nine is the par-3 2nd, played across a jungle-filled ravine, towards a wonderfully imposing tree, the roots of which appear to be more above than below ground. The jungle of the front-nine gives way to a lakeside back-nine, where many challenging holes are played alongside the large Mines Resort lake (formerly the heart of the huge tin mine).
An array of large buildings flank the opposite side of the lake, most impressive of these is the Palace of the Golden Horses, which you can closely inspect at the par-4 12th. Whether jungle-side or lakeside, the layout never ceases to challenge with the quality of presentation always impressive.
Editted courtesy Golf Asia.
Date Monday, 24, August 2015
