Shangri-La’s Hambantota celebrates inauguration of golf membership

The Golf Resort and Spa of Shangri-La’s Hambantota property celebrated its second anniversary golf tournament on 14 July. 

The tournament provided those involved with the perfect opportunity to experience both the new driving range and the magnificent golf course as well as to look back on the evolution and accomplishment of the annual golf membership of Shangri-La’s Hambantota’s Golf Resort and Spa.

The golf membership launched in the summer of 2016 and stands as the island’s first resort golf course. The par-70 course is designed by Rodney Wright, a globally celebrated designer and a firm believer in integrating the culture and environment of the surrounding area into a golf course. The beautifully-landscaped course, built on a former sapphire mine, takes players on a memorable golfing journey through three zones, each with its own unique character; the coconut plantation with over 4,400 coconut palms offers lush fairways and challenging bunkers, the dune area with its subtle elevation changes gives way to breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean and the sapphire mine showcases generous greens with an abundance of water features. 

Additionally, the course has hosted a myriad of golf tournaments and competitions in 2017 and even in the first quarter of 2018. The 18-hole course is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka, set within the grounds of Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort and Spa.

“It was our vision to create a truly unique experience where the golfing community can enjoy not just golf facilities but also a host of benefits at the resort, to blend sport and vacationing,” said Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort and Spa General Manager Moshi Perera.

Event offerings included 18 holes of golf, range balls, goodie bags and an awards banquet. Gift certificates and trophies were awarded to the winners and runners-up in the categories of Best Gross Score, Longest Drive and Nearest to the Pin.

Shangri-La’s Golf Resort and Spa boasts an array of facilities for hotel guests - who are entitled to complimentary green fees - and day visitors alike. The clubhouse overlooks the 18th green, a welcome attribute for golfers and guests postgame and is home to Ulpatha, the clubhouse restaurant which offers beers on tap, refreshing drinks from the island bar and delicious pub-style light bites in a sociable setting. Refreshments are also available on the course, with all electric golf carts equipped with their own cooler boxes. 

The ProShop is a haven for golf enthusiasts, with an array of golf essentials available, including caps, polos, shoes and sunglasses as well as the latest equipment for hire. Caddies are also available on request to help golfers make the most of their game, whilst bag storage and locker facilities are available to make the golfing experience as seamless as possible.

The golf resort’s charitable arm runs a charity golf tournament every Saturday to create avenues for deserving and underserved youth to learn some of life’s most important lessons through their exposure to the game of golf. By ensuring that deserving young people from every walk of life have the opportunity to be exposed to this great game and its accompanying valuable life lessons, as well as to discover the many possible career opportunities surrounding the sport, the resort expects that golf in the Hambantota area will be in good hands for generations to come.

The Golf Resort and Spa is also well-positioned to accommodate large golf events, weddings, conferences, incentive markets and social celebrations.  The course development was approached from an eco perspective due to the resort’s dedication to biodiversity and habitat protection. The structure has revitalised an abandoned sapphire mine, restored vegetation, re-introduced birdlife and uses Paspalum grass for its salt-tolerant turf, which is resilient in the tropical climate and allows for the highest standards of course conditioning. 

Registration for the celebratory tournament could be made through Golf Sales and Membership Business Development Manager Chandula Rambukwella on +94 772 011113 or by emailing [email protected].

The Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently operates over 100 hotels with a room inventory of over 41,000. Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services. Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, Canada, mainland China, Fiji, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in Australia, mainland China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.  For more information, visit www.shangri-la.com.