It was drizzling lightly as we drove from Surabaya’s Juanda Airport into the city. There was heavy overcast and the outlook for a round of golf seemed remote. The rain was building its tempo. Since it was still too early to check into our hotel, Surabaya Plaza Hotel, we decided to stop at Tanggulagin famous for leather products.
After about 20 minutes at the leather shop, we made our way to the golf club. Somehow, lady luck was on our side. The rain stopped and it was perfect weather for golf. We had a hurried lunch of “sup buntut” (ox tail soup). Hamidon, who took an Air Asia flight arrived as we were having lunch. Datuk Iskandar decided to tee off with Haji Amir and Zaki. That left Hamidon, Tan Sri Halil (former Director General of Customs) and Datuk Halim (former Chief of Police for Perlis) in my flight. Tan Sri Halil decided to tee off from the white tee box.
Datuk Halim at Danau's 114m par-3 Hole 3
Tan Sri Halil at the last HoleI had a bad start. My first tee shot was a dud and ended just after the lady’s tee box. The flight mates were generous enough to grant me a mulligan but the shot was worse. So I played the original shot and still made boogey. From there, it was boogeys and pars all the way. I had a record 9 pars, 2 double boogeys and boogeys the rest. My chipping and putting were in top form that day. The shorter distances from the white tee boxes also helped the good score.
Beautiful houses surrounding the golf course with huge security wall. This one under construction
Playing for the first time with Tan Sri Halil and Datuk Halim was fun. Despite their high social standings, they were very much down to earth and friendly. We had a good round and they made good company.
After the game, we stopped at a Nasi Padang Restaurant for dinner. That was the beginning of many more Nasi Padangs after that. Everybody semed to enjoy the food very much especially Datuk Iskandar, Datuk Halim and Haji Amir. Both Haji Amir and Datuk Halim were a big fan for ox brain cooked in curry. I never picked up the taste. I prefer the usual beef rendang and tendon curry. Anyway, I was not much of a nasi padang fan.
February 8, 2008
We had an early date with our tour guide, Rizal today. Our destination was Finna Golf Club, about an hour drive from Surabaya. We had to leave early to avoid the morning jam in Sidoarjo at the place where the mud flow had submersed everything in its path. The drilling accident in May 2006 caused the hot toxic mud to spew out at a rate of 100,000 cubic metre per day engulfing houses, factories, roads and anything in its path. The problem remains until today. We left early to avoid traffic jam in the area during the morning rush hour.
The hotel packed our breakfast and it was breakfast on wheel for us. We left in 2 vehicles, one carrying Tan Sri, Haji Amir and Datuk Halim and the other the rest of us.
Finna's Foursome
Finna is one of the 2 mountain courses in Surabaya. Taman Dayu makes up the other one and we would test it after Finna. I was paired with Hamidon, Datuk Iskandar and Haji Amir. Zack, Tan Sri and Datuk Halim made up the other flight.
Finna's Tight Course
Finna was a tough 6,345m course. The fairway was narrow and hilly. I still remembered the par-3 184m hole 5 from my last round there many years ago. It was the signature hole flanked by rice field and with mountain as backdrop. Since the weather was cloudy, it was not much of a photo opportunity. Finna claimed to be East Java’s first world class championship golf course.
Finna's Signature Hole
When approaching towards a few last hole, Haji Amir was struggling with his migraine to the extent that he had to quit the game. He left for the hotel in the smaller 4-wheel drive while the rest of us proceeded to play at Taman Dayu Golf Club.
Finna's Caddies
We split into 2 flights of 3 golfers each at Taman Dayu. I was paired with Zack and Hamidon while Datuk Iskandar, Datuk Halim and Tan Sri Halil made up the other.
Asia's Best?
Taman Dayu is an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus championship golf course set in a lush green foothills of Mount Welirang. It is in the resort area of Prigen, East Java near to Finna within one hour drive from Surabaya. It claimed to be the best golf course in Asia.
Taman Dayu's Beautiful Topography
It may not be the best course in Asia but Taman Dayu is certainly the best in Surabaya. It was well maintained and manicured into an enjoyable course. This 6,166m course is a must play course in Surabaya.
February 9, 2008
It was shopping day as everybody decided to lay off from golf. The 36-hole rounds did us in. We went back to the leather shop in Tanggulangin where I bought myself a leather overnight bag. After shopping at Tanggulangin and lunch of nasi padang again, we went for massage & mandi lulur. It is a famous Javanese therapy, where they would massage you and rubbed your body with avocado and milk. It was good enough for our aching bodies.
Pedal Power Merry Go Round, Tanggulangin
By night time, we visited the Tunjungan Plaza, Surabaya’s most famous shopping mall. Datuk Halim wanted to buy some traditional batik clothing for his family. So I accompanied him to Mirota where I remembered buying a jukebox replica during my last visit.
Haji Amir and Hamidon left for home today. That left one extra golfer. I had to bow out from the next game at Bukit Darmo the next day. I had played there during earlier visit.
February 10, 2008
The remaining 4 golfers proceeded to play at Bukit Darmo. I chose to stay behind and went shopping at Surabaya Plaza located next to my hotel. The first thing I noticed was J Co Donut outlet. In KL, you have to stay in line for almost 40 minutes just to buy the doughnuts. Here, I was the only customer. They even gave me an extra donut. I bought 1 dozen for the rest of the gang.
At 6.55pm we left Surabaya for home. I was already down to my last dollar.
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