Newsletter

October 12th 2002 certainly changed Bali. It's now more than 12 months since the bombing in Kuta and still Bali's tourism has not returned to anything like normal. The domestic market have supported Bali over the last 12 months, but the overseas visitors are well down on numbers prior to September 11 2001. For business in Bali to survive it needs the overseas tourists to return. When will it return to normal? I'd like to think soon, but being realistic, I believe it will take time. Many people believe that they are safer at home than overseas, but who is to say that terrorism will not strike in your own country.  

With the downturn in tourism, airlines have reduced flights and in some cases the size of the aircraft, making Bali's recovery even harder. One bright light from the airline industry has been the introduction of Air Paradise International a locally owned airline flying to Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Seoul and Taipei.  The airline  started operating in February 2003 with a limited schedule and has gradually expanded it's services to the above. If Air Paradise are operating from your country, give them your support, because their service is first class and most importantly, they are supporting Bali. 

The golfing industry in Bali has been hit particularly hard due to the downturn in tourists, especially with lack of  Japanese and American tourists. The thing that surprises is that the golf course owners has refused to reduce their prices. They are still sitting back waiting for things to return to "good old days" which for the golf course owners will never happen. The sooner commonsense prevails, the better off everyone in Bali's golf industry will be.    

The wait and see attitude of the golf course owners has seen the published rates at the courses remain unchanged. The current rates are valid until 31st of March 2004. The published rates at Bali Golf and Country Club in Nusa Dua are $US156.00 per round. Nirwana Bali Golf Club in Tanah Lot, the excellent golf course designed by Greg Norman green fees are $US143. 00 per round. Both of the courses include golf carts and a caddie fee in the price. At Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club in Bedugul and the Grand Bali Beach in Sanur, the green fee prices are $US100 and $US55 respectively. At Bali Discount Golf, we try to hold our prices as low as possible to continue our policy of giving the golfer the best deal around. Our current prices are valid until 31st March 2004 and at Bali Golf and Country Club in Nusa Dua it will be $US160 per person, and at Nirwana Bali Golf Club it will be $US145 per person. Both packages include your transport, green fees, club rental, caddies and golf cart.

Our prices at Bali Handara Kosaido CC are now $US95 per person and The Grand Bali Beach it is $US70 per person and that includes your transport, green fees, caddies and club rental. If the golf courses do eventually reduce prices, any reduction that we receive will be passed on to our clients. Don't forget that we have Stay'n Play packages available at Bali Handara Kosaido CC and they start at $US90 per person on a twin share basis in the Deluxe Rooms. The package includes one night's accommodation, one round of golf and breakfast. We also offer Stay'n Play packages at the Le Meridien Resort at Tanah Lot and at Nirwana Villas and Suites. The packages at Le Meridien start at $US270++ person on a twin share basis in the Deluxe Garden View rooms. The package includes airport transfers, three nights accommodation, two rounds of golf and breakfast. At Nirwana Villas and Suites the packages start at $US130 per night and that includes one nights accommodation (twin share), breakfast, one round of golf with caddie and golf cart. 

If you are looking to stay in Nusa Dua, Kuta or Sanur, then why don't you get a price from us for a Hotel and golf package? Advise us of the type of accommodation required, your preferred area and we will be happy to forward you a price. A recent addition to our program is the Lombok Kosaido Country Club on the nearby Island of Lombok. It's a Peter Thomson, Michael Wolveridge and Perrett design, so you know it will be good. If you are going to Lombok as part of your golfing holiday let us know and we can make the necessary golf bookings at discounted rates. Green fees at Lombok are $US80 + 10% tax, but by booking through Bali Discount Golf, the price will be only $US65 per person.

Club rental and golf carts are available if required. If you're coming to Bali or Lombok, remember that the 18 hole golf courses are all world class, and that at Bali Discount Golf we have the cheapest prices. For more information or bookings, contact us by e mail at info@golf-bali.com, or telephone us when you arrive in Bali on 285 935.

Until next Newsletter, GO GOLFING IN BALI.