My first ever visit to Bali Handara dates back to 1987, when the course was just voted into the top-50 courses of the world by USA based Golf Magazine. Until today, I proudly treasure the beautifully handwritten certificate that is a testament to my maiden round at this awesome location.
Many years have passed and ever since I permanently moved back to Indonesia in 1990, I have played the course at least a three dozen times. Over the years I have seen the course mature into one of the most exciting layouts (and sites) in the world of golf, as much as I have also seen it deteriorate form times to times.
The well known proverb that "new brooms always sweep cleaner" truly is applicable here and the new management has put in place a program that looks at upgrading the course as well as the hotel facility. Only a few months into the new job, Supriadi has put his mark on the course and the hotel. It truly shows what simple and basic maintenance can do to a course.
Depending on how much money will be made available by the owners, it needs to be seen what the future brings for Bali Handara, a course that once has put Indonesia on the world map of golf. Under the new management, overall maintenance is pretty good while fairways and greens look better than they have ever done over the past five years. However, lots of upgrading is still heeded and especially in bunkering. Most of these traps are shallow and at the end of their life span and given the explosive development of today's golf equipment and balls, repositioning of bunkers need to be looked at. It is hoped that Supriadi will get all the support from the owners and in doing so to bring back Bali Handara to the forefront of world golf.
Located in a more than 300 years extinct volcanic crater - and as it (almost every hour of the day) is exposed to constant changing of day light, for golf course photographers like me Bali Handara is a genuine treat. The more than 350 meter high forest-clad crater wall that overlooks the site is dramatic and impressive and serves as a natural backdrop photographers and film directors can only dream of.
Over a period of two full days I shot at least 200 pictures that show the course in clear sunlight as well as in light that was colored orange-yellow by a setting sun. On the final day it was overcast causing it the course and clubhouse to be back dropped by dramatically dark rain-filled clouds and flairs of gloomy mist. Yet, even this type of weather allowed me to make some of the best pictures in a long time.
Bali Handara is back on the radar and with the new general manager in place golfers are likely to be pleasantly surprised with enhanced maintenance at the course and hotel when showing up in Bedugul for a "must" round of golf at one of the most historic courses in today's world of golf. Make sure you play Bali Handara next time you are in Bali and stay over for the night. It truly is worth the trip!
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