“Golf courses were mushrooming throughout the state in the early 1990s but a price war among the competitors, failure to add value to the golf packages and a lackadaisical attitude in upkeeping maintenance have affected the booming golf industry in Johor,” said Col. Mohd Jamal Salleh, President of Johor Golf Tourism Association.

“The Forest City Golf Resort, offering a tri-course, with the first 18 holes designed by Jack Nicklaus and his son, is expected to further be a part of the bigger players in Johor to revive and add more value to the state as a golf paradise once again,” he said.

Mohd Jamal’s optimism is supported by the fact that Johor has the highest number of foreign direct investment, having a world-class golf resort will bode well with businessmen who also have a penchant for golf, as it provides the perfect setting for a warm-up session to a business discussion.

“A Date With Jack Nicklaus – the Golfing Legend” – a preview programme on what the golf resort has to offer – has brought His Majesty, the Sultan of Johor, DYMM Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar and golfing legend, Mr Jack Nicklaus to the Forest City Golf Resort here today.

Country Garden Pacificview Sdn Bhd (CGPV) has to date spent RM309 million on developing the golf resort which has three golf courses, a hotel and residential units.