Ponderosa Golf & Country Club

Tucked away in an idyllic suburb of Johor Bahru Ponderosa Golf & Country Club is located just 15 minutes from the city center and 8 kilometers from the Singapore causeway. The Max Wexler designed Ponderosa Golf & Country Club blends natural terrain and tropical foliage to create a natural golf environment. The course derives its name from a well-known American pine, is also the name of the famous cattle ranch in the hugely popular television series Bonanza.

The Johor golf course underwent remodeling by Ronald Fream in 1996 and measures 6467 meters from tips. Though considered short by some golfers, Ponderosa has many sand and water hazards and tricky undulating greens to make it challenging for even the best golfers.  Furthermore, long par-3’s, fairways built around hills, and strong wind all add to the challenge at this Johor golf course.

Notable holes include the 7th. Ponderosa's signature hole is a 168-meter par-3 hole whose first shot must carry a large pond which runs along the approach and all the way past the green. Matured trees serve as obstacles for errant tee-shots, left of the green. Precise clubbing is paramount to carry and land the ball on the correct level of this relatively small undulating green that runs from the back to front.

The par-5 ninth hole plays dog-legged left from tee to green and measures 543 meters. Here is the longest and most challenging hole on the golf course. Here thickets of matured trees, a creek, fairway mounds and hollows, uniquely high-lipped fairway bunker, narrow green-approach, intimidating greenside bunkers and a sizeable undulating putting surface, all combine to make for a challenging finishing number on this opening nine.

Hole 16 is tagged the most interesting par-4 hole on the back nine. This dog-legged left jewel measures 370 meters and has a huge pond with waterfall features to the left that runs from tee to green. The tee shot is best played to the right-center of the narrow fairway, anything left is water. Bigger hitters may attempt to cut across the pond for a shorter approach to the green. The well-contoured green is guarded by sand bunkers on both sides and has a large stream in the background to add to its character.

Facilities at Ponderosa include a Chinese restaurant, pro-shop, driving range, tennis courts, and an Olympic-size swimming pool. The Mediterranean-styled clubhouse compliments this Malaysia golfing destination. Night golf is also an option under floodlights for those inclined.