SJM Resorts, S.A. (SJM), the title sponsor of the Asian Tour’s SJM Macao Open, is participating in this week’s “Experience Macao Malaysia Roadshow” from 5 to 8 July at Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall.

Organised by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), the roadshow highlights Macau’s “Tourism+” elements as a “World Centre of Tourism and Leisure” to Malaysians and tourists. This includes showcasing the Lisboa brand’s luxurious accommodations, exquisite dining experiences, diverse facilities, exciting activities, and exclusive summer offers under the theme “Embracing the SAMmer Holiday @ SJM Resorts.”

The booth design features architectural elements from SJM’s flagship hotels, Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau and Grand Lisboa Macau. Wall patterns inspired by traditional Portuguese tiles and floor designs mimicking Macau’s distinctive Portuguese-style cobblestone mosaics reflect Macau’s vibrant fusion of Eastern and Western cultures, and the unique charm of the Lisboa brand.

Visitors can also take part in promotional activities organised by MGTO and win exclusive prizes offered by SJM, indulging in the whimsical journey in Macau this summer.

With three daily direct flights between Malaysia and Macau, Grand Lisboa Palace emerges as a convenient gateway to luxury. This latest flagship project of SJM offers unparalleled dining experiences, thrilling entertainment, high-end shopping sprees, and luxurious accommodations – all within its walls. To further elevate this unforgettable escape, travellers flying to Macau with Air Macau or AirAsia from now until 31 December can present a valid boarding pass and redeem a series of exclusive privileges, including dining, retail, spa and entertainment offers.

With stunning European architectural style merged with Chinoiserie elegance, the Grand Lisboa Palace features three distinctive hotel towers, including the Forbes Five-Star rated Grand Lisboa Palace Macau, the world’s only THE KARL LAGERFELD MACAU, and the recently opened and Asia’s first Palazzo Versace Macau. Unveiling a haven for every kind of traveller, Grand Lisboa Palace offers curated travel packages combining luxurious stays, star-rated dining experiences, and exciting entertainment options.

Reservations for these all-in-one packages are now open:
At the roadshow, SJM will actively support MGTO’s promotional initiatives, offering visitors the chance to win a series of grand prizes, including accommodation packages, dining vouchers, and shopping discounts. Visitors signing up on-site as SJM Supreme Card members will enjoy exclusive welcome privileges, member-exclusive offers, and limited-edition souvenirs. Moreover, visitors participating in the online survey will receive a THE KARL LAGERFELD MACAU brand luggage tag. SJM’s mascot “Sam the Rooster” will also be available for photo opportunities with visitors and tourists.

SJM is a leading owner, operator, and developer of premier integrated entertainment resorts in Macau. With a heritage spanning over six decades in Macau, SJM is dedicated to delivering exceptional facilities, impeccable services, stellar dining, and a variety of exciting activities, crafting unique travel experiences for visitors from around the globe.

Recognising the vast potential of the Malaysian market, SJM will continue to collaborate with the Macao Government to attract Malaysian tourists by showcasing Macau’s diverse “Tourism+” offerings, thereby solidifying Macau’s position as the “World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.”

For more information, log on to https://www.sjmresorts.com/en

In the spirit of inclusiveness and diversity, MST Golf Group Berhad (MST Golf) and community support group Kau Yang Teristimewa (KYT) came together to orchestrate a heartwarming luncheon titled ‘Tautan Kasih Aidilfitri Bersama Kau Yang Teristimewa’ for more than 90 children with various disabilities from Terengganu, Pahang, Johor, Melaka, Kedah, Perak, Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan. Organised by KYT and with MST Golf as the main sponsor, this collaborative effort brought the festive spirits alive for the children, with the aim of uplifting their hearts during the joyous Raya season.

Held at DeRoses Hall in Putrajaya, the event saw more than 400 guests in attendance including families of the children with special needs, representatives from Pertubuhan Pemulihan Dalam Komuniti (PPDK) Seri Sentosa and employees of MST Golf.

Founded by Anita Mat Tahir, KYT is a support group dedicated to providing support to children with diverse requirements, encompassing conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, Prader-Willi Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, and Crouzon Syndrome. Anita’s personal journey as a parent to a child with Cerebral Palsy inspired her to establish KYT, driven by a heartfelt commitment to addressing unique requirements of such children and creating a support platform for parents and the communities.

The event brought much joy for the differently abled children from across West Malaysia, organised by the volunteers of KYT.

“This event is our seventh Raya celebration we have hosted since 2015 for the children of Kau Yang Teristimewa. We have more than 200 children and parents in the community who connected through word-of-mouth and friends to form a nurturing platform where the children and their families can connect. We are grateful that MST Golf has chimed in to make this celebration a memorable one as part of their dedication towards giving back to society.”, said Anita.

The luncheon was complemented with performances from the children including prayer and poetry recital, and a performance by the Royal Malaysian Police of Bukit Aman. The event concluded with the highly anticipated duit raya giving session and lucky draws. Encouraged by the positive impact of this event, MST Golf expresses its commitment to continuing such meaningful sponsorships in the future as part of the Group’s sustainability umbrella of ‘Better People’ in Community Giveback and Uplifting.

Once a strategic port in the centre of present-day Vietnam, Da Nang still attracts visitors from near and afar – but these days mainly as a holiday destination.

Straddling the Han River as it pours into the South China Sea, the vibrant city is an eclectic mix of old and new, and exudes a relaxed, wholesome feel. It’s safe and convenient to wander around on your own, with wide pedestrian walkways along most of the roads.

Da Nang is now also one of the best golf getaways in the region, surpassing other more established destinations in recent years with the diversity and quality of its growing golf inventory. The 80-kilometre stretch from Lang Co in the north to Hoi An in the south boasts seven top-notch courses, with more on the cards, putting the marketing collective known as the Vietnam Golf Coast right up there with the best.

We played Laguna Golf Lang Co, Montgomerie Links Golf Club and Ba Na Hills Golf Club, and all three were in excellent condition. The service was simply superb, from the pleasant reception staff to the well-trained caddies, laced with trademark Vietnamese hospitality and warmth.

Hole 8 of Laguna Golf Lang Co.

Laguna Golf Lang Co (lagunalangco.com/golf) boasts a Sir Nick Faldo Signature Course, set in pristine surrounds between Lang Co Bay and the inland hills. It takes about an hour’s drive to get there from Da Nang International Airport, using the Hai Van Tunnel which at 6.28km is the longest in Southeast Asia.

The par-71, 6,961-yard Laguna Golf Lang Co course opened for play in 2012 and is characterized by fast, rolling greens, huge waste areas, massive boulders and paddy fields alongside a few holes. The routing heads out to the sea and back inland, like a traditional links, with the spectacular par-four 9th playing parallel to and offering stunning views of Lang Co Bay.

If you’re lucky, you might come across the resort’s famed ‘bovine greenkeepers’ – a family of water buffaloes – grazing in the fields. Aiming to be the most sustainable course in Vietnam, Laguna Golf Lang Co is one of a handful of golf clubs worldwide to have earned Earth Check Gold certification.

The golf course forms part of Laguna Lang Co resort, which includes bespoke accommodation at the Banyan Tree Lang Co Hill Villas, Angsana Lang Co Hotel and Laguna Parkside Lang Co townhouses.

Montgomerie Links (montgomerielinks.com) is just 15 to 20 minutes’ drive south from Da Nang city, on the inland side of the road that runs along the upscale Non Nuoc beach.

Hole 10 of Montgomerie Links.

As its name indicates, the course is designed by eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie, and the Scot has injected trademark links elements from his homeland into the layout.

Montgomerie Links opened for play in 2009, making it the oldest course not only in Da Nang but in central Vietnam. The 7,066-yard track has matured nicely and looks more like a parkland course now, with tall casuarinas and other flora lining the fairways.

However, it still plays like a links due to the firm, undulating fairways, punctured by huge, high-lipped bunkers.

The greens are large and heavily contoured, and there is a fair amount of water to be dealt with. Due to the sea’s proximity, the winds can get strong – so make the necessary direction or distance adjustments.

A pleasant half an hour drive inland from Da Nang is Ba Na Hills Golf Club (banahillsgolf.com), Luke Donald’s first-ever design built in 2016 in the scenic foothills of Ba Na Hill Station.

Hole 3 of Ba Na Hills.

Weighing in at 7,857 yards off the tips, this is one of the longest courses not only in Vietnam but in Southeast Asia. Five teebox options provide suitable lengths for all levels of gofers, with the whites playing at a very manageable 6,022 yards.

Unlike the other courses in Da Nang which are close to the sea, Ba Na Hills is a true highland course – especially the back nine which climbs into the hills and features several doglegs and blind shots. Elevation changes are common and great views abundant, so heed your caddy’s clubbing advice and have your phone camera handy.

Ba Na Hills’ greens are subtly undulated and the surrounds close-cropped, opening up the pins to bump-and-runs and long-distance putts.

That leaves four courses for the next Da Nang ‘golfcation’. Just beside Montgomerie Links is the 36-hole Legend Da Nang Golf Resort (dananggolfclub.com), which offers a parkland Jack Nicklaus layout and a linksy Greg Norman 18. Two relatively new courses are located to the south of the famed Hoi An Ancient City – Robert Trent Jones Jr II’s Hoiana Shores (hoiana.com/golf) and Vinpearl Golf Nam Hoi An (vinpearl.com/en/vinpearl-golf-nam-hoi-an).

Golf aside, there are many leisure excursions that can easily be made from Da Nang. Popular destinations include the scenic Son Tra Peninsula, Ba Na Hill Station and – the jewel in the crown – Hoi An. Beautifully conceived and crafted, Hoi An has a colourful history reflected in its rustic mix of old Chinese shophouses, stately French colonial building and colourfully-lit canals.

Getting There
From Kuala Lumpur, Air Asia flies twice daily to Da Nang and Batik Air once, with Malaysia Airlines set to join the fray come September 24 with a daily flight. The flight time is two hours and 40 minutes or so, which is only slightly longer than it takes to jet to Kota Kinabalu.

The award-winning Da Nang International Airport is modern but compact, with a well-planned routing and clear, concise signage.

#GameOn golfers! Get ready to tee off at Golfest Kuala Lumpur (Golfest KL) for the ultimate golf experience hosted by MST Golf featuring the latest gears and fashionable golf attires from global golf brands. In its 26th edition, the ultimate golf festival in Malaysia by the leading golf specialty retailer will take place at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC) from 25th to 28th April, 2024.

Golfest KL 2024 promises a golf experience like no other featuring equipment and accessories demonstration, ball fitting, to golf challenges and activities with lucky draws and prizes to be won.

Whether you are a seasoned golfer or just started out, there is something for everyone at the golf haven. Test drive the latest equipment at designated branded bays by TaylorMade, HONMA, Majesty, PXG, Mizuno, Yamaha, Cobra, ONOFF, Wilson, Titleist, Ping, Callaway and XXIO. To elevate your swag on and off the course, male and female golfers can shop the latest athleisurewear, golf apparel and accessories too. Don’t miss out on activities and challenges including Beat The Pro, Longest Drive, Longest Iron and lucky draws that will take place throughout the 4-day event.

As part of MST Golf Group’s commitment that extends beyond serving the best in everything golf, the Group is raising awareness on sustainability with its ‘#GameOn for Sustainability’ initiative at Golfest KL. In partnership with local recycler Precious Plastic Malaysia, customers can participate in a plastic upcycling activity where single use plastic will be transformed into golf tees from bottle caps.

In conjunction with Earth Day 2024, MST Golf is also collaborating with local NGO United Voice where individuals with learning disabilities designed a limited-edition Earth Day golf ball collection. Printed on TaylorMade Distance+ golf balls, the limited-edition Earth Day collection is available for purchase at RM120 per dozen and 100% of profits will go towards the NGO as part of our efforts in empowering individuals with learning disabilities.

Mark your calendars and be part of the golf event of the year at Golfest KL held at KLGCC’s driving Range from 10am to 9pm, April 25th to April 28th only. Follow MST Golf’s official Facebook and Instagram pages with the handle @mstgolf for the latest updates and activities.