A time for family, the wilds and golf
The picturesque golf course
Spanning 56 hectares, hugging the shoreline of Ambalantota, Shangri-La Hambantota truly deserves to hold the heavyweight title for being Sri Lanka’s largest resort. Last weekend the golf resort and spa was literally in full swing as it hosted the first edition of its Golf Members’ Tournament. Since the resort first opened last year, it has garnered attention not only for its sheer size but the golf membership programme they established last year together with an intelligently curated golf course.
The hotel itself is a smooth unification of surroundings which alone can keep guests occupied in the otherwise sleepy location of Ambalantota in comparison with its more vibrant neighbours Galle and Matara. Shangri- La then cleverly steps in as a welcoming distraction as a transit town or a much needed oasis for young families. With three different pools, a smorgasbord of activities starting from as early as yoga at sunrise to trying your hand at a trapeze from a height of 7 metres, there’s no shortage of things to keep you entertained.
Making the resort a particularly family-friendly one is the “Fun Zone” – the kiddies’ area which is a play zone complete with obstacle course styled play areas, movies and carefully managed day-long activities in the responsible hands of an energetic staff.
Another attraction is its strategic location which allows a mere one to two hour drive to destinations like Yala, Bundala, Kataragama, etc.
Ideal spot to chill out with a sundowner
Last weekend though, golf was the magnet. Shangri-La’s signature 18-hole golf course spread across a coconut plantation of 4400 palms with hilly terrain offers both newcomers and experienced golfers challenges on the course including a spectacular view of lakes and greenery.
For Golf Course Superintendent Peter Haarhoff, the course is one of the more unique ones he’s seen in his career spanning 18 years in the industry. “We’re in the wild here,” he explains, the surrounding environment complementing the course and the resort’s vision for its guests.
Last Saturday saw around 25 golfers celebrate the first anniversary of the golf membership programme with a tournament that kicked off in the morning followed by an awards ceremony and gala later that evening.
For Moshi Perera, General Manager, Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa the resort encompasses a triumvirate of elements which make it a success- “a family aspect, wellness and golf” he said, adding- “the space is its most redeeming quality”. Over the past year the staff has watched the golf membership grow to a member base of 40 with an average of 10 members making their way to the resort for a weekend of golf over the past 7-8 months. With the extension of the Southern expressway “a three hour drive won’t be too bad for a round of golf,” he reflects, given the limited number of golf courses available in the country, Shangri-La is also opening its turf to non-members making it one of the few public courses available.