review on Renovated Laguna Bintan

Folks

Anyone played recently at Laguna?

This trip advisor review sounds damn bad
Maybe they used the same contractor as Ria Bintan!

https://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/Attraction_Review-g1096248-d4226286-Reviews-Laguna_Bintan_Golf_Club-Lagoi_Bintan_Island_Riau_Archipelago_Riau_Islands_Provin.html

Any inputs welcomed

Hi Pocketace

I've not played the course but I did take a cycle around it during a weekend getaway late June. It was unfortunately in very poor shape.. Pictures and description on Trip Advsior are unfortunately accurate.

Omg!
Thanks Justin

I'm planning to play in mid November

Their official launch is early November and they invited Faldo, so we are hoping the course is ready by then 

Lemme share with you folks once I've played it in November

Played there end Aug when they just opened the course after renovation..... a little disappointed with the course condition after reno. 

Only highlight was the range, which we could hit off the grass and not off the mats.

Played Laguna Bintan today (12 Nov) as last week, the launch of the SPH Golf Card with Sir Nick Faldo gracing the occasion at this course with much fanfare intrigued us. I also bumped into a few GR old timers

Overall the course I'll rate it as 6-7/ 10 as the condition is not yet up to standard but there is huge potential if they maintain the course properly as the layout is challenging but fair, and very scenic too (rivaling Ria Bintan IMHO)

Club House - I played here probably >5 years ago and it's a basic type of golf course compared to the other courses in Bintan. The club house is humble-looking and the renovation spruced up the clubhouse and the al fresco dining area 
overlooks the stunning golf course. 

Changing room is painfully crammed so unless you are a day tripper (no choice), else I'll recommend resort guests to go back to their resort and shower after the game.

Buggies appear to be new and they are not the noisy (and smelly) diesel powered ones

Practice green is generous in size and flawlessly smooth and fast. Unfortunately they could not translate my expectation to all the greens on the course 

Fairways still need a bit of work to get the grass to grow and cover up the loose top soil. There are many GUR and soggy / mouldy (covered with green moss) patches

Rough are is penalizing as your ball will sit inside the rough

Greens speeds are inconsistent on course. Some greens are good and the ball rolls thru, other greens you find yourself looking perplexed for coming woefully short on a downhill putt 

There are quite many holes with view of the sea and they were absolutely stunning!

The potential is surely there but now may be premature to play this course. That's just my opinion 

(I'll try to load pictures from Photobucket but couldn't figure out... watch this space