DUBAI – The Empire Hotel and Country Club was placed as the first runner up for “Best Golf Resort in Asia-Pacific” for 2012 by the Asian Golf Monthly Magazine recently. The hotel's 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course has been ranked in the top three spots in the last three years. This has further improved the hotel's reputation as a top destination for golf venue, as evident in the recent Royal Trophy Golf Tournament held from Dec. 14 - 16 2012. The Empire Hotel and Country Club also secured the first place in 2010 and 2011, while this year's awards went to Mission Hills Country Club from Rancho Mirage, California, in USA. Minister of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR) Yang BerhormatPehin Orang Kaya Seri UtamaDato Seri SetiaHjYahya Begawan MudimDatoPadukaHjBakar was on hand to present the award to DatoPadukaHj Ali Apong, deputy minister at the Prime Minister's office, who is also chairman to JPH SdnBhd, who received it on behalf of the hotel. The golf course has also played host to the annual Brunei Open, contested by the Professional Asian Tour, the Aberdeen Brunei Senior Masters Tournaments and the Faldo Series tournament. The Empire Hotel & Country Club's championship par-71 course is the flagship for golf in Brunei and first made its mark by being voted “Asia's Leading Golf Resort” in the World Travel Awards and is now an established venue for many golf tournaments. Designed and built by 18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus, the Empire Golf Course is the epitome of championship golf, encompassing lush green fairways and tropical landscapes fringed by jungles with magnificent views of the South China Sea. – SG
