eagles' golf links, Sri Lanka

Above: The par 3, 3rd hole, looking back to the island green on the 2nd hole

Those of you who don’t liked to be watched on the 1st tee you may have a bit of a problem on the opening hole at Eagles’ Golf Links, especially if you are going to be playing from the black tees. Put it this way: if it was raining the roof of the clubhouse bar would probably shelter you from getting wet!

I smash a half-decent drive and leave myself a short iron into the green that has two bunkers protecting the right-hand side. The 2nd is where the sea comes into play and Clappenberg Bay and Malay Cove offer some wonderful views, and after a lucky bounce that leaves me in the middle of the fairway, it now becomes a risk and reward hole.



Last week they opened up the new island green so now you have the option of in my case hitting a 7-iron or laying up. But remember it’s an island green so you will still need to hit it; you’ll just be coming in with a shorter iron. Anyway, after taking a penalty shot I make bogey!

The first of the par 3s on the front nine arrives at the 3rd and is played from an elevated tee, again giving you some more wonderful views. I am not sure why I am surprised and maybe subconsciously I wasn’t giving Sri Lanka credit for the great golf product that they have, but Flying Officer KWMCK Wijeratne has done a wonderful design job. One great hole follows another; more elevated tee boxes, great typography and I am having another wonderful day’s golf.



Left to right: 1st hole, tee shot at the 15th hole and lone pine at the 17th hole

The front nine closes with a short par 3 and gives me time to take a breath. So far there has not been a weak hole on the course and they just keep on coming. The longest hole in Sri Lanka weighing in at 642 yards is the 11th hole that cuts its way through the trees like a snake twisting this way and that.

Apparently, there is a crocodile in the lake at the 14th and the walk to the back tee that cuts between the two lakes took on the elements of extreme sports! And the second shot is played to a raised green. Another great driving hole arrives at the 15th and between the green and the 16th tee is a viewing point across China Bay offering more stunning views.

Above: Looking down from the elevated tee on the 7th hole

More risk and reward at the par 5, 17th hole again over water, but I cut my tee shot so after I laid up I am playing slightly uphill to another raised green framed by a coconut tree on the left and a bunker on the right.

The 18th is a fitting finale again played from an elevated tee but this time it’s a par 3, weighing in at 169 yards with the sea on your right and, to add to its difficulty, the bunkers are in the shape of an eagle with the talons and head cutting into the green and filled with sand. It’s certainly unique!

Eagles’ Golf Links is a wonderfully designed golf course and will test every part of your game, but please remember you are in Sri Lanka. Yes, the manicuring, greens, the cut of the holes and flags could be better and yes investment is definitely needed. But, I would wholeheartedly recommend you play here when you visit. You certainly won’t regret it.

Above: Aerial view of the 18th eagle green design