Cinnamon Grand W: cinnamonhotels.com Aliya Resort W: themacollection.com/aliya-resort Click here for review
Victoria Golf Resort W: golfsrilanka.com
Hambantota Shangri-la
Golf Resort W: shangri-la.com/hambantota Tabula Rasa Resort & Spa W: tabularasaresort.com Click here for review THINGS TO DO Sigiriya Lion Rock Fortress W: sigiriyafortress.com
Eco Team Elephant safari W: ecoteam.lk T: +94 70 222 8 222 WHERE TO PLAY
Above: Stunning views and mountain backdrop at the 15th
A four-hour journey, a cold towel and a bucket of practice balls later and I am standing on the first tee at Victoria Golf Resort with my friend Prakash who I met at the Sri Lanka Open. He is a caddy here at the resort.
I get the feeling from the first tee that I am in for another wonderful round of golf, but this time the manicuring looks perfect. I smash my drive down the 404-yard 1st and we are off. As I get to the ball I have a blind shot to the green that is below me and just over the raised fairway, but a quick drive up the incline in the buggy and I get my bearings to the green.
There are buggies here and I would definitely take one and also a caddy. Prakash wanted to caddy for me today and I am playing with the pro.
Two wonderful tight driving holes follow, both played from elevated tees and I love the second shot up the hill to the 3rd hole. But it’s the par 3, 4th hole and the views that will have you reaching for your iPhone. The backdrop from the tee and the reservoir all the way to the dam are magnificent and could actually take your mind off what is a beautifully designed golf hole at only 118 yards, played across a small valley to a raised green.
Left to right: 4th, 6th and 18th holes
As I make my way round it is one beautiful golf hole after another; the 5th again played from an elevated tee then up to a raised green and the elevation at the 6th with the dam as a backdrop is just jaw dropping.
Above: More amazing view from the elevated tee at the 11th hole
The back nine just picks up where the front nine left off: elevated tee shots with beautiful backdrops to lush fairways, played to manicured raised greens and yes they do have their own reservoir here. But as I walk off the 18th green having just missed a birdie putt. I can’t wait until tomorrow and do all this again, but this time without a camera in my hand so I can just concentrate on enjoying what is a truly amazing golf course, set among some stunning vistas. Now for a cold beer!
Above: The view and design at Victoria Golf Resort are stunning this is the 12th hole
