Ria Bintan: Is Gary Player's Course Worth US$2,800 Annually?
Gary Player routed Ria Bintan on Indonesia's Bintan island, an hour by ferry from Singapore. The club has put a US$2,800 annual membership on the table; here is what the course itself offers, drawn from what Ria Bintan publishes.
A score is added once our review panel has played the course. Everything below is drawn from the club's own published information. See our ranking methodology.
New Elite Golf Plan Introduced
Ria Bintan Golf Club, located on Indonesia's Bintan island, has launched a new term membership programme. This initiative, named the Elite Golf Plan (EGP), targets regular visitors to the resort. The EGP membership carries a fee of US$2,800 for a single year of access. Ria Bintan Golf Club stated this programme is available for a limited number of participants.
The club will accept only the first 50 individuals who register for the new plan. This move suggests an effort to cultivate a dedicated member base for the property. The membership offers a structured way for frequent golfers to play the club’s two courses.
Course Architecture and Layout
The club, established in 1998, features two layouts designed by Gary Player. The 18-hole Ocean Course runs alongside the South China Sea. It provides views of the ocean throughout its routing. The second offering is the 9-hole Forest Course. This shorter layout is set within mature woodlands. The Forest Course presents various bunkers and fairway challenges for players.
Both courses contribute to the resort's total golf offering. Ria Bintan Golf Club is part of a larger 447-hectare development. This area includes a clubhouse and other recreational facilities.
Environmental and Industry Recognition
Ria Bintan Golf Club received Certified Audubon International Classic and Cooperative Sanctuary status in 2009. This made it the first course in Indonesia to achieve this recognition from Audubon International. The certification acknowledges the club’s commitment to environmental stewardship. It demonstrates high standards in respecting nature and wildlife within its operations.
The club has also hosted various regional events, including the annual Ria Bintan Open. Ria Bintan Golf Club has been named the best golf course in Asia and Indonesia in various contexts.
Resort Facilities and Ownership
The wider Ria Bintan development encompasses more than just the golf courses. It includes Club Med Ria Bintan as part of its amenities. The resort offers 1,500 rooms across villas and chalets. These accommodations provide views towards the sea. The entire property is developed in stages.
Ria Bintan Golf Club operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Straits-KMP Resort Development Pte Ltd. Straits-KMP Resort Development is a member of the Keppel group. The name “Ria” translates to “celebration,” reflecting the resort's leisure focus.
Implications for Golfers
For golfers considering Bintan, the new Elite Golf Plan provides a direct pathway to regular play. The US$2,800 annual fee offers a fixed cost for frequent visits. This could be particularly relevant for golfers based in Singapore, given Bintan’s proximity. The limited availability to 50 sign-ups suggests exclusivity.
Prospective members should monitor the club's announcements for future membership opportunities. This membership structure aims to secure repeat business for the club. It also ensures a steady base of players for its Gary Player-designed courses. We will check these figures again before the next dry season and date them here when we do.
The AGR Score, broken down
- Designrouting, variety, strategic interest, use of the land35%
- Conditioningturf, greens and bunkering as found on the days we played25%
- Experience & servicecaddies, pace, practice facilities, the clubhouse20%
- Value for moneyall of the above against what a visitor actually pays20%
No score yet: Ria Bintan Golf Club has not been played by our review panel, so there is nothing to break down. The weightings above are the ones every scored course is measured against, published in full on our ranking methodology. Scores are never negotiated; courses may correct facts before publication, not verdicts.
Photographs from the review round are published with the review. We do not illustrate a course profile with stock images of somewhere else.
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