South East Asia will be losing one of its beloved golf courses this year. Bintan Lagoon Resort, a golf course only 75 minutes away from Singapore by ferry, has decided to close their doors for good after sustaining losses over the past two years.
According to TTG Asia, the resort suffered even more during the Covid-19 pandemic, causing them to file for bankruptcy towards the end of July 2020. The closure plan was submitted to the Bintan Regency Employment Agency on July 31.
Bintan Lagoon Resort is the biggest integrated resort on the Riau Islands. Its 300 hectares consisted of beachfront gardens; 450 rooms, suites, and villas; and beautifully designed golf courses. The Seaview Course, designed by retired American professional golfer Jack Nicklaus, and the Woodland Course, sculpted by Australian professional golfer and sports commentator Ian Baker-Finch were very popular amongst golfers in Asia. Beyond that, the resort has also proved to be a prime lifestyle destination for leisure.
It has been estimated that around 500 staff members would be losing their jobs because of the closure. Indra Hidayat, Head of Bintan Employment Agency, has shared that he will be overseeing the process of lay-offs for their employees, especially in ensuring that they fulfill their contractual obligations in accordance with applicable labour laws.