THIS year, the Maybank Malaysian Open will be held from March 4-7 at the newly renovated Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club in upscale Bukit Kiara.

The 49th edition of the tournament will feature leading players from across the globe in a 156-strong line-up.

This year's competition will be played on the remodelled West Course, Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, situated 8 km from the city centre.

The newly remodelled West Course with additional bunkers and more undulating greens is expected to pose stiff challenges for the professionals.

A proprietary club under the Sime Darby conglomerate, the corporate giant spent millions of ringgit renovating the West and East courses and the clubhouse.

It was in 1997 that marked a milestone in the club's history when it was acquired by Sime Darby.

KLGCC as it's known tersely is being built up as one of Asia's ultimate destinations for golf. With over 100,000 golfing rounds a year and host to numerous international championships, it is indeed well on its way to achieving some of its lofty aims.

The clubhouse was designed by William Moisson in the graceful Spanish style of Southern California.

The completion of renovations will see an approximate of 236,000 sq ft of covered and exclusive facilities for members and guests with amenities at the club carefully planned to guarantee a smooth flow of activities in the functional area.

State-of-the-art facilities

With major refurbishments currently underway, KLGCC is now outfitted with the latest state-of-the-art facilities.

Designed by golf architects Robin Nelson & Rodney Wright, KLGCC offers a choice of two 18-hole courses - the West Course, an international championship Par 72 course and the East Course, a social, wetlands-themed Par 71 course with facilities for night golfing.

It also has a new driving range, comprising of three levels accommodating 78 bays, which has been completely reconstructed to provide more challenging targets for all golfers to aim at.

New larger grass tees have been constructed to full golf course tee specifications with the same paspalum grass as is found in the golf course.

The range itself has been reshaped to resemble the golf course.

The target greens are scaled imitations of 4 of the West Course greens, Holes 5, 14, 18 and 11.

The greens are now relatively flat to give a more realistic feel and allow golfers to see where their ball actually finishes.

The entire range is covered with artificial grass of different colours and where possible slopes are such that balls will run to the automatic ball collection drains.

The netting at the back has also been raised to lessen the number of balls exiting the range.

International target?

The West Course was completed in October 2008 and by the looks of it and early comments from players, it has all the trappings of a tract that can be tricked up with higher rough and semi-rough narrowing the landing zones on the fairways and thus, making it more a target course for international competitions.

A hole-by-hole playing guide as follows:.

Hole 1, 367m, Par 4

The optimum tee shot is to fade a drive from the centre bunker left, up on to the flat area, past the right bunker, leaving a short iron to the well bunkered green.

The green offers many interesting hole locations, which will require careful club selection and precision, if attacking the flag.

Hole 2, 406m, Par 4

A relatively wide fairway split by a tongue of rough, extending from the middle fairway bunker - a "thinkers" tee shot. For the long hitter, a 3 metal would be a wise selection as a driver could find the lake.

If the hole location in back left, the tee shot to the right side of the fairway would be advantageous. For back right or central hole location, a tee shot to the left side of the fairway is advisable.

A precision mid to short iron is required to this huge undulating green, protected by four large bunkers and the lake to the left.

Hole 3, 460m, Par 5

A powerful drive just to the right of the centre, bunkers give the long hitter a chance of reaching the green in two.

However, if the tee shot finds a bunker a difficult mid iron shot to the green would be required for the third shot.

The green sites is well bunkered and BEWARE, a poorly executed shot or innocent club selection finding front bunkers extends a severe penalty, leaving the more difficult shot in golf (the long bunker explosion)

Back hole locations are difficult and be careful, not to go through this undulating green.

Hole 4, 128m, Par 3

Though only short, this hole requires great care in club selection and precision in shot making as the green is fairly narrow from front to back.

With the sloping green, it is advisable to be short of the hole to have a birdie chance.

Hole 5, 474m, Par 5

A real "FUN HOLE" will see potential eagles as this hole requires a long and accurate drive to find the "go zone".

There will be many bogeys, or worse, for bad thinkers. The green is well protected by pond and two strategically positioned bunkers.

Long putts are extremely difficult on this large undulating green.

Hole 6, 384m, Par 4

A careful tee shot of approximately 230m to the left of the fairway bunker is the optimum position to approach the green.

A tongue of rough extends from the fairway bunker to the path, and may catch the longer tee shot.

The green is well protected by bunkers and presents many challenging hole locations.

Hole 7, 353m, Par 4

Though only a short par 4, this is a real "thinkers" hole. Great care must be taken with club selection from the tee.

Only the real power hitter can attempt to carry the left bunkers, with a reward of a relatively easy pitch shot to the green.

The pond to the right and the fairway bunkers are quite penal.

The approach for the undulating green requires great precision particularly with front, or rear hole locations. Be careful, through the green is potential disaster!

Hole 8, 186m, Par 3

A mid to long iron shot is required, preferably below the hole for aggression with the birdie putt.

The left half of the green is well protected by two bunkers, whilst the right half of the green offers ease of accessibility.

Hole 9, 369m Par 4

A tee shot of approximately 220m offers a wide landing area, just short of the left fairway bunker, leaving an approach with a mid to short iron.

Going with driver requires a great accuracy with the pond cutting into the fairway right and the Pulai trees, strategically positioned to the left. The perfect drive will be rewarded with a relatively simple pitch shot remaining.

The green is quite undulating and well protected with bunkers. Birdie putts are easier to attack from below the hole.

Hole 10, 518m, Par 5

An aggressive drive requires great accuracy with the lake to the right and bunker on the left.

A negative tee shot to the left will find the rough with a difficult second shot with the ball well below your feet and trees to negotiate.

The approach to the green requires much thought and intelligence with this narrow, well bunkered green.

The bunkers, just short of the green to the right, demand a long explosion shot and should be avoided.

Hole 11, 207m, Par 3

Aesthetically beautiful, strategically demanding.

A medium to long iron tee shot is required and best to leave the tee shot, short of the hole location leaving an uphill birdie putt, but be careful of the water.

Hole 12, 438m, Par 4

A great hole. An accurate tee shot is necessary to avoid the fairway bunkers as an approach to the green from these bunkers is extremely difficult and sometimes foolish with the pond and stream protecting the green.

A large, receptive, undulating and well protected green awaits the precision approach

Hole 13, 420m, Par 4

A very difficult hole. Although there are no fairway bunkers, length and accuracy is required with the tee shot.

A solid mid iron will be necessary to reach the elevated undulating green which is protected by three large bunkers.

In tournaments, there will be more bogeys than birdies on this hole!

Hole 14, 327m, Par 4

A superb short par 4 hole with the lake left and to the green front.

Strategically positioned bunkers are situated to allow many options.

Aggression is not recommended. The best way to play is a tee short of approximately 215m, fading off the trap, positioned on the lake side of the fairway.

This will leave a solid wedge approach which is necessary to achieve enough back spin and an uphill birdie putt.

Hole 15, 182m, Par 3

A visually beautiful hole and strategically difficult. Hole locations should be respected and make sure NOT to short side yourself.

The green is well protected by the lake and bunkers, and is quite undulating leaving difficult long putts.

Hole 16, 291m, Par 4

Fun and excitement - decision time - will I go for it or shall I play safe?

Recommended "smart" way to play the hole is to hit the tee shot to the first bunker right and leave a firm wedge shot to this narrow, undulating green.

Hole locations can add to the difficulty and if the pin position is forward, beware of the hidden green side bunker, short right.

Hole 17, 307m, Par 4

Take out your camera as this is one of the most beautiful hole in the world of golf.

The fairway is split by a beautiful meandering stream, housing exotic plants and flora.

The hole location determines whether the tee shot should be to the right or left fairway.

If the hole location is back right, the left fairway is the preferred line of attack for a birdie.

However, a long and accurate drive is necessary to carry the stream and to miss the left bunkers.

The conservative way to play the hole is a long iron, or fairway metal up the right fairway and a wedge approach to the well protected and undulating green.

The magnificent backdrop and waterfall really adds to the enjoyment of this pristine golf course.

Hole 18, 580m, Par 5

A long and accurate drive between the bunkers is essential if your mind is set to attack

If the green is not reachable, extreme care must be taken in laying up as four strategically positioned bunkers are awaiting the errant or poorly calculated shot.

The undulating green is well protected by bunkers and demands precision with the approach