FEATURE WRITTEN BY PAUL MYERS.
We all know Donald Trump doesn’t do anything by halves.
Whether it’s politics, business or opinions, he’s always full-on, pushing boundaries and, it seems, usually getting what he wants. So, it is with the 17 golf courses in the Trump Golf portfolio, with its latest – and first in the Southern Hemisphere – now open in Indonesia. Like Trump himself and his modus operandi, it offers a no-compromise golf experience.
Trump International Golf Club Lido, near Bogor, 56 kilometres south of Jakarta, is the fledgling newcomer in Trump Golf’s formidable stable. Unlike most of his other courses, Trump doesn’t own Lido, instead managing the facility for Hary Tanoesoedibjo’s MNC Land, a subsidiary of the publicly listed MNC Group – a heavyweight in Indonesian property development, financial services, hospitality, entertainment, media and energy.
Trump Golf linked with MNC Land in 2017 to redevelop both Bali Nirwana, a Greg Norman-designed oceanside layout in Bali, and Lido, a long-standing but flagging golf course in the shadow of three strato-volcanic peaks: Mt. Salak, Mt. Gede and Mt. Pangrango, 20 kilometres from Bogor.
The Indonesian government created a special economic zone to encourage tourism, leisure and entertainment development of the MNC Lido City site, which includes Lido Lake Resort. Eventually, the zone will be home to numerous attractions, including the largest film production complex in Southeast Asia.
Nirwana soon closed after Trump Golf and MNC Land came together, and while its future is in doubt, Lido has been transformed under Ernie Els’ design into a future world-class private golf complex, with 18 holes in play since December. It boasts a small but growing exclusive membership, a massive clubhouse under construction, and the first of 21 private clubhouses and some 200 on-course villas already in place.
Long-standing Asian golf industry senior executive Steven Thielke is the general manager, and Australian Mick Pascoe is the golf course superintendent.
Love, hate, or be ambivalent about Donald Trump, most people attest that playing a Trump Golf course is the ultimate golf experience. Certainly, Steven Thielke and Mick Pascoe are charged with delivering such an outcome at Lido.
Trump Turnberry in South Ayrshire, Scotland, and Trump Doonbeg on Ireland’s west coast are regularly ranked in the world’s top 100 courses. The group’s 11 golf properties in the US are all exceptional. A course in Dubai, another near Aberdeen, Scotland and one under development in Oman also fit the mould. It’s a highly professional outfit with extreme standards of excellence wherever the group’s name and logo are found.
The Trump Lido layout promises an equally exhilarating yet unique experience. Instead of wind-blown links golf in Scotland and Ireland or the immaculate, precision presentation of Trump Golf’s U.S properties, Trump Lido offers a more laid-back, artistic, soft, subtle, undulating course. There’s nothing especially intimidating, but plenty to excite and stimulate golfers who value excellence and aesthetics. It’s a course beckoning to be challenged, requiring precise shot-making and distance control, as there are many pitfalls for a stray ball.
Rising to some 700 metres above sea level on the 6th tee, there are numerous highlights: a mesmerising view from the sixth fairway over a deep valley containing a village and terraced rice fields, with towering Mt. Pangrango in the background; enchanting, ever-present Mt. Salak overlooking many other holes; a massive emerging clubhouse behind the 18th green serving as a reminder of how substantial the facility is; and abundant greenside bunkering on most holes, demanding accuracy and judgment.
Aussie Mick Pascoe, who served his apprenticeship at Arundel Hills on the Gold Coast and spent 14 years in the Caribbean, has Trump Lido’s Zoysia fairways and Tiff Eagle greens in immaculate condition. Hundreds of native trees preserved in the redevelopment now form enticing visual corridors and reference points from tees and fairways. Natural ravines and gullies have been exposed to maximum dramatic effect, demanding special accuracy on the back nine. Throw in a phalanx of beautifully presented, attentive, and knowledgeable caddies, and it’s already a standout experience.
The front nine climbs gradually to its high point on hole six, then descends gradually to the clubhouse. The back nine, however, falls to the lowest point of the course at about 400 metres above sea level, is more challenging, and, unlike the front nine, features holes playing at right angles to each other.
Except for a couple of small photos of him and Hary Tanoesoedibjo on a wall of a private clubhouse that currently serves as a temporary check-in and eating venue for Trump Lido’s 74 members and guests, Donald Trump has no visual or symbolic presence. This isn’t because the U.S president wants or needs to be hidden. Trump Golf may be part of his business portfolio, and, as we know, he is a keen golfer. But it is a stand-alone business unit, not a personality cult, standing on its own merit and performance. It’s almost incidental that the business’s owner is one of the most well-known figures on the planet.
For Indonesian golfers – and indeed most Asian players – playing a course owned by a high-profile person like Donald Trump isn’t a major talking point, nor a stigma for those who don’t like his politics.
“For Indonesians, it’s purely transactional,” says Steven Thielke. “People are generally impressed that Donald Trump and Trump Golf have chosen to be involved in Indonesia. But they’re not into personalities in the same way as many Westerners are. They just want a great experience.”
It’s a fact: the Asian mindset on such matters is distinctive. Current and past political leaders commonly have substantial business interests, including golf courses. Thaksin Shinawatra, a controversial former prime minister of Thailand who exiled himself for many years in Dubai after being deposed by a military coup in 2006, owns two of Thailand’s best courses – Alpine in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. This rarely, if ever, raises any comment or is viewed negatively by Thai and visiting Asian golfers.
Steven Thielke, a South African who was formerly general manager at Singapore Island Country Club and Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, says one of Donald Trump’s sons, Eric, is closely involved in Trump Golf, but the President has no active participation in the business.
“We’re guided by Trump Golf standards and requirements,” Thielke says. He, Mick Pascoe, and a team of 80 caddies, 83 maintenance staff and numerous private clubhouse and other personnel are committed to that task.
Thielke emphasises that Trump Lido will always have less focus on rounds played and more focus on higher rates. “It’s the only branded golf club in Indonesia,” he points out. “We are already setting rates and standards for other clubs in Jakarta and Bogor. We hope and intend it will become as well-liked and regarded as other Trump Golf properties. Obviously, this will take time, but when the main clubhouse opens [nominally in September], we’ll be on the way towards being regarded as one of the best courses in Asia.”
A Hyatt Regency hotel at the entrance of Lido Lake Resort will also open during 2025, complementing an existing neighbouring hotel.
Club membership, currently costing USD $70,000, is expected to remain low by other private club standards in Indonesia, and the volume of rounds, currently a maximum of 80 players a day, will also remain small. Member guest rates, now about AUD $350, may rise when all facilities are completed.
The Region
Bogor, 56km from Jakarta, is home to some of the best golf in South-East Asia, offering moderate climate conditions year-round on a dozen courses within 30 minutes’ drive of the city. Green fees are generally lower than elsewhere in Indonesia, often less than $US100, and standards are high. Bogor has ample accommodation and two nearby courses, Rancamaya and Bogor Raya, which have on-site hotels. Its botanical gardens are well worth visiting, too.
The Course
Trump International Golf Club Lido is 20km from Bogor, with accommodation on site. It is a par-72 layout playing 6548 metres from the black tees, 6131m from gold, 5988m from blue, 5436m from white and 5691m from red.
Want to Play?
Trump International Golf Lido is exclusive to members, with limited opportunities for non-members to play. Requests are considered individually, with green fees starting at $AU350 for a round, with a $AU50 caddie tip and extra for food and beverages.
Contact Martha: marthas.syanthi@trumpgolflido.com
Related Articles
Review: Glenelg Golf Club
RANKING: Australia's Top-100 Public Access Courses for 2025
