Horizon Hills is a hidden jewel among Johor golf courses. Developed on 1,200 hectares in the heart of Nusajaya, the 6,271-meter par-72 championship layout designed by renowned architect Ross Watson. The sprawling 18-hole international championship golf course was officially opened in 2008 and shortly thereafter the 2010 Asian Tour Iskandar Johor Open was hosted by the club.
Horizon Hills was designed using the risk-reward principle while at the same time preserving the natural terrain of the land. Many holes have significant elevation changes from tee to green. Another exceptional characteristic of the golf course are the bunkers with full sand faces. Additionally, waterfalls, lakes, and ponds pose many exciting challenges, for both professional and aspirant golfers.
One of the most notable holes is the 500 meter second hole. For most players, this is a genuine three shot par-5 playing up a valley floor, which is bisected by a menacing creek. This creek poses some serious challenges. Average players will be best served if they treat this hole as a par 6 laying-up short of the two forced creek crossings. Better players will be challenged to carry the creek crossings. This is a genuine risk and reward hole and should be treated with great respect. It offers the chance of par but could quickly produce a double bogey or worse if not appropriately managed.
The moment of truth arrives on the last two holes. The 17th is a 135 meter par-3. The green is huge, but with variable winds wafting up and down the valley, it is sure to be many player undoing. Of course, to merely hit the green may not be enough when pin locations are close to the surrounding water as the green is anything but flat. To score a 3 on this hole will be a great relief.
The final hole is a par-5 can be played in 3 shots to the green by laying-up from the tee, followed by a fairway wood to the primary second landing area and then a mid to short iron approach across the corner of the lake which guards the green. Anything offline will require a strategy re-think with water continuous on the right from tee through to the green and several strategically placed fairway bunkers along the way. Long hitters have the option to take on the island fairway from the tee, but this requires a carry of 250 meters.