Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: A 10-month renovation project is to be undertaken at TPC Kuala Lumpur’s flagship West Course – host to the PGA Tour’s CIMB Classic and the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.
The upgrades are planned to ensure the best standards for facilities and services are delivered to members and guests, in keeping with the club’s recent addition to the PGA Tour’s TPC Network.
The renovation is a joint effort between the PGA Tour, course architect Ted Parslow and Parslow & Winter Golf Design (PWGD) and TPC Kuala Lumpur, a Golf Course Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF).
The West Course makeover will officially begin in November following the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.
It has been nearly 10 years since the last West Course reconstruction was completed. In that time, seven Malaysian Opens and five CIMB Classic tournaments will have been held.

“Since the West Course will be closed, we will fully use this opportunity to resurface the grass on all West Course greens with Tifeagle Bermuda grass. The fairways and tee boxes will be resurfaced with Celebration Bermuda grass,” said Steven Thielke, Chief Executive Officer of TPC Kuala Lumpur and an AGIF Board Member.
Thielke also said length will be added to certain holes, some bunker and fairway modification work will be done as well as potential reworking of some green contours. These are to ensure the new grass and subsequent increased green speeds are compatible with the undulations of the greens.
Stephen Wenzloff, Vice President of Design Services, Player Liaison with the PGA Tour, said: “The competitive modifications to the West Course will enhance the original design strategy off the tee by repositioning and adding fairway bunkers and adding a few tees. Approach shot strategy will be enhanced by softening some slopes on greens to create new hole locations.
“The modifications will benefit both the Tour players as well as the members and guests. The West Course at TPC Kuala Lumpur will continue to solidify its position as one of the top courses in Asia and a player favourite on the PGA Tour.”
PWGD golf course architect Jason Winter said: “In the Malaysian tropical environment, all golf courses face challenges with high temperatures, rainfall and humidity, extreme turf grass and weed growth rates, high traffic plus wear and tear.
“Sustaining a golf course at the highest standards requires constant modernisation of maintenance practices and equipment, and also course construction materials and techniques.
“The over-riding goal is to continue to provide members and tournament participants with the best possible playing surface all year round, maintained to the highest standards.”
Mohd Nizam Othman, Certified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS) at TPC Kuala Lumpur, said: “Despite the closing period of the West Course due to the upgrade works, our golf course maintenance team will diligently ensure that members and guests can still enjoy a splendid round of golf at the East Course which will be available seven days a week.”
Thielke added: “Ultimately, our goal is to be recognised among the best golf courses in the world. To achieve this and remain relevant in an increasingly competitive market, we must continuously improve.”