The PGA Tour has left the country, and is as far away from its Florida headquarters as it will be all year. It’s in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, this week for the CIMB Classic at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.
Here are five things you need to know about the tournament and its surrounding area:
Billy Horschel’s first international trip as a father
After taking the $10 million FedExCup title and becoming a father two days later, Billy Horschel returned to the course two weeks ago at the Shriners Open in Las Vegas. At 1-over through two rounds, he missed the cut. He said this week that he wants to be the first player to defend the FedExCup title, so he’s in Malaysia looking to earn his first check of 2014-15. Actually, Horschel is guaranteed to make some money this week because there are only 78 players in the field and no cut. To contend for the $1.26 million winner’s prize, he’ll battle the likes of Sergio Garcia, Jason Dufner, Patrick Reed, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and Hideki Matsuyama. The course – not more than five miles from the heart of Kuala Lumpur (population: 1.67 million) – is less than 7,000 yards (6,985) and plays as a par 72.
See the world’s tallest twin towers
The most iconic symbol of Kuala Lumpur is the Petronas Twin Towers, which stand 1,483 feet tall and were the tallest skyscrapers in the world when they were completed in 1998. There are 88 floors, with an observation deck on the 86th level and a skybridge connecting the two towers at levels 41 and 42, making that the world’s highest double-decked bridge. Each tower has 29 double-decker high-speed elevators, and the executive lifts can go from the basement parking levels to the top of the towers in 90 seconds. In all, there are 1,765 flights of stairs and 5,400 parking spots on five basement levels. To get the best view of the Twin Towers, you could head over to the Menara Tower, which features an open deck 1,380 feet above the ground.
Get locked up on purpose
Across the street from the Twin Towers is Breakout, which stages real life escape games. Players are given roles to play and put into one of five different themed rooms, which each has its own storyline and tasks. Anywhere from two to eight players can be on a team, and you’re given 45 minutes to work together, solve clues and escape. The objective is to “provide an immersive movie-like experience.”
(Courtesy of Breakout Malaysia)
Dine in complete darkness
The finest restaurants in the world go to great lengths to provide an inviting and memorable ambiance. That means elaborate lighting, fancy decorations, and extra garnish on the dishes. The best restaurant in Kuala Lumpur has none of that. It’s called Dining in the Dark, and the experience is exactly what the name suggests. You are served by your “darkness experts,” who are visually impaired or blind. You’re then given courses off a “Surprise Menu” – you don’t know what you’re eating until you eat it, thus enhancing your sense of taste by eliminating your sense of sight. “Trust our expert guides to lead you through the whole dining experience.”
Get out of the city
If all of that is too much time spent in the city, contact Open Sky Unlimited. The nature-loving company will take you on an outdoor adventure suited your liking and skill level. Go on a hike 20 minutes outside the city, or venture 3.5 hours away for the “ultimate jungle mountain and waterfalls experience.” Stay dry with trail hiking, or get soaked by repelling down waterfalls, or spend a night camping in the jungle.
(Courtesy of Open Sky Unlimited)
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