The inaugural Yak Magazine Golf Invitational at Handara – winning.

They came, they swung, some conquered. More than 80 golfers joined the first inaugural Yak Magazine Golf Invitational at Handara Golf Resort in beautiful Bedugul, with players and sponsors from Bali’s leading hospitality, lifestyle and retail industries invited to take part.

A lucky few arrived by helicopter courtesy of Bali Adventures Sky Tours; an even luckier team of four won the top prize: a heli-golf trip to Handara. Others walked off with hotel stays at luxury properties on the island, bottles of premium Scotch, pairs of Oakley sunglasses, gift packs from Luxly . . . and everyone enjoyed free Albens Cider.

It all started with a desire to play more golf. Phone calls were made, dates were set, sponsors were gathered ¬– golf is a game that attracts a certain brand of brands, those that value the passion, the lofty ambition and the timeless style of an historic game.

Handara were keen – not only do they have a fabulous course set within the confines of a volcano, but they’ve embarked upon a renovation of rooms and facilities that once again puts the course up there with the best in the world.

Participants didn’t need to be asked twice. Former Miss Indonesia and pro golfer Inesh Putri jumped at the chance; the Par 5 Club brought the competitive heat; independents gathered and some were turned away. There’s only so many golf buggies in the world.

As a hole in one prize we eschewed the regular Mercedes coupe – and went instead for a spectacular custom built motorcycle from Deus Ex Machina called ‘The Shank’. It went home alone.

Day One was practice day. We figured this might be slightly popular, but in the end Yak golfers booked out the entire resort. Set so wonderfully in the hills, bungalows come with fire places, and all were lit on the evening before tournament day proper when we set up a fabulous barbecue on the chilly lawns near the course. There was room for reflection. Early in the afternoon a new course record had been set . . . by a fourteen year old girl.

Tourney day separated the riff from the raff. Our very own favourite DJ Martin East won the day with a great score and walked off with Oakley products. XP Properties won the best-dressed award; the helicopter and drone kept all eyes skyward; prizes for nearest the line and nearest the pin kept us all focused on villa stays at Four Seasons, Sayan, Ritz-Carlton Bali and The Oberoi.

In the end we slept well after a great awards ceremony, with a sense of completion and a knowledge that the day was won by all – sponsors, players, the course and ultimately Bali, which bestowed upon us great weather and a yearning for more games in the hills overlooking a volcanic lake. We shall be back for more in 2016.

Winners

• Best Team: The Psychos: Alan Legg, Alain Bronner, Tim Ellis, Darren Kelso.
• Best Individual (Men): Martin East
• Best Individual(Ladies): Ms Yulia Tori
• Most Birdies: Ms Inesh Putri
• Nearest to The Line: Putu Mahendra
• Longest Drive: Tim Ellis
• Nearest To Hole #2: Richard Carpenter
• Nearest To Hole #11: Dirk Goetz
• Nearest To Hole #14: David Jones
• Youngest Player: Azel Varennes (13)