Welcome to the April 2017 issue of the Asian Golf Nation, the source for news breaking information about golf in Asia. In addition, unique golf playing tips for Indochina's tropical environment, announcements of golf travel promotions, and our latest subscription offer are all integral parts of today's newsletter.
Last month I had the good fortune to play in the LPGA event at Siam Country Club and provide some coaching to the world's #2 ranked lady golfer, Ariya Jutanugarn. She came in 2nd and here is one of the photos from the event. Do you think my golf tips helped Ariya that week?
Asia is starting to boil. This is the time of year when the mercury soars and we pray for the rains to come and cool things down. The big cities such as Bangkok or Saigon can get as hot as 40 degrees centigrade. As such, golfers in Asia should head straight for a beach destination like Phuket, Thailand where they can at least cool off in the sea. Otherwise, try golf in a hill station like Dalat, Vietnam or Bogor, Indonesia where the temperatures peak in the high 20's.
The good news is that special green fees and great hotel rates can be found across most of our region. Check out some of the great golf offers here.
For some real fun, schedule to be in Thailand, Cambodia, or Myanmar for the New Year celebration April 13-15! It is a time to combine golf with all the rituals and festivities of the biggest holiday of the year in these countries. Also mark some dates on your calendar. June 11-17 is for the 4th edition of Centara World Masters and June 18-24 brings the 2nd edition of the Mercure Ocean Pattaya 2 Ball Tournament. We have a few slots left in both events, so please let me know if you have not registered and are interested to join any of the best weeks of golf in Asia.
With that I would like to once again thank those of you who have golfed with us recently, it was nice seeing you and I hope your trip was memorable one.
The golf, culture, and beauty of SE Asia are perfectly suited for an unforgettable golf experience. This includes playing private members' clubs and championship golf courses, enjoying the world's best cuisines and entertainment, taking daily spas and massages, and best of all at prices so reasonable that you will think the costs are too low!
Tailor-made itineraries to your specific travel preferences, expectations, group size, and budgets are our specialty; contact us for a competitive quote.
Until the next newsletter, happy golfing and I hope to see YOU in the area very soon!
Thailand's Northern gateway city is a well-known winter golf destination especially among North Asian golfers who prefer cooler temperatures over beach resorts. What is less known is that through the next few months golf in Chiang Mai represents one of the least expensive premium golf holiday destinations around and its fairways are practically devoid of golfers. May and June are golf festival months with USD 50 green fees. In fact, I can't think of a better 27-hole layout than what is on offer at Chiang Mai Highlands. Add to this a good and low cost hotel in the Night Market area, many nightspots, massage parlors, and great shopping and I challenge anyone to find a better one-two-three punch for a golf holiday.
Hai Phong (Halong Bay), Vietnam
Vinpearl Golf Haiphong
Vietnam's north has yet another 5-star golf complex. Vinpearl Golf Haiphong is located 10 minutes from the center of Hai Phong and 1.5 hours from Halong Bay. The 36-hole IMG designed layout opened last month and is comprised of the Lakeside and Marshland Courses. The Lakeside Course features water on 12 of the holes while the Marshland Course plays though open wetlands in a links style. Vinpearl Haiphong Golf is sure to draw many golfers who like to combine golf with visiting Halong Bay, one of the World's New Seven Natural Wonders. This is also the third golf course in Haiphong, the other 2 being Song Gia and BRG Ruby Tree.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Vattanac Golf Pnhom Penh
The capital city of Cambodia has long been known as a popular tourist destination for leisure and historical tours. Soon it will also be recognized as an up-and-coming golf destination too. Vattanac golf resort development currently under development is expected to make a remarkable impact on the golfing standard and popularity of golf in Cambodia.
Sitting on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, the development includes two contrasting Nick Faldo designed 18-hole golf courses. Currently 11 holes on the East Course are grassed and the first 18-holes should be finished by the end of this year. Full facilities including the second course are expected to open by the end of 2018. Check-out this computer generated image from one of the holes. Vattanac will certainly set the innovation standard for golf in Cambodia and if the course quality is anything like the award-winning Faldo course in Siem Reap, Cambodia's capital will have a real golf tourism winner on its hands.
Victor Danko, a club golfer from Australia, is coming back to re-live "the best week of his life" at this year's Centara World Masters to be held from 11 to 17 June in Hua Hin Thailand.
Playing in the championship for the first time in 2016, Victor Danko declared it was the best week of his life. At 71 years of age, Victor, a member of Bayview Golf Club in Sydney, plays off a handicap of 10. He scored 136 points for the 4 rounds of Stableford competition to finish in second place in the 66+ A grade division.
"I have played lots of tournaments, but none better than this week. It will take some time for this smile to go away. I loved everything. The courses were so good, especially Banyan and Black Mountain. The caddies were spot on, took my golf to a new level, and the chatter between caddies and players was great fun. I have never felt better or more relaxed on a golf course and no doubt it helped my scores. The caddies found my ball even when I thought it was totally lost."
We have just completed our Pattaya and Hua Hin events sponsored by Amari Hotels and congratulations to all the winners Full results can be found on this link . We are now moving into the mid-year and in June we have a great week of golf in Phuket, starting 4th June with 6 nights' accommodation right near the beach in Patong and playing the top 3 golf courses; Red Mountain, Laguna Phuket and Blue Canyon (Canyon course) Our tournament hotel is Swissotel Resort Patong Beach and is located approx. 500 metres from the beautiful Patong Beach and just a short walk from the markets and restaurants.
EARLY BIRD BOOKING OFFER FREE ROOM UPGRADE TO PREMIERE DELUXE ROOM (Pay in full prior to 15th April)
Following after Phuket in June, we have a 10 day event in Cambodia (Siem Reap) and Vietnam (Danang) starting 2nd August which includes a day tour of the famous Angkor Wat temple complex. This great week includes 7 rounds of golf with caddy and cart. Both destinations have world class golf courses designed by Greg Norman, Nick Faldo, Luke Donald and Colin Montgomerie and should be on your destination bucket list to play EARLY BIRD BOOKING OFFER FREE ROOM UPGRADE IN VIETNAM TO JUNIOR SUITE (Pay in full prior to 1st June)
We have 12 group tours throughout the year and details of these events can be found on the Asia Golf Week website.
If you would like to book one of our events, or have any questions, please email us at [email protected]
I am Sally Chappell, a mature Lady golfer. I live in Leeds England, and have been a member of Rawdon Golf and Lawn Tennis club for 14 years. My handicap is 26, which I consider not bad as our course is a very challenging one, hilly with lots of trees.
My friend Elizabeth Leach and I have played golf in Florida, Portugal, Turkey and Cyprus, and this year decided we would like a trip away in January, so Thailand seemed to be the ideal place for some good weather. How right we were, the sun shone for the whole two weeks which enabled us to play golf in ideal conditions.
Alan Emerson from Australia speaks to Golfasian's John Carter about his recent golf holiday experience in Hua Hin, Thailand. Let us know if you would like to take part in this series, we would be delighted to speak to you. [Watch the entire interview online]
Quy Nhon, Vietnam
In Vietnam, there is one place that deserves to be visited by more golfers: Quy Nhon. Even though it is not yet considered as a main golfing destination, this medium-sized town is being developed into one of Vietnam's prime golf areas. Framed by the South China Sea, some of the best beaches, and by breathtaking countryside, Quy Nhon is the provincial capital of Binh Dinh. Originally an 11th century trading port of the Kingdom of Champa, in the 15th century, Quy Nhon also served as the ruling center for Emperor Le Thanh Ton. Quy Nhon was very important during the Vietnam War as it was the main gasoline and diesel fuel depot for the USA.
FLC Quy Nhon Golf Links offers 36-holes of championship golf that includes the Nicklaus designed Ocean Course and the Schmidt Curley designed Mountain Course; each offering its own style and challenges. The entire facility is part of a massive seaside resort complex located 45 minutes from the Quy Nhon airport and 30 minutes from Quy Nhon town itself.
Avani Quy Nhon Resort & Spa is located on its own private beach along the Vietnam south central coast. Picturesque views of the South China Sea are available throughout the resort and from the balconies in each room. The Avani Quy Nhon Resort is made up of several small thatched roof buildings and gives Vietnam golfers the feeling of the relaxing atmosphere of colonial days gone by.
Ho Chi Minh City - Quy Nhon (2-Destination) Golf Package
Ho Chi Minh City is the capital of South Vietnam and is home to several PGA quality golf resorts. Quy Nhon is a smaller coastal town with a very relaxed golf environment. In addition, one of the best Nicklaus courses in Asia, Quy Nhon is famous for being the site of former empires as well as housing one of the main supply depots during the war between Vietnam and the U.S.A. The trip between the two destinations is a short 45 minute domestic flight. This Vietnam golf trip combines great golf, cultural and historic sites. Enjoy one of Vietnam's best beaches too. Everything is included for a perfect golf trip.
Siam Country Club, Old Course: Course will be undergoing maintenance during 17-21 April. Course will be closed every Monday from 24 April - 30 September.
Siam Country Club, Waterside Course: Course will be undergoing maintenance from 10-14 April. Course will be closed every Tuesday from 18 April - 26 September.
Phuket
Blue Canyon Country Club, Canyon Course: Course will be undergoing coring greens during 8-11 May. Course will be undergoing verticut on 22 May and 5 June. Course will be closed from 12-15 June for maintenance. Course will be undergoing verticut on 22 June and 3 July.
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For the true golf aficionado, distance means nothing unless it pertains to judging which club to grab from your golf bag to make that sweet shot on the back nine. As such, the world is your oyster when it comes to locating the next great golfing destination, and Thailand is the pearl you will find when you schedule your Thailand golf holiday.
A fully inclusive Thailand golf package puts you directly on the green for some of the best golfing that the world has to offer. With more than two hundred established golf courses in the country, an already well-established and robust tourist industry, superior climate, and some of the nicest people in the world, Thailand golf excursions are a perfect way to spend your holidays.
In Thailand, not all golf clubs mandate golf carts, in fact none do in the resort town area of Hua Hin, one of the country's premier golf destinations. Therefore you might very well find yourself walking the course. Your caddy will of course be pulling your bag on a trolley so you won't be encumbered by that, but if you aren't used to the heat one thing you may not have thought about is what sort of golf shoes to wear. I would recommend a lighter, specialist pair like Ecco's Fred Couples' which are both light and comfortable; perfect for a tropical climate. If Ecco shoes aren't to your taste then most brands sell something similar. I promise you it will be worth it.
I would love to hear about any golf tips you may have gathered from your golf trips. I can incorporate some in future articles so if you have any suggestions you would like to share, please let me know by dropping me an email.
Golfasian has a full schedule of trade shows and roadshows during the next few months.
You can find us at the following 2017 events.
May 7 - 10
Asia Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC) (Danang, Vietnam)
June 25 - 28
IAGTO North America Golf Tourism Convention (Miami, Florida, USA)
December 11 - 14
International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) (Cannes, France)
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Chiang Mai, Thailand
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