Asian Golf Travel Nation - August 2013

Hi Ian

We have just arrived home from our trip to Hua Hin and just wanted to pass on our thanks to you and the team at GolfAsian. From the time we arrived at the airport, until we returned to the airport, all the staff and drivers were great and very accommodating.

Our accommodation at the Warana Resort was also once again quite good.

The golf course were great. Palm Hills and Majestic are great layouts and I think a little under rated. Sea Pines, Banyan and Black Mountain fantastic, and to finish on Springfield and play the original full 18 hole course was a treat.

We have already discussed some ideas for next year (we are hoping to go in Feb again) and I'll be back to you in the next few weeks with some ideas. I need to do a little research first.

Once again to you and all the team... thank you.

Cheers

Malcolm B.
Australia
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Like many cities in Vietnam, Saigon has an interesting past. Because of its strategic location for trade and commerce, Saigon continued to grow and became a city by the late 1700's. In the mid-19th century, the French invaded the Saigon port city. This event led to long struggle between the people of Vietnam and France leading to the defeat of the French in 1954. By the 1960's and 1970's, Saigon was bustling with commerce and business. It was the cultural center and the capital city of South Vietnam. The city had an air of a French provincial town with a Vietnamese twist, and this still remains today.

In 1976, after the fall of South Vietnam the new government renamed the city Ho Chi Minh City. However, the city is still referred to as Saigon by the locals. With a population of over 5 million people, Saigon is one of the densest urban areas in the world. Unlike other cities in Vietnam, Saigon is very active at night. Sidewalk cafes dot the city, pubs and restaurants stay open late into the night, and entertainment options for visiting Saigon golfers are a plenty.

There are several championship golf courses in Saigon such as Long Thanh, Vietnam Golf & Country Club, and Twin Doves. While typically reserved for member's play, our specialized golf travel agents can confirm tee times for Saigon golf visitors. With several excellent golf clubs available and amazing historical & cultural sights Saigon is a must stop for any Vietnam golf holiday.

[Read the full review]

The Long Thanh Golf Club offers 36 holes of golf in the former rice paddies and scenic countryside surrounding Saigon. The Ho Chi Minh City golf course is located 30 kilometers north of the city on a hilly with unobstructed views back towards the Vietnamese capital.

Both the Hill and Lake course are well maintained throughout the year and the golf courses are a longtime favorite among locals. Many expatriates and Vietnam golf visitors prefer Long Thanh Golf Club over its more famous neighbor Vietnam Golf & Country Club.

[Read more about one of Saigon's Best Golf Courses]

Built in 1925, the Hotel Majestic Saigon is a historical landmark and only one of a few still remaining French Colonialist era hotels. The Hotel Majestic is ideal for visiting Saigon golfers.

It is within walking distance to the Ben Thanh Market, main shopping & entertainment area, and other city attractions. The roof top restaurant and some of the rooms offer stunning views over the Saigon River. There are eight food, drink, and entertainment outlets, offering everything from European and Asian cuisine to cocktails at a piano bar.

Throughout its rich history, the Majestic Hotel Saigon hotel has included as its guests famous authors, heads of state, actors, and celebrities. Be comforted in old world luxury while enjoying the modern comforts of a 5 star hotel.

[Read more about one of Saigon's Best Hotels & Resorts]

City, beach, and mountain golf all combined in one package. The southern triangle tour starts and ends in Saigon and is the ideal package for Vietnam golfers who want to take in all of the South’s best golf destinations.

Play at the best courses in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), visit the coastal region of Phan Thiet / Mui Ne, and finish in the temperate highlands of Dalat. All are great golf destination in their own right, but why stop at one. Now you can play all three on one tour!

[Southern Triangle Golf Package Detailed Itinerary...]

Kuala Lumpur is home to some of the best golf courses in Asia and many have hosted professional tournaments sanctioned by the PGA Tour, European Tour and Asian Tour. You too can enjoy a round at these first class courses as well as enjoying all that Kuala Lumpur has to offer. A truly memorable golfing holiday experience.

Featured courses:
The Mines Resort & Golf Club - Saujana Golf & Country Club - Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club - Kota Permai Golf & Country Club - Royal Selangor Golf Club

Contact your golf travel experts today for further information on how you can play these tournament courses.

Bangkok

• Panya Indra Golf Club - The A, B, and C courses will each be closed for one week renovation respectively. During this time only 2 of the courses are playable while the other is closed.
• President Country Club - Topsoil on North (9 holes) and East (9 holes) courses from now until 15 August. The West (9 holes) and South (9 holes) courses remain open.
• Summit Windmill Golf Club - During 15 July to 15 November the fairways and rough at holes 3, 5, 7, and 16 will be renovated. The sand bunkers at holes 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, and 18 as well as the tees for the Pros at holes 3 & 4 will be renovated.
• Alpine Golf & Sports Club, Lakewood Country Club, Lam Luk Ka Golf Course, Muang Kaew Golf Club, Riverdale Golf Club, Royal Gems Golf & Sports Club, Royal Golf & Country Club, Suwan Golf & Country Club, Thai Country Club, Thana City Golf & Sports Club are all in excellent condition.

Hua Hin

• Black Mountain Golf Club - Hole 7: Redecoration of waterfalls until August. The greens remain unaffected.
• Imperial Lake View - Course D is closed from now until 15 August. Courses A, B, and C are in good condition.
• Majestic Creek Country Club - Course C is closed until further notice. It is expected to open in the high season.
• Banyan Golf Club, Black Mountain Golf Club, Majestic Creek Country Club, Palm Hills Golf Club and Residence, Sea Pine Golf Course, and Springfield Royal Country Club are in excellent condition.

Pattaya

• Greenwood Golf and Resort - The B Course is closed from now until 31 October.
• Khao Kheow Country Club - The B Course is closed from now until Sepember. Course C will be closed in September. All courses will be open again in October.
• Laem Chabang International Country Club - course B will undergo coring green during 8 July - 4 August. The course will be playable on July 18.
• Pattaya Country Club - Hole 1 to 9 are closed for renovation. As such only the back 9 holes are playable. The renovation will be complete by October.
• Phoenix Golf & Country Club - The Ocean Course is closed from 15 July to 31 October. However, the Mountain Course and Lakes Course remain open.
• Siam Country Club, St. Andrews 2000 Golf Club & Burapha Golf Club are in excellent condition.

Phuket

• Laguna Phuket Golf Club - 9 holes (starting with the back 9) will be closed for 18 months from July 2013 onwards. The front 9 are playable until March 2014, while the back 9 are under renovation. The front 9 will start renovation in March 2014 while the freshly renovated back 9 will have been reopened for play.
• Loch Palm Golf Club - Hole 4 will be out of commission from 6 July until 1 October. The long par 5 5th has been broken into short par 4's of 296 and 315 Yards to keep the 18 holes and par 72. The one temporary green will actually be in good condition as the grass has been taken from the main practice putting green. (No practice putting green in use)
• Red Mountain Golf Club - coring green from 9 - 10 September.

Chiang Mai

• Gassan Khuntan Lake City - Closed for renovation from now until 20 November 2013.
• Mae Jo Golf Club - The course will be closed from 5 - 12 August for the Singha Tournament.
• Alpine Golf Resort & Chiang Mai Highlands Golf and Spa are in excellent condition.

Chiang Rai

• Santiburi Chiang Rai Country Club - The greens on hole #1, 2, 3, 7, & 8 are being renovated from May until September 2013. During this period, the course will use temporary greens. The original greens will be ready by October 2013.

Khao Yai

• Bonanza Golf & Country Club - Coring green from 22 July to 22 August

Vietnam

Hanoi

• Van Tri Golf Club – excellent condition.
• Kings Island Golf Resort - Mountain View & Lakeside are in good condition. (Lakeside 5th green being re-built, opens in early August 2013.)

Danang

• Danang Golf Club, Laguna Lang Co Golf Club & Montgomerie Links Vietnam are in great condition

Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur

• Saujana Golf & Country Club – Palm 1 will be under renovation from 1 August 2013 for 8 months. Palm 10 - immediately after completion of Palm 1 and will go on for 8 months.

Pattaya Amateur Golf Week - October 2013
Date: October 19 - 26, 2013 | Location: Pattaya, Thailand [Find out more]

Chiang Mai Amateur Golf Week - October 2013
Date: October 26 - November 03, 2013 | Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand [Find out more]

Hua Hin Amateur Golf Week - March 2014
Date: March 1 - 8, 2014 | Location: Hua Hin, Thailand

Pattaya Amateur Golf Week - March 2014
Date: March 8 - 15, 2014 | Location: Pattaya, Thailand

Red Mountain Golf Club... the best in Thailand?

I honestly dont know the answer to that, there will be many that point to Black Mountain in Hua Hin, Amata Spring in Chonburi, Siam Country Club in Pattaya or Alpine in Bangkok. I know for sure there isn't a more spectacular golf course in Thailand and the views are unrivalled anywhere.

Winding its way through a truly dramatic 1400 rai formally a tin mine site in the heart of Phuket, Red Mountain is one of Asia's most exciting courses that officially opened in 2008. The course has been cleverly routed to take advantage of a huge variety of landforms and elevation changes.

[Read the entire article]

Other golf stories can be found at the Thailand Golf Zone, Vietnam Golf Zone and Phuket Golf Zone where there are over 600 other original articles dealing exclusively with golf in Asia and golf travel.

I would love to hear about any golf tips that any of you may have developed for getting the maximum enjoyment from your golf trips, and can incorporate some in future articles. Therefore if you have any golf tips or suggestions you would like to share, please let me know by dropping me an email.

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Most people know that our high season starts in November and officially ends in mid April at the start of the Thai New Year. During this time conditions are normally perfect with clear blue skies and plenty of sunshine. But low season is also a great time to play golf in Thailand with cooler temperatures, less golfers, cheaper hotels and green fees. We have had very little rain this year and what rain we have had has been in short bursts with very little interruption to our golf.

[Read more Golf Tips Articles]

If you have any other questions regarding golf tips to help you with your game email us at [email protected] and we will reply in upcoming newsletters

For more golf tips visit www.golfthink.com

Golfasian has a full schedule of tradeshows and roadshows during the next few months.

You can find us at the following events:

• September 15 - 17, 2013 - PATA Travel Mart, Chendgu (China)
• October 24 - 27, 2013 - Malaysia Sports Trade and Golf Expo (MSTGE) 2013 (Malaysia)
• November 11 - 14, 2013 - IGTM (Costa Daurada, Spain)

Arrange an appointment with Golfasian at one of these exhibits.

• Licensed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), License No: 14/00515
• Licensed by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, License No: 79-302/2011
• Recommended by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO)
• Member of Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA)

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