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Dear Golf Travelers,
Welcome to the August 2019 issue of the Asian Golf Nation, the source for news breaking information about golf in Asia. Also, unique golf playing tips for Indochina’s tropical environment, updates on golf travel and tournaments, and our latest offers are all integral parts of today’s newsletter.
You may have read about Thailand’s tourism numbers dropping over the past few months. The major tourist areas like Pattaya, Hua Hin, and Chiang Mai are quiet, even considering it’s normally slow during the wet (low) season. The reasons for the drop in tourists are complicated, but the strong Thai baht may have to do with the declines.
For golfers, this may sound like a good reason to delay traveling, but as I see it, there is a positive spin too. Firstly, with fewer tourists, there is an oversupply of Thai hotels and tee times. Not a day goes by where we hear about great deals with price rollbacks to levels of what they were 3-4 years ago. The offers are hard to resist, especially when combined with golf and extras like meals and massages. While this can’t make up for the Baht’s strength, at least it can offset some of the cost increases and opens up some of the higher-end accommodations and golf courses to golfers who otherwise might choose to economize.
Secondly, fewer leisure travelers mean better service and better availability, especially around town and at clubs, respectively. Finally, while not specifically related to tourism levels, now is the golf festival time of the year. Green fees are always lowest in July and August, and these two months are awesome for golf. The courses are green, skies overcast, and whatever rains we get this time of year, come later in the day when my after golf massages and kips are well underway.
What about countries besides Thailand? Prices in other SE Asia countries are stable if not declining. A good low cost golf travel option is Malaysia. The Malaysian Ringgit is one of the weakest currencies in Asia. Even against the slumping Aussie dollar, the 3:1 exchange rate has hardly moved in five years! Golf in Kuala Lumpur has always been an excellent low-cost golf destination with over 25 golf courses, low green fees, lively night scene, and many other places to visit and non-golf things to do. Lately. Southern Malaysia and Johor have come on the radar screen with new courses like The Els Club, Desauru Coast, and the Asian Tour’s Horizon Hills being best. Add direct air transport from Bangkok, or hop over from Singapore, together with low-cost accommodations, F&B, and entertainment options, and you have the makings of a great golf holiday.
These days, everyone is looking for that special golf trip, and I believe that quality experiences don’t have to be expensive to be great. Our team understands that matching your interests and budgets in of the golfing destinations we serve is what matters most, and we are committed to creating a trip that works for you!
In summary for this newsletter, I want to thank you again for all of your support. It's due to friends like you that Golfasian remains Asia's top golf tour operator. Your recognition of our exceptional service, range of served destinations, unbiased and expert trip planning information and advice, and excellent value of our tours and tournaments are just some of the points that set us apart. Daily massages are not bad, too; everyone has to live!
Complete full-service itineraries created for your specific travel preferences, expectations, group size, and budgetary requirements are our specialty. Please contact us anytime for a competitive quote.
Happy Golfing,
Mark Siegel
Managing Director
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A winner of the 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 World Golf Awards, Golfasian has once again been nominated for Asia's Best Golf Tour Operator. Please, vote for us now:
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GOLF NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGION
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Udon Thani, Thailand
Golf in Thailand’s northeastern region of Isaan continues to improve with the addition of the Royal Creek Golf Club and Resort in Udon Thani. The new 18-hole layout is grassed is open for trial play until the end of the year and when the clubhouse, resort, and other facilities come online. Without a doubt, Royal Creek ups the ante for golf in Isaan and anyone living, visiting, or wanting to travel to Udon Thani must have Royal Creek on their playlist. My only question is whether Thai or Lao will be the lingua franca at the course. I vote for Lao as it would be another reason to make a stop.
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Hanoi, Vietnam
Clearing and shaping of the third nine at Stone Valley Golf Resort progress well, with many holes ready for grass. Located over the clubhouse in a different valley, the new holes, especially the par-4 fifth, are more dramatic than the original 18. Greens are also larger on the new holes, which allow for many pin positions and attack angles. Celebration Bermuda grass will cover the fairways. Once completed in 2020, Stone Valley will be home to 27-holes in an area of Vietnam which just a few years ago was the “Godzilla” movie site. Now that’s progress!
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GOLF DESTINATION REVIEW: Kuala Lumpur
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A personal destination review from AJ Easton, Sales Manager at Golfasian.
Kuala Lumpur, set in the heart of South East Asia, is a cosmopolitan city with great golf, a vibrant downtown home to the famous Petronas Towers, and a rich culture complete with delicious and flavorful food. It is one of the most underrated golf destinations in the region with lots of great courses and layouts to explore.
My first foray into the Kuala Lumpur golf scene was early last year, and I was pleasantly surprised with what I experienced. There are plenty of world class golf courses complete with eloquently designed club houses and facilities which could compete with any in the world. There are the more popular tracks such as TPC Kuala Lumpur's East and West Courses, Kota Permai Golf & Country Club, the unique Garden and Valley courses at Glenmarie Golf & Country Club which offer great challenges, world-class layouts and excellent service. However outside of that, there's more gems to be found with the likes of the Jumbo Ozaki-designed Templar Park with its beautiful scenery from the forest reserve, the exclusive Mines Resort & Golf Club on which the current Prime Minister's private residence lies and Palm Garden Golf Club which is a unique design and offers great value.
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FEATURED GOLF COURSE & RESORT
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TPC KL, West Course (Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club)
(site of the PGA Tour CIMB Classic and LPGA Sime Darby)
TPC Kuala Lumpur (formerly Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club) West Course is the longer and more challenging of two private golf courses at the club located near the heart of Kuala Lumpur's sprawling city center. Designed by architect Robin Nelson and playing to nearly 7,000 yards from the tournament tees, the golf course is set among the Bukit Kiara hillsides and abandoned rock quarries.
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Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur
Whether you choose a room or suite, the luxury at the Mandarin Oriental in Kuala Lumpur is guaranteed. The beds are sumptuous, the bathrooms extravagant and the Mandarin Oriental is perfectly situated to help you work up your appetite for golf and cuisine. Indeed, with so much to do and see, Kuala Lumpur is a true gateway to the wonders of Southeast Asia and the Mandarin Oriental is the perfect hotel for discerning golfers demanding the very best in luxury accommodation.
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Best of Malaysia Golf Holiday
Are you a golf adventurer that would like to play the best golf in Malaysia? This tour features sought after and hidden destinations, top courses, and hand-curated tours. Choose from a wide selection of hotels that let you enjoy everything that Malaysia has to offer you in a style that fits your budget.
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Special for Golfasian Newsletter Subscribers:
We invite you to the inaugural Asia Golf Championship at Angkor Golf Resort & Phokeethra Country Club in Siem Reap, Cambodia. 3 days of prime golf near one of the world’s most famous UNESCO world heritage sites, Angkor Wat..
BOOK BEFORE 31 AUGUST & GET
50% OFF GREEN FEE FOR THE PRACTICE ROUND
What You Get:
* 2 nights city center accommodation
* Golf at Cambodia's Best Courses with Caddies & Cart
* Welcome Drinks, 19th Hole Functions with Beer & Wine
* All ground transportation - sit back and let us do the work!
* VIP treatment throughout the event
* Sound like your thing?... Get excited & Get GOING!
Traveling in a group of 10 or more? Contact us at [email protected] to secure your special deal.
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Golfasian is now offering rental clubs to golfers travelling to Asia.
Due to popular demand and in an effort to make the golf holiday travel experience easier, Golfasian is now offering a wide variety of golf rental sets for both ladies & men in various locations in Thailand and Vietnam.
Contact us today to reserve rental clubs for your next Asia golf holiday.
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GOLF TIPS
Which golf ball should I play in Thailand?
Of all the variables that determine a golf ball’s performance compression may be the most mysterious. You’ll know it as a number on the ball, usually 90 or 100. If you see slow motion videos of balls impacting the club face you’ll see it as the ball deforming or “mushing”. The ball launches as this compression releases.
Generally, professional advice says the faster you swing the less compression you need but there are way more issues to consider namely spin speed generated, feel, control, etc but let’s leave that to Phil Mickelson.
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BEST OF OUR BLOGS
Thailand Golf – Golfasian Regulars
Hi, my name is Bill Donovan. I have played golf seriously for 34 years. My current handicap is 10 and I am a member of Pacific Golf Club at Carindale in Brisbane. Pacific is an 18-hole championship golf course in a parkland setting, with water on 16 of the holes. It is a very challenging layout. This is my 6th trip to Thailand and my 3rd trip to Hua Hin. Our group, 6 males all from pacific Golf club, have been to Hua Hin 3 times, Pattaya twice and once to Chiang Mai. Hua Hin is our favourite golfing destination in Thailand. We have booked the last 5 trips through Golfasian and they have been fantastic.
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Update Your Personal Information
Want to change your preferred email address where you receive our newsletters or complete your profile with your name and travel preferences?
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GOLF COURSE MAINTENANCES & CLOSURES
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Thailand
Bangkok
Hua Hin
Pattaya
Phuket
Chiang Mai
- Gassan Khuntan Golf & Resort: Course will be closed on 9 August for the Thai Golf Travel Mart.
- Mae Jo Golf Club: Course will be closed on 28 September and 23 December for tournaments.
- Summit Green Valley Chiang Mai Country Club: Course will be undergoing spraying of weeds during 25 July - 15 October. All areas under repair will be marked as GUR (ground under repair) and players will be able to drop their golf ball on good grass as the course will be spraying only half of the fairway at one time.
Khao Yai
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Vietnam
Danang
- Ba Na Hills Golf Club: Course will be undergoing greens renovation during 5-12 August. The course will be holding tournaments during 28-29 September.
- BRG Da Nang Golf Resort: The Nicklaus Course (C) will be undergoing coring greens during 12-15 August. Course will be holding the Vietnam World Masters on 12 September.
- Laguna Golf Lang Co: Course will be holding the Angsana Open during 23-24 August, the Cobra Puma Golf Pro Am during 20-22 September and the Laguna Lang Co Invitational during 1-2 November.
Dalat
Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh City
- Harmonie Golf Park: Course will be holding the VDPG Tour during 19-20 September.
- Jeongsan Country Club: Course will be closed during 26 August for maintenance.
- Long Thanh Golf Club: The Hill Course will be undergoing maintenance on holes 10-18 during 5-14 August. The Lakes Course will be undergoing coring green on holes 10-18 during 12 August - 2 September. The Hill Course will be undergoing maintenance on holes 1-9 during 19-26 August. The Lakes Course will be undergoing coring green on holes 1-9 during 26 August - 16 September.
- Song Be Golf Resort: Course will be closed on 10 August for a golf tournament.
- The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip: Course will be undergoing renovation during 23 September - 18 September.
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Indonesia
Bali
- Bali National Golf Club: Course will be closed during 14 September and 14-15 October for tournaments.
- Handara Golf & Resort: Course will be closed on 18-19 August, 19-20 October, 2 November & 14 December for tournaments.
- New Kuta Golf: Course will be closed on 17 August, 5 October, 9-10 November and 14 December for tournaments.
- Nirwana Bali Golf Club: Course will be closed until 31 July 2020 for major renovation.
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Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur
Langkawi
Johor
Kota Kinabalu
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Cambodia
Siem Reap
- Angkor Golf Resort: Course will be closed during 2-4 August for the Angkor Amateur Open 2019. Course will be closed during 25-27 October for the Angkor Intl. Team Championship. Course will be undergoing light verticut and topdress on the fairways during September. Course will be closed during 25-27 October for the Angkor International Team Championship.
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ABOUT US / CONTACT GOLFASIAN
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TAT No.: 14/00515
VNAT No.: 79-302/2011 / TCDL-GP LHOT
© Copyright Golfasian 2019. All rights reserved.
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