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Asian Golf Travel Nation - December 2012

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Dear Golf Travelers,

Golf in AsiaGreetings from Asia and welcome to the latest issue of the Asian Golf Nation, the source for news breaking information about golf in Asia.

I can't believe 2013 will be here next month as it seems only yesterday we were surveying new golf destinations for your winter trips. Cooler weather is here and depending on how you define 'cooler' it is a great time of year for golf in Asia. Premium courses across the region are all reporting fast greens and well groomed fairways.

Our 2013 expanded product range allows you to experience authentic golf journeys across Asia. For example we have created the first ever UNESCO World Heritage Golf Trail covering the 4 countries of Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. This trip combines championship golf with some of the world's most exotic cultures and sights. Other hot tours include the Vietnam Round Trip which allows you to find out first hand why Vietnam was voted the 2012 best Australasia golf destination by the world's golf tour operators.

I am pleased to inform that the booking outlook for the next few months is very positive, in particular when compared to the same time last year. This optimism is shared with our key golf courses and resorts. However, please be advised that during this period, especially in January and February, it will be difficult for us to confirm peak tee times bookings and to find rooms at the best resorts for last minute inquires. Please contact our office for updated information as soon as you know your travel plans.

As always there are many golf 'happenings' around the region so with that, I invite you to enjoy this edition of the Asian Golf Nation.

 Visit Golfasian Today!

Golf news from around the region:

Vietnam
*IAGTO Golf Destination of the Year for AustralasiaDanang: The credentials of Vietnam's Central Coast as one of Asia's premier golf destinations has been confirmed by the country's award as IAGTO Golf Destination of the Year for Australasia. The award focuses attention in particular on the Hue-Danang-Hoi An region, better known as Vietnam's Golf Coast, where three world-class courses, each designed by a modern great of the game, have been developed in the past three years. New direct flights to Danang are coming on stream monthly so check with us for the best routing if you are interested in travelling to this region in the near future.

Malaysia
*Palm Course at Saujana Golf & Country ClubKuala Lumpur: It is official. According to CNNGo the Palm Course at Saujana Golf & Country Club has been rated the 6th most difficult golf course in the world. The Palm Course is so tough it's been nicknamed "The Cobra" and its fangs have tested many of the world's top golfers as it's hosted six of the last 13 Malaysian Opens, a co-sanctioned European/Asian Tour event. Not bad for a capital city course that is open for visitor play. Tip: Play weekdays and the price is less than $100 USD.

China
*Sky Oasis Golf ClubKunming: The opening of a new airport at Kunming has heralded the region known as the 'Land of Eternal Spring' as Asia's new hot spot for golf tourism. With eight excellent courses in play including Spring City's Lake and Mountain courses that were designed, respectively, by Robert Trent Jones Jnr and Jack Nicklaus, the opening of a spectacular 54-hole track at Stone Forest International Country Club, and Sky Oasis Golf Club with its soaring eagle signature hole, has considerably increased the region's golf appeal. Another big plus for Kunming is its year-round mild climate, ensuring excellent conditions for most of the year, with maximum temperatures in the low to mid 20s Celsius. Kunming is two hours by air from Bangkok and just one hour from Chiang Mai. The direct flights make it an ideal add-on to a Thailand golf holiday.

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.

Remember, while the offerings are many, the choice is yours, and golf in Asia is waiting for you.
Whatever your budget and preferred style of travel, our Asian golf travel experts are glad to work with you and suggest a golf package that meets all of your needs.

Until the next newsletter, happy golfing and I hope to see YOU in the area very soon!

Mark Siegel
Managing Director of Golfasian

 

- Golf in Hua Hin - A Destination Review by Marco Scopetta

SpringfieldHua Hin is for sure one of Thailand's top golf destinations for this high season, the golf courses are in great condition and there are new five stars hotels and resorts all up and down the sea board.

The best golf courses are still Black Mountain and the Banyan followed by Sea Pine, Springfield, Lake View and Palm Hills. Of course don't forget the Royal Hua Hin Golf course, a real journey in the past. It was commissioned in the 1924 to accommodate the Thai aristocracy living in the area.

Good news too from the Majestic Creek Country Club. The results of their major golf course renovation and new grass can be already seen. Also, the Club house renovations have been very well appreciated by the golfers, giving an upgrade standard to the existing infrastructure. In the future when the final nine holes come back on stream, this course will be back to its former 27 hole glory.

[Read the entire Hua Hin Golf Review]

 
- Featured Golf Course - Black Mountain Golf Club

Black Mountain Golf ClubBlack Mountain was transformed from lush jungle and pineapple plantations. It is set in a valley, just next to the "Black Mountain's", which are so named because of the large black rocks set into the mountains, providing a nice backdrop to many of the holes.

The Hua Hin golf course was the site for Asian PGA tour events in 2009 and 2010 and the Europe versus Asia match play Royal Trophy in 2011. In 2012 Black Mountain was selected as one of the 100 best golf courses outside the USA by Golf Digest magazine.

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

- Featured Golf Course - Banyan Golf Club

Banyan Golf ClubBuilt among a pineapple plantation, Banyan Golf Club in Hua Hin opened in October 2008. The course provides for spectacular mountain and ocean views from most all of the holes and is one of the best layouts in the area. Banyan Golf Club won the 2009 Best New Golf Course in Asia as voted for by the readers of Asian Golf Monthly.

Each hole has 6 tee boxes making the course more or less challenging depending on your ability and tee selection.

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

 
- Featured Hotel - Cape Nidhra Hotel, Hua Hin

Cape Nidhra Hotel, Hua HinCape Nidhra HotelCape Nidhra Hotel is one of the most distinctive boutique hotels in Hua Hin. This modern beachfront property features large suites with private pool, excellent service and an enviable location within walking distance to Hua Hin town center. Hua Hin golfers who stay at Cape Nihdra Hotel are assured of a unique, enjoyable and service-oriented golf holiday experience. All rooms are beautifully finished with the finest local materials, richly polished hardwood and luxury amenities. Part of the prestigious Cape Hotel Collection, Cape Nidhra Hotel is an impressive property that will exceed all the expectations of golfers visiting Hua Hin.

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

- Golf Trip Idea: Myanmar Golf & Culture Holiday Package

Myanmar Golf & Culture Holiday PackageThis 14 days Myanmar Golf & Culture Holiday Package is an excellent opportunity to combine a culutural visit to magical Burma and combine it with the best golf courses that Myanmar has to offer. You will stay in the very best hotels in each destination and be taken to the must see sightseeing attractions within each destinations. This fully guided and customizable Myanmar Golf Holiday is a truly unique way to experience this mystical country.

[Myanmar Golf & Culture Holiday Package Detailed Itinerary...]

Thailand Amateur Golf Weeks 2013
- Golf Travel Testimonials

Hi Ian,
 
I have been meaning to drop you an email.
 
The trip was brilliant we had a great time the hotel was good, staff very willing to help particularly with a new hotel, breakfast was first class. The golf was great. Red Mountain of course the highlight we also played it on our day off. Your drivers were friendly, helpful and timely. I got them to arrive half an hour before the itinerary time every day which gave us us a more leisurely start to the day allowing time to hit a few balls and grab a coffee before the tee time.
 
I am particularly grateful to you for the efforts you made to rearrange the golf itinerary to get us greens in good condition. I am sure it was hassle for you but it meant we enjoyed every day and based on the feed back from the others we will return in 2014 instead of the planned 2016 I will of course contact you to arrange it.
 
Please pass on our thanks to Bee, your drivers and staff for helping to provide such a great trip.
 
Thanks again for a 5 star trip.
 
All the best
 
Paul G.,
United Kingdom November 2012

[Read more golf travel testimonials]

Thailand Golf Special Offers
- Golf Tournaments

Thailand Golf TournamentsAll Nations Cup - February 2013
Date: February 22 - March 02, 2013 | Location: Pattaya, Thailand

Hua Hin Amateur Golf Week - March 2013
Date: March 03 - 09, 2013 | Location: Hua Hin, Thailand [Find out more]

Pattaya Amateur Golf Week - March 2013
Date: March 10 - 16, 2013 | Location: Pattaya, Thailand [Find out more]

World Schools Golf Challenge - March 2013
Date: March 31 - April 05, 2013 | Location: Hua Hin, Thailand [Find out more]

- Best of the Blog vietnamgolfzone.com

Saigon Golf Holiday Tips

Best accommodation for your golf holidayAs a frequent Vietnam golfer and Vietnam golf specialist, I have learnt some things about better golf in Saigon. These include which Saigon golf courses offer the best value for money and which courses are most convenient and enjoyable to play.

For the best value-for-money I suggest first of all to play on weekdays. Green fees at all Saigon golf courses are 25-50% lower on weekdays as compared to weekends due to the relatively low demand from locals for weekday golf.

[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.

 Subscribe to our RSS Feed.

- Golfing Tips by Ian Morgan - Thai Caddies

Although many of the caddies have never played the game, a lot of them can read the game well. But remember they don't get it right every time and often they don't the state of your game and how hard you are going to hit a putt, so stay calm and enjoy this unique experience. They will give you the yardage, rake the bunkers and get you refreshments and remember to tip them. It is expected and we recommend 400 Thai Baht as a fair amount.

[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

- Meet Golfasian at these Trade/Roadshows/Fam-Trips

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

You can find us at the following events:

  • December 11 - 13, 2012 - Asia Pacific Golf Summit (Brunei)
  • January 23 - 26, 2013 - PGA Merchandise Show (Orlando, Florida)
  • April 29 - May 02, 2013 - IAGTO Asia Golf Tourism Convention (Pattaya, Thailand)

Arrange an appointment with Golfasian at one of these exhibits.

- About Us & Contacts
GolfasianIf any reader would like to suggest a topic to be covered or better yet contribute materials, photos, or even commissions an article please contact us by e-mail, we welcome the help.

 

  • 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)
Golfasian Co., Ltd.
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Bangkok 10110 Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2 714 8470
Fax: +66 (0) 2 714 8471
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Vietnam
Tel: +84 (0) 8 3838 6510
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E-mail: [email protected]
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