Welcome to the latest (and newly designed) issue of the Asian Golf Nation, the source for news breaking information about golf in Asia. In addition, unique golf playing tips for South East Asia's tropical environment, announcements of golf travel promotions, and our latest tournament offers are all parts of this newsletter.
January marks the beginning of the year and it is the absolute best time for golfing in Asia. The weather is sunny, dry, and cool (mid-20's centigrade) across most of our regional destinations. Conditions at the golf courses in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia are excellent. Combined with world-class hospitality, I can think of no better places to start golf in the New Year.
At Golfasian we're all geared up for the busiest time of the year in golf travel and are ready to do whatever it takes to put smiles on each and every golf holidaymaker. Key appointments and expansions in our Hua Hin, Ho Chi Minh City, and Phnom Penh offices are in place to handle this years expected record volumes. I hope to see everyone here soon!
To find out what is else ongoing around SE Asia in terms of golf, I invite you to read the sections below.
I wish all golf travelers a great year ahead. The golf, culture, and beauty of Asia continue to be perfectly suited for an unforgettable golf experience. Tailor-made itineraries fitting your specific needs, expectations and budgets are our specialty. Drop me an email with your request; you will be surprised at the possibilities.
Until the next month, happy golfing and I hope to see YOU in the area very soon!
On a recent Phuket trip Ian was travelling through Phang Nga province and decided to take a look at the Katathong Golf & Resort Not expecting much from the Thai designed course in an abandoned tin mine, he discovered a stunning course in immaculate condition. Katathong is one hour from Phuket and Khao Lak and 1.5 hours from Krabi. Those of you staying in the south and looking for some top golf should give Katathong a try before the word gets out and rates go up.
Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Dragon Hills, Kanchanaburi
I had heard from our PGA professional that Dragon Hills Golf & Country Club is the best layout in Thailand. This is quite a statement given the quality of other area courses. Dragon Hills, located between Hua Hin and Kanchanaburi takes some finding and the staff speaks only Thai, but the course is in fact one of Thailand's hidden gems. Great designs and superb layouts in great condition don't come easy, but if you want something off the beaten track give Dragon Hills a try! While not the tops in service, Dragon Hills more than makes up for it in golfing quality.
Hanoi, Vietnam
Ruby Tree Golf Resort, Hanoi
Here is some name games for you. Do Son Seaside Golf resort, which I bet you never heard of, has been renamed, Ruby Tree Golf Resort, which I also bet you still never heard of. The course has undergone some renovations, but is still basically flat and non-descript. On the other hand, there is a rumor that Hilton Hotels have been brought in to manage the course, so maybe some new things are in the works. In any case, Ruby Tree is a nice course to play for those visiting Hai Phong and Halong Bay.
Saigon, Vietnam
Vinpearl Golf Club, Nha Trang
Vietnam's busiest resort developer, Vinpearl, is undertaking yet another golf venture, this one just outside the nation's largest city. Government officials are trying to revive Saigon Sun Bay, a stalled waterfront project that has been re-planned to become an 18-hole golf course. Sun Bay has been in the works since 2000, but it's made little progress due to financial troubles. Ho Chi Minh City has now fast-tracked Sun Bay and when Vinpearl is involved, it usually means things will move ahead rapidly. The company has two courses opened for play (Vinpearl Nha Trang and Vinpearl Phu Quoc) and another 20 courses planned by 2020. Sun Bay is slated to open in 2022, stayed tuned for more details.
Bali, Indonesia
Bukit Pandawa Golf Club, Bali, Indonesia
Good news for Bali Nirwana Golf Club. The Greg Norman designed course slated to be redeveloped for real estate and closed in 2016 is still open! Locals and staff have no information about when, or even if, the course will be closed. I suspect some recent remarks from Donald Trump might have angered the course owners who were selling out to his organization. Let's hope so and with it find that some good comes from the fallout due to the US presidential candidate's anti-immigrant remarks.
Even better news is that there will be another Bali golf club at Pandawa Beach (near New Kuta and Bali National). Bukit Pandawa Golf Club is a new 18-hole par-3 course along the Indian Ocean and features 10 holes with ocean views. Centrally located amongst new 5-star hotels including Mandarin Oriental, Raffles, Fairmont and Waldorf Astoria, the golf course is characterized by intricate greens complexes, rock outcroppings, and architectural ruins. Bukit Pandawa should open by the end of the year.
For all you golfers out there that have made your New Year's Resolution in 2016 to play more golf, then we have a great year of golf for you in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.
The first tournament will be starting March 6th with the Amari Pattaya Golf week. Our package includes caddies and carts, 6 nights' accommodation, daily and overall prizes, all transfers, group dinners and happy hours and prices start from a low THB 40,600. See full schedule here.
We are offering late bookings from now until the end of January; either a free round of golf at Burapha Golf Club with caddy & cart on the free day OR one of our overnight travel bags with your name embroidered on it.
The following week we move across to Hua Hin, again staying 6 nights at the Amari hotel. The golf courses we are playing in Hua Hin are Black Mountain, Seapines, Springfield and Banyan, a great line up of Hua Hin's best golf courses. Again Black Mountain will be hosting a European tour event the week prior our event, and the last round is on the Sunday 13th so we are able to see how the professionals play the golf course. We have tickets to go and watch, so if you would like to go please get in contact with us.
We are offering late bookings from now until the end of January either a free room night OR a room upgrade to deluxe pool view rooms Full details of the event here.
After March, our next group tour is the inaugural Hooters Golf Week in Phuket starting May 8. This event has you playing the best courses in Phuket, and staying at the fabulous D2 at Patong approx. 300 meters from the white sands and surf that Patong Beach is famous for.
Hi, my name is Bob Wood. I am from the Sunshine Coast, just north of Brisbane in Australia.
I have played golf for over 50 years but have become more serious in recent years after my retirement from Secondary School teaching.
I play off a handicap of between 6 & 8, depending on the benevolence of the golfing Gods and am a member of Caloundra Golf Club a parkland course north of the town of Caloundra and just a few kilometres inland. I usually play competitions at my club 3 times a week.
Recently, on a golfing trip to Thailand I had my second hole in one at Lam Luk Ka Golf Club one hour north of Bangkok on the 145 metre par 3, 12th (the first was last year at The Royal Gems). It's always great to see the ball go in off the tee on a par 3 but particularly good fun when you are on holiday playing with friends in beautiful surroundings.
This is my 6th golfing trip to Thailand with like-minded golfing addicts from Australia. I consider Thailand to be the best golfing experience in the world.
The courses are excellent and the caddies in the main are friendly, competent and diligent; they add to the ambience of any day. The friendliness of the Thai people in general is overwhelming.
Our Thailand destinations have included Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Hua Hin all of which offer the full cultural and golfing experience without the hassles of big city traffic and crowds.
All our trips have been expertly organised by Golfasian, whom we have found to be friendly, well organised and reliable.
Just 2 hours drive from Ho Chi Minh city via expressway, you will reach Vung Tau Province, one the most famous beach cities in Southern Vietnam. Not only well-known as the only petroleum base of Vietnam where crude oil and gas exploitation activities dominate the city's economy, Vung Tau is also popular for its beautiful beaches and is an emerging golf destination in Vietnam. The moderate climate, with a year round average temperature of approximately 24C, makes Vung Tau an ideal place for golfers. There are 2 golf courses Vung Tau Paradise Golf Course and The Bluffs Ho Tram Golf Course.
Vung Tau Paradise Golf Resort is a 27 hole layout. The Taiwanese designed, and first seaside golf course in Vietnam offers challenges to golfers of all levels.
The Bluffs at Ho Tram Strip, designed by Australian Greg Norman, is Asia's hottest new golf course with a unique links-style par 71 golf course on a rugged site often accompanied by strong onshore breezes. The Bluffs has just successfully hosted the Ho Tram Open Tournament, the biggest and richest on the Asian Tour, that boasts a star-studded line up, including Ryder Cup Captain & former Open Champion, Darren Clarke, former US Open Champion, Geoff Ogilvy, Ryder Cup legend Thomas Bjorn, Bluffs ambassador and two-time European Tour winner Robert Rock and of course the Asian Tour's leading players, plus of course the eventual winner Sergio Garcia.
Vung Tau has many excellent beach front resorts, seafood restaurants, night pubs and bars. Overnight accommodation at The Grand Ho Tram Strip, the world-class casino resort, is a great choice for golfers. Golfasian is offering stay and play packages at The Grand Ho Tram Strip – prices starting US$215 per person, including bed with breakfast, private transfers from Ho Chi Minh, green fees and caddie fees. Please contact us for more detailed information.
The Greg Norman designed Bluffs Ho Tram Strip golf course is located 80 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province on the southern Vietnamese coastline. It takes around 2 hours to reach by a mix of highway and local roads from Ho Chi Minh City. The Bluffs Ho Tram is a unique links style par-71 golf course on a rugged site often accompanied by strong onshore breezes.
In fact, the Bluffs Ho Tram Strip has some of the best geographical traits for a top golf course layout. For example, the whole site sits on a coastal plateau with 50 meter elevation changes from the highest to lowest point and holes are routed among towering seaside sand dunes. The course was built on sandy loam soil with native crawling vegetation. This creates excellent drainage and turf conditions. Next, being exposed to high sea winds at certain times through the year plays havoc and creates extreme challenge for even the best seasoned golfers. The links course also makes for a golf experience that's as much a feast for the eyes as it is a challenge.
The Grand Ho Tram Strip Resort is the first luxurious large-scale integrated resort and leisure destination in Vietnam. The resort complex features the biggest licensed gaming venue in Vietnam, world-class accommodation with 541 well-designed luxury rooms overlooking gorgeous dunes and the sparkling blue sea, seven diverse restaurants indulging every taste, an exclusive spa offering customized pampering treatments and an exciting nightclub featuring sexy pole dancers, DJs, and endless drink offerings.
Golfers can also test their skills with the challenging, yet exciting The Bluffs golf course designed by the renowned Greg Norman, while their families are welcome to relax at three remarkable outdoor pools, electrifying water sports and free daily activities. All in all, The Grand Ho Tram Strip Resort will bring an unparalleled hospitality experience to its guests like no other before.
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is Vietnam's economic capital and the city with the best nightlife, dining, and entertainment. You will play the top Saigon golf courses and stay at your preferred hotel. In addition, an exciting links style Greg Norman course in Vung Tau will be a good choice for your last round to end the trip.
Bangkok, Thailand 26 November 2015 -- Golfasian Co. Ltd., South-East Asia's leading inbound golf tour operator, has reported a 14 percent boost in customers for the 12-months ending October 31 and a 24.5 percent increase in forward bookings for the year ahead.
The increase has been fueled by innovative marketing strategies, including private tailor-made familiarization trips for overseas golf tour operators, road shows on behalf of national tourist boards, establishment of marketing consortiums with golf courses and hotels, and self-development of the industry's leading customer relationship management and golf tour creation software.
Lakewood Country Club: Course will be closed from 21-22 and on 28 January for tournaments.
Riverdale Golf Club: Course will be closed on 14, 22-23, 25-26, 28-29 and 31 January for tournaments.
Suwan Golf & Country Club: Course will be closed on 15, 18 and 30 January for tournaments.
Thai Country Club: Course will be closed on 18 and 25 January for tournaments.
The Royal Gems Golf & Sports Club: Course will be closed on 22 January for a tournament.
Vintage Golf Club: Course will be closed on 24 January for a tournament.
Windsor Park & Golf Club: Course will be closed on 22, 26 and 29 January for tournaments.
Hua Hin
Black Mountain Club: Course will be closed on 9 January for a tournament and from 10-14 March for the European Tour Event.
Imperial Lake View Resort & Golf Club: Course will be closed from 4-9 and 11-14 January for tournaments.
Springfield Royal Country Club: Course will be closed from 4-16 January for the Asian Tour Qualifying School.
Pattaya
Greenwood Golf & Resort: Course will be closed on 10, 23 and 24 January for tournaments.
Pattana Golf Club & Resort: Course will be closed from 29-30 January for tournaments.
Siam Country Club, Old Course: Course will be closed from 8 February until 3 March for the LPGA tournament.
Siam Country Club, Plantation Course: Course will be closed on 19 February for a tournament.
St. Andrews 2000 Golf Club: Course will be closed on 31 January for a tournament.
Phuket
Laguna Golf Phuket: Course will be undergoing verticut during 4-8 January and green light top dressing sand during 18-21 January. The course will be closed on 23 January for a tournament.
Phuket Country Club: Course will be closed on 23 January for a tournament.
Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai
Gassan Marina Golf & Resort: Course will be closed for renovation from May 2015 until May 2016.
Santiburi Chiang Rai Country Club: Course will be closed from 9-14 January for the 17th Singha Masters.
Khao Yai
Mountain Creek Golf Resort: Course will be closed on 25 January for a tournament.
Rancho Charnvee Country Club: Course will be closed on 8 January for a tournament.
Kanchanaburi
Dragon Hills Golf & Country Club: Course will be closed on 24 January for a tournament.
Vietnam
Saigon
Long Thanh Golf Club: Course will be closed from 8-9 January for a tournament.
Song Be Golf Resort: Course will be closed on 16 January for the Heineken Finals.
Malaysia
Langkawi
99 East Golf Club: Course is closed for renovation until September 2016.
Cambodia
Siem Reap
Siem Reap Booyoung Country Club: Course will be closed from 8-11 and 15-18 January for tournaments.
Singapore
Sentosa Golf Club, Tanjong Course: Course is closed for renovation until November 2016.
Holiday Resort-Style Private Pool Villas: Reduced, Now Under THB 5mio!
Holiday resort-style private, high-walled swimming pool villas for sale at now reduced price of 4.95mTHB. Available for ownership to foreigners of all nationalities.
Located about 10 minutes West of Hua Hin near to golf courses.
Stunning swimming pool, landscaped gardens, privacy wall, 24hr security. Internet, satellite, free shuttle bus service, pool and garden maintenance.
Low price, good quality, popular location & easy rental - good investment. Find out more!
When you contemplate booking your next golf holiday, the superior courses of Thailand are beckoning to you to come experience some of the best golfing in Asia. Thailand, known as the Land of Smiles, features excellent golf courses dotting the Kingdom, and none of them are more in demand than those of Phuket. Thailand's largest island, Phuket is easy to get to and a proven destination point for tourists of all stripes. For golfers in particular, Phuket's array of courses makes traveling to the island a no brainer when scheduling your perfect, getaway golf holiday.
Top Golf Courses of Phuket, Thailand
Variety is the spice of life, and Phuket provides plenty of spice when it comes to selecting where you want to tee up for a great round of golf. The island boasts more than a half a dozen superior courses with challenges and beautiful vistas built into the design concepts of each course. If you are coming to Thailand in search of great links and superior golfing conditions, you will find both at any of Phuket's top professional courses.
A lot of golfing visitors are surprised at how lavish most of the clubhouse facilities are at Thailand's golf clubs, to the extent that many don't bring a change of clothes with them when they play. After a round of golf in a tropical country nothing is better than a shower and fresh clothes, followed by an ice cold drink and perhaps a snack.
Whilst back in the UK I've been faced with cramped changing rooms and cold showers at a few clubhouses I promise that won't be the case here. At many golf clubs there is even the opportunity for a massage, another wonderful way to ease those post game aches and pains.
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.
Golfasian has a full schedule of trade shows and roadshows during the next few months.
You can find us at the following events
April 24 - 27
Asia Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC)(Chiang Mai)
June 26 - 29
IAGTO North America Golf Tourism Convention (USA)
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Phuket, Thailand
Hanoi, Vietnam
Bali, Indonesia
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I have played golf for over 50 years but have become more serious in recent years after my retirement from Secondary School teaching.
This is my 6th golfing trip to Thailand with like-minded golfing addicts from Australia. I consider Thailand to be the best golfing experience in the world.
Malaysia
Cambodia
Singapore
