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Dear Golf Travelers,
 Welcome 2017! January marks the beginning of the year and it is one of the most joyous times for Asian golf travelers. The weather is cool (mid-20's centigrade), days are sun-filled, and the golf courses around the region are in the best condition of the year. The people of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Bali are full of smiles whenever they meet with traveling golfers. What better way to welcome in the New Year than an Asian Golf Trip?
Here at Golfasian we're all geared up for the busiest time of the year in golf travel and are ready to put a smile on you too. I hope to see everyone here soon!
As in the past, this newsletter contains original and news breaking stories on the state of golf in Asia as well as provides useful golf course information, unique golf playing tips for Asia's tropical environment, and special golf travel promotions.
With that I wish all golfers a great start to the new year. For those considering a golf trip, the weather is excellent now and a wealth of choices throughout SE Asia are perfectly suited for creating unforgettable golf holiday memories. 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.
Now for the golf news from around the region.
Mark Siegel
Managing Director of Golfasian
In This Issue:
 Visit Golfasian Today!
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 Bangkok, Thailand |
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| Royal Bang Pa-In Golf Club |
This month saw another new Bangkok golf course opening. Royal Bang Pa-In Golf Club is an all-inclusive Lee Schmidt designed course just north of the nation's capital and near to the excellent Bangsai Country Club. The spaceship-looking clubhouse sits at the center between the two nines and upon entering you immediately realize that no expense has been spared here. The course has a huge variety of holes with doglegs in both directions; uphill and downhill par-4's and even an island green par-3. What makes the course standout even more are the solid fairways that facilitate good roll out on well stuck drives. If you are looking for something new, exciting, and of top quality then you can't go wrong at Bang Pa-In.
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| Chiang Mai, Thailand |
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| Chiang Mai Highlands |
Chiang Mai was voted the Asian Golf Destination of the Year at the recent International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) awards ceremony. This is the fifth year that Thailand's golf destinations have been recognised by IAGTO. Pattaya was named Golf Destination of the Year in 2006 and 2010 with Hua Hin receiving the award in 2012 and 2014. Destination winners are chosen by tour operator members from around the world. Chiang Mai now joins the ranks of Thailand's other awarded golf destinations due to the excellent availability of top quality courses, world-class facilities, 365 day-a-year golf season, and range of après golf attractions.
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 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam |
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| Long Thanh Golf Club |
I recently visited Ho Chi Minh City and had the opportunity to play Twin Doves Golf Club and Long Thanh Golf Club. The former is a 27-hole layout and probably the best manicured in the area. The club used to be completely private, but recently has opened tee times for visitor play. The clubhouse reeks of a members' only facility with impeccable first-class amenities throughout. Long Thanh is an older 36-hole track. Previously, I recommended playing the original Hill Course due to the excellent views back toward Saigon. However, this time I played the Lake Course and enjoyed it equally. The Chinese-styled starter's hut, kiosks and pagodas on the course make for great Kodak moments. Moreover, playing conditions and green speeds here were as good as it gets. If you can't decide between the two, then include both in any Ho Chi Minh City golf package!
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| Nha Trang, Vietnam |
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| Cam Ranh Bay Golf Club |
The new Cam Ranh Bay Golf Club's construction is progressing and Nha Trang's third golf course should be open this year. The Greg Norman designed course is his third seaside links course in Vietnam. BRG Danang Golf Club and The Bluffs, Ho Tram Strip are the other two. The unique crescent shaped beach site is bordered to the north and south by huge peninsulas that provide shelter from wind. This will make for excellent balance of playability and challenge so golfers don't have to battle the wind on every hole. With its long sandy coastline, Vietnam has some of the best dune sites for golf in the world. Once open, I am sure Cam Ranh Bay Golf Club will rank right up there with the other signature golf courses in the country and significantly elevate the popularity of golf in Nha Trang. Stay tuned!
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 Bali, Indonesia |
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| Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort, Bali, Indonesia |
Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort was named the Best Luxury Golf Resort in Southeast Asia at the World Luxury Hotel Awards and third Best Golf Resort in Asia Pacific at the Asia Golf Conference. Both awards reinforce the resort's leading position in the region. The attached Greg Norman designed Nirwana Bali Golf Club is a mature layout that still ranks as the most scenic in Bali and a must-play for any golfing visitors.
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For all the golfers out there that made their New Year's Resolution to play more golf, we have just the answer!!
Asia Golf Weeks kicks off 2017 with a bang with Hua Hin and Pattaya each hosting a 6 night & 4 round event.
Amari hotels have come to the party as well with a free THB 2000 voucher to use at either hotel, as you see fit (that's a lot of free Singha or Changs!)
Book and finalise your package no later than 16th January to secure your THB 2000 voucher. (Only 50 vouchers available).
If you book you and your friend at the same time, we will also throw in one of our great Boston bags with your name embroidered on it.
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] |
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My name is Catherine Capozzi, and I'm from the golfer heaven state of Arizona in the US. Now, I live with my husband in India. Despite growing up in a place renowned for golf, I can't say I'm very good at the sport: we don't belong to any golf club, and the extent of our practice involves playing 9-hole courses around sunset at a discount. Nonetheless, my husband and I have made a concerted effort to improve our swing every time we go back to visit Arizona in the winter. And in this case, we decided to bring our burgeoning love of golf with us on vacation to Myanmar.
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[Read the entire interview online]
[ Read more Testimonials ]
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Hua Hin, Thailand
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Hua Hin is the cradle of golf in Thailand. As one of Thailand's oldest resorts, Hua Hin was discovered in the early 1920's by King Rama VII and soon became a favorite of the Royal family and Thailand's upper-class.
Hua Hin is located 2 hours from Bangkok by four-lane highway, on the western side of the Gulf of Thailand. It is one of the highest quality and most convenient golfing destinations in Thailand. There are 8 golf courses located within 20 minutes of downtown Hua Hin, and another 5 golf courses easily reachable in the neighboring provinces. Black Mountain and Banyan are 2 examples of leading Hua Hin golf courses.
[Read the complete review]
View our Hua Hin Golf Packages | Hua Hin Golf Courses
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Golfers travelling to Hua Hin are spoiled to play two of Asia's Best golf courses, Black Mountain Golf Club & Banyan Golf Club.
Black Mountain was transformed from lush jungle and pineapple plantations and is located around 25 minutes west of Hua Hin. It is set in a valley surrounded by large black granite rock-covered mountains.
In 2014 Black Mountain hosted The Thailand Classic, the first European Tour event to be staged in Thailand. The Thailand Classic, held also in 2015 and 2016, is now a major fixture on the European and Asian Tours.
Built among a former pineapple plantation, Banyan Golf Club opened in October 2008. Immediately following, the course was awarded 2009 Best New Course in Asia Pacific by the readers of Asian Golf Monthly. Since then Banyan Golf Club course, clubhouse, and staff have consistently claimed 'Top 3 in Asia' awards and have been featured in the 'Rolex Top 1000' in the World.
[Read more about one of Thailand's Best Golf Courses]
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Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin is the original Railway Hotel built in 1923 for Thai and visiting royalty and restored to its old colonial glory in 2005. It is set among tropical gardens on a 4 mile beach in the center of Hua Hin.
The central Hua Hin location makes it a perfect base for a golf holiday as all Hua Hin golf courses are located within 25 minutes of the Centara. Dining is available in 5 on-site restaurants, 3 bars, and a tea room or at any of the 6 swimming pools.
The annual Centara World Masters Golf Championship is hosted at this fine resort. Golfers are invited to sign up to the event quickly as spots are limited. Visit www.thailandworldmasters.com for more information on the event.
[Read more about one of Thailand's Best Hotels]
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Complete Hua Hin Golf Vacation
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Stay at a Hua Hin beach resort and play the 6 best Hua Hin golf courses over an incredible 10 days. Hua Hin's golf courses are close to the main beach resorts, so you can golf in the morning and relax in the afternoon on the beach or by the swimming pool. How about a daily Thai massage to sooth those golf muscles after your round? That can be arranged too!
View the complete golf holiday itinerary.
To meet your preferences and budget please contact us for further information. |
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Thailand |
| Bangkok |
- Cascata Golf Club: Course will be closed on 18 January and 3, 9 and 10 February for tournaments.
- Lakewood Country Club: Course will be closed on 9, 16, 25 and 27 January for tournaments.
- Lam Luk Ka Country Club: Course will be closed from 17 - 18 April for annual holidays.
- Lotus Valley Golf Resort: Course will be closed on 22 & 28 January for tournaments.
- Muang Kaew Golf Club: Course will be closed on 17 January for a tournament.
- Riverdale Golf Club: Course will be closed on 27 & 29 January and on 5, 12, 16, 17, 26 and 28 February for tournaments.
- Suwan Golf & Country Club: Course will be closed on 18 & 25 January and on 15, 17, 21 and 25 February for tournaments.
- The Royal Gems Golf and Sports Club: Course will be closed in the afternoons of 4 & 6 February for tournaments.
- Windsor Park & Golf Club: Course will be closed on 2 - 7, 10, 13, 24 and 27 January and on 2, 7 and 15 February for tournaments.
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| Phuket |
- Phuket Country Club: Course will be closed on 21 January and on 7 - 8 February for tournaments.
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| Vietnam |
| Danang |
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| Indonesia |
| Bali |
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 Malaysia |
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 Cambodia |
| Siem Reap |
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| Phnom Penh |
- Garden City Golf Club: Course will be closed on 14, 21 & 29 January and on 11 & 25 February for tournaments.
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 Singapore |
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Amari Hua Hin Amateur
Golf Week -
March
2017 |
Hua Hin,
Thailand |
12 - 18
March, 2017 |
| [find out more] |
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Amari Pattaya Amateur
Golf Week -
March
2017 |
Pattaya,
Thailand |
19 - 25
March, 2017 |
| [find out more] |
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Centara World Masters Golf Championship -
June
2017 |
Hua Hin,
Thailand |
11 - 17
June, 2017 |
| [find out more] |
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Mercure Pattaya Ocean Resort 2 Ball Golf Championship -
June
2017 |
Pattaya,
Thailand |
18 - 24
June, 2017 |
| [find out more] |
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Accor Vietnam World Masters Golf Championship -
August
2017 |
Danang,
Vietnam |
13 - 19
August, 2017 |
| [find out more] |
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What makes Nikanti Golf Club an unusual golf course?
It seems like the golf architect Pirapon Namatra (Ope) of Golf East listened quite a lot to Tina Turner's famous song ‘Break every rule' when he designed Nikanti Golf Club, Asia's first 18 hole, par 72 golf course comprising three six-hole layouts each with two par-threes, two par-fours and two par-fives. Thailand's 291st golf course was opened in May 2014. The Nikanti Golf Club is almost adjacent to Suwan Golf Club.
When Pirapon Namatra (the designer of Banyan Club and part of the construction company responsible for Siam Country Club's new Siam Waterside) invented and implemented his ‘triple-six' concept, he introduced a new distribution of par-3, par-4 and par-5 holes.
[READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE] |
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Laser It!
Of course caddies are compulsory in Thailand and from a technical standpoint some are superb at providing distances to the pin, even allowing for the wind or elevation of the green. But that's not always the case so why not invest in a laser range finder, perhaps even buying one in Thailand; they can be found at decent prices at Thanya Plaza Golf Complex next to the Metro station Sala Daeng.
In Thailand they are even legal in amateur competition provided they don't have a slope function. So if you don't want to rely exclusively on the caddie, bring a rangefinder with you and make thing easier on the two of you so you can concentrate on holing putts.
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Other golf stories can be found at the Thailand Golf Zone, Vietnam Golf Zone, Phuket Golf Zone and Vietnam Golf Tourism Blogs where there are over 1,600 original golf articles & commentary dealing exclusively with golf in Asia and golf travel.
I would love to hear about any golf tips 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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Have you thought about golf travel insurance for your trip? Golfasian has teamed up with Pacific Cross insurance to offer:
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Personal Accident Insurance
- up to
USD 65,000
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Medical Treatment
- up to
USD 75,000
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Hole-In-One
- up to
USD 300
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Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
Loss/Damage of Baggage
- up to
USD 800
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Loss/Damage of Golfing Equipment
- up to
USD 2,000
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AND A LOT MORE !
For more information visit our website.
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Golfasian has a full schedule of trade shows and roadshows during the next few months.
You can find us at the following 2017 events.
January 25 - 27
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PGA Show (Orlando, Florida, USA) |
| 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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