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Dear Golf Travelers,
Welcome to the January 2019 edition of the Asian Golf Travel Nation, the source for news breaking information about golf in SE Asia. Also, unique golf playing tips for Indochina's tropical environment, announcements of golf travel promotions, and our latest subscription offer are all integral parts of today's newsletter.
Happy New Year! January is one of the most joyous times for Asian golf travelers, and with many airlines releasing discounted seats to the market it's time to start thinking about where you want to go on your 2019 golf holiday!
I am sure the as winter sets in you can feel the chill. Here the weather is also noticeably cooler (sunny and in the mid-20’s centigrade) too, which is perfect for golfing, and this will continue for the next 2-3 months. What better place to get a jump on the 2019 golf season? Golf, culture, affordability, and world-class services combine here to make SE Asia perfectly suited for authentic golf experiences.
Whether it be the service orientated Thailand golf courses, spectacular tracks that make up the Vietnam Golf Coast Trail, or any of the hidden gems in Cambodia and Myanmar, there is an array of golf destinations across Asia that are now in full swing (no pun intended) for all golf travelers. Our golf resorts span every price range and include city hotels, boutique properties, and luxurious private pool villas.
Just a reminder, while bookings for the next few months are very positive, it is becoming increasingly difficult to confirm peak tee times and to find rooms at the best resorts. Please contact us as soon as you know your travel plans.
Complete full-service itineraries created for your specific travel preferences, expectations, group size, and budgets are our specialty. Please contact us for a competitive quote.
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.
Until the next newsletter, happy golfing and I hope to see you in Asia very soon!
Mark Siegel
Managing Director
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GOLF NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGION
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Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Reports continue to surface about the planned closure of the Tan Son Nhat Golf Course to make room for a new maintenance hangar and passenger terminal expansion of the Saigon airport. From the construction progress (or lack thereof) and checking things out myself last month, the priority is expanding of runways and upgrading of roads into and out of the airport. I give Tan Son Nhat a two or three-year lease on life with closure sometime in 2021 or 2022. For the time being it's in excellent condition and the best value-for-money Saigon golf course.
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Siem Reap, Cambodia
The Cambodia home of the Johnnie Walker Classic has undergone a complete revamp and maturing since re-opening mid last year. Phokeethra Country Club new grass, drainage, cart paths, food and beverage, and overall service level has returned the original Siem Reap golf course to the previous standard, if not even better. Fabrice even modernized the caddie uniform. Phokeethra is well worth a play if you are in the area and now with two quality courses, golf in Siem Reap is destinated to splash onto on this year's international travel scene.
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GOLF DESTINATION REVIEW: Mandalay, Myanmar
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A personal destination review from Win Zaw, Golfasian Myanmar & Cambodia.
Mandalay, the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Burma, is located 445 miles (north of Yangon, on the east bank of Irrawaddy River.
Mandalay is also the economic hub of Upper Burma and is considered the entre of Myanmar culture. In recent years, Mandalay has been welcoming visitors from around the world with the increase of direct flights from neighboring countries. International air carriers, such as Southern China Airlines, Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Air Asia, Singapore Airlines and more are now operating scheduled flights to this emerging destination.
With the ease of visa regulations for visitors, Myanmar is now making inbound travel easier for golfers and other travelers. Visa exemption is available for all ASEAN countries except Malaysian Citizen. Free entry-visa for Japanese and South Korean nationals, (VOA) visa-on-arrival for Chinese citizens, Indian citizen and business travelers and online e-visas are available for all other nationalities.
Mandalay has lots to offer with its rich culture, stunning historical monuments as well as a wide variety of leisure sports. As such golf tourism has been booming in recent years. Mandalay itself has three 18-hole golf courses, most notably, the 2018 opened Myotha National Golf Course, located between Mandalay City and the International Airport. The course features an Arizona Style Dessert Course stretching over 8,000 yards from the championship tees.
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FEATURED GOLF COURSE AND HOTEL
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Myotha National Golf Club
Myotha National Golf Club in Myanmar is something special. Located on a 688-hectare space, the 18 holes of golf is the best layout in Myanmar, and by a wide margin. The Myanmar golf club holds itself against the tops in SE Asia and is of such high standard that it will attract professional Asian Tour events. It plays a massive 8,000 yards from the tips and is one of the toughest golf courses in Asia, if not the world. At the same time, from the forward tees, the course is quite manageable and is one of those few courses that plays easier for shorter hitters. Many courses claim the same, but few pull it off.
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Hilton Mandalay
Nestled in landscaped gardens, Hilton Mandalay features air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi in all areas. Located in a prime location facing breathtaking views of Mandalay Hill and the Royal Palace, a variety of on-site dining options, a fitness center as well as an elegant outdoor swimming pool also await golfers at Hilton Mandalay. The hotel is a 10-minute drive to Mahamuni Pagoda. It is a 1-hr drive from Mandalay International Airport. Hilton Mandalay has one of the top-rated locations in Mandalay. Golfers looking for luxury and convenience prefer Hilton Mandalay to other area properties.
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Best of Myanmar Golf Holiday
This 10 day Myanmar golf holiday is an incredible way for you to explore this mostly unseen country and combine it with some great golf. The tour starts in modern Yangon where you will visit the famous Shwedagon Pagoda with golf at two great courses. Fly onto ancient Bagan, famous for it's over 2,200 stupdas dating back to the 11th century. Tee-off between ancient temples and enjoy a sundowner at the mighty Irrawaddy River. This Myanmar golf vacation ends in Mandalay, the last kingdom of Burma.
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Special for Golfasian Newsletter Subscribers:
Register by 15 January and get THB 5,000 (~USD 150) off per room!
Travelling with a group of 4 or more?
Get in touch for even bigger discounts.
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BEST OF OUR BLOGS
Do's & Don'ts When Golfing in Thailand
1. Given that you’ll be out on the course for at least four hours do make sure you put plenty of sunscreen on. It’s also advisable to wear a hat or cap. The Sun when golf in Phuket can be the strongest compared to all other Thailand golf destinations.
2. Although golfing in Thailand is relaxed, don’t expect to be allowed onto the course wearing inappropriate clothing. Do wear a collared shirt with slacks, Bermuda shorts, or a skirt (provided you are a lady).
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GOLF TIPS
Are You in the Right State of Mind?
We all want to play our best golf, whether at home, or especially if we are away on a Golfing Holiday in Asia. The one thing that can bring a sour type mood to a beautiful Golf Vacation is playing poorly, as this not only upsets your day on the golf course, but all of a sudden, the food does not taste as good, the bed is not as comfortable, the sights and sounds all feel a little off. Yes, playing poorly affects us in many ways as we feel frustrated and wonder if this vacation was the right idea.
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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
- Banyan Golf Club: Course will be closed on 20, 22 & 25 January for tournaments and on 17 February for the 10th Year Anniversary.
- Black Mountain Golf Club: Course will be closed on 21 & 24 January for tournaments. Course will be busy during 10-14 March 2019 for the Children's World Tournament.
- Royal Hua Hin Golf Course: Course will be closed on 20 January for a tournament.
- Sea Pines Golf Course: Course will be closed on 2 February for a tournament.
Pattaya
Phuket
- Laguna Golf Phuket: Course will be closed during 4-8 March for the PGA Tour China Series and during 13-19 May for the Singha Laguna Phuket Open.
- Loch Palm Golf Club: Course will be undergoing light verticut during 20-21 January.
- Red Mountain Golf Club: Course will be undergoing green top dressing maintenance during 17-19 January.
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Vietnam
Danang
- BRG Danang Golf Resort: Course will be holding the DMO Launch Event in the afternoon of 15 January.
- Montgomerie Links Vietnam: Course will be closed on 30 March for the Mercedes Qualifier Tournament. Coring greens will be taking place in May.
Dalat
Hai Phong / Halong Bay
Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh City
Quy Nhon
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Indonesia
Bali
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Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur
- TPC KL, East Course: Course will be closed in the afternoon of 13 January for the TPCKL Junior Tournament.
- TPC KL, West Course: Course will be closed in the morning of 12 January for a tournament.
Johor Bahru
Penang
Kota Kinabalu
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Cambodia
Phnom Penh
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Myanmar
Yangon
Mandalay
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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 2018. All rights reserved.
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