Asian Golf Travel Nation - May 2015

Our third event of the Asia Golf Week 2015 series is being held in Phuket starting June 7 – 13 and we have positions available either with accommodation at our 4 star tournament hotel D2 at Patong or at the 3 star Centra Ashleigh hotel nearby. A Late Booking offer of 1 free night at the hotel OR a free round at Phuket Country Club will be available up to May 25 when entries are closed. The late inclusion of the newly renovated Laguna Phuket and the always tournament ready Blue Canyon (Canyon Course) will surely test the best of the golfers in the field. The other last minute change was to include Loch Palm which has just finished renovating the greens to bring them in line with the others on the golf course. The Canyon Course has hosted many professional events across the Asian, European and US Golf Tours, and has seen winners in Tiger Woods, Greg Norman and Fred Couples who set a course record on this great test of golf. Red Mountain rounds out our 4 golf courses for the week and this stunning golf course is a fitting end to a fabulous golf week in Phuket

Our Cambodia Golf Week is gaining popularity each year with golfers looking to play some of the best courses in a destination that isn't known for their golf courses. The Cambodia Golf Week is based in Siem Reap and includes 8 nights' accommodation with 5 rounds of golf. We have allowed extra rounds at the popular Nick Faldo designed Angkor Golf Resort as we think the golf course is that good that it needs to be played more than once. We also allow a full day sightseeing the world famous Angkor Wat temples complexes.

The golf Week in Vietnam is in its second year and based on last year's comments from players, many didn't know that Vietnam had so many good golf courses. Danang is the host city, and the golf courses are designed by golf notables such as Greg Norman (Danang Golf Club) Sir Nick Faldo (Laguna Lang Co) and Colin Montgomerie (Montgomerie Links) and all should be a stern test for golfers looking to test their skills on world class championship layouts.

To register for the Phuket Golf Week, please click this link
Other events throughout the year can be found on this link www.asiagolfweek.com

Have you thought about golf travel insurance for your trip? Golfasian has teamed up with Pacific Cross insurance to offer

• Personal accident insurance up to USD 65,000
• Medical treatment up to USD 75,000
• Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
• Loss/Damage of Baggage up to USD 800
• Hole-In-One up to USD 300
• Loss/Damage of Golfing Equipment up to USD 2,000
• And a lot more!

For more information visit our website.

Autumn Hua Hin – Luxury Condo For Sale: Situated next to Sea Pines Golf Course, the only links style course directly on the ocean here in Hua Hin, you are welcomed by views of this beautiful golf course not only from the balcony of the condo but especially from the luscious roof top garden on the 4th floor, enjoying the sea breeze and ocean view. The condo features a living space of about 42 square meters with a small kitchenette. There's a sturdy sliding door separating the living and dining area from the bedroom. The bedroom has a full en suite bathroom with spacious shower. Perfect for the aspiring pro, married golfers or even just for a holiday retreat.

To find out more about how easy it is to purchase property and how the prices are comparatively much cheaper than those in the West, please contact the GM of our Property Division - Stephen van der Merwe - [email protected].

Feel free to stop by our office and see what we can offer or take our property tour (free of charge).

For a complete listing of Thailand properties visit our website.

My name is Brendan and I play regularly with three other friends from Melbourne Australia.

Being from Melbourne we have a huge selection of golf courses to choose from so rather than play at a particular club week in week out, we choose to travel around the area and get as much variety as possible. The group has been playing together for the past 20 years and have handicaps between 10 and 20.

Having always focused on golf in Australia, we thought for our next trip it was time to test the waters overseas and Thailand was to be the venue. We only had 6 days in which to fit everything including travel so on the advice of Golfasian a trip to Hua Hin was planned. We played Black Mountain whose reputation was outstanding and on the drive down from Bangkok stopped at the brand new Nikanti Golf Course.

The moment the group stepped off the plane we were met with a smile and from there did not have a thing to worry about. The transfer to the perfectly located Hilton Hotel in downtown Bangkok was straightforward, and after a quick shower and change we did a bit of sightseeing followed by drinks and dinner. The next day our very patient driver drove us to Nikanti Golf Course, a superb new concept layout which sees you playing 18 holes that are grouped in six-hole teardrops, each with 2 par 3s, 2 par 4s and 2 par 5s. After playing six brilliant holes you are taken back to what must be the most spectacular and lavish club house I have ever seen. Completing the 18 holes, our driver was waiting for us so we continued our journey to Hua Hin and checked into another lovely Hilton Hotel again in the centre of town with gorgeous sea views.

Day 3 saw us take a rest from golf and after the busy night in Bangkok and unusually hot 38c day at Nikanti it was time to enjoy some pure fun so we headed off for a wake boarding session at the nearby Black Mountain water park which was a blast. This was followed by sightseeing around the town of Hua Hin and a couple of ice cold beers. The trip so far had been excellent, but that was all a warm up because the next day saw us take on Black Mountain Golf Course. Recently voted best championship course in Asia Pacific it is an unbelievable experience. We played two days of magical golf on what must definitely be the one of the best golf courses I have ever experienced in terms of conditioning and challenging layout. After our last round we were able to freshen up in the clubhouse and were driven back to Bangkok for one last night to reminisce about our trip and plan our next outing.

If anyone is considering a golf package to Thailand I can highly recommend the trip down to Hua Hin and I can strongly recommend the team at Golfasian. We made many changes in the run up to our trip and even had a plane cancellation 12 hours before leaving, but all of this was calmly taken in their stride by the Golfasian team. The price was cheaper than booking ourselves and once you arrive everything is taken care of. Thanks again to the team at Golfasian and we hope to see you all again next year!

[Read more testimonials...]

Golfers can really enjoy golf in Jakarta, as the city provides over 35 different kinds of golf courses of which the majority are world class. The great advantage of playing golf in Jakarta is that all the major golf courses are located within 60 minutes of the city centre.

Jakarta has 3 significant golf regions. The key region is next to Jagorawi toll road and the well known golf courses are located within this region that stretches all the way to the city of Bogor and Puncak. The second one is situated in the west of Jakarta in Tangerang. The final and third area is situated in the east near the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road.

[Read the entire destination review]

(World Class Championship Golf Course designed by Bob Moore Jr. & JMP Groups)

Royale Jakarta Golf Club is situated only 15 minutes from the city of Jakarta and is designed by Mr. Bob Moore Jr. from the US based JMP Golf Design Group.

The golf course covers nearly 100 hectares, and people will find 27 amazing holes that are divided over three nine hole layouts named the South, the West and the North course. An amazing club house is set amongst a beautiful setting and overlooks each of the 3 nines. The grass that embellishes the fairways is Sea Isle Supreme, the latest development of Paspalem grasses that have been designed over the last decade. It is used on the putting surface too. The powdery, near-white sand that is used at the bunkers clearly gives a new importance to bunker play.

The course is home to the Indonesian Masters.

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

Shangri La Surabaya hotel is a luxury resort conveniently located right opposite the most famous shopping center in the town. The resort is perfect for golfers and it is just half an hour from the Airport. The guest rooms are beautifully decorated with amazing views of the city of Surabaya and the neighbourhood of Darmo. Golfers that would like to have the very maximum level of service, can enjoy the Horizon Club that provides a club lounge and exclusive privileges.

[Read more about one of Indonesia's Best Hotels]

Now is your chance to get the best of two destinations in one package. First you will enjoy golf in the big city of Jakarta and then you can relax in Bali at the beautiful beaches. After golf you will have the opportunity to explore the culture. 

Recommended Hotels:

• 4 Star Oakwood Premier Cozmo Jakarta
• 4 Star Grand Aston Bali Beach Resort
• 5 Star The Laguna Resort & Spa Nusa Dua Bali
• 5 Star Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta
• We have a wide range of 3 - 5 star hotels available. To meet your preferences and budget please contact us for further information.

[Jakarta City and Bali Beach Golf Holiday Itinerary...]

Golfasian Co. Ltd. is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr.Ittipol Rerkdee to the position of General Manager.

Mr.Ittipol or Ton will be responsible for managing the overall day-to-day operations, as well as enhancing total customers experiences, generating revenue for the company through B2B and B2C sales, and expanding the company's workforce.

Ittipol gained valuable experience during his 20 years career in the travel and tourism industry and having served most recently as the Regional General Manager of Grand Circle Corporation (Thailand), a division of the world's largest US Direct Marketing Tour Operator. Prior to taking over as Regional General Manager, Ittipol held positions of Area Manager, and Operations & Program Services Manager at Grand Circle and helped built the company's regional capabilities in Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos & Indonesia. Ittipol started his career with Dusit Thani Hotels and worked in sales management for Dusit Thani Hotel Bangkok and Dusit Thani Hotel Phuket. He was an honors degree graduate from the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Thammasat University winning the King Bhumibol Award for Best Academic Record and a diploma in Hotel Management from Rijn & IJssel College, The Netherlands.

"I am thrilled to have Ittipol join the Golfasian team," said Mark Siegel, Managing Director of Golfasian. "He brings amazing experience, excitement and enthusiasm to Golfasian and under his leadership I am confident Golfasian will grow to the next level in service, capabilities, and staffing. This is a wonderful addition to the Golfasian family."

Golfasian, Asia's largest multi-countries pure play golf tour operator; was established in 1997 and handled over 12,000 golfers in 2014. The company packages golf, hotels, transportation and tours to offer golfers and golf tour operators total golfing solutions with exceptional quality, value and diversity. Golfasian was awarded Best Golf Tour Operator in Asia at the 2014 World Golf Awards.

Thailand

• Bangkok
  • Amata Spring Country Club - Course will be closed on 12,19 and 26 May for tournaments.
  • Bangkok Golf Club - Course will be closed on 6, 8 and 12 May for tournaments.
  • Lam Luk Ka Country Club - Course will be closed on 2 and 13 May for tournaments.
  • Lotus Valley Golf Resort - Course will be closed on 3, 10, 17, 19 and 23 May for tournaments.
  • Muang Kaew Golf Club - Course will be closed on 9, 17, 21, 25 and 27 May for tournaments as well as from 11 - 13 May for coring teeing-ground.
  • President Country Club - Course will be closed on 21 and 26 May for tournaments.
  • Riverdale Golf Club - Course will be closed on 12 and 15 May for tournaments as well as on 19 May for coring green.
  • Vintage Golf Club - Course will be closed on 15 and 22 May for tournaments.
  • Windsor Park & Golf Club - Course will be closed on 7-8, 12, 15 and 21 May for tournaments.
• Hua Hin
  • Banyan Golf Club - Course will be closed on 15, 16 and 19 June for the Centara World Masters Golf Championship.
  • Black Mountain Golf Club - Course will be closed on 15, 18 and 19 June for the Centara World Masters Golf Championship.
  • Imperial Lake View Resort & Golf Club - Course C & D will be closed on 30 May for a tournament. Course A & B will be closed on 17, 18 and 19 June for the Centara World Masters Golf Championship.
  • Majestic Creek Country Club - Course will be closed on 15, 16 and 18 June for the Centara World Masters Golf Championship.
  • Royal Hua Hin Golf Course - Course will be closed on 23 May for a tournament.
  • Sea Pines Golf Course - Course will be closed on 2, 9 and 31 May for tournaments.
  • Springfield Royal Country Club - Course B will be closed from 17 March - 31 July for maintenance and on 17 June for the optional round of the Centara World Masters Golf Championship.
• Pattaya
  • Burapha Golf Club - Course will be closed on 8, 13 and 30 May for tournaments.
  • Khao Khew Country Club - Course will be closed on 8 May for a tournament.
  • Laem Chabang International Country Club - Course will be closed on 6 and 24 May for tournaments.
  • Pattana Golf Club & Resort - Course will be closed on 8, 16, 25 and 29 May for tournaments.
  • Siam Country Club, Old Course - Course will be undergoing coring green on 8 June.
  • Siam Country Club, Plantation Course - Course will be undergoing coring green on 11 May. Further, the course will be closed on 15, 22, 26 and 29 May for tournaments and from 8 June - 16 June for the 2015 Thailand Open.
• Phuket
  • Blue Canyon Country Club, Lakes Course - Course will be undergoing coring green on 4 May.
  • Loch Palm Golf Club - Course will be closed for half a day (afternoon) on 6 June for a tournament.
  • Phuket Country Club - 9 holes will be closed from 19 - 20 May for maintenance.
  • Red Mountain Golf Club - Course will be closed for half a day (morning) on 3 May and 9 & 16 May as well as on 31 October for tournaments.
• Chiang Mai
  • Chiang Mai Highlands Golf and Spa Resort - Course will be closed on 2, 17, 22 and 24 May for tournaments.
  • Gassan Legacy Golf Club - Course will be closed on 10 and 24 May for tournaments.
  • Gassan Marina Golf Club and Resort - Course will be undergoing coring green on 26 April.
  • Mae Jo Golf Club - Course will be closed for half a day (afternoon) on 27 June, 11 July and 10 October as well as on 2 May and from 3 - 9 August for tournaments.
  • Royal Chiang Mai Golf Club & Resort - Course will be closed on 6 June for a tournament.
  • Summit Green Valley Chiang Mai Country Club - Course will be undergoing coring green from 20 March - 6 April. Course will be closed for on 25 April for a tournament.
• Chiang Rai
• Santiburi Chiang Rai Country Club - Course will be closed on 10, 17 and 24 May for tournaments.

Vietnam

• Danang
  
  • Danang Golf Club - Course will undergo renovation from 4 - 8 May, green renovation (9 holes) from 13-14 May and fairway renovation from 1 - 30 September (will not affect play).
  • Laguna Lang Co Golf Club - Course will closed on 23 May for the Laguna Lang Co Championship 2015.

Malaysia

• All golf courses are in good condition

Indonesia

• All golf courses are in good condition

Singapore

• All golf courses are in good condition.

Phuket Amateur Golf Week - June 2015
Date: 7 - 13 June, 2015| Location: Phuket, Thailand [Find out more]

Centara World Masters Golf Championship - June 2015
Date: 14 - 20 June, 2015| Location: Hua Hin, Thailand [Find out more]

Cambodia Amateur Golf Week - August 2015
Date: 2 - 9 August, 2015| Location: Siem Reap, Cambodia [Find out more]

Golf Coast Vietnam Amateur Golf Week - August 2015
Date: 10 - 16 August, 2015| Location: Danang, Vietnam [Find out more]

Vietnam World Masters Golf Championship - September 2015
Date: 6 - 12 September, 2015| Location: Danang, Vietnam [Find out more]

Siam Country Club Pattaya Amateur Golf Week - October 2015
Date: 18 - 24 October, 2015| Location: Pattaya, Thailand [Find out more]

Chiang Mai Amateur Golf Week - October 2015
Date: 25 - 31 October, 2015| Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand [Find out more]

Golf Girls and Equipment in Thailand

For anyone looking to purchase the latest golf equipment available, then Thailand can certainly satisfy your needs. Just look at the photo on the right, read the rest of this post, and you will see what I mean.

Golf is becoming a huge sport here, and to accommodate both the local demand, and with so many visiting tourists from such places as Europe, United States, Japan, and China, the golf retail market is very much alive and flourishing. From the major department stores, to more specialist shops selling particular brands, there is no shortage of choice.  Major brands such as Callaway, Taylor Made, Ping, Titliest, and Nike, are especially popular, but many other brands, including all the leading Japanese manufacturers have their products for sale. All the latest models of drivers, irons and putters can be found, together with all the usual accessories including shoes, balls, gloves and clothing. Golf bags, travel bags, holdalls, and really anything else you can relate to golf is available.

[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.

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You've probably spent quite a bit of money taking your golf trip to Thailand. So when you play golf here for the first time, don't boldly stroll up to the tee and grip it and rip it, but rather plan a sensible warm up so that the first swing is super smooth, the shot splits the fairway and your round starts with a positive state of mind.

Because it is hot in Thailand a simple stretch routine is all you'll need to start with. Then hit some balls at the driving range opening with some easy short irons to find your rhythm, working up through a few mid irons until the driver.  If you are hitting your club of choice for the first tee well, picture the shot you'll face, tee it up and hit to a target; if it's good remember that picture and feel and go and have some putts.

This routine can take only 20-30 minutes and will set you up for the best chance of a good score and a great day.

[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

Golfasian has a full schedule of trade shows and roadshows during the next few months.

You can find us at the following events:

• April 27 - 30 - Asia Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC) (Jakarta, Indonesia)
• October 5 - 8 - International Golf Travel Mart (IGTM) (Tenerife)

Arrange an appointment with Golfasian at one of these exhibits.

• 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)
• Recommended by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)
• Member of International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO)
• Member of Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA)
• Member of the International Association of Travel and Tourism Professionals (SKAL)
• Member of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM)
• Founder and member of Golf in a Kingdom (GIAK)
• Founder and member of Golf Coast Vietnam (GCV)
• Member of Bali Golf Paradise (BGP)
• Winner of Asia's Best Golf Operator of the Year 2014 Award

Toll Free US/Canada: 1-866-550-2284

E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.golfasian.com