Cannot read this newsletter? Click here to view it in your browser
Golfasian - Asian Golf Nation
Home | Golf Holidays | Golf Courses | Golf Services | About Us | Contact Us

Asian Golf Nation - November 2009

 
Dear Travel Partners & Golf Travelers,

 Welcome to the November edition of the Asian Golf Travel Nation. 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.

Asian Golf News:

ThailandSingha Park Golf Club in Khon Kaen*
Khon Kaen:
Where is "Khon Kaen" and what does this have to do with golf?

Besides being the home to the best caddies in Thailand, Khon Kaen now boasts its own Asian PGA tour event. Read on...

The King's Cup Golf Tournament, a new Asian Tour event which was scheduled to be played at Santiburi Chiang Rai the first week of December, has now been moved to the new Singha Park Golf Club in Khon Kaen. Thongchai Jaidee and all the top Thai players will be there vying for the inaugural King's Cup title (played the week of the King's birthday). I haven't heard any first hand reports from golfers there, but if the Singha group is moving the King's Cup from their Chiang Rai course which is always in good condition to their new Khon Kaen course, then the Singha Park Golf Club must be in great shape, even though it just opened.

While in Khon Kaen why not try out the other 2 nearby courses, (Yes there is even more golf!!)

Dancoon Golf ClubDancoon Golf Club, out by the Khon Kaen airport, is one of the nicest maintained courses in the area. There is also the Ubonrat Dam course 45 minutes drive away from Khon Kaen. This 18 hole complex boasts 9 dollar green fees, making it my choice for the best sub-10 dollar golf course in Thailand. So inexpensive I don't know how they stay in business. The Khon Kaen Army course has been expanded to 18 holes as well. Now there are four 18 hole courses to enjoy.

Lovely town it is. A new Central Department Store is opening next year also and the airport has multiple convenient daily non-stops to Bangkok. Khon Kaen really is Thailand's best up-and-coming golf hot spots. If you are interested and want to be one of the first to golf in Khon Kaen before it's discovered by the masses, drop me an email and I will send you more details.

Cambodia
*Dalat Palace Golf ClubPhnom Penh: Is it a coincidence that Phnom Penh rhymes with Khon Kaen?

Cambodia's capital is soon to have it's very own Jack Nicklaus designed golf course. Taking shape near the heart of Phnom Penh, Nicklaus Design is hard at work setting up the country's first American designed golf course complete with proper earth works, imported grasses, and challenges on every hole to suit even the toughest of golfers. Construction is completed and the course opening is planned in time for this year's high season. Why not play all 3 Phnom Penh courses (Royal Cambodia and Cambodia G&CC) or combine a golf stop in Phnom Penh with one of the other major golf destinations in the region?

Siem Reap: The Asian Tour and Cambodian Open returns to the Phokeethra Country Club in Siem Reap on November 19-22. If anyone is interested in playing in or watching this tournament, let me know and I will see what I can do to make it happen for you.

Vietnam
*Montgomerie Links VietnamDanang: Yes, the site of last month's unfortunate typhoon, the Montgomerie Links Vietnam, now bridges the gap between Vietnam's north and south portions of the Ho Chi Minh Golf Trail. Golf tourism in Vietnam's Central Coast tourism is just getting underway. While other courses are planned for the region, the Central Coast's first golf course which completed all 18 holes in August is destined to become one of Vietnam's best offerings. If anyone has played the course or knows when the grand opening is planned, drop me a line, as I would love to know more.

Now for a regional weather report: This year's rainy season appears to be less severe than those seen in the past, especially in Hua Hin and Phuket. Daily golfing is ongoing with the best conditions seen in Hua Hin. Also, I expect golf course maintenance will go along way to insuring near perfect playing conditions during the drier months ahead.

Sand TrapContrary to what is being reported in other regions, the Asian golf travel sector continues to expand as the growing global buzz about the value-for-money and service quality along with the newly opened golf courses continues to fuel golf growth across Asia, especially in Vietnam and Thailand. While this is good for business, it almost guarantees busy conditions during the coming best months from November to March.

Already I am seeing some of the better resorts around Thailand and Vietnam starting to report limited availability. We still have some room allocations for our clients, but I expect the better hotels to be full for the season in the next month or two. Therefore, I urge anyone considering a Asia golf holiday for the 2009-2010 winter months to make your plans early. This way you will be assured of good arrangements and if something comes up later on, your plans can always be adjusted accordingly.

Remember if you want to get regular updates about golf in Indochina, then sign-up for uninterrupted email delivery of this newsletter. In addition, all persons signing up will automatically receive the latest "Thailand Golf Insider Tips" special report.

Until the next newsletter, happy golfing!

Mark Siegel
Managing Director of Golfasian

 

* Meet Golfasian at these Trade/Roadshows

Golfasian has a full schedule of tradeshows and roadshows during the next 3 months.

You can find us at the following exhibits:

  • November 16-19 - International Golf Travel Mart (Malaga, Spain)
  • December 1-4 - Luxury Travel Mart (Las Vegas)
  • January 29-31 - USPGA Merchandise Show (Orlando)

Arrange an appointment with Mark Siegel, MD of Golfasian, at one of these exhibits.

* Featured Resort - De Naga Chiang Mai

De Naga Chiang MaiIt's fitting this city retreat in Northern Thailand is part of the Unique Collection of Hotels & Resorts -- it's about as unique as a hotel or resort gets. Named after a mythical serpent that was a symbol of strength and opulence, De Naga Chiang Mai pays homage throughout with statues, ornaments and various decorative details and an architectural style (Lanna) singular to this part of the world.

The entrance -- a steep, gabled roof that descends from an elongated pinnacle into curved, flame-shaped eaves -- makes an immediate impression, while the warm, teakwood rooms let guests settle in easily. For the grandest experience, book the 72-square-meter Naga Suite, the only suite on the property. [Visit the De Naga Website]

* Featured Golf Course - Lotus Valley Golf Resort
Lotus Valley Golf Resort

Lotus Valley Golf Resort is located east of Bangkok; approximately 50 minutes from Suvanabhumi International Airport. Formerly the World Trade Golf and Sports Club, Lotus Valley Golf Resort is one of only a handful of Gary Player designed golf courses in Asia. The famous South African created a good balance of golf challenge while using modern golf course construction methods and quality. The golf course has two conventional loops of nine holes adding up to a championship length of 6,955 yards from the tips and a par 72.

Every hole represents its own individual challenge and affords both an easy path to the green for par or a more risky route for a birdie chance. Water come into play on every hole to some degree or anther. True to Player's style and in leaning towards the traditional Scottish design, close cut fairways and fringes feature around the greens.

[Read More]

- Special - ONLY for Asian Golf Nation Subscribers!

Once again, we have created a surprise for all Asian Golf Nation subscribers.
As a subscriber you are entitled to book this very special value package. This package is available ONLY to Asian Golf Nation subscribers.

Chiang Mai Golf Improvement Package 
RSS Best of the Blog thailandgolfzone.com

Three Ball Golf Thailand

Golfers in ThailandIn my view, and I am sure many of you will agree, the best form of golf in Thailand is a 'friendly' four-ball, better-ball with three like-minded pals. The amicable banter and gamesmanship all go to make for a fun round, especially if there are a few bucks, or even the post-match round of drinks, riding on the result – in particular, in Thailand, if the caddies are encouraged to join in the wagering, say by doubling the tip of the caddies carrying for the winning pair.

Here is what you are missing. [Read More]

Other golf stories can be found at the Thailand Golf Zone where there are over 450 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.

* About Us & Contacts

Golfasian Co., Ltd.

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 me by e-mail, I welcome the help.

  • Licensed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), License No: 14/00515
  • Recommended by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO)
  • Member of Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA)

Toll Free US/Canada: 1-866-550-2284
Toll Free Germany: 0800-181-8552

Golf Hotline Thailand: +66 (0) 81 987 3170
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.golfasian.com

Golf Holidays in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam

 
If you ever get bored of reading our newsletters, you can [UNSUBSCRIBE] to unsubscripe at any time or [PREFERENCES] to update your email details.