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Dear Golf Travelers,
 Welcome to the November 2017 issue of the Asian Golf Nation, the source for news breaking information about golf in 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.
After a soggy monsoon period, this time of the year brings long overdue dry and cooling weather to most of SE Asia. The change of seasons also means that it's the perfect time for you to experience stunning destinations and ideal golf conditions across the region.
The main Asian golf countries keep receiving accolades from golfers around the world. For example, Thailand netted the Best Golf Destination Award at the 2017 Arabian Travel Awards as the Middle East based golf enthusiasts chose the Kingdom as their favorite golfing destination. Then, just this month as reported by the Asia Pacific Golf Group, Vietnam was singled out by Asian golfers as Asia's Best Golf Destination.
To that end and just a reminder, hotels in the main golf resorts of Hua Hin, Thailand, and Danang, Vietnam regularly sends us their occupancy tables, and it's clear that availability this high season will be touch-and-go. Early bookings for the period December through March are strongly suggested to lock-in the best tee times and ensure availability at the better golf resorts.
The good news is that Golfasian has taken out room options at the best properties for your high season travel. Additionally, all existing tours have been refined to include only the best-conditioned courses, meet all budgets and standards of travel, and ensure that you have genuine Asian golf experiences.
Whether it be playing in organized golf tournaments or casually golfing with friends, you are guaranteed to meet friendly locals, experience the world's best cuisines, exotic cultures, unbelievable entertainment. Best of all everything on offer is at great prices. Itineraries created for your specific travel preferences, expectations, group size, and budgets are our specialty; contact us for a competitive quote.
In this issue of the Asian Golf Nation, I highlight some new golf courses in the region and feature destinations and original itineraries for the coming high season. Read on.
Mark Siegel
Managing Director of Golfasian
In This Issue:
 Visit Golfasian Today!
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 Chiang Mai, Thailand |
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| Gasan Khuntan Golf Resort |
The stunning Gasan Khuntan Golf and Resort opened the new 9-hole Mountain Course. The scenery surrounding this par-34 layout is even more spectacular than the existing 18 holes. Several of the holes play alongside the Doi Khuntan National Park, and there are observation points to view the original single-gauge train and historical white bridge crossing. Current course conditions of both the Mountain Course and original 18-holes rival any of the other top Chiang Mai courses. Moreover, the 27-holes at Khuntan are among the most scenic and challenging in all Thailand. If you have time, then play them all in a day. Otherwise, a combination of nine from the original 18 together with the Mountain Course makes an excellent option as well. |
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 Danang, Vietnam |
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| BRG Danang Golf |
Construction on the new Nicklaus Course at BRG Danang Golf resort continues. Hole routing and shaping are all completed, and grass is growing nicely. The opening of the first nine holes is expected by the years end with the second nine around six months after that. From what I have seen the course will be as good as the other Danang signature courses and a welcome addition to the awarded BRG Golf Resort, Norman Course. |
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 Colombo, Sri Lanka |
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| Shangri-La Golf Resort & Spa |
While not on anyone's golf map yet, this amazing country will be soon. Last month I visited and played golf in Sri Lanka for the first time. Four courses are open for play, and while the 200-km distances between each would dissuade most golfers from making the overland journey, I discovered a seaplane service that we charter for the whole journey at very reasonable cost. If golfing alongside undiscovered warm water beaches combined with playing at a 100-year old colonial hill station that resembles Switzerland more than Asia is your cup of tea is, then let me know. I will fix up a golf trip of a lifetime for you, and throw in all the tea you can drink as well. |
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 Bali, Indonesia |
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| Bukit Pandawa |
Golfers are asking about Nirwana Bali Golf Club and the overall status of golf in Bali. The Greg Norman course officially closed in August, and the site's now dormant. That leaves five courses on the island: Bali National, New Kuta, Handara, Bukit Pandawa, and Bali Beach. The first four are18-hole layouts, the last is a nice 9-hole course played mostly by locals. For Nirwana, new design work by Phil Mickelson starts in December and once finished Nirwana becomes Bali Trump International Golf Club. It will be "The Donald's" 19th golf property around the world, and his fourth in Asia. The project target is six star, and rumor has it upon reopening the USPGA will add Trump International Bali as an official tour stop in 2020. |
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Golfasian has put together a series of Golf & Culture Hosted Tours™ in South East Asia. These tours provide an extremely personal and in-depth experience into Southeast Asia's cultural and golf travel offerings.
Our Golf & Culture Hosted Tours™ combine luxury travel, world-class golf, picturesque scenery, exotic cuisine, and magical experiences to be remembered forever and are inclusive of all accommodations with breakfast plus ground transportation, green fees, carts, caddies and all domestic flights. Delicious lunches and dinners served as noted in the itinerary.
Places are limited, so only a lucky 20 persons will have this opportunity of a lifetime to experience the golf and culture of Southeast Asia through the eyes and ears of a local.
View our fully hosted tours online. |
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Now the weather is moving into the cooler months in Asia, we have 3 great group events for you and your friends to join in March & April 2018
1. Amari Hua Hin Golf Week starting on the 11th March where the weather is perfect for golfing and the golf courses are in tip top condition. Based on the success of last year, course for the week include Seapines, Springfield, Banyan and Black Mountain, and we will be having a combined 2 Ball tournament, so bring your best friend and have a go at winning the Inaugural 72 hole Amari Hua Hin 2 Ball championship. Register here.
2 great Early Bird Booking offers for payments before 30 November. Firstly you can either have a free room upgrade AND free room night OR have a THB 5000 voucher to spend at the hotel on food, drinks & massages etc.
2. Avani Pattaya Golf Week starting on the 18th March. With so many golf courses in Pattaya available, we have selected the 4 top golf courses, Laem Chabang, Siam Waterside, Siam Plantation and Siam Old Course, with the added tournament being including a 4 round 2 Ball stableford and stroke tournament as well, go get your 2 ball partner and enter the Avani Pattaya Golf Week now. Register here.
Early Bird bookings paid before 30 November receive a 10% discount and personalized boston bag with your name on it.
4. Vietnam Golf Week: This is going to be one of the best value group tours we have put together in Danang. 6 nights' accommodation and 4 rounds of golf with caddie and cart, playing golf courses by top designers including Greg Norman (BRG Danang), Nick Faldo (Laguna Lang Co), Colin Montgomerie (Montgomerie Links) and Luke Donald (Ba Na Hills) for a low $USD 1395, it's going to be an event not to miss.
Early Bird bookings paid in full before 30 November receive a free room upgrade and free room night. Register here.
Should you have any questions about our tournaments, or golf in general in Asia please contact us here |
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Just want to thank you / Golfasian for the great hosting you supplied our group in Hua Hin last week.
All the boys thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the trip and the service Golfasian supplied was first class.
From the outset you were extremely efficient in answering all our queries in a prompt and professional manner.
Your drivers were very welcoming and extremely polite and as a whole our group were extremely grateful for the whole service you provided.
Hua Hin was great / The golf courses are nothing short of breathtaking to play and we were very happy with our stay at the Laksasubha hotel.
The boys are already looking forward to 2018 and we can't wait to again use the Golfasian services to help us with our trip again next year.
Much appreciated Ian
Will keep in touch.
Kind Regards,
Gordon G.
Australia, August
[Read more golfer testimonials online] |
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Hua Hin, Thailand
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Hua Hin, is located 3 hours south of Bangkok and our most popular destination in Thailand for Golfasian clients.
It's easy to see why, with one of the best climates in the country and in Black Mountain and Banyan we have two of the top ten rated courses in Thailand. Black Mountain has just celebrated its 10th year anniversary by opening a new 9 holes which is a welcome addition to this 5 star resort. Backed up by 6 other good courses, there is plenty of variety for all standards of golfer.
Once a quiet fishing village, it grew into a fashionable escape for the residents of Bangkok when the Thai royal family built their summer palace here. Hua Hin Beach is popular for kitesurfing and other water sports, and the main stretch of sand is lined with high-end hotels such as the Hilton, Marriott and Centara. The recent addition of the Bluport Shopping Mall has brought top class shopping to Hua Hin too.
The Ferry service from Hua Hin to Pattaya now goes daily and taking only two hours, so golfers now have the easy opportunity to combine two top class golf destinations.
Come see why everyone loves Hua Hin!
View our Hua Hin Golf Packages | Hua Hin Golf Courses
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The Jack Nicklaus designed Springfield Royal Country Club is located off the Hua Hin bypass road near Cha Am. The course is rated as one of the best Hua Hin golf courses and the traditional Nicklaus layout is as good as they come.
The course at Springfield has been designed to meet the high demands of a recognized championship golf course, and yet it remains an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all standards. Each hole has a minimum of five tees to play from, but only the brave, and those regularly rub shoulders with the world's best will venture from the black tee. Water hazards regularly come into play and each hole presents its own individual challenge and character requiring finesse or unrestraint.
[Read more about one of Thailand's Best Golf Courses]
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Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin first opened its doors to welcome guests in the early 1920s, at a time when the new railway line to Malaysia was transforming the sleepy fishing village of Hua Hin into Thailand’s first beach resort. The hotel, originally named the Railway Hotel, was built along the classic lines of that era, and today is regarded as one of the grand hotels of the East.
Sensitively extended and renovated, Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin retains its air of that bygone age of elegance. Set on the beachfront, with a wide expanse of gardens perfect for strolling and enjoying the sea breezes, and with a prime town centre location ideal for exploring and shopping, the resort hotel is a prime destination for golfers traveling to Hua Hin.
[Read more about one of Thailand's Best Hotels]
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Bangkok - Kanchanaburi - Hua Hin Golf & Culture Package - 13 Days
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This 3-destination golf & culture package combines the best golf in Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, & Hua Hin with all of the famous sights in each area. The Grand Palace, Bridge over the River Kwai, and the residence of King Rama VI are wonders of the world. Great golf, friendly locals, world-class service, and infamous sights are a perfect combination for this Thailand Golf Lifestyle Experience™. Why choose one Thailand golf destination when you can play and see it all in one tour?
View the complete golf holiday itinerary.
To meet your preferences and budget please contact us for further information. |
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Thailand |
| Bangkok |
- Alpine Golf and Sports Club: Course will be closed on 12, 19, 22, 25 & 28 November for tournaments.
- Bangkok Golf Club: Course will be closed on 22 & 24 November and on 3 & 20 December for tournaments.
- Cascata Golf Club: Course will be closed on 20 November and on 25 December for tournaments.
- Lakewood Country Club: Course will be closed on 10, 16, 22, 24, 28 & 30 November for tournaments.
- Lam Luk Ka Country Club: Course will be closed on 10, 12 & 17 November for tournaments.
- Lotus Valley Golf Resort: Course will be closed on 4, 11 & 18 November for tournaments.
- Muang Kaew Golf Club: Course will be closed on 10, 17 & 24 November for tournaments.
- Navatanee Golf Course: Course will be closed on 3, 8 & 30 November for tournaments.
- Riverdale Golf Club: Course will be closed on 3-11, 13-14, 17-19, 21-26 & 30 November and on 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 18, 22, 25 & 29 December for tournaments.
- Summit Windmill Golf Club: Course will be closed on 23-25 November for tournaments.
- Suwan Golf & Country Club: Course will be closed on 4, 8, 10, 18, 22, 24-25 & 29 November and on 8-10, 15-16 & 20 December for tournaments.
- Thai Country Club: Course will be closed during 15-16 December for a tournament.
- Vintage Golf Club: Course will be closed on 2, 9, 13, 16-17, 23-24 & 30 November for tournaments.
- Windsor Park & Golf Club: Course will be closed on 3 & 22-24 November for tournaments.
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| Vietnam |
| Danang |
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| Saigon |
- Long Thanh Golf Club & Residential Estate: Course will be closed on 2 November and on 23-24 December for tournaments.
- Song Be Golf Resort: Course will be closed on 5, 11, 16, 24 & 25 November for tournaments.
- Tan Son Nhat Golf Course: Course will be closed during 1-4, 11-12 & 26 November for tournaments.
- The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip: Course will be closed on 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21 & 28 November and on 17 December for tournaments.
- Vietnam Golf & Country Club: Course will be closed on 11, 16, 17, 19, 24, 29 & 30 November for tournaments.
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| Indonesia |
| Bali |
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 Malaysia |
| Kuala Lumpur |
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 Cambodia |
| Siem Reap |
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 Myanmar |
| Yangon |
- Pun Hlaing Golf Club: Course will be closed during 26-29 January for the Leopalace21 Myanmar Open (Asian Tour).
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 Singapore |
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Golfasian Ryder Cup
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November
2017 |
Pattaya,
Thailand |
1 & 3
Nov., 2017 |
| [find out more] |
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Chiang Mai Amateur
Golf Week
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November
2017 |
Chiang Mai,
Thailand |
5 - 11
Nov., 2017 |
| [find out more] |
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Amari Hua Hin Amateur
Golf Week
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October
2017 |
Hua Hin,
Thailand |
29 Oct.
- 4 Nov. 2017 |
| [find out more] |
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Amari Hua Hin Amateur
Golf Week
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March
2018 |
Hua Hin,
Thailand |
11 - 17
March, 2018 |
| [find out more] |
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Avani Pattaya Amateur
Golf Week
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March
2018 |
Pattaya,
Thailand |
18 - 24
March, 2018 |
| [find out more] |
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Centara World Masters Golf Championship -
June 2018 |
Hua Hin,
Thailand |
10 - 16
June, 2018 |
| [find out more] |
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Beautiful Bungalow For Sale Hua Hin Soi 88 |
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 A beautiful and well maintained luxurious home, situated in an exclusive estate only 7 kilometers from Hua Hin city centre. This house has a light and open feel and is well presented with all true modern conveniences. The beautiful tropical garden is well stocked with mature plants and large private swimming pool. The terrace overlooks the countryside and provides a truly relaxing ambiance, especially in the evening when the sun is setting.
The living area has been finished to modern and high standard with a fitted European kitchen with western appliances. There is also a storage room, covered barbecue area and fully covered carport.
For more information visit our website. |
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6 Reasons Why Vietnam
May be the Perfect Golf Getaway
Golf in Vietnam is becoming an increasingly popular activity and it's easy to see why with a diverse and picturesque landscape, five-star hotels at a fraction of the price, delicious award-winning dining options and a plentiful amount of stunning resorts and championship quality golf courses designed by all your favourite architects while featuring ocean and mountain views at every turn.
[READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE] |
Golf in
Asia
Recently our round of golf was interrupted by bad weather. So many times, I see people continue through the bad patch, only to get everything wet and ruin their day because of a couple of bad holes in the rain. My suggestion is to stop at the nearby drink station, kick back have a drink and a snack with your partner and reflect on the golf course and the round so far. The caddies will bring your bags undercover and generally keep everything dry until you venture out again. As soon as the sun appears, head back out and enjoy your round of golf in the Land of Smiles.
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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 gathered from your golf trips. I can incorporate some in future articles so if you have any 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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