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Asian Golf Travel Nation - October 2012

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Dear Golf Travelers,

Golf in AsiaWelcome to the latest issue of the Asian Golf Nation, the source for news breaking information about golf in Asia.

South East Asia has been in the news again due to heavy rains and scattered rain-outs. However, at the same time we have seen a big upturn in new inquiries. Doesn't this seem strange?

No, not really. The rainy season is a period lasting about 6 weeks and ending mid-October. Then November arrives, the rain stops, and golfers from around the world recognize the cooler and drier season is the norm. The approaching dry season brings with it the start of arrivals of golf holidaymakers from around the world. We are all geared up with tee-times and room allocations, additional vehicles, additional staff and guides, and all services contracted at the best available rates.

The drier climate also bring new offerings from GolfAsian - from new golf tours to undiscovered golf destinations like Laos and Burma, to golf resorts on the islands of Koh Chang and Nha Trang, to new premium golf courses in Da Nang and Bangkok. All of our new and existing tours have been further developed to insure hey are truly authentic and meet all budgets and standards of travel. Our industry leading wide combination of products and services will guarantee your golf vacations are filled with happiness, variety, and value.

There are only 3 months left in 2012!

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.

 Visit Golfasian Today!

Golf news from around the region:

Thailand
*Royal Lakeside Golf ClubBangkok: Royal Lakeside Golf Club, while not a household-named Bangkok golf course, has recently been renovated. New greens, constructed of the latest ultra-dwarf Bermuda turf, took one year to mature and are elevated and undulated. They roll faster than ever before and were 10.5 on the stimp meter when I played this past month. The also renovated palatial dome-topped clubhouse is now yellow and if not for its color, could be a cousin of the White House in Washington DC. Low US$25 green fees on Mondays and Wednesdays in breezy surroundings make for a great day out golfing at this relatively lesser known Bangkok golf course.

Vietnam
*Laguna Lang CoDa Nang: Vietnam's central coast has its 3rd golf course. The Laguna Lang Co course between Da Nang and Hue is grassed and ready for play. I was up there 2 weeks ago and the site is really something special. Little earth moving was needed to make the location ready for 18 holes as the course plays naturally through 3 distinct environments: seaside links, low marshlands, and mountain foothills. Soft opening is set for the end of the year, and we are already including Laguna Lang Co in all Da Nang golf tours scheduled for 2013.

Laos
*Vientiane: I have long been hearing rumors about the owners of Long Thanh in Saigon building a sister course in Laos and now I can confirm this is true. Long Vieng Golf Club outside Vientiane starts with a grand entrance that leads down a lane about 1 kilometer long to the course. It appears they have a very large parcel of land suitable for residential real estate development with the golf course being the central attraction. The clubhouse being built is huge and might just be a replica of the one at Long Thanh. Earthworks has created mounding and waterways that frame the holes on the relatively otherwise featureless land. Play is open although further turf grow-in is needed to mature the course. There is a large driving range with covered bays between the parking lot and the 1st hole. A tent in the parking lot serves as the temporary caddie shack. The caddies do not yet have uniforms, however they all had big smiles and looked eager to welcome Jim when he visited last month. All Laos golfers should give Long Vieng a try.

With that I would like to once again thank those of you who have golfed with us recently, it was nice seeing you and I hope your trip was memorable one.

Remember, from the idyllic beaches of southern Thailand to the charming riverside city of Luang Prabang, Asia features an array of golf destinations. Private villas and golf resorts range from beach villas with private pools to renovated colonial mansions that are now used as golf resorts. Golfers wanting an authentic golf tour can explore the temples of Angkor atop an elephant or mingle with the friendly locals in Yangon. Golfers who prefer to combine their golfing with gastronomy can feast in any style from 3-starred Michelin establishments to local street food; all are healthy and delicious and suit the palettes and pockets from dignitaries to locals. Combine the warm culture and warm weather of SE Asia with great golfing and you have the makings of an unforgettable and authentic golf holiday.

Whatever your budget and preferred style of travel, we are glad to suggest a golf package to meet your needs.

Until the next newsletter, happy golfing and I hope to see YOU in the area very soon!

Mark Siegel
Managing Director of Golfasian

 

- Golf in Phuket - A Destination Review by Ian Morgan

Loch Palm Golf Club - Hole 16Phuket is Thailand largest island and is an hour's flight south from Bangkok. The new extension at Phuket International has just begun and will in future be able to handle 12.5 million tourists a year. The island sits in the Andaman Sea and its west and south coastline is sprinkled with some of the best beaches in the world. The most popular resort is Patong Beach famous for its beach, shopping and exhilarating nightlife, but if you prefer a quieter location there are many other options such as the Laguna Resort, Surin Beach, Kamala Beach, Karon Beach, Kata Beach and the fast developing south including Rawai and Nai Harn Beach.

As well as being a great golf destination Phuket offers so much more with island trips, local markets, international shows, great restaurants and some of the best Spas in the world.

There are 8 golf courses in Phuket including two nine hole options, the best being Red Mountain and the Blue Canyon championship course. There are other options if you don't want your holiday golf too tough with popular courses such as Loch Palm, Laguna, Blue Canyon Lakes and oldest course on the island, Phuket Country Club. If you want spectacular views then Missions Hills is must visit with the course in good condition and the views over Phang Nga are not to be missed.

[Read the entire Phuket Golf Review]

 
- Featured Golf Course - Red Mountain Golf Club, Phuket

Red Mountain Golf Club, PhuketIt's not difficult to see why this Phuket golf course was named Red Mountain. It is harder, however, to imagine how such a dramatically undulating landscape, where soft red rock and dense jungle were the principal ingredients, could be transformed into a challenging, yet playable layout.

Red Mountain Golf Course opened in 2007 and is now considered Phuket's most spectacular golf course. The course was designed to take advantage of a huge variety of landforms and dramatic elevation changes, making it Phuket's hilliest course.

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

- Featured Hotel - Cape Panwa Hotel, Phuket

Cape Panwa Hotel, PhuketThe Cape Panwa Hotel embodies tropical luxury in one of the world's most desirable destinations. Tucked away in a quiet corner of southeast Phuket, the hotel is renowned for its excellent service, stylish rooms and exclusive beach. Blending superbly with the natural beauty of the area, the hotel is comprised of a selection tastefully decorated, sea facing suites and pool villas.

Cape Panwa Beach is perfect for year round swimming. Phuket's south western winds blow from May until October making the seas on the west coast quite rough. However, the seas on the east coast, especially at Cape Panwa, are sheltered and calm.

[Read more about one of Phuket's Best Hotels & Resorts]

- Golf Trip Idea: Southern Thailand Golf, Tour & Spa Resort Package

Southern Thailand Golf, Tour & Spa Resort PackageThis Southern Thailand golf holiday combines the most relaxing golf spa resorts with excellent golf courses in Southern Thailand. The golf trip is well suited for those wanting to be at the best golf courses each morning and sipping cocktails on the beach or having a spa treatment by the evening. This two centre option combines luxury in Phuket with the peaceful contrast of Racha Kiri where you can explore this unspoilt getaway.

[Phuket Golf Holiday Detailed Itinerary...]

Thailand Amateur Golf Weeks 2012
- Golf Travel Testimonials

My dear Tina and Ian,
 
On behalf of  my group of golfers from Mount Edgecombe Country Club in Durban, South Africa, I would like to thank you both again for another fantastic Golfing vacation in Thailand.
 
From the time we left Durban to our return yesterday - all the arrangements were absolutely perfect. It was a real pleasure to travel with such a professional company, and we will definitely use your services again.
 
Thank you
Take care and regards
 
Phil and Joan S.
South Africa, June 2012

[Read more golf travel testimonials]

- Press Release: GolfAsian Hires Two Key Executives

Boyd Barker - General Manager, GolfasianOctober 2, 2013 BANGKOK, Thailand - Golfasian, the largest pure-play golf tour operator in South East Asia, announced today that it has hired Boyd Barker to serve as the company's General Manager. The company has seen strong growth with the increase in popularity of their golf tours and services, so Barker was hired to manage the company.

Mr. Barker's background includes 24 years of experience with Marriott International and Minor Hotels and Resorts in both the United States and Asia. Most recently, he served as Group Director of Hotel Openings and Operations for Anantara Hotels and Resorts based in Bangkok Thailand.

[Read the entire Press Release]

Thailand Golf Special Offers
- Golf Tournaments

Thailand Golf TournamentsPattaya Amateur Golf Week - October 2012
Date: October 20 - 27, 2012 | Location: Pattaya, Thailand [Find out more]

Chiang Mai Amateur Golf Week - October 2012
Date: October 27 - November 02, 2012 | Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand [Find out more]

Hua Hin Amateur Golf Week - March 2013
Date: March 03 - 09, 2013 | Location: Hua Hin, Thailand [Find out more]

Pattaya Amateur Golf Week - March 2013
Date: March 10 - 16, 2013 | Location: Pattaya, Thailand [Find out more]

- Best of the Blog thailandgolfzone.com

4 Golf Holiday Destinations To Combine With Thailand

4 Golf Holiday Destinations To Combine With ThailandMany people ask me to suggest non-Thai golf destinations that can be combined together with a Thailand golf holiday. Here are a few of the most common locations outside Thailand that can easily be part of a two or three centered Thailand golf holiday.

If you are looking for a Thailand golf holiday and wanting to try something different this year, check-out one of these destinations at the beginning or end of your Thailand trip; you might just be surprised how good the golf is and gaining an appreciation for 2 cultures in one vacation is always a good thing!

[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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- Golfing Tips by Ian Morgan - Diet

Good nutrition can determine the level of your game particularly in hot countries. Many golfers find their energy and concentration levels dropping towards the closing holes

So don't over eat before the game, have light easy to digest food avoiding fatty foods. During your round eat plenty of fruit, they are a good energy source especially bananas and make use of the many drinks stops taking in as much water as possible.

[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

- Meet Golfasian at these Trade/Roadshows/Fam-Trips

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

You can find us at the following events:

  • November 5 - 8, 2012 - World Travel Market (London, UK)
  • November 12 - 15, 2012 - International Golf Travel Mart (IGTM) 2012 (Algarve, Portugal)
  • January 23 - 26, 2013 - PGA Merchandise Show (Orlando, Florida)
  • April 29 - May 02, 2013 - IAGTO Asia Golf Tourism Convention (Pattaya, Thailand)

Arrange an appointment with Golfasian at one of these exhibits.

- About Us & Contacts
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 us by e-mail, we 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)
Golfasian Co., Ltd.
Unit 1105, 29 Bangkok Business Center
Soi Ekamai, Sukhumvit 63 Road
Klongtan Nua, Wattana
Bangkok 10110 Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2 714 8470
Fax: +66 (0) 2 714 8471
Golfasian Vietnam Co., Ltd
5th floor, HAN Building
301 Tran Hung Dao Street
District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
Tel: +84 (0) 8 3838 6510
Fax: +84 (0) 8 3838 6537

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

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

The #1 Golf Experts in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia & Laos!