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Asian Golf Travel Nation - September 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. In addition, 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.

The summer months in Europe and the Americas are over and it is now back-to-school time for the kids. Leafs on trees will start to change colors, the days will become shorter, and the weather will start to turn cold soon. This is time for the last golf rounds of the year and time to start making this winter's golfing plans. There are only 4 months left in 2012!

In Asia, we are in the midst of the "green season" with heavy afternoon showers being the norm. However, far from going elsewhere it seems there are more golfers here than ever before. The golf courses are green and annual maintenance over. Low season prices are in effect and fast under four hour rounds are common. Other than a few delays, there have not been any rainouts at all. This is really hard to beat!

As usual, Golfasian has been busy updating our tours for the high season and re-inspecting the area golf courses and resorts. Next month will really see allot of travel. I will be golfing in Saigon, Danang, and Hanoi for the first two weeks of the month and Jim is going to check-out the golf in Laos, so stay tuned for our trip reports next month. In addition, look out for some new golf articles.

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
*Mission Hills PhuketPhuket: The forgotten golf course in Phuket has no doubt been Mission Hills due to poor playing conditions, but this has all changed. Last year the fairways were re-laid with Bermuda grass and this has improved the surfaces. Of course, the most important part of any course are the greens and they are once again a joy to putt on. It does not take long to lose your reputation, but it can take time to get it back and Mission Hills Phuket are doing their best to get the course back to its best, which is good for golf in Phuket. Welcome back Mission Hills!

Vietnam
*Jeung San Golf ClubHo Chi Minh City: Vietnam's capital has its 5th golf course. The Jeung San Golf Club was designed by Ron Fream's Golfplan and is Korean owned. The new course is currently the least expensive course to play in Vietnam with US$39 green fees on weekdays. Jeong San plays 7,250 yards from the tips and features heavy bunkering throughout. It is nothing special but is another option for golf in Saigon. Jeong San is located on an island in the Saigon River and it takes 90 minutes to reach by road and ferry boat from the center of town.

Malaysia
*Bukit Jawi, Penang Golf ResortLangkawi: Some good and some bad golf news for Malaysia's answer to Phuket. First, the 2nd nine at the Ross Watson designed 99 East Golf Club is delayed. Construction won't start before mid-2013 which will push back the full golf course opening until 2014. On the other hand, the Ernie Els redesign of The Golf Club Datai Bay is in progress and the golf course should be back in operation by January 2013. So count on 2 and ½ Langkawi golf course for this high season (99 East, Datai Bay, and Gunung Raya).

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, 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 Laos - A Destination Review by Golfasian

Golf in Laos - A Destination Review by GolfasianIn addition to great golf, you will be on a bit of an adventure in Laos; blazing new trails to authentic cultural attractions, delighting in fine Asian dining imbued with French finesse and frontier sophistication, and elevating your spirits with recreational and soft adventure activities.

Laid-back Laos has so much to keep you busy and entertained and it is all stress free. The Lao people tend to follow the old adage about not sweating the small stuff, and by the way, it's all small stuff. You will find Lao citizens to be quite polite and friendly with better English skills than some countries in the region.

Great golf in Laos is high in quality with the number of courses increasing. The government is committed and moving forward with their tourism development strategies that include golf as a priority. Their success to date has increased demand and continues to attract not only golfers, but also developers.

[Read the entire Laos Golf Review]

 
- Featured Golf Course - Luang Prabang Golf Club, Laos

Luang Prabang Golf Club, LaosLuang Prabang Golf Club sits about 6 km west from the center of town, situated along the south bank of the Mekong River surrounded by forested tropical mountains. Holes 14 through 17 parallel the riverbank with the par three 17th playing right along the river's edge. Water is evident on nine of the 18 holes but really only comes into play on holes 3, 5, 7, and 14. The par four 18th hole plays uphill 35' over 375 yards from the tips to a medium-sized green that slopes 7' right to left across 75 feet of putting surface. The greens in general tend to be medium to small. Elevation changes across the entire layout are mild with hole 18 being the only exception and walking is not difficult, consisting of level to gently undulating terrain contours.

[Read more about one of Laos' Best Golf Courses]

- Featured Hotel - La Residence Phou Vao by Orient Express

La Residence Phou Vao by Orient ExpressMagnificent views of the surrounding countryside impress most guests of this luxury hotel, situated on a hillside just a short ride to the edge of town. The fine dining room receives heaps of praise as well, as do the spectacular gardens on the property. You can expect first class facilities, amenities, and congeniality during your stay and if you enjoy being pampered in a world-class spa this is the place for you. Infectious smiles from affable members of the hospitality team are uplifting and reflect their genuine happiness and confidence in the property and owners. Room service serves the entire menu from the dining room and if you are on one of the upper floors you may find it hard to leave the spectacular views of Mount Phousi and the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang.

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

- Golf Trip Idea: 7 Days/6 Nights Laos Golf Holiday

Laos Golf HolidayNestled near verdant foothills, serene rice fields, and the Mekong River, exotic Luang Prabang Golf Club, and the UNESCO World Heritage city, Luang Prabang, rest in Laos tranquility. This resort course covers gently rolling terrain with interesting water features coming into play on seven of the eighteen holes. Like all Laos Golf courses, Luang Prabang's dining and locker facilities are world class. Use this opportunity to visit Luang Prabang's rare tour attractions or play golf every day. Most popular among the sights to see are the Xieng Thong Temple built in 1560, a UNESCO world heritage site; the Pak Ou Cave Tour by Riverboat; the Elephant Riding & Trekking Tour; the Tad Sae Waterfalls; and Phoussi Hill Temples & Museum.

[Laos Golf Holiday Detailed Itinerary...]

Thailand Amateur Golf Weeks 2012
- Meet our Staff: Khun Bee - Reservation Supervisor

Khun Bee - Reservation SupervisorKhun Benjaporn (Khun stands for Ms. or Mrs. in Thai), known to most of our clients as 'Bee' is supervising the reservations team at Golfasian. Khun Bee graduated from Bangkok University with a bachelor degree in Hotel & Tourism in 2002. Although not an active golfer herself, Khun Bee has played an important role within Golfasian. In August 2012, she has been awarded an award for her 5th year of employment at Golfasian. Congratulations Khun Bee! [Read more about Khun Bee]

- Golf Travel Testimonials

Mark/Jim

Once again a big big thank you to all at Golfasian for our 3rd fantastic trip.

As I now expect everything went to plan.

This has been our 3rd trip and not once on any of our trips has there been 1 hiccup.

Again thanks to all involved in another great trip.

Ian and Tour Group
UK, June 2012

[Read more golf travel testimonials]

- Press Release: Three New Members Join Golf In A Kingdom

Three New Members Join Golf In A KingdomBangkok, August 27 -- Asia's largest and most successful golf tourism destination marketing program, Golf In A Kingdom, is expanding with the addition of three new prestige members.

The program - which promotes Thailand's leading golf courses, hotels and resorts - now includes the Jack Nicklaus-designed Laem Chabang International Country Club near Pattaya, Suwan Golf and Country Club outside Bangkok and The Chedi, one of the leading hotels in Chiang Mai, northern 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 vietnamgolfzone.com

Vietnam Golf Tour - From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam Golf Tour - From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh CityGolf in Vietnam is changing rapidly, growing and flourishing. After being virtually non existent for nearly 20 years (from 1975 to 1994) the country now boasts twenty top-quality courses with facilities to match. Today's Vietnam golf scene is where Thailand's golf scene was about 25 years ago: ready to take-off when it comes to unique golf holidays where you experience a vastly different culture.

Golfers can also choose tour packages from golf tour operators like Golfasian, Golforient, or Vietnam Golf Vacations. Recently Golfasian announced its new package: The Vietnam Golf Trail is a golf adventure across Vietnam, covering the top Vietnam golf destinations, as well as main cultural and historical sights and attractions. [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 - Heat & Sun Exposure

Adjusting to Asian Weather Cnditions With extreme high temperatures of up to 40 degrees, especially between April and September it is very important to protect yourself well.  Combine that with high levels of UV, it’s a necessity to cover yourself to avoid discomfort and in some cases heat-stroke.

  • Apply a high protection sun block
  • Wear a hat or a visor, or even better use your umbrella
  • Carry a small towel to dry your face, hands and arms
  • Cloth or all weather gloves are often better than leather in very hot temperatures
Remember, even with over cast skies, it's still possible to get burnt

[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:

  • August 30 - September 06, 2012 - Vietnam Golf Fam Trip (Ho Chi Minh City & Danang/ Hoi An, Vietnam)
  • 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!