Asian Golf Travel Nation - September 2013

This is the fourth time I have used Golf Asian and would definitely not have used their services after the first time if it was not good.  From the fist e-mail until the day you leave Thailand, everything is handled "super" professionally by the Golf Asian team. The prices are good and well worth the service.  Great work Golf Asian, see you later this year.

Carl N.
June 2013
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Bintan Island or Negeri Segantang Lada is an island in the Riau Archipelago of Indonesia. It is part of the Riau Islands province.

Singapore, the closest major city, is a 45-50 minute trip by ferry across the Singapore Strait to the Bintan Resort area in the northwest of the island. The island has beaches with beach-front International hotels and resorts. The archipelago of the Riau islands is right opposite to the resorts across the South China Sea.

It is commonly misunderstood as a colony of Singapore because of its higher standards in infrastructures, utilities and security. Very much a family-oriented destination, there are currently five independently owned and operated beach resorts, four Bintan golf courses by famous designers Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and Ian Baker-Finch as well as a range of recreational facilities and attractions located within it. Most tourists come for its serene characteristic, where they can laze by the beach, enjoy spa, play golf and dabble in water sports. The area is separated from the rest of Bintan by thick forests and checkpoints.

Most travellers to Bintan Resorts arrive at Bandar Bentan Telani at the western tip of the Bintan Resorts from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in Singapore.

Ria Bintan Golf Club is a 27-hole championship golf course designed by Gary Player. The 18-hole Ocean Course and the first nine holes of the 18-hole Forest Course opened for play in October 1998 and December 2000 respectively.

The Ocean golf course at Ria Bintan offers two distinct playing atmospheres. The course cuts through the native jungle of Riau, where you are more likely to come upon monkeys, small deer or wild boar than other humans. It also has its seaside holes and it’s these holes that will be best remembered by visiting golfers. At the par five 7th (voted best par 5 in Asia) the sea is revealed to the golfer halfway down the fairway. From here you get closer to the sea via the short dogleg 8th and then play along it at the par three 9th. This famous hole, photographed extensively is for most golfers a must play hole requiring a medium iron played over the beach to an archipelago green. The last view of the sea is at the par four 10th where you play alongside the beach.

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

Overlooking a breathtaking view of the South China Sea, Banyan Tree promises an unforgettable and rejuvenating experience. The only all villa resort on Bintan is just a 45 minutes ferry from busy Singapore. Offering a talcum-white private beach, a championship golf course and the acclaimed Banyan Tree Spa, this world-class resort will recharge you, body and soul. Experience the natural sights and sounds of an island stay set in one of the oldest tropical rain forests, hillside terrain and secluded beach.

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

Our Tropical Island Golf Getaway will leave you with a memorable golfing experience whilst soaking up the sun at the beautiful beaches and resorts inside the Bintan Resort. Departures daily from the Singapore ferry terminal.

Featured courses:
Ria Bintan Golf Club, Bintan Lagoon Golf Club, Seaview Course, Bintan Lagoon Golf Club, Woodlands Course

[Tropical Island Bintan Golf Getaway Itinerary...]

Avid golfers can expect nothing less than world-class golf courses in Singapore, with over 20 courses and driving ranges that cater to both public and exclusive members. Courses, each carefully designed to deliver a spectacular experience.
[View our hand crafted Singapore Golf Packages]

Featured courses:s
Sentosa Golf Club, Serapong Course & Tanjong Course, Laguna National Golf & Country Club, World Classic Course & Masters Course, Warren Golf & Country Club, Sembawang Country Club [Singapore Golf Coures]

Contact your golf travel experts today for further information on how you can play these golf courses.

Bangkok

• Panya Indra Golf Club - The A, B, and C courses will each be closed for one week renovation respectively. During this time only 2 of the courses are playable while the other is closed.
• President Country Club - Topsoil on North (9 holes) and West (9 holes) courses from now until 7 September.
• Royal Gems Golf City - Coring green in October 2013 (approximately one month for completion).
• Summit Windmill Golf Club - During 15 July to 15 November the fairways and rough at holes 3, 5, 7, and 16 will be renovated. The sand bunkers at holes 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, and 18 as well as the tees for the Pros at holes 3 & 4 will be renovated.
• Suwan Golf & Country Club - Fairway coring and bunker renovation under way. The greens are not affected by this.
• Windsor Park & Golf Club - Due to renovation, 2 courses will be open during weekdays. 4 courses will be open on weekends.
• Alpine Golf & Sports Club, Lakewood Country Club, Lam Luk Ka Golf Course, Muang Kaew Golf Club, Riverdale Golf Club, Royal Gems Golf & Sports Club, Royal Golf & Country Club, Thai Country Club, Thana City Golf & Sports Club are all in excellent condition.

Hua Hin

• Majestic Creek Country Club - Course C is closed until 2014.
• Royal Hua Hin Golf Course - Holes 2, 6 and 10 are under renovation for the next two months.
• Banyan Golf Club, Black Mountain Golf Club, Imperial Lake View, Majestic Creek Country Club, Palm Hills Golf Club and Residence, Sea Pine Golf Course, and Springfield Royal Country Club are in excellent condition.

Pattaya

• Burapha Golf Course - Course C & D will be renovated during September.
• Khao Kheow Country Club - The B & C Course reopened on 1 September 2013. Course A will be closed in September. All courses will be open again in October.
• Laem Chabang International Country Club - Courses A & B are open for play during weekdays, all three courses are open on weekends.
• Pattana Sport Club - One of the three courses will be closed on rotation for renovation.
• Phoenix Golf & Country Club - The Ocean Course is closed from 15 July to 31 October. However, the Mountain Course and Lakes Course remain open.
• Greenwood Golf and Resort, Pattaya Country Club, Siam Country Club, St. Andrews 2000 Golf Club & Burapha Golf Club are in excellent condition.

Phuket

• Blue Canyon, Canyon Course - Coring green from 4 - 6 November 2013.
• Blue Canyon, Lakes Course - Coring green from 30 September - 2 October 2013.
• Laguna Phuket Golf Club - 9 holes (starting with the back 9) will be closed for 18 months from July 2013 onwards. The front 9 are playable until March 2014, while the back 9 are under renovation. The front 9 will start renovation in March 2014 while the freshly renovated back 9 will have been reopened for play.
• Red Mountain Golf Club - coring green from 9 - 10 September.
• Loch Palm Golf Club, Mission Hills Phuket are in excellent condition.

Chiang Mai

• Gassan Khuntan Lake City - Closed for renovation from now until 20 November 2013.
• Royal Chiang Mai Golf Resort - Partial fairway renovation to be complete by January 2014.
• Alpine Golf Resort & Chiang Mai Highlands Golf and Spa, Mae Jo Golf Club are in excellent condition.

Chiang Rai

• Santiburi Chiang Rai Country Club - The greens on hole #1, 2, 3, 7, & 8 are being renovated from May until September 2013. During this period, the course will use temporary greens. The original greens will be ready by October 2013.

Vietnam

Hanoi

• Van Tri Golf Club 0 excellent condition.
• Kings Island Golf Resort - Lakeside is closed on Sep 9 and 10 for maintenance. Mountain View Course remain opened and is in excellent condition

Danang

• Danang Golf Club, Laguna Lang Co Golf Club & Montgomerie Links Vietnam are in great condition

Saigon

• Long Thanh Golf Course 0 excellent condition. Hill course is closed on Monday and Lake course is closed on Tuesday for maintenance

Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur

• Saujana Golf & Country Club – Palm 1 will be under renovation from 1 August 2013 for 8 months. Palm 10 - immediately after completion of Palm 1 and will go on for 8 months.

Pattaya Amateur Golf Week - October 2013
Date: October 19 - 26, 2013 | Location: Pattaya, Thailand [Find out more]

Chiang Mai Amateur Golf Week - October 2013
Date: October 26 - November 03, 2013 | Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand [Find out more]

Hua Hin Amateur Golf Week - March 2014
Date: March 1 - 8, 2014 | Location: Hua Hin, Thailand [Find out more]

Pattaya Amateur Golf Week - March 2014
Date: March 8 - 15, 2014 | Location: Pattaya, Thailand [Find out more]

Phuket Amateur Golf Week - March 2014
Date: June 8 - 14, 2014 | Location: Phuket, Thailand

Golf in Saigon Gets Better

Up until recently golf in Saigon was mainly played by local Vietnamese or foreign expatriates. The original 4 Ho Chi Minh City golf courses (Vietnam Golf & Country Club, Song Be Golf Resort, Dong Nai Golf Club, and Long Thanh Golf Club) either were only of average quality or limited tee times for visitors as demand was high and availability was low.

[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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Many holiday golfers are unaware how important Nutrition is to your golf, especially in hot countries. Here are some tips and ideas that will allow you to enjoy your golf holiday;

• Avoid caffeine and alcohol – not always easy on holiday, but if you can’t avoid it …don’t overdo it!
• Drinks lots of water – keep hydrated
• Avoid eating lots of food leading up to your game – two hours would be my recommendation
• Eat snacks – make use of the drink stops and eat small snacks such as hard boiled eggs and bananas
• Follow these four tips which will keep you mentally and physically alert and you will see the benefits in your golf game!

[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 tradeshows and roadshows during the next few months.

You can find us at the following events:

• October 24 - 27, 2013 - Malaysia Sports Trade and Golf Expo (MSTGE) 2013 (Malaysia)
• November 11 - 14, 2013 - IGTM (Costa Daurada, Spain)

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)
• Member of Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA)

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Website: www.golfasian.com