Welcome to the September 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.
The summer in Asia is sometimes referred to the "rainy season" due to daily afternoon downpours. However, did you know that September is one my two favorite months for golf in Asia? Summer brings cooler temperatures, green fairways, and is a season of golf festivals and sports days. Teeing off early to mid-morning ensures excellent and uninterrupted golf; rain comes late in the day or overnight. Fewer tourists make for some great golf prices too. For example, on Wednesday green fees at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course are 40% off normal rates. Over in Hua Hin, it's the final month of the golf festival, and green fees at the top courses like Black Mountain Golf Club and Banyan Golf Club are only USD 50. What better than world-class golf with green fees at muni prices? Ask your Golfasian travel specialist and take advantage of these limited time offers!
Registrations for the 2018 Centara World Masters Golf Championship, Thailand's Most Enjoyed Week of Golf, are officially open. Those that register before 30 November will get a THB 5,000 Centara Grand room credit.
Among Golfasian's greatest strengths is our team's expert knowledge about golf in Asia. Combined, we have 125 years of golf and first-hand living experience in all the main Asian golf destinations. The constant fine tuning of tours, updating of golf courses and conditions, and combining of destinations with smooth well-planned options available for golfers and non-golfing partners are key reasons travelers choose to book with us. After all who wants to piece meal a golf trip together only to find out that they traveled at a bad time of year or were forced to play a course while it was undergoing annual maintenance? 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.
A winner of the 2014, 2015 & 2016 World Golf Awards, Golfasian has once again been nominated for Asia's Best Golf Tour Operator. Please, vote for us now:
As always, there are lots of golf 'happenings' around the region so with that, I invite you to enjoy this edition of the Asian Golf Nation.
Barcelona Valley probably conjures up images of the Spanish Riviera. Of course, this is Asia, so anything goes. From the makers of Khao Yai's Tuscany Valley comes a new concept for Pattaya, and it comes with four 18-hole golf courses to boot. That's right, soon to be Thailand's largest golf complex, Barcelona Valley sits among the existing Green Valley Golf Club, St. Andrews 2000 Golf Club, Silky Oak A Course, and Silky Oak B Course. Silky Oak A Course's 18-holes are operational and condition wise they are the best of the Barcelona Valley Group courses. Silky Oak Course B is well into the construction phase as can be seen in the attached photo. Once finished in 2018, expect a nice addition to the Pattaya golf scene.
Hua Hin, Thailand
Black Mountan GC New 9
International flights are on the horizon for Hua Hin's airport. AirAsia starts service with five times per week flights from Kuala Lumpur, just in time for the high season starting in November. Direct flights to Hua Hin will eliminate the need for the overland transfer from Bangkok making Hua Hin that much more accessible for golfers on shorter holidays. The Kuala Lumpur to Hua Hin flight will take less than two hours. Golfasian looks forward to welcoming more Malaysians and golfers from other nearby countries like Hong Kong and Singapore on the Hua Hin fairways very soon.
Danang, Vietnam
Vinpearl Hoi An
Just back from the 3rd edition and sold-out Accor Vietnam World Masters I had the opportunity to check-out the progress at some of the areas courses under construction. First up, will be the Nicklaus course at BRG Danang Golf Resort, of which nine holes open for play this November. Then early next year Vinpearl's Hoi An Course will come on stream. As you can see in the photo, I made sure of that when I supervised an afternoon of turf grass planting at the site. After that, in 2019 Vietnam will get their first Robert Trent Jones II designed course as a central part of the Hoi An mega-project. I can't wait to see and report on each of the courses progress. If all goes as planned central Vietnam will have eight courses by 2020, and Hoi An might just overtake Danang as the center of golf in Vietnam.
Langkawi, Malaysia
Els Club Teluk Datai
The award winning Els Club Teluk Datai added to its accolades by receiving the 2017 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for its top online reviews. Distinguishing factors of the Els Course are the holes which run adjacent to the water's edge and those that wander through a million-year-old rainforest. Following its official opening in 2014, the Els Club Teluk Datai was named "World's Best New Golf Course" and made the Golf Digest' top 100 courses in the world. Top conditioning and international management by Troon Golf ensure an excellent standard for all visiting golfers. The Langkawi course is a sister course with other Els Courses that also include the Els Club Desaru Coast.
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.
Thank you very much for your great support in making our holiday in Hua Hin a very memorable experience. The organization of transfers, hotel and golf rounds was absolutely perfect and my family and I enjoyed every minute.
A special thanks to Callum for looking after me at the golf rounds with great company as in the past years.
I will happily recommend GolfAsian to my friends and contacts and look forward to seeing you again next year.
Chiang Mai, The Rose of the North, continues to grow and attract more tourists, both foreign and domestic. The Night Bazaar and Old City remain the areas most foreign tourists want to be based, while Thais and many young Asians prefer the Nimmanhaemin Road area which has seen significant development in recent years.
Golf-wise Alpine Chiang Mai now has 27 holes with the new C9 being possibly the most challenging of all. Water and / or native areas come into play on every hole and there are even terraced 'rice paddies' to navigate over and past. The 3rd nine at Chiangmai Highlands is now heading into its' 3rd year and continues to mature. And if you haven't yet been to North Hill, it's a well-conditioned course well worth a play. Those who haven't been to Gassan Legacy or Gassan Khuntan for a few years will be pleasantly surprised to see the improved conditions after both underwent major renovations, but be warned both are very challenging and very unforgiving to wild shots.
With hundreds of ancient temples, a variety of markets, elephant camps and more Chiang Mai has no shortage of cultural attractions to keep non-golfers happy.
And if you are looking for something more 'active' to do on a non-golfing day, a zip-line tour through the tree tops, a Segway tour around the Old City or a hike to the top of 10 level Mae Rim Waterfalls National Park could be just your thing.
Access to Chiang Mai just keeps growing, and in December Qatar Airways will start offering 4 non-stop flights a week from Doha using wide body aircraft.
The Alpine Golf Resort Chiang Mai comprises some 450 rai of land that nestles in a valley between the mountain ranges in the heart of the San Kamphaeng natural forests. It is undoubtedly one of the best golf courses in Chiang Mai. Hosting the Asian Tour 2013 and 2014 Chiang Mai Classic, Alpine was put on the professional circuit and further recognized for its world class layout.
Located in the city and on the banks of the Ping River, the Ratilanna Riverside Spa Resort (formerly Sofitel Riverside Hotel) offers 75 suite and deluxe rooms each with private balconies. A wooden theme design throughout is combined with modern facilities and ancient Chiang Mai heritage. The Chiang Mai resort offers the highest standard of services and is an excellent choice for discerning Chiang Mai golf visitors.
Chiang Mai - Bangkok (2-Destination) Golf Package 9 Days / 8 Nights
Chiang Mai is the gateway to the north of Thailand and home to some great golfing. Bangkok is well known for the best shopping in Thailand and also has a myriad of championship golf courses. Stay at golf resorts in both destinations and play top golf courses. The trip between Chiang Mai and Bangkok is a short 1 hour by domestic flight. This Thailand golf trip combines the best cultural sights with excellent golf and is perfect for those looking to both golf in natural surroundings and explore Thailand's capital in one trip. Everything is taken care of for you so sit back and get ready for a golf trip of a lifetime.
Siam Country Club, Waterside Course: Course will be closed every Tuesday from 18 April - 26 September. Course will be closed on 25 September for a tournament.
Santiburi Chiang Rai Country Club: Course will be undergo coring greens on holes 10-18 during 18-30 September. Course will be closed on 1, 15 & 29 October for tournaments.
Modern House at Palm Hills Golf Course with Golf Membership
This house is set amidst superb landscapes and has been meticulously designed to create cozy ambiance and harmony with with natural surroundings.
The house is built to a very high standard using only the finest materials.
Located in Palm Hills Golf Course, this pretty property comes with all modern conveniences. 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, large living area, European standard kitchen. Large outdoor terraces which allow for a life spent in the glorious sunshine.
Why Indochina Should Be
Your Next
Golfing Destination
When thinking of Indochina, it is easy to conjure up thoughts of peaceful relaxation, Buddhist Monks, iconic temples and a deep-rooted history that awakens the soul and takes you back in time. It is true that one can find all of this in the various countries that make up Indochina.
These very things that make Indochina unique add to your golfing holiday and this magical land will awaken and heighten your senses in every way. The sights and sounds away from the golf will make the trip even more intriguing and memorable, giving you an abundance of stories to share with those who have not had the pleasure of exploring this enchanting part of the world.
Travelling to Asia is a great golfing experience but lugging your clubs sometimes is a problem with going overweight with your airline. I have found that having a small golf bag with just the bare essentials for your game takes away the blues when getting charged for those extra KG. My latest trip to Vietnam had my whole set and golf shoes weighing in at just 13kg. If you can't find a way to get your golf clubs weight down, and you are travelling on a limited weigh allowance that some of the budget airlines have now, Golfasian have some great hire clubs available from Taylormade and Titleist, so leave your clubs at home and leave more room for all the presents to take home.
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.
Golfasian has a full schedule of trade shows and roadshows during the next few months.
You can find us at the following 2017 events.
December 11 - 14
International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) (Cannes, France)
April
22 - 25
Asia Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC) (Manila, Philippines)
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Langkawi, Malaysia
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