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Dear Golf Travelers,
Welcome to the latest issue of the Asian Golf Nation, the source for news breaking information about golf in Asia. Also, unique golf playing tips for South East Asia’s tropical environment, golf travel and tournament updates, and our latest subscription offer are all integral parts of today’s newsletter.
Summer will end soon in most of Europe and America. With school starting, the days are getting shorter, and the temperature dropping it might be the best time of year for you to start thinking about and planning your winter golf travels. Down under, Australia and New Zealand are warming up after long winters.
However, here in Asia, we are in the midst of the rainy season. Daily rains or more treacherous monsoon downpours are commonplace. Our southernmost destinations like Phuket, Malaysia, Philippines, and Jakarta get hit the hardest. Further north, things are better for golf. Daily afternoon showers are the norm. These rains hardly affect golf in areas such as Danang, Hua Hin, and Chiang Mai. The golf courses are soggy, but remain open for play, have low season prices in effect, and due to fewer than normal player numbers offer quick rounds.
For Golfasian this is a good time to catch up on things, give our staff some much-needed rest (we went to Dalat for our company retreat), get ready again for the high season, and visit with our preferred golf courses and resorts and in our most popular destinations.
One country I would like to highlight is Vietnam. I am in Vietnam twice this month, and not by coincidence. The golf development and Vietnamese hospitality continue to amaze me. There are new golf courses and resorts run by friendly Vietnamese and expatriates opening up all over the country. The hospitality teams, Golfasian Vietnam included, know how to make you feel as their honored guest and love to share their country and culture, and now golf, with you.
Want more detailed information? Check out our multi-destination Golf Lifestyle Experience™ Tours or speak in real time to our golf travel consultants on our website chat. Our team has excellent and up-to-date destination knowledge and will help you plan your trip so that its memory lasts a lifetime.
Our next major tournaments are the Accor Vietnam World Masters Danang and the Pattaya Men’s Open, both sold-out events are being held this month in Danang and Pattaya, respectively. Our full 2020 tournament schedule is online is also available to facilitate advanced planning. For best deals and to be assured of an available slot, be sure to register your interest early.
These days, everyone is looking for that special golf trip, and I believe that quality experiences don’t have to be expensive to be great. Our team understands that matching your interests and budgets in of the golfing destinations we serve is what matters most, and we are committed to creating a trip that works for you!
Complete full-service itineraries created for your specific travel preferences, expectations, group size, and budgetary requirements are our specialty. Please contact us anytime for a competitive quote. Our team is standing by.
Happy Golfing,
Mark Siegel
Managing Director
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A winner of the 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 World Golf Awards, Golfasian has once again been nominated for Asia's Best Golf Tour Operator. Please, vote for us now:
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GOLF NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGION
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Hoi An, Vietnam
Hoiana Shores Golf Club opened for trail play! The long-awaited and first Robert Trent Jones II created course south of Hoi An has all 18-holes open for limited test play. While all the I’s and T’s get dotted and crossed ahead of the official November opening, now is a great time to get ready to play what's surely going to be one of the worlds best new golf courses. Green fees will set a high watermark for Vietnam, but from my site visits its clear that course and experiences is good enough to warrant premium rates. Just take a look at the cavernous sandy bunkers and waste areas. They are scary to look at, no less being in them trying to get out. Stay tuned for the first actual play report next month. I hope you are excited as I am!
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Lao Cai, Vietnam
Bet you never heard of Lao Cai right? At first I thought it might be a local whiskey. Then I realized its one of the northernmost Vietnam provinces borders China and is more famous for snow-covered mountains, terraced farms, and adventure trekking than golf. Well that was before. Now earthmoving and hole shaping is in progress on the course at the IMG-designed Lao Cai Golf Club. The developer Sun Group is the same company as who owns the award-winning Ba Na Hills Golf Club, so chances are the golf course will be excellent. A few of the holes even play along the Red River which forms the China-Vietnam border. The layout will be grassed with the latest Paspalum variety, and the course should open by the end of 2020.
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Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Golf in Cambodia's capital is relatively further behind as compared to the other ASEAN capital cities. However, as more golfers have already discovered the famous golf destinations, I often get asked about what's new. Well, golf in Phnom Penh is not new, but there is some new and encouraging developments. The original Royal Cambodia golf course has new owners and a new fleet of carts. With only three months of progress under their belts, there is still much work to be completed with new bag drop area, locker rooms planned next. Caddies are friendly and well-trained, but the course itself is still dry and needs new irrigation and turf. That’s coming next but in the meantime ist cheap, fun, and as a bonus, close to the airport.
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GOLF DESTINATION REVIEW: Chiang Mai
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A personal destination review from Jim Mullet, International Sales Manager at Golfasian.
I first heard of Chiang Mai many years ago while working in Texas in Corporate Finance. A small local Thai Restaurant was one of my favorite lunch spots and I got to know the owner and his family, who kept telling me “You need to go to Chiang Mai, it’s the best place in Thailand!”. The following year I took their advice and it quickly became one of my favorite Go To spots. The mountain scenery, the laid-back atmosphere, the gentle and friendly locals, the outstanding value for money and the variety of ways to spend a fun day all combine to make it one of my favorite holiday destinations.
Just a one hour flight from Bangkok plus convenient direct flights from numerous International hubs including Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei and Seoul make Chiang Mai easy to get to, and once you’re there it’s so easy to get around. Most hotels are within 15 minutes of the airport and most golf courses are within 45 minutes of the hotels. And if you stay at a central hotel you’ll have lots of options for dining, entertainment and shopping within easy walking distance.
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FEATURED GOLF COURSE & RESORT
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Alpine Golf Resort Chiang Mai
(host of 2013-14 Chiangmai Golf Classic)
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.
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The Riverie by Katathani, Chiang Mai
The Riverie by Katathani is a classic and contemporary five-star Chiang Rai golf resort and one of the best hotels in northern Thailand. Lanna cultural touches found throughout the hotel yield stylish furnishing and charm. The riverside location matches with the laid-back character of the property. The Riverie by Katathani has excellent service and comes highly recommended for golfers from world over.
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Chiang Mai - Bangkok (2-Destination) Golf Package
Chiang Mai is the gateway to the north of Thailand and home to some great golfing. Bangkok is well known for its shopping, entertainment, and the myriad of championship golf courses. Stay at golf resorts or city hotels in both destinations and play top golf courses. The trip between Chiang Mai and Bangkok is a short 1 hour by domestic flight. Everything is included so sit back and get ready for a golf trip of a lifetime.
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Special for Golfasian Newsletter Subscribers:
We invite you to the inaugural Asia Golf Championship at Angkor Golf Resort & Phokeethra Country Club in Siem Reap, Cambodia. 3 days of prime golf near one of the world’s most famous UNESCO world heritage sites, Angkor Wat..
THE FIRST 50 GOLFERS TO SIGN UP WILL RECEIVE 1 NIGHT STAY FOR FREE A THE LOTUS BLANC RESORT!
What You Get:
* 2 nights city center accommodation
* Golf at Cambodia's Best Courses with Caddies & Cart
* Welcome Drinks, 19th Hole Functions with Beer & Wine
* All ground transportation - sit back and let us do the work!
* VIP treatment throughout the event
* Don't wait - sign up before it's full!
Traveling in a group of 10 or more? Contact us at [email protected] to secure your special deal.
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Meet Richard Clarke, International Sales Manager at Golfasian:
Richard graduated from Manchester University and joined a Golf Tour Operator in the UK where he spent three years as Business Development Manager, focusing on outbound travel to South East Asia. He loves football and for his sins he is a big Stoke City supporter!
He is a single figure handicap player and his favorite course in Thailand is Siam Country Club Plantation Course in Pattaya and in Vietnam, Ba Na Hills Golf Club in Da Nang!
He lived in London for four years and worked as a currency trader before moving to Thailand to join a Golf Academy as Sales Manager. His Thai language skills are improving...slowly!
Living in South Korea in 2017 he made the move to Golfasian to join as International Sales Manager. He is a tournament manager of the amateur weeks Golfasian run throughout the year and if you need a recommendation on a night out, bar or restaurant he is your man!
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Golfasian is now offering rental clubs to golfers travelling to Asia.
Due to popular demand and in an effort to make the golf holiday travel experience easier, Golfasian is now offering a wide variety of golf rental sets for both ladies & men in various locations in Thailand and Vietnam.
Contact us today to reserve rental clubs for your next Asia golf holiday.
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GOLF TIPS
Insure Your Future: Enriching A Well Protected Golf Lifestyle With Travel Insurance
The popularity of golf has skyrocketed across the world with several unexpected countries emerging as world-class golfing hubs. While the sport was previously confined to the shores of Europe and North America, the modern game has taken a turn towards the Orient with Asia emerging as a key travel scene for golf lovers. Paying tribute to the budding attractiveness of this sport in the region, unbeatable golf courses have rapidly sprung to life across Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and many other parts of the Asian sub-continent. But every time golfers step on to the golf course, they have potential liabilities –– whether as players or spectators. That’s why Golfasian has created a comprehensive golf travel insurance package designed to meet your every travel need.
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BEST OF OUR BLOGS
Bangkok’s New Replica Golf Course
Imagine playing famous holes as the ‘church pew bunkers” at Oakmont Country Club, the “Island Green” at TPC Sawgrass, Royal Troon’s “Postage Stamp”, and the “Road Hole” of St. Andrews Old Course? If they are not enough to tantalize your appetitive for great golf holes, then maybe the back nine of Augusta National including “Amen Corner” will.
Last week, when playing Royal Gems Golf City with some friends, I had a laugh and I placed a ball in the exact spot off the right of the #10 fairway that Bubba Watson hit to win the playoff in The Masters. Not only is it difficult to get the ball back to the fairway, but I have no idea how Bubba could possibly make the green to get up and down in two. This is really impossible and goes to show you what an amazing shot Bubba hit.
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Update Your Personal Information
In an effort to serve you better, we want to make sure we are not crowding your Inbox and only sending you the most personalized and relevant information. Can you please update your preferences through the link below? We know your time is precious, and this won’t take more than 30 seconds!
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GOLF COURSE MAINTENANCES & CLOSURES
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Thailand
Bangkok
Hua Hin
Pattaya
Phuket
Chiang Mai
- Alpine Golf Resort Chiang Mai: Course will be closed during 11-15 November for a tournament.
- Mae Jo Golf Club: Course will be closed on 28 September and 23 December for tournaments.
- Summit Green Valley Chiang Mai Country Club: Course will be undergoing spraying of weeds during 25 July - 15 October. All areas under repair will be marked as GUR (ground under repair) and players will be able to drop their golf ball on good grass as the course will be spraying only half of the fairway at one time.
Khao Yai
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Vietnam
Danang
- Ba Na Hills Golf Club: The course will be holding tournaments during 28-29 September.
- BRG Da Nang Golf Resort: Course will be holding the Vietnam World Masters on 12 September.
- Laguna Golf Lang Co: Course will be holding The Cobra Puma Golf Pro Am during 20-22 September and the Laguna Lang Co Invitational during 1-2 November.
Dalat
Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh City
- Harmonie Golf Park: Course will be holding the VDPG Tour during 19-20 September.
- Jeongsan Country Club: Course will be closed on 7, 26 for tournaments and on 30 September for maintenance.
- Long Thanh Golf Club: The Hill Course will be undergoing maintenance on holes 10-18 during 9-10 September. The Lakes Course will be undergoing coring green on holes 10-18 during 16-17 September. The Hill Course will be undergoing maintenance on holes 1-9 during 23-24 September. Course will be closed on 5-6 October for a tournament.
- Song Be Golf Resort: Course will be closed on 21 September for a golf tournament.
- The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip: Course will be undergoing renovation during 23 September - 18 September.
- Vietnam Golf & Country Club: Course will be closed on 21-22 September for a tournament
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Indonesia
Bali
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Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur
Langkawi
Johor
Kota Kinabalu
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Cambodia
Siem Reap
- Angkor Golf Resort: Course will be undergoing light verticut and top dressing on the fairways during September. Course will be closed during 25-27 October for the Angkor Intl. Team Championship.
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ABOUT US / CONTACT GOLFASIAN
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TAT No.: 14/00515
VNAT No.: 79-302/2011 / TCDL-GP LHOT
© Copyright Golfasian 2019. All rights reserved.
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