Welcome to November 2008 Edition of "Asian Golf Travel Nation" the source for news breaking information about Thailand Golf, Vietnam Golf, and Cambodia Golf. As you can see I have moved to a monthly format, for at least this high season. This will help bring you more current information, which should hopefully be well used during this winter’s golfing season. Speaking of the high season, it officially kicked off on November 1. The weather here has turned excellent as we are now in the dry months. Daytime highs are around 28 degrees centigrade which makes for perfect golfing. This will continue for the next 4-5 months.
The big talk nowadays is the world's economic situation. The travel industry here is bracing a slow season, which maybe good news for golfers (see below). Golfasian is responding in several ways. First, we have worked closely with our key partners (golf courses and resorts) to come up with some super valued packages for travel in January, February and March 2009. In some cases we have negotiated lower costs and in other instances our suppliers have offered COMPLIMENTARY golf and/or FREE room upgrades. There are only a few tee times and room upgrades available to us and they are strictly on a first come first serve basis. Email me if you want more information.
Next, for all of our exclusive golf tours we are now offering a choice of 4-star and 5-star accommodations to suit a wider variety of budgets. Indochina is still one of the best undiscovered golf destinations for both value and service, and now it has just become even better!
Lastly, we now offer a number of new "shorter golf breaks" to golf destinations like Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, Saigon, Bangkok and Seam Reap. Once again, email me for more information on these shorter golf tours, you will be surprised at the possibilities.
Remember if you want to get regular updates about golf in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia, then sign-up for uninterrupted email delivery of this newsletter. In addition, you will automatically receive the latest "Thailand Golf Insider Tips" special report.
Remember on those last rounds before winter, think positive and YOU WILL SHOOT PAR. Until next month!
Mark Siegel Managing Director
Featured Golf Resort – Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort in Cambodia
Set in landscaped gardens on Charles de Gaulle Avenue, Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort is the closest Siem Reap hotel to the ruins of Angkor Wat. This unique Siem Reap Cambodia hotel is situated near traditional markets, tourist attractions and the airport. Enjoy the many features of Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort, including 238 rooms, a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, spa, five restaurants and the Phokeethra Country Club; a world class 18 holes golf course.
Special features
The Cambodia hotel provides world-class accommodations, featuring a unique convergence of French and Khmer architecture. Explore the closest Siem Reap hotel to the magnificent Angkor Wat UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Featured Golf Course – Phokeethra Country Club
The Sofitel-managed Phokeethra Country Club, Angkor Wat, brings world class golf to Cambodia. The golf course was designed under the guidance of Bangkok Thailand based Weerayudt Phetbuasak, who also designed Suwan Country Club outside Bangkok. A combination of Paspalum grasses are used on both fairways and greens, which gives the golf course its deep green color and insures a high standard of course conditions all year round. The 7,145-yard, 18-hole course reflects Phokeethra Country Club’s dedication to creating an exclusive golfing experience.
Sweeping fairways and generous greens give the Cambodia golf club a distinctive layout and feel. Natural lagoons and sand traps thread through the course to challenge golfers of all abilities. The course provides a good mix of tricky par 3’s, individual par 4’s and par 5’s which require a combination of long drives and good direction control to score well.
This 7,145-yard course combines a challenging championship layout and played host to the 2007 Cambodian Open, a stop on the Asian PGA tour. The Phokeethra Country Club in Siem Reap has opened a new era for Cambodia golf tours, bringing a world class golf experience to the Angkor Wat area.
Cambodia is an ideal destination to explore the 8th wonder of the world and play at the beautiful championship courses. In between sightseeing at Siem Reap’s various world heritage sites you can relax and play golf in Siem Reap. Please email me if you are interested in any golf package to this world heritage country. I have assembled some great deals with our partner resort and golf courses and would be pleased to share them with you.
Best of the Blog - www.thailandgolfzone.com
The next few posts will feature my favorite clubhouses, which go a long way towards making your Thailand golfing holiday so memorable. First, my opinion on what makes up a great Thailand golf clubhouse:
- Friendly reception and efficient check-in - Well stocked and fairly priced Pro Shop - Spacious, air-conditioned locker rooms - Golf shoe cleaning service - Clean, modern showers, with freshly laundered towels, and bathroom accessories - In-house traditional Thai massage - Spa, steam bath, sauna - Quality Thai and Western restaurant, economically priced - A range of ice-cold Thai and international beers - Fast and friendly service - Air-conditioned inside rooms, plus outside terracing - Views back out over the golf course - Wide screen cable tv showing international sports events - Secured bag drop area - Drivers waiting room and/or PA system for finding drivers after the round
Actually, demanding though this list may appear a surprisingly large number of golf clubhouses in Thailand meet most, if not all, of these criteria. To view my favorite clubhouses in Bangkok Click Here
Other Asia Golf Tips can be found in the Thailand Golf Zone where there are over 350 other original articles dealing exclusively with golf travel in Thailand and South East Asia.
I would love to hear about any of your golf stories that have that lead to getting the maximum enjoyment from golf in Thailand, and can incorporate them in future articles. Therefore if you would like to share, please let me know by dropping me an email.
Special Playing Advice
Be Target Oriented
One of the most common problems I see amongst amateurs is their neglect for where they are aiming. Watch your playing partners next time you are out and chances are they will spend more time looking at the ball then looking at where they are wanting the ball to go. This is the equivalent of throwing a dart without looking at the dart board and expecting a bullseye!
Next time you go out, keep this simple thought in mind - "glance at the ball, stare at the target". Your goal is to get away from looking at the ball, stop thinking about mechanics, and be "target oriented". Your goal is to get away from looking at the ball, stop thinking about the 29 golf tips you read in last months golf digest, and be "target oriented". This will free up your mind, help you hit straighter, more consistent golf shots and doesn't require any hard work on your part.
Try it and let us know how it works!
Lucky Draw Winner & New Subscription Offer Register Here!
Sign Up now for breaking news, cool tips, and great resources about golf in Thailand.
You get our FREE Thailand Golf Newsletter!! PLUS free access to the latest THAILAND GOLF INSIDER TIPS, a 15 page special report, and you will also be eligable for other great member offers from Golfasian.
The winner of the Basic Golf Polo Shirt is The winners is RACHEL KEENS. Congratulations Rachel! Please email me to arrange delivery.
Using CoolDry™ fabric, the SportCool and ClassicCool golf shirts wick moisture away from your skin to keep you cool and comfortable, especially when it's hot and humid. Each golf shirt is athletically cut and uses open hem sleeves and stretchable mesh ventilation under the arms for a lightweight and comfortable fit.
To order shirts or other quality golf apparel visit the Basic Golf website.
Another good reason to be registered on the Golfasian mailing list!
About & Contact
Golfasian Co., Ltd. If any reader would like to suggest a topic to be covered or better yet contribute materials, photos, or even
commissions an article please contact me by e-mail, I welcome the help.
Licensed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), License No: 11/4116
Recommended by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO)
Member of Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA)
Welcome to November 2008 Edition of "Asian Golf Travel Nation" the source for news breaking information about Thailand Golf, Vietnam Golf, and Cambodia Golf. As you can see I have moved to a monthly format, for at least this high season. This will help bring you more current information, which should hopefully be well used during this winter’s golfing season. Speaking of the high season, it officially kicked off on November 1. The weather here has turned excellent as we are now in the dry months. Daytime highs are around 28 degrees centigrade which makes for perfect golfing. This will continue for the next 4-5 months.
The next few posts will feature my favorite clubhouses, which go a long way towards making your Thailand golfing holiday so memorable. First, my opinion on what makes up a great Thailand golf clubhouse:
