Thailand & Vietnam 01 Aug18
Next month I head off to Thailand with a group of keen Aussie golfers playing in the Mercure Pattaya Ocean Resort Singles Golf Week 16 - 22 September 2018. This event, hosted by our exclusive Asian golf supplier, Golfasian has been running for a number of years and will attract over 100 golfers this year.
The quality of the golf courses, accommodation and ground services are the reason for this event’s on-going success, with golf rounds at the three outstanding golf courses under the Siam Country Club banner and the reputable and sublime Laem Chabang course making 72 holes of international standard golf. Both Siam Country Club’s Old and Plantation courses are part of the program, with each hosting the Honda LPGA Thailand professional tournament for the last 10 years and many Asian events including the Thailand Open.
With accommodation at the Mercure Pattaya Ocean Resort and pre and post golf activities each day, it is an exceptional value golf tournament for golfers of all standards and levels and our group are really looking forward to participating in the event.
Pattaya is only one of the many exciting golfing tourism precincts of Thailand. I have arranged golf groups to Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi and all offer great value and variety of golf courses, each with their own culture and local touring experiences.
Following the tournament, I am planning to visit Danang to update myself on the many golfing developments happening on the “Golf Coast” of Vietnam. Vinpearl Golf Nam Hoi An is the new addition to the local golf courses, which takes it to five championship courses in the region. Add the new Nicklaus-designed course being built at BRG Danang and due for opening in mid-2019, the choice for golfers is irresistible.
Danang, which is located on the east coast of Vietnam, labelled the “Golf Coast” is growing at an amazing rate, and reflected in that is the opening of Danang International Airport in 2017. Singapore is a great hub for Australians visiting Danang, with now just one stop from all major Australian cities using both Singapore Airlines and Jetstar.
It is hard to rate comparatively the existing courses in Danang. Certainly, Ba Na Hills (a Luke Donald signature design) is the most spectacular located in the mountain behind Danang and floodlit for night golf access. BRG Danang is a tough Greg Norman designed test, and the Sir Nick Faldo designed Laguna Lan Co is beguiling in its routing and location adjacent to the South China Sea and towering mountains overlooking the golf course. I must say one of my perennial favourites is Montgomerie Links, designed by the famous English professional golfer who at one time was #1 in Europe for 7 years straight. The layout is challenging to the eye, but fair and playable for all golfing levels and they seem to have the very best caddies. I can’t wait to return to this golfing “nirvana”!
No visit to Vietnam would be complete without a stopover in Ho Chi Min City (Saigon) and spend a few days discovering what a fascinating city this. A wonderful and exotic mix of old & new cultures represented by the people, food, shopping and historical tours and buildings. Singapore is another great stopover option, with some of the exclusive and private golf clubs now becoming more accessible through special golf tour operator arrangements.
Whatever your golfing interests, Asia, and in particular Thailand and Vietnam offer some of the best golfing experiences possible. For more information about these, and other golfing destinations contact me at International Golf Specialists for a tailored and memorable golfing holiday.
Gary Allomes
Managing Director
"Great golfing experiences"
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