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Asian Golf Travel Nation - January 2012

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Dear Golf Travelers,

Thailand GolfWelcome to the January edition of the Asian Golf Travel Nation. As in the past, this newsletter contains original and news breaking stories on the state of golf in Asia as well as provides useful golf course information, unique golf playing tips for Asia's tropical environment, and special golf travel promotions.

January marks the beginning of the year and it is one of the most joyous times for Asian golf travelers. From the idyllic courses of Phuket to the spectacular links along Golf Coast Vietnam, Golf Asian features an array of golf destinations for the independent golf traveler. Luxurious boutique golf resorts range from the renovated colonial mansions to private beach villas. Golfers looking for adventure can explore the temples of Angkor or golf among the Orangutans near Kota Kinabalu. Golf gourmets can feast at one of Bangkok's fine dining establishments or take a private cooking class overlooking the rice fields in exotic Hoi An.

The weather is cooler (mid-20's centigrade) around the region and our destinations are sometimes referred to the lands of smiles. What better place to welcome in the New Year? The golf, culture, and natural beauty of SE Asia are perfectly suited for an unforgettable golf escape from the western world.

On our side we're all geared up for the busiest time of the year in golf travel and are excited to put a smile on the faces of all Asia-bound golfers. I hope to welcome you here soon!

 Visit Golfasian Today!

Golf news from around the region:

Thailand
*Royal Gems Golf CityBangkok: Things are dry throughout the capital and just about all golf courses are in excellent playing condition. The one exception is replica course at Royal Gems Golf City, which is still drying out and not expected to reopen until February. By then the new clubhouse should also be ready, which will be a welcome addition to the temporarily facilities at the driving range.

All other Thai golf destinations including Hua Hin, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya are operating normally.

Vietnam
*Sir Nick Faldo at Laguna Lang Co Site VisitDanang: Sir Nick Faldo's design team has begun the grassing phase of its spectacular ocean-side Laguna Lang Golf Club. Zoysia grass (one of my favorite and the same turf as used at Banyan Golf Club in Hua Hin), is being used for the course which should assure great golfing even through the dry season. The golf course is on track to open in the second half of 2012.

Saigon: When airports become golf courses. Nowadays traffic jams are getting serious in
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and access to the Tan Son Nhat International is poor. To improve access and allow for more capacity a new Saigon Airport is being built near Long Thanh. When finished in 2014 what better use of the existing airport grounds than to build a new golf course? The Vietnam golf project's land is under the management of the Ministry of Defense and has remained under-utilized for years. I would be surprised if this really happens, but who knows "This Is Asia" and anything goes!

China
*Shenzen: I am just back from an inspection trip to Mission Hills Shenzhen. Just across the border from Hong Kong, Mission Hills' 12 courses, 3 clubhouses, and 2 resorts are accessible to all golfers. The best way to describe this place is the world's biggest golf party. Golfasian can now organize trips to this one-of-a-kind facility for any size groups along with stopovers in Hong Kong or any other Asian city! Let me know if you might be interested.

Mark Siegel @ Mission Hills Black Stone Golf CourseHainan: Did you see the USPGA sanctioned Omega World Cup last month? I did and then made my way to the venue to check things out. Now I can think of no other PGA venue that visitors can play under tournament conditions so easily than at the Mission Hills Hainan's Blackstone Course. Add to this 9 other courses in the same location (all open to visitors), the largest volcanic mineral springs in the world (free for golfers), and a 5-star golf resort with full spa, massage, and other facilities and you have the trappings of a great golf holiday. Golfasian won't start promoting trips to Mission Hills Hainan until late in 2012, but if you are interested and have the time, let me know and I can arrange a preview trip for you at a great price!!!

With that I invite golf travelers to start the year in Asia, which is magical at this time of the year with excellent weather, happy people, special events, and great golfing. Tailor-made itineraries to your specific travel preferences, expectations and budgets are our specialty; contact us for a competitive quote.

Remember if you want to get regular updates about golf in Indochina, then sign-up for uninterrupted email delivery of this newsletter. In addition, all persons signing up will automatically receive the latest "Thailand Golf Insider Tips" special report.

Until the next newsletter, happy golfing!

Mark Siegel
Managing Director of Golfasian

 

- Featured Golf Course - Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, West Course

Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, West CourseKuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club's (KLGCC) West Course is the longer and more challenging of two private golf courses at the club located near the heart of Kuala Lumpur's sprawling city center. Designed by architect Robin Nelson and playing to nearly 7,000 yards from the tournament tees, the golf course is set among the Bukit Kiara hillsides.

Several tournaments have been held at the KLGCC, West Course. The Malaysian Open was the first co-sanctioned event between the European and Asian Tours in 1999 and was held on the West course in 2006. This was where Korea’s Charlie WI won his first European Tour title, becoming only the second Korean to win on the European Tour after K J Choi.  [Read More about one of Malaysia's Best Golf Courses]

- Featured Hotel - The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur

The Ritz-Carlton Kuala LumpurFor your Malaysia golf holiday, stay at the exclusive Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur and experience a place where ancient rivers converge and a modern city beckons guests to explore the sights, sounds and flavours of Malaysia.

Located downtown in the Golden Triangle business district, guests at this distinctive five-star luxury hotel in Kuala Lumpur can enjoy convenient access to upscale shopping, dining and entertainment. Home to the magnificent Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur is also rich in culture and traditions.

At The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur, guests can indulge in soothing spa treatments, award-winning cuisine or simply relax in the exceptional comfort of their rooms and take in the best that KL has to offer. [Read more about one of Malaysia's Best Hotels & Resorts]

- Kuala Lumpur - A Personal Destination Review by Mark Siegel

The Mines Resort & Golf Club, Kuala LumpurKuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital and dubbed the Garden City of Lights enjoys a relatively lower profile as a golf destination. The city is often more associated with the Petronas Twin Towers, one the world's tallest structures, rather than golf.

However, with over 50 golf courses within driving distance of the city center and offering excellent value-for-money accommodations, Kuala Lumpur is fast becoming a favorite with international golf travelers.

No doubt Kuala Lumpur has some of the best golf courses in the region. This is evident in the numerous high-profile international tournaments held in recent times. PGA golf courses include KLGCC, Saujana, and the Mines. In addition to premium golf resorts, old established club courses such as Royal Selangor, Glenmarie, and Templer Park all are worthy of a visit by golfers traveling to Malaysia. Each is unique with its own challenge and terrain.

Popular Kuala Lumpur golf holiday packages include local sightseeing tours and many non-golfer activities.

Thailand Golf Special Offers
- Meet Our Staff: Nena Huwae - Marketing Manager

Nena Huwae - Marketing ManagerNena started her career at Golfasian as an intern in early 2007 for her international business and languages study in Holland. As a young Dutch girl she travelled to Bangkok to explore all the beautiful sights and golf that Thailand has to offer. After her internship of 6 months she returned back home to Holland to graduate. After her graduation at the University of Holland, Nena moved to Thailand to start her career as an international sales manager at Golfasian.

[Read more about Nena Huwae]

- Golf Trip Idea: Malaysia Golfing Experience - 12D/11N

Malaysia Golfing ExperienceThis Malaysia golf holiday includes 7 rounds of golf at some of the most exciting golf courses in Malaysia in two great golf destinations. The Malaysia golf experience golf package is well suited for those wanting to play the best golf courses in Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak, enjoy one of Sarawak's top resorts, and relax in one of Kuala Lumpurs best hotels for golfers famous. Golfers may swap Sarawak for one of Malaysia's beach destinations or any of Malaysia's other great destinations.

[Malaysia Golfing Experience Detailed Itinerary...]

- Press Release: Black Mountain Par-3 Course Opens

Black Mountain Par-3 Course OpensHua Hin, Thailand, December 12 - Whatever you have seen, heard or think about par-3 golf courses, it's time to reconsider.

Long ridiculed as an undignified version of the game suited only to children and novices, acclaimed US golf writer Joe Passov wrote earlier this year that serious golfers often regard par-3 courses, undeservedly, as "the red-headed stepchild of golf layouts".

Now, a new nine-hole par-3 layout in Thailand, at the country's official best golf course - Black Mountain at Hua Hin, 200 kilometres south of Bangkok - seems set to change attitudes in Asia about the short version of the 500-year-old game.

[Read the entire Press Release]

- Event Announcements / FamTrips

Thailand Golf TournamentsHua Hin Amateur Golf Week - March 2012
Date: March 10 - 16, 2012 | Location: Hua Hin, Thailand [Find out more]

Pattaya Amateur Golf Week - March 2012
Date: March 17 - 24, 2012 | Location: Pattaya, Thailand [Find out more]

Phuket Amateur Golf Week - July 2012
Date: July 21 - 27, 2012 | Location: Phuket, Thailand [Find out more]

Pattaya Amateur Golf Week - October 2012
Date: October 20 - 27, 2012 | Location: Pattaya, Thailand [Find out more]

Chiang Mai Amateur Golf Week - October 2012
Date: October 27 - November 02, 2012 | Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand [Find out more]

- Best of the Blog thailandgolfzone.com

Three Wacky Rules Of Golf In Thailand

Thailand Golf BlogWhen golfing in Thailand either for holiday, sport or pleasure playing by the rules can be a beautiful thing.  Here are three of the craziest rules that I have ever heard of (surely nobody obeys them when golfing in Thailand).

1. Ball Overhanging the Hole
When was the last time you putted and found your ball lying halfway in the hole, or just at the lip? When any part of the ball overhangs the hole, you allowed enough time to reach the hole without unreasonable delay (no wonder Thai golfers walk so slowly when on the green) and then an additional ten seconds to determine whether the ball is at rest. (Slower yet?)  If the ball subsequently falls into the hole, it deemed that you  have holed out with your last stroke and you must add a penalty stroke (the stupidest penalty in all golf if you ask me)  to your score. In other words, the same outcome as if you had walked up to the ball and immediately tapped in.

Read more about "Three Wacky Rules Of Golf In Thailand"

Other golf stories can be found at the Thailand Golf Zone where there are over 500 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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- Golfing Tips by Ian Morgan - Golfers Wellbeing on the Golf Course

Red Mountain Golf ClubWe experience very high temperatures for golf in Asia, so it's very important to take care of yourself. Fortunately there are drinks stops every 3 or 4 holes on most of the courses here in Thailand, so make sure you drink plenty of water.

I always mix an electrolyte beverage powder with the water which gives you energy and prevents dehydration. These can be purchased from any pharmacy for as little as 10 baht. It is a good idea to wear a hat or sun visor to protect your head and sunscreen cream is a good for protection for your arms and the back of your neck. [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

- Meet Golfasian at these Trade/Roadshows/Fam-Trips

-Golfasian has a full schedule of tradeshows and roadshows during the next few months.

You can find us at the following events:

Arrange an appointment with Golfasian at one of these exhibits.

- About Us & Contacts

Golfasian Co., Ltd.

GolfasianIf any reader would like to suggest a topic to be covered or better yet contribute materials, photos, or even commissions an article please contact us by e-mail, I welcome the help.

 

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Golf Holidays in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam

 
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