Asian Golf Nation - October 2010

Dear Travel Partners & Golf Travelers,

Welcome to the October 2010 edition of the "Asian Golf Travel Nation", the source for news breaking information about Asian Golf. In addition, 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.

It will not be long before another high season begins and we all have a meet together for golf in Asia, not only in Thailand, but throughout South East Asia. Thailand still shows the highest percentage of repeat golfers, at around 60%, but Vietnam in particular is catching up fast. With our own subsidiary, GolfAsian Vietnam, we now are able to serve you better in the world's newest golf frontier (Vietnam) as well as offer you lower costs due to our direct relationships with the Vietnam golf and resort suppliers. This bypasses the traditional mark-ups of local destination management companies and gives you all of the advantages in Vietnam that you have enjoyed with us in Thailand over the past 12 years.

Although Thailand and Vietnam have separate traditional and cultural diversity, they both have their own attraction of alluring golf holidaymakers wanting the best in service and golf courses quality at affordable prices. Vietnam in particular has an emphasis on sustainable golf development through a variety of resourceful planning. Thailand already has become well known as an world-class golf destination, so I feel that this is the to showcase exotic and up-and-coming Vietnam too.

I am glad to report that bookings start to come in nicely for the winter season, with biggest increases shown for Hua Hin& Chiang Mai in Thailand and Danang, Vietnam!

With that, I invite you to read on and hear what's new in golf around the region.

Now for the golf news from around the region:

Vietnam
Hanoi, Danang, Saigon, Dalat: Attendees at the first ever Vietnam Golf FAM Trip discovered the "2009 Undiscovered Golf Destination" to be a worthy addition to the leading golf destinations in the world. The top 7 courses were played by 20 IAGTO agents from 13 countries including export ready courses in Hanoi, Da Nang, Saigon, and Dalat. The trip began in Hanoi which now boasts 4 championship courses in North Vietnam.

Then we made our way to the "Vietnam Golf Coast" (Danang), the site of the famous China Beach and home to Vietnam's best seaside resorts and golf courses. The beach is ranked as one of top 10 beaches in the world and the close by town of Hoi An is renown for being a UNESCO world heritage site.

Saigon, the economic capital of Vietnam was the third stop and now boasts 6 championship golf courses as well as cultural sights and huge variety gastronomical choices. A visit to nearby Mekong Delta capped off the trip to experience authentic Vietnam. A final stop in the old French colonial mountain retreat of Dalat (5000 ft high) with its old world colonial-styled charm make all who went feel like the aristocrats must have during days gone by!

Dalat boasts only the oldest course in Vietnam (founded 1922) but also the only course in Asia to feature bent grass tee boxes, fairways and greens. At this course and on our final round of golf I even shot my first ever Hole-in-One there! Isn't that great way to finish a fantastic and memorable Golf FAM Trip!

Cambodia
Phnom Penh: After years of having nothing more to offer golfers than a couple of goat pastures, Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh finally has a first class golf club it can be proud of! The front nine holes of the Jack Nicklaus designed Grand Phnom Penh golf club officially opened September 21, with the back nine scheduled for completion by mid 2011. Located about 30 minutes from town, the course is the centerpiece of a large and obviously well funded master community development of luxury estates and villas designed to attract the city's elite and moneyed class. While the course design itself is somewhat understated (in a good way), the overall project isn't modest. Even the entrance gate evokes a privileged feeling as it looks more like something you might find in Paris or Rome.

The land around Phnom Penh is flat and essentially featureless as it is across much of Cambodia, so Nicklaus had to use his imagination in creating an interesting track. And a fine course it is. Unlike some of the newer designs around SE Asia, use of water is restrained and the course instead draws much its defenses from gentle mounding and swales, newly planted palm trees, thick rough and well designed green complexes that require strategic shot making to attack and 'go low'. At the same time fairways are relatively generous so mid and higher handicap players can also enjoy playing here. Construction of the main clubhouse hasn't begun yet, however even the temporary clubhouse is high class. And a 'mats only' driving range is open with covered hitting bays where you pound floating balls out into the course's water reservoir.

One course doesn't make a 'golf destination' so in itself may not make it worth a trip to Phnom Penh. However, at least now there is a championship golf in the capital, and by no less than the 'Golden Bear' at that! Moreover for those looking for the next golf frontier our Best Of Cambodia Phnom Penh & Siem Reap Golf Package may just hit the mark.

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.

Also, GOLFASIAN have secured special deals with over 100 golf courses and 800 hotels throughout Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia to offer the very best promotions for the rest of 2010 and 2011. No matter what your budget or how small/large your group Golfasian will be glad to organize your golfing holiday.

Please contact the Asian Golf Experts at info(at)golfasian(dot)com.

Until the next newsletter, happy golfing!

Mark Siegel
Managing Director of Golfasian

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