ASEAN NOW Golf

Monday, May 24th

Khao Kheow C & A.

1st Kob Glover (24) 41 points

2nd Dave Ashman (27) 34 points

3rd Goeff Parker (20) 34 points

Near pins Dave Ashman, Kob Glover, & Geoff Atwell.

Starting a round of golf on C 1 at Khao Kheow with water tee to green along the left side and out of bounds on the right is always a daunting task as it proved again today.

There is no record of how many wiped the hole but it's fair to say it was quite a few. A wipe on the first hole is never a good way to start a round of golf as it was again today with several returning low scores from a field of fourteen. The exception to that was today's winner Kob Glover who once again returned an excellent card of forty-one points. That's three out of five rounds where Kob has returned a score of thirty-eight or better, that's very consistent golf which should see her handicap drop like a stone from her current twenty-four. Seven strokes back we found Dave Ashman and Geoff Parker tied on thirty-four with Dave edging it on countback. Both Kob and Dave from the winners circle also managed to bag a near pin each with one other going to Geoff Atwell.

An eleven hundred baht all-in fee was probably the reason we had fourteen players, good value on what is generally an above-average course. The tees and fairways were fine today, but the greens were very disappointing it has to be said. Many had been cored and poorly sanded with the sand not brushed in on several making for difficult and uneven putting speeds. Some greens are close to being lost for the time being with withered grass or even bare in patches. It is hoped the maintenance crew will attend to this quickly as it would be a shame to have to take this course off our roster.

Luckily today's seasonal rain fell overnight so we were able to celebrate another round rain-free. The day was again hot and humid but with everybody in carts that was not a problem. A very speedy round as we had the course virtually to ourselves again, showered and changed by 3.00 pm, millionaire golf indeed.

Wednesday, May 26th

Emerald

1st Niall Glover (19) 37 points

2nd Dave Ashman (27) 36 points

3rd Geoff Cox (18) 36 points

4th Paul Smith (2) 36 points

Near pins Jimmy Carr, Les Cobban, Dave Stockman, & Jay Babin.

A public holiday to mark the most significant day in the Thai Buddhist calendar made the Emerald Course very busy, in fact so busy it was difficult to find a parking spot in the car park.  With several groups out before us including a local six-ball out directly ahead of our lead group, play was very slow. Another problem was a lack of carts to the effect that some had to walk the front nine despite having paid for a cart before one became available to complete the back nine.

An excellent field of seventeen was on hand, a mark of how people like this course. Many may change their minds after today. Most of the course was what we have come to expect and in ok condition, however, the greens were a disaster. Having recently been cored and sanded the work was of a very poor standard. All the greens were very bumpy, some had brown grass on them which looked about to wither away completely, and putting was a bit of a lottery. Anyone trying to cozy the ball into the hole was left scratching their heads, the only option left was just to bang it into the hole.

A very tight game at the top with Niall Glover taking his first number one spot since his return with thirty-seven points. Dave Ashman, Geoff Cox, and Paul Smith were all locked together on thirty-six and finished in that order on countback. Near pins went to Jimmy Carr, Les Cobban, Dave Stockman, and Jay Babin.

It seems monsoonal weather is having a deleterious effect on the greens at several courses, today's greens were even worse than Monday's at Khao Kheow. It's looking like it's something we are just going to have to suffer for the time being. The only other option is to play courses with good greens more often rather than trying to find twelve different courses to play each month.

Friday, May 28th

Parichat

1st Moe Holmes (36) 41 points

2nd Tony Robbins (21) 40 points

3rd Steve Durey (20) 39 points

Near pins Geoff Atwell, Roger Awad, Moe Holmes, & Michael Brett

Having missed out on a rainbow game last month we returned to the format for the second last game of May and at the usual venue, Parichat. The course was in excellent condition, in fact, the best of any course we have played

recently. It was nice to play on proper greens for a change after our experience at Khao Kheow and Emerald. The pick, clean, and place rule was applied from the start although as it turned out it was unnecessary.

Several times throughout the round it looked certain to rain with menacing black clouds in all directions, luckily we just had to endure a very quick light shower before we finished in warm sunshine again.

The smallest field of the week for today's game (twelve), clearly rainbow is not to everybody's taste. In a week where good scoring was the order of the day the trend continued today. A couple of thirty sevens didn't even get a mention. The winner on the day was Moe Holmes with an impressive round of forty-one points, in light of the fact this is Moe's second big score, one might suggest his thirty-six handicap may be worth reviewing. Second place went to Tony Robbins with forty points whilst Steve Durey brought up the rear with an excellent thirty-nine. Near pins went to Geoff Atwell who is becoming a dab hand in this aspect of the game, Roger Awad, Moe Holmes, and Michael Brett.

Niall Glover winner at Emerald.

Moe Holmes winner at Parichat.

When you think of golf in Asia, the top countries on the list would include Japan, Thailand, Korea, but in the past Vietnam would not even make the list.

But Vietnam is trying to change all that, and over the last decade, numerous courses designed by some of the biggest names in world golf have opened here.

And by 2021, there could be as many as 100 layouts in this nation of almost 93 million people.

The government has embraced the idea of Golf tourism as means of attracting high end big spending golfers, happy to spend their foreign currency in the hotels and of course at the golf clubs and resorts too.

When the Chinese decided not to restrict the use of agricultural land being turned over to golf courses, the leading golf course designers descended on Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia.

However, with the Vietnam Prime Minister being a keen golfer himself the boom started less than 10 years ago.

At the 2016 Asian Golf Summit, the contracts were being handed out, with Jack Nicklaus’s design firm signing to create 10 new courses with developer BRG Group. 

The French built the first course in Vietnam in the 1920s, during the colonization period. But it was not until the mid-1990s that the government saw golf as a way to attract international commerce.

Since then the likes of Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, Greg Norman, and Luke Donald have joined Nicklaus to line the coffers with some huge contracts.

Whereas many clubs around Asia are relatively old, many of the Vietnam tracks benefit from using all the latest advances in course design and management and the golf tourists seem to have taken to it in a big way.

Having a caddie is mandatory at most courses, which helps tremendously—especially in reading the often offbeat, sloping greens. Caddying is seen as a well-paid job among youngsters, who typically live in nearby towns. You will find the caddies, predominantly women, to be dedicated and hard working.

Prices are higher than in other regions, but you pay for what you get, and here it is mostly a 5-star experience.

Laguna Golf Lang Co, the home of the annual Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, has reaffirmed its commitment to developing the champions of tomorrow as the celebrated series for juniors marks its 25th anniversary in 2021.

Inaugurated by Sir Nick Faldo — the designer of the acclaimed layout at Laguna Golf Lang Co — after his victory at the 1996 US Masters, the Faldo Series is recognized as the only global amateur series for boys and girls. Competitors from ages 12 to 21 can test themselves against the absolute best juniors around the world.

The Series has been a proven success as a pathway for players to reach the top levels of the game, with over 70 Faldo Series competitors now playing on professional tours. Notable alumni include Major winners Rory McIlroy, Danny Willet and Yani Tseng, as well as other familiar names including Tyrell Hatton, Joaquin Niemann, Eddie Pepperell, Li Haotong, Mel Reid, Carly Booth and Nasa Hataoka.

The global junior series expanded into Asia in 2006, recognising the huge potential on the Asian junior golf circuit. Since then, Laguna Golf Lang Co has played a central role in the initiative as the current host venue for the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final: a reflection of its status as a Sir Nick Faldo Signature course, an elite category among Faldo designs.

“We are hugely proud to play such a key role here in Asia for the Faldo Series,” said Adam Calver, Director of Golf and Destination Marketing at Laguna Lang Co. “It’s an initiative that is widely recognized as one of the world’s most important showcases for young players. The future wellbeing of the game depends on the development of youngsters and we are determined to be at the vanguard of these efforts.”

The Faldo Series looks set to go from strength to strength as it marks its milestone year. Indeed, Faldo has just announced a brand-new collaboration in America with the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour that will create the largest global junior golf tour partnership of its kind in the world.

The new Faldo Hurricane Series will give juniors the opportunity to play on America’s finest golf courses and compete for an invite to the North America Grand Final, which will air on CBS Sports.

Winners of the six age categories in the North America Grand Final will then have the opportunity to travel to Vietnam to compete at the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at Laguna Golf Lang Co.

“Anything that raises the profile of the junior game in the US can only have a positive impact worldwide,” added Calver. “That’s why the announcement of the Faldo Hurricane Series is such an exciting development for growing the game of golf.”

Laguna Lang Co is currently working with the Faldo Series to finalize the new dates of the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final which was postponed due to the global travel restrictions. We will keep you posted.

Song Gia Resort is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery between Gia River and Moc River, a very peaceful landscape. 

It is 114 kms east of Hanoi and close to Haipong. Allow for a 2 hour drive from Hanoi.

Song Gia Golf Club has a wide range of golf courses including the 18-hole Champion Course (Par 71, 7123 yards) and the 9-hole Executive Course (Par 29, 2000 yards ) which are maintained with dedicated training and care by our team.

There is also the Song Gia Hotel of Hyundai, which is designed in a Mediterranean style, including 5 floors with 60 rooms, with surrounding amenities such as swimming pool, gym, kids club, and tennis court.

They have a Moli Japanese restaurant and Gallery Café with high quality dishes from Japanese and Korean chefs. 

 In addition, the hotel also provides other services such as karaoke Shu, foot massage, beauty salon (under construction), mini supermarket ... to bring the highest satisfaction to customers.

Song Gia Resort is located near many natural attractions such as Ha Long Bay - one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Dong Pagoda on Yen Tu Mountain, Cat Ba National Park, where you can explore in the afternoon after playing golf.

Many people say that Song Gia Resort is the perfect combination between a resort and a golf course! 

After three hot days playing in the group rounds at the inaugural Bank of Hope LPGA Match Play in Las Vegas, Thais Ariya Jutanugarn and Patty Tavatanakit have progress to the weekend knock out stages.

Used to the high temperatures in Thailand, the 100F Nevada conditions at the Shadow Creek golf club do not phase either player.

Ariya Jutanugarn eliminated Sarah Schmelzel with a par on the first playoff hole, having tied first in her group. On Saturday Ariya will tee off at 07.30am local time against Anna Nordqvist from Sweden.

Patty Tavatankit, advanced to the Round of 16 with a 5-and-4 win over Stacy Lewis on Friday, and she meets Nasa Hataoka from Japan at 08.00am.

Hataoka is just nine months older than Tavatanakit, and the two are very well-acquainted with each other’s games dating back to their amateur days.

“I've known her since middle school and I first played with her when I was 14, so I know how she plays. And being that she is a real top hitter and her distance is long,” said Hataoka.

“Also winning a major, so I need to keep that in mind and play on.”

Other notables in the last 16 are Dannielle Kang who lives in Las Vegas, Minjee Lee who beat Moriya Jutanugarn in her group and Inbee Park who is always a threat.

The event with a total prize fund of US$1.5 Million at stake concludes on Sunday. Watch the live action on Golf Channel.

photo of Patty Tavatankit, supplied by Getty Images and the LPGA 

In Thailand up to a few years ago, most of the big names in the game came over to Asia, and in particular Thailand to earn a few extra dollars by ending their seasons entering tournaments.

First in the 90's we had the Johnnie Walker Classic, a European tournament played in the Asia Pacific Region. Ernie, Tiger and Couples all played at the Phuket's Blue Canyon, and at Bangkok's Thai Country Club too. Ernie winning in 1997 and 2003 and a young Tiger in 1998 and 2000. Geoff Ogilvy also won at Alpine .

We then had the Volvo Masters at the Bangkok Golf Club in 2003  and at Thai Country Club from 2005 - 2008., won twice by Thongchai Jaidee. 

There was a memorable skins game in 2010 when Tiger flew in by helicopter at Amata Springs to play against Paul Casey, Camilo Villegas and Thongchai Jaidee.

Move forward to December 2011 and then Amata Springs started hosting the Thailand Championship, part of the Asian Tour.  With US$1Million at stake and a change to grab a quick holiday in the sun before Christmas, it attracted some stella fields. These including crowd favorites Bubba Watson, John Daly, and even a very young Tommy Fleetwood. Westwood won the first year, then Charl Schwartzel, Garcia, Westy again and the final year in 2015 Jamie Donaldson won.

While all this was going on the LPGA was developing a following first at Amata Spring in 2006, then it moved in 2009 to Siam Country Club's Plantaion and then in 2010 it moved at the Old Course, it's current venue. We got used to seeing a field of 72 players covering most of the top 50 ladies on the Rolex Ranking. 

These were other the big events on the calendar, with the Asian, European and LET tours bringing a few token stars to play.  Sadly we now only have the LPGA playing in Thailand while the other tours have departed.

I remember as a journalist how easy it was to say interview Sergio or Bubba before an event, as most of the local golf media here did not speak much English. So it was usually left to Roger Crutchley from the Bangkok Post, and myself as editor of Thai Golf News to ask the questions. We had a field day with a few exclusives along the way.

I have attached a few photos of stars I got to know during those years. Bubba, Rickie and Michelle

As I am sure many of you went to these events do let us know who you had a chance to chat to as well?

Mike Bridge Editor in Chief Golf in Thailand.

It is impossible to be cold at the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village. Not in early June when stifling humidity engulfs the Midwest.

But a lasting memory frozen in time? It happened right there at Jack Nicklaus’ famed club, no matter that temperatures were fixed in the 30s Celsius  and sweat flowed excessively from a few dozen players who were grinding away on the range.

Until they stopped. In unison. Which is where the memory becomes frozen, an unforgettable sight that was a tribute to the aura of Seve Ballesteros.

It was June of 2010 and Ballesteros, then 53 and deep in the throes of a battle with cancer, offered his thanks to Nicklaus and his tournament committee for being that year’s Memorial Tournament Honoree. Unable to attend, the gallant Spaniard was shown via video that was displayed on large Jumbotrons, one of which was positioned at the range.

That is where players stopped working and watched in silence. Some of them had competed against Ballesteros, many of them had turned pro well after the great man’s career had ended, all of them had benefited from the magic he brought to the sport.

“He was an artist. The game played him,” David Feherty once said. “He was super-natural. I always felt he was still in control of the ball even when it was 200 yards away from him.”

Feherty, one year younger than Ballesteros, felt blessed to have played the European Tour at a time when the Spaniard helped carry it into prominence. Ballesteros was to Europe what Arnold Palmer was to the American PGA TOUR, a mystical figure whom fans adored, and sponsors lined up for.

Before Ballesteros the European Tour “was a bunch of gardeners,” said Feherty.

But riding Ballesteros’ charisma and his uncanny ability to hit a golf ball yards off-line, then find it, and figure out how to manufacture an impossible escape was the engine that drove the European Tour to a position of enormous strength in the 1980s and 1990s.

Not only did Ballesteros do magical things to win three Open Championships and two Masters, but he practically re-invented the Ryder Cup when Europeans were recruited to join their brethren from Great Britain and Ireland. He was someone you just could not take your eyes off.

Simply put, “he was a genius,” said Padraig Harrington. “And he loved the game.”

“There was an animal magnetism to him. Being with him was like being with a big cat; there was some sort of feline in him with his movements.”

Ballesteros had learned to play the game on the beach near his home in Pedrena, Spain. His upbringing was of mythical proportions, how he couldn’t afford good golf clubs, so his brother, Manual, gave him a hand-me-down 3-iron and Ballesteros learned to hit that one club a variety of different ways.

Low, high, curved left, or sliced right. Ballesteros loved the challenge, envisioned escape routes, invented stuff no one had ever imagined.

The secret was in the softest pair of hands the game has ever known. “He would hold a club so gently,” said Feherty, “like he was holding a day-old bird.”

He was a professional at 16, a rookie on the European Tour at 17, the Order of Merit winner at 19, the same year he introduced himself to the world by finishing tied for second with Jack Nicklaus behind Johnny Miller at the Open Championship.

It was the first time Nicklaus had ever seen him, but not the last. The Golden Bear was a confirmed fan. “His record, his charisma, his passion. He was great for the game,” Nicklaus said.

In 1979, at the tender age of 22, Ballesteros won the Open Championship at Royal Lytham in a fashion that typified him. Having somehow surged past Nicklaus, Hale Irwin and Ben Crenshaw, Ballesteros was in the lead when he drove it miles right at the par-4 17^th. His ball caromed wildly into a car park, necessitating a free drop.

From the parking lot, Ballesteros hit a wedge to 15 feet and made birdie. “The Golf Gods,” declared the BBC announcer, “are with the smiling Spaniard today.”

The next year he won the Masters. And in 1984, arguably the tournament that completed his climb to the top of the mountain – an Open Championship at the home of golf, St. Andrews – Ballesteros produced an image that simply cannot be forgotten.

“The all-time greatest celebration,” declared Feherty of Ballesteros punching the air emphatically, a wide smile, and look of total joy on his face.

Four years later, again at Lytham, Ballesteros was brilliant. He shot a closing 65 and during a torrid 11-hole stretch made an eagle, six birdies, two pars and two bogeys, good enough to steal the Claret Jug right out from under Nick Price’s grip.

The Spaniard was just 31, seemingly at the height of his power, a five-time major winner. It’s unthinkable that he would never win another major, incomprehensible that his game would disappear as it did. Oh, there were some magical moments after Lytham ’88 – most of them in Ryder Cups, especially the confrontational episode with Paul Azinger in the 1991 classic at Kiawah Island.

But slowly and shockingly, his game left him. When he was just 38 years old, in 1995, he won his last tournament and more often than not the stories surrounding the proud Spaniard involved a man totally lost in his search to re-discover the magic.

“I don’t think he ever understood why he played so well,” said Feherty. “But when he tried to understand it, it didn’t work.”

Without his magical game, Ballesteros slid into the background. Not a recluse, mind you, because he always appreciated the power he seemed to have over people, but clearly Ballesteros became accustomed to his life out of the spotlight.  By Jim McCabe   Photos supplied by Getty Images.

Here is cheeky Billy's latest interviews . click on the link 

https://fb.watch/5MtcCBNbZd/

New Kuta GC is located on the southwestern rim of the island’s Bukit Peninsula, within the Pecatu Indah Resort grounds. Perched above a limestone cliff, over-looking stunning Dreamland and Balangan Beach. 20 Minutes driving dis-tance from the International Ngurah Rai Airport.

Landscape Natural desert-like vegetation with native trees, a semi Scottish rough of existing shrubs, long grass and creepers. This 18 hole and 72 par course is designed by Ronald Fream, David Dale & Kevin Ramsey (USA).

Great views of the ocean below. When we played it was breezy and the rough was tough, but great fun. Bring your camera!

Gary Player ranks us as one of his top 10 favourite courses out of the over 300 courses he has designed. Established in 1998, Ria Bintan Golf Club is today one of Asia’s top golfing destinations, attracting golfers from around the world with our two beautiful courses designed by golf legend, Gary Player.

The award-winning 18-hole Ocean Course unfolds next to the South China Sea, offering tantalising ocean views, while the 9-hole Forest Course set amidst mature woodlands tests your mettle with its various bunkers and fairways.

Laguna Golf Lang Co, one of Vietnam’s leading clubs and the only Sir Nick Faldo-designed course in Asia to be bestowed with “signature” status, recently became part of Asian Tour Destinations: an exclusive network of elite clubs with direct ties to the Asian Tour.

Joining Laguna Golf Lang Co in the collective are Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore, Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club, and Kota Permai Golf & Country Club in Malaysia, Sapporo Country Club, and The North Country Golf Club in Japan, Black Mountain Golf Club in Thailand and Classic Golf & Country Club in India.

Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner, and CEO of the Asian Tour, said, “The main objective of Asian Tour Destinations is to provide an affiliate membership program between the associated venues and the Asian Tour, to drive sustainable growth and development for the betterment of golf in the region as a whole.”

Being a part of the Asian Tour Destinations network means that each venue is certified Tour calibre and operates a comprehensive range of facilities and services to their members and guests under tournament-ready conditions all-

year-round.

The Asian Tour has also been a longtime supporter of the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final which is hosted by Sir Nick Faldo at Laguna Lang Co each year.

Among the core benefits, Asian Tour members will be able to play and practice at each venue, allowing for the members at each club to enjoy direct engagement with the region’s best golfers.

“Vietnam continues to be at the forefront of golf expansion and development in the region and we are very proud that Laguna Golf Lang Co is a contributor in this evolution,” said Adam Calver, Director of Golf at Laguna Lang Co Resort. “We appreciate the work the Asian Tour continues to do to grow the game here and Asian Tour Destinations is a perfect fit for us and supports our resorts future plans and ambitions as we are perfectly situated as an integrated property that boasts some of the best beachfront accommodation in Vietnam paired with exceptional golf.”

With governments around Asia (including Vietnam) currently in the procurement stage and planning mass vaccination programs for their populations, there’s growing confidence that international visitors will be able to return to Asian fairways sooner rather than later.

“Asia’s reputation as a golf destination was as bright as it has ever been before the pandemic,” added Calver. “Together we can showcase all these great courses as well as the compelling tourism activities available along Vietnam’s Golf Coast.”

Laguna Golf Lang Co, the home of the annual Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, has reaffirmed its commitment to developing the champions of tomorrow as the celebrated series for juniors marks its 25th anniversary in 2021.

Inaugurated by Sir Nick Faldo — the designer of the acclaimed layout at Laguna Golf Lang Co — after his victory at the 1996 US Masters, the Faldo Series is recognized as the only global amateur series for boys and girls. Competitors from ages 12 to 21 can test themselves against the absolute best juniors around the world.

The Series has been a proven success as a pathway for players to reach the top levels of the game, with over 70 Faldo Series competitors now playing on professional tours. Notable alumni include Major winners Rory McIlroy, Danny Willet and Yani Tseng, as well as other familiar names including Tyrell Hatton, Joaquin Niemann, Eddie Pepperell, Li Haotong, Mel Reid, Carly Booth and Nasa Hataoka.

The global junior series expanded into Asia in 2006, recognising the huge potential on the Asian junior golf circuit. Since then, Laguna Golf Lang Co has played a central role in the initiative as the current host venue for the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final: a reflection of its status as a Sir Nick Faldo Signature course, an elite category among Faldo designs.

“We are hugely proud to play such a key role here in Asia for the Faldo Series,” said Adam Calver, Director of Golf and Destination Marketing at Laguna Lang Co. “It’s an initiative that is widely recognized as one of the world’s most important showcases for young players. The future wellbeing of the game depends on the development of youngsters and we are determined to be at the vanguard of these efforts.”

The Faldo Series looks set to go from strength to strength as it marks its milestone year. Indeed, Faldo has just announced a brand-new collaboration in America with the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour that will create the largest global junior golf tour partnership of its kind in the world.

The new Faldo Hurricane Series will give juniors the opportunity to play on America’s finest golf courses and compete for an invite to the North America Grand Final, which will air on CBS Sports.

Winners of the six age categories in the North America Grand Final will then have the opportunity to travel to Vietnam to compete at the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at Laguna Golf Lang Co.

“Anything that raises the profile of the junior game in the US can only have a positive impact worldwide,” added Calver. “That’s why the announcement of the Faldo Hurricane Series is such an exciting development for growing the game of golf.”

Laguna Lang Co is currently working with the Faldo Series to finalize the new dates of the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final which was postponed due to the global travel restrictions. We will keep you posted.

The award in the category of "Biggest Embarrassment in Front of a Legend" goes to … Dan S. from Goldens Bridge, N.Y.:

• In the early '90s, I was a guest at the Shady Oak Club in Fort Worth, Texas. Founded by Ben Hogan, by this time, the elderly Ben would spend his days in the grill overlooking the 18th hole. I was 12-over-par after 17 that day and was feeling good about my round until my approach at 18 found one of the greenside bunkers. I grabbed my sand wedge and as I readied to hit the shot, I noticed that Mr. Hogan was standing at the window watching me. Shaking like a leaf and with a bad case of the nervous sweats, I proceeded to blade the ball and hit it directly into the bunker on the opposite side of the green. I then repeated the performance and ended up about one foot from my original lie in the first bunker. As I readied my third bunker shot, I looked up towards the grill window and watched as Hogan sadly shook his head and turned away from the window, probably wondering who had let this bumbling cretin on his course. To this day, when I'm asked about the quality of my game, I honestly reply that I have a game that disgusted Ben Hogan.

After young Phil's win last week on the PGA, it goes to show you don't have to have Bryson's muscles to claim the big cheque each week.

Interesting to see so many players also winning after such a longtime without a win.

Then there was 48 year old Richard Bland a typical English journeyman who won the British Masters on the European tour after his 478th attampt.

Even Jordan Spieth, a younger veteran, dropped from No1 in the world to 100 and he then won the Valero Texas Open after 1,351 days without a win.

It just shows to win it takes a lot of patience. Thai star and another No.1 player, Ariya Jutanugarn, said she was planning to quit and take an extended break before she won the 2021 Honda LPGA Thailand.

Would put it past Westwood to grab a major soon as he is in great for, and watch Thongchai Jaidee on the Champions Tour, he has the game to win too.

Golf is one of the few sports that all ages can be competative. I am sure there are a few OAP's out there who have whipped a few grandsons over 18 holes?????

A massive resort with long sandy beach on the Vietnam island close to Cambodia. They even have a theme park and a safari park, so good for all the family.

The 27 hole IMG designed golf course is relatively flat, with some subtle features and interesting par 3's, ideal for the golf tourist. Should enjoy some good scores here. We flew direct from Bangkok in just over an hour.

Located in a valley overlooking a large lake this course is 1200 metre above sea level, hence the name. The holes near the lake are flater but there are some exciting elevations on the back nine. Good fun if it is not to windy.

So many hard fought battles here on the Asian , European , LPGA and PGA tours. There are not many courses around the world that can attract that many top tournaments. West course is the venue for the men and the newer East course hosts the LPGA. Club house is immense and check out their driving range too.

it is a very picturesque course and although it is currently closed due to Covid 19, it is well worth the journey there. 

Norman at his best...not many elvations but a very good links set up next to the beach so gets cools breezes. 

DGC-Hole11.tif

Garden City Golf Club, opened in April 2013 with the vision of providing a world class golfing experience to members and visitors alike in Cambodia.

Designed by local architect, Major General Weerayudth Phetbuasak, it is a challenging and enjoyable course, covering what were relitively flat fields into a 7,258 yards masterpiece par 72, 18 hole championship golf course. Garden City is located just 15 kilometers northeast of downtown Phnom Penh, or about 30 minutes by taxi. When I was there in 2019 the course conditions were first class, not surprising as it is managed by IMG.

I was lucky enough to meet the course designer, a certain Sir Nick Faldo, who explained that when he had his first site meeting he pushed through the jungle, and felt like Harrison Ford in Indianna Jones. The end result is a great seaside course offering quite a few challenges with undulations and well placed bunkers. Accomodation is also first class too. Well worth the trip out there.

Great course with many elevations, bright white sandy bunkers and it is also floodlite.

Therefore if your plane lands before lunchtime, you can play the front nine in day light and the back down during the fabulous sunsets under their lights which are exceptional.

If you do end up in the Danang region, I rate this as my no1 18 holes as it is fun and at twilght great too for the classic photos as well.

May 26th, 2021. Golfasian are one of the leading golf tour operators in the region. Here is their current update on Covid Information this week.

Southeast Asia is still experiencing increased COVID infections in most of the region.  We are starting to see some improvements over the last few days. There is still optimism for travelling more freely later this this year.  We have seen a push to speed up the vaccination rollouts in key tourist destinations.

Vietnam

A new wave of COVID has caused some new restrictions to be put in place with golf courses in Hanoi and some other areas closing. Viet Nam received at least 4.1 million doses of the COVID-19 Vaccine Oxford-AstraZeneca under the COVAX facility.

Vietnamese authorities proposed allowing vaccinated foreign passengers into the country from September without requiring centralized quarantine. At a recent government meeting, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc instructed related government agencies to plan for gradually reopening of borders.  No final decision has been made on this.

Flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines has resumed some international flights connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with South Korea, Japan, and Australia from April 3. The carrier will also operate one flight from Hanoi to Australia’s Sydney every Saturday, while flights from HCMC to Sydney would depart every Thursday and Sunday. However, only repatriated approved Vietnamese citizens and approved foreign experts will be allowed to enter the country. All visitors must meet specific health regulations and bring the required paperwork in order to be granted entry into Vietnam.

Malaysia

Malaysia remains closed to international tourists and has extended its Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) until 1 August 2021.

• ·         A new wave of COVID infections has resulted in some lockdown restrictions across Malaysia. Currently many golf courses are also closed.

Many hotels are achieving Covid-19 safety certification, in preparation for the return of international guests in the near future, with thousands signing up to the nationwide ‘Clean & Safe’ campaign, designed to provide industry-wide health and safety standards and ensure the safety of guests during post-pandemic travel.

Indonesia

The Indonesian government has confirmed plans to open the country’s borders to international travellers in the middle of the year. Bali is scheduled to reopen first, and final date is to be announced in June, starting with three popular destinations: Sanur, Ubud and Nusa Dua.

The Indonesian government is accelerating vaccination nationwide to create herd immunity as soon as possible. In Bali it is now about 45% of Balinese are vaccinated to reach 70% of the population in May 2021. While in Jakarta and surroundings, including Java islands, new cases are relatively high even after 2nd phase of vaccination.

With vaccinations nearing completion and safety protocols in place, three of Indonesia’s most popular holiday destinations will soon be back in business.

Domestic flights are still possible throughout the country. Hotels, golf, restaurants, and shops are kept open under strict health protocols according to government and WHO regulations.

Meanwhile in Thailand they are still moving forward with the plan to open Phuket for vaccinated tourists without quarantine in July with most other Thailand golf destinations opening October 1.  Watch our updates over the coming days as detail plans will be announced. 

Golf Asian is always ready to help with reservations and recommend good golf courses which are suitable for everyone’s holiday.

For full information check out https://www.golfasian.com/

Link: https://www.golfasian.com/golf-news/southeast-asia-corona-virus-update-for-golfers/#thailand
 

Thai veteran star Thongchai Jaidee will see his illustrious golf career take a full cycle when he tees up in the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma starting on Thursday.

And at age 51, he is by no means finished just yet of his pursuit for more silverware on PGA TOUR Champions.

His appearance at Southern Hills this week for his senior major debut brings back fond memories of his first major appearance at the U.S. Open in 2001, which was also played at the Tulsa venue. Then, he became the first Thai to qualify and play in all four rounds at the U.S. Open, finishing T74 which coincided with the start of a great career that would see him earn three Asian Tour Order of Merit crowns and eight European Tour titles.

“I was here 20 years ago and I recall enjoying myself and being excited being the first Thai to qualify for the U.S. Open. Looking back now, making the cut was one of my career highlights,” said Thongchai.

“It’s a bit different with this week being a senior major but it is still my dream to win a major championship, even if it is a senior major. My game feels okay and I know I have to do everything well on what is a good and difficult golf course.”

The Asian legend made his first start of 2021 on PGA TOUR Champions two weeks ago where he finished tied 26th in the Mitsubishi Electric Classic.

He is trying to make up for lost time after being grounded in Thailand for most of 2020 due to COVID-19 and missed 16 Champions tournaments after finishing second in Qualifying School.

Thongchai knows he can no longer spend countless of hours at the range or gym to hone his skills and physical fitness but thanks to modern technology, he reckons he can enjoy a fruitful career in the over-50 circuit.

“I think I have a good chance to win a major in my senior career. That’s my key goal. Of course I will need to play well and there are so many good players. I used to practice for like 10, 11 hours a day but I don’t do this now. I’m keeping my body healthy, putting in six to seven hours now and focusing on the short game and learning to keep my energy.”

One of his career regrets was not contending more often in the majors during his heyday, with a tie for 13th place at the 2009 Open Championship being his best finish in 32 major appearances.

“I tried hard to win a major but it wasn’t possible. I had a chance at the British Open in the year when Stewart Cink won (he finished four shots back). I remember the week being a poor putting performance by me as I had like five or six three putts then,” he said.

“I still enjoy competing, I enjoying playing golf and playing in tournaments. As we saw last week with Phil (Mickelson) winning the PGA, anything can happen in golf. These days, we have good equipment compared to 20 years ago and you can maintain your distances which gives me confidence to know that I can still compete.”

When Thongchai made his first appearance at Southern Hills all those years ago, he made global headlines by telling the assembled media that he had opted to sleep on the floor of his US$200-a-night hotel room as the bed was “too soft” to preserve his gingerly back. He is staying with his close friend this week.

“I’m getting older, so I’m sleeping on the bed now. Mike (his host) has made sure I’ve got a good and firm mattress and my back is much better these days.”