GOLF ATRAVEL Player’s Guide Vietnam's Latest
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The Greg Norman-designed Bluffs Ho Tram Strip, part of a large casino resort to the south of Ho Chi Minh City, was officially opened to great fanfare last month. Photography by Paul Macleod
The stunning par-4 eighth presents a considerable challenge
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The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip is characterised by sand and scrub (top); a very Scottish feel to proceedings on launch day 76
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reg Norman has predicted T he Blu f fs is de st i ned to become one of the world’s top golf courses. S p e a k i n g a t t h e mu c h anticipated opening of the spectacular links course, the Australian said: “I absolutely believe The Bluffs has the potential to be one of the top courses in the world. “If you look at the international rankings, links courses dominate those lists. Courses built fairly recently in countries like New Zealand, Mexico and China have made such lists. So why not Vietnam too? “Only time will tell, but I think when people play here for the first time they will realise what a special place this is.” Ben Styles, the club’s General Manager, said: “This course has all the elements necessary to be ranked among the best in the world. It’s golf in its purest, most traditional links form, in a setting that has no rival.” Some two and a half hours and 130km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip is among several components of The Grand Ho Tram Strip’s first stage of development, having opened in July 2013 as Vietnam’s first luxury international casino resort. The Asian Coast Development project already features a 541-room upscale hotel, more than 10 restaurants and bars, a spa, night club, convention centre and casino with 90 gaming HKGOLFER.COM
Distinct elevation changes are another feature; just a month on from injuring his hand in a chainsaw accident, Greg Norman officially opens the course
tables and 600 slot machines. But dominating the landscape is the par-72 layout of Greg Norman Golf Course Design, which follows the Great White Shark’s highlyregarded layout at Danang Golf Club as his second Vietnam design. Routed over and around towering seaside sand dunes, the course has significant elevation changes, the highest point being 50m above sea level on the 15th green. Norman said: “As a golf course designer, you only get the opportunity to work with sites as good as this maybe a few times in your career. So we really had to put our time in when we were designing and building The Bluffs. “In this case it was more about disturbing as little as possible, which put most of the emphasis on the initial routing of the course. “It took Mother Nature thousands of years to create these sand dunes so we made every effort to preserve the natural character of the site.” Norman compares the course to Doonberg in the south of Ireland. He said: “It’s no secret that Ireland has some of the greatest links courses in the world. I firmly believe that Vietnam will steadily evolve as another links destination as more courses like The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip are developed along the coastal areas of the country. “I think the golf course itself will be perceived as very fair and playable by all golfers’ standards. But as with any true links course, the elements – more specifically, the wind – will be the teeth of the course. 78
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“Even on its worst day, the experience of playing true links golf among the dunes of southern Vietnam and having the dramatic ocean views throughout your round will make The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip one of the most unique golf experiences in the world. “Wind was one of the most significant factors in designing The Bluffs, especially since the direction changes 180 degrees for several months during the year. It has affected nearly every decision from the initial layout of the holes to fairway widths and irrigation coverage. “Fortunately, we were able to create a good balance of holes for it. But as with most seaside links courses, wind will continue to be a factor in the daily set-up and playability of the course.” Norman was joined at the grand opening by former US Open champion HKGOLFER.COM
England's Robert Rock tees off while Norman and Michael Campbell look on (top); the demanding 18th (below) 80
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Michael Campbell and two-time European Tour winner Robert Rock, who played a charity exhibition match with two of Vietnam’s finest female golfers — LPGA Tour pro Tang Thi Nhung and US collegiate golfing star Ngo Bao Nghi. Rock and Tang prevailed 2-and-1, but the real winner was the course, which surrendered few birdies and left the foursome in awe. “It’s just spectacular,” said Rock, who grew up playing in England, home to some of the world’s great links. “It’s definitely challenging, but it’s also fair. I could play here every day. That ’s not something you can say about most courses.” One of the most breathtaking vantage points is at the par-3 4th hole, whose green is perched precariously on a bluff back-dropped by miles of dense national forest, the East Sea and the 20-story Grand Ho Tram Strip. Other standout holes include the par-4 8th, which plays downhill to a fairway split by a natural water feature; and the par-4 13th, whose green is partially guarded by a large, broccolishaped Acacia tree. “We actually had a couple holes designed down on the water,” Norman said, “but because of future development (possibilities) – that’s obviously the highest value; you’re going to get great return on that property – we were asked to shift those holes away from there. It would’ve been great to get a hole down there. But there are great links golf course in England are not (right) on the water as well.” For booking information visit thebluffshotram.com HKGOLFER.COM