​​​​​​Unique Vietnamese Experience Awaits Faldo Series Asia Grand Finalists 2017-02-28

The scenic ninth hole at Laguna Lăng Cô, venue for the 11th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final.

Hue, Vietnam (February 28): Participants in next month’s 11th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at Laguna Lăng Cô can expect ‘a stern and strategic’ test of golf.

More than 90 of the region’s most promising golfing prospects will lock horns in the 54-hole R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking event over the acclaimed Faldo Design layout in Danang, Central Vietnam from March 15-17.

As qualifiers from more than 20 countries will discover, a fresh challenge awaits.

This is the first time that the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final has been staged at a venue other than China’s Mission Hills Golf Club, where it made its home for 10 years.

“I have truly looked forward to bringing the Faldo Asia Series Grand Final to Vietnam and Laguna Lăng Cô, a course which I visit often and I am most proud of designing,” said six-time Major champion Sir Nick Faldo.   

“Our hosts at Laguna Lăng Cô and Banyan Tree Resorts are contributing greatly to growing opportunity through golf and developing tomorrow’s champions. In addition, some of the best young golfers in the world will now have the tremendous experience of visiting and enjoying golf and hospitality in Vietnam.”

According to Darren Robson, Club Manager and Golf Professional at Laguna Lăng Cô Golf Club, competitors will have all facets of their game examined at the course that will play to 6,500 yards for the boys and 6,000 yards for the girls.

“All finalists will face a stern, strategic test of golf set in a beautiful environment which offers great variety. Birdie opportunities are plentiful, but trouble is always lurking if you play too aggressively,” cautioned Robson, who anticipates the subtly-contoured greens will be running between 9.5 and 10 on the Stimpmeter, the device used to measure the speed of putting surfaces.

On and off the course, participants are certain to have a memorable time. Robson said: “Players will get to experience at first hand the warmth and charm of the Vietnamese people while enjoying all the facilities our first-class resort has to offer.”

Paul Wilson, Assistant Vice President, Group Golf Director, Laguna Golf, added that the staging of the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final will raise the global profile of Lăng Cô and the Vietnam Central Coast as a destination getaway and one of Vietnam’s hotspots for holding high-profile sporting events.

Wilson said: “I know from speaking personally with Sir Nick Faldo that he is delighted to bring the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final to Lăng Cô and all of our staff are very excited and eager to put on a great tournament for all the players.

“Danang now is a hot golf destination … and with good reason. It has four world-class golf courses comparable to anywhere in the world and all offer a completely different playing experience. Furthermore, all are within a one-hour drive of the city centre, providing the golf traveller with excellent variety.”

Supported by The R&A and endorsed by the Asian Tour and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the 2016-17 Faldo Series Asia campaign has stretched over 11 months.

As well as two events in China, India and Thailand, championships were staged in Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chinese-Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.

Recognised as the only global amateur series for boys and girls, the Faldo Series was established in 1996, expanding to Asia in 2006. 

Today, 40 Faldo Series tournaments take place in 30-plus countries worldwide, touching more than 7,000 golfers each year. Past winners include Tseng Ya-ni and Rory McIlroy, both multiple Major winners.