The world’s best “undiscovered golf destination”
CANCUN CITY – The International Association of Golf Travel Operators (IAGTO) has named Vietnam the winner of its “Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year” award in 2007, consolidating the country as an emerging destination of choice for international golfers.
Vietnam surpassed five other final international golf destination candidates in Abu Dhabi, Costa Rica, Italian Lakes, Kenya and Oregon to win the annual sought-after award.
Golfers said the award was a crowning moment in a pivotal golf year for Vietnam.
In July, the launch of the Ho Chi Minh Golf Trail comprising top courses signaled a coming-of-age for Vietnam’s international golf standing, and a month later saw the establishment of the Vietnam Golf Association (VGA), the country’s first such governing body.
“We used to think of ourselves as the golf world’s best-kept secret but with the announcement of this award, the secret is out. Vietnam is ready for the big time,” VGA general secretary Nguyen Ngoc Chu said.
The IAGTO was set up in 1997 as a representative body for a number of the world’s leading golf tour operators. By 2007, the association had more than 900 member companies in 72 countries.
The IAGTO announces the “Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year” award each year as part of the International Golf Travel Market, the golf travel industry’s annual trade show.
The award itself is voted upon by 85 members of the International Golf Travel Writers Association (IGTWA). These journalists are charged with identifying the world’s one golf destination they consider to be the foremost “undiscovered gem” based on the destination, quality, attractiveness, accessibility, standard of accommodation, friendliness of the staff, value for the money, and speed of play.
Lars Holden, general manager at Chi Linh Star Golf and Country Club, said, “It’s true that Vietnam golf has matured a great deal in a relatively short period of time. The golf here hasn’t been ignored, but I think its new prominence is the result of several important factors all coming together at the same time.”
Vietnam now has 15 operational golf courses, while more than 30 projects will be up and running in the coming years.
Ian Jarrett
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