The Vietnam Golf Association (VGA) has appointed Laguna Lăng Cô Golf Club as the new venue for the Faldo Series Vietnam Championship for the next three years. Golfers and non-golfers alike are set to benefit from a programme of charitable initiatives during the annual event which tees off on July 27-28, 2013.
“The course at Laguna Lăng Cô will provide a memorable experience for the country’s top young golfers,” said Sir Nick Faldo who designed the course with his team at Faldo Design. “I applaud the efforts of the resort to give back to the community through this event, including coaching for local children and fundraising for village schools.”
“We are excited to continue our excellent relationship with Sir Nick by hosting his Faldo Series,” commented Tim Haddon, General Manager of Laguna Lăng Cô Golf Club which was officially opened by Faldo in March 2013. “Laguna Lăng Cô is committed to creating a positive impact in the local community and is currently working to provide clean drinking water to local primary schools. All money raised will be used for this purpose.”
“For the past five years, the Faldo Series has been a key part of our mission to grow golf in Vietnam,” added Mr Nguyen Van Hao, Secretary General of the VGA. “We look forward to continuing our efforts in partnership with Sir Nick and the team at Laguna Lăng Cô and once again the Vietnamese winners will benefit from spending time with a six-time Major winner.”
Vietnamese golfers aged 12 to 21 will compete over 36 holes in the sixth Faldo Series Vietnam Championship at Laguna Lăng Cô Golf Club. With the field divided into age groups – two for boys and two for girls – the four winners will qualify to join Faldo for the eighth Asia Grand Final at Mission Hills Golf Club in China next March.
Situated about an hour’s drive from Danang international airport, Laguna Lăng Cô Golf Club is located within the greater Laguna Lăng Cô, a US$ 200 million fully-integrated resort development by Banyan Tree and the first in Vietnam. The resort is framed by a three-kilometre beach in the Chan May-Lang Co area, renowned for its pristine coastline, natural scenery and proximity to UNESCO World Heritage sites. The resort features Banyan Tree and Angsana hotels and spas, villas and residences available for sale, maritime facilities and an activity centre for children.
Laguna Lăng Cô Golf Club is one of the “must-go” golf destinations in Vietnam’s central coast area and is the first in the country to have Zoysia fairways and Tiff Eagle greens. The course is nestled between mountains and sea on a sandy strip of dune land that is perfect for golf. Starting from an open paddy field environment beside a large lake, the layout moves towards the edge of a mountainous forest area before swinging towards the beach at the ninth hole. This 6,961-yard, par-71 course is the 26th course designed by the six-time Major winner and is arguable his boldest and best creation yet.
Established in 1996, 40 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in 30 countries worldwide with more than 7,000 golfers participating each year. Past winners include Major Champions Rory McIlroy and Yani Tseng.
In September 2014, Faldo will begin taking students at a full-time residential academy for education and golf development in America. The first ever FaldoSeriesAcademy in Casa Grande, Arizona is also home to the Faldo Series USA and marks the next significant step in the programme’s history.
The 2013/2014 Faldo Series Asia schedule features a record 19 tournaments in 15 countries, including four in mainland China, two in India and others in The Philippines, Chinese Taipei, Cambodia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Brunei, Japan, Pakistan, Indonesia and Thailand.
The Faldo Series Asia is supported by The R&A, ISPS Handa and Mission Hills. It is endorsed by the Asian Tour and the Asia Pacific Golf Federation.
Vietnamese golfers born in 1992 or later wishing to enter the sixth Faldo Series Vietnam Championship at Laguna Lăng Cô Golf Club on July 27-28 should email info@vga.com.vn or visit www.vga.com.vn.
For more information on the Faldo Series visit www.nickfaldo.com. You can also follow the Faldo Series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/faldoseries and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/faldoseries