|
HTML clipboard
Vietnam Golf & Country Club - Saigon
With two championship-length, 18-hole courses, tennis courts and a luxury
housing estate, the Vietnam Golf and Country Club (VGCC) has something for
everyone. Just thirty minutes from downtown Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), the club
was the second to open in the southern city's environs, and has been the venue
for many major golf tournaments since its inauguration in 1995.
The VGCC is home to two courses: East and West. The 6,946-yard, par 72 East
Course was designed by Lee Trevino and opened in September 1997, while the very
different West Course, par 72 and 7,106 yards, was designed by Taiwanese Master
Golf Course Architect Cheng Kinh Shih and opened two years earlier.
The West Course features narrow fairways, flat greens and water hazards on 11 of
its 18 holes. A unique hazard on this heavily-wooded course are trees which
appear to be strategically placed on many of its par four and five holes,
standing almost exactly on the desired target. Those flat greens provide a
further challenge to players who must use all their skill and judgment to decide
just where the fairways ends and the green begins. Although, once on the green,
holing the ball is a far simpler affair than on the East Course.
In contrast to the West's forested environment, the East Course presents an
series of open vistas to players, with most of the original woodland removed
from its fairways. Don't be fooled by this expansive setting however: The course
is challenging with water hazards coming into play on eight holes. The greens
here are especially demanding featuring humps, bumps, slopes and plenty of
sweeping breaks.
Located just 30 minutes' drive along Highway One from Saigon, the Vietnam Golf
and Country Club is deservedly popular, especially with Saigon's expatriate
population. Green fees are US$80 for 18 holes on weekdays, rising to $100 at
weekends. Women can play nine holes for just US$40 on Thursdays. Other special
deals are often available and it is worth checking with the club as to what's
available before setting out from the city. The VGCC is also home to plenty of
tournaments, both large and small, every month, and the club has been selected
as the golf venue for the 2003 South East Asia (SEA) Games.
The club is well managed and the courses very well maintained. Clubs, shoes,
trolleys, buggies etc. all available for rental. Robert Bicknell, the club's
Director of Golf writes a golfing column for Vietnam News in its Sunday edition,
and he also maintains a useful website at: www.pgavietnam.com
Vietnam Golf & Country Club
East Course Par 72 6,946 Yards
West Course Par 72 7,106 Yards
Cost 18 Holes Weekday $80 Weekends $100
Facilities include club house with bar and restaurant, Pro shop, club and shoe
hire, tennis courts etc.
Address:
Long Thanh My Ward, District 9
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: (84-8) 733 0129
Fax: (84-8) 825 2954
|
Source:
HCMC Dept of Tourism |
|
... Your services were excellent and very much appreciated. We were very happy with the results and the guides etc. My family is well and we are back in the US. Thank you for all the timely help...