Out With the Old ...

Alex Jenkins takes a look at the most breathtaking new courses to have opened in Asia-Pacific over the past two years

The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip in Vietnam is a wonderful Greg Norman design

The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip

Since winding down his playing career, two-time Open champion Greg Norman has made his mark away from the professional tours by forging a hugely successful business empire, one that encompasses real estate development, wineries and clothing. But it in the sphere of golf course design where the Australian has been most prolific. Norman's courses can be found all over the planet, and it his work at The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip on Vietnam's southern coast that has garnered most attention in recent times.

The Bluffs, a two-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh's international airport, is a unique place. A links-like layout that has been routed over and around impressive seaside sand dunes, this par-71 challenge provides a setting and playing experience that is more akin to the great courses of southwest Ireland than tropical Indochina. Given its proximity to the coast, wind is nearly always a factor at The Bluffs, but the course, which also features significant elevation changes throughout, remains highly enjoyable for mere mortals thanks to the generous fairways that Norman and his architects have provided.

The course forms part of The Grand Ho Tram Strip, an ambitious resort and casino complex that includes a 5-star hotel, and hosted its very own Asian Tour event – the US$1.5 million Ho Tram Open – earlier this month.

www.thebluffshotram.com

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Written by Alex Jenkins

Click here to see the published article.

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