This links course was created on top of rolling dunes with some 50 meters of elevation change from highest to lowest point. The existing coastal dunes, features, hazards, and views of the ocean form an integral part of the hole routing. The natural topography of the property lends itself beautifully to a great variety of golf holes, and there are sensational views from tee boxes of most holes. The layout is devoid of trees and resembles a links courses in Scotland rather than Asia.
Playability was another factor that went into the design because the links course represents the true style of golf. Cam Ranh plays links because there’s a lot of up and down and natural contouring. Run-off areas feature on most holes which adds to the strategy. Also, being near the sea, wind speed and direction provides constant challenges with the more elevated holes affected the most when the wind is up.
Boasting firm and fast fairways with rolling contours and elevations, the ball will run and fly there. Sand dunes cover the surface as much as shrubbery to punish wayward shots, but the course is fair and will reward smart play with good scores. Another critical feature is the ample run-off areas around the greens and massive boulders surrounding the course, some of which form a striking backdrop, such as at the par-5, 17th hole. Two of the best holes are the 10th and 15th, a pair of par-4s that play downhill towards the ocean and three small islands about 10 kilometres offshore.
Professionally managed by IMG, the KN Golf Links runs like clockwork and offers 5-star service. The well-equipped clubhouse provides spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and out over Cam Ranh Bay itself. Why is it that new golf courses keep popping up in Vietnam with such high quality? I believe it is to do with land on offer and the professionalism of the designers and people involved, in this case, GNGCD and the developer and his team at the KN Golf Links.
“The first thing that stood out to me about the Cam Ranh site was the massive scale of the property. We are not often given sites this big to work with, so we wanted to make sure we made the best use of the land when laying out the course,” said Norman. “This resulted in a very special links course that is one-of-a-kind in this region and will undoubtedly stand among the best in Asia if not the world.”
