Photo: The golf course in Phokham village of Xaythany district.
Construction of a new golf course to be used during the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane this December is now more than 90 percent complete.
The course, located in Phokham village of Xaythany district, will eventually consist of 27 holes, of which 18 have been completed thus far.
The Asean Civil Bridge-Road Company began construction of the course in January 2008.
However, the Booyoung Company from South Korea took over construction of the facility in March this year.
The South Korean company will spend more than 57 billion kip constructing the international standard golf course on about 150 hectares of land in Vientiane .
Secretary General of the Lao Golf Federation, Mr Songkham Silaphet said the course will be ready to host the golf event at the games, for which only 18 holes are needed.
Lao golfers will be able to practice on the course from September 20 in the lead-up to the games.
Mr Songkham said the company will continue efforts to complete the remaining holes after the games, and it will eventually be lined by residential complexes.
The company will provide further funding to build amenities such as a restaurants and villas to attract tourists.
Currently Lao golfers are practicing on various courses including the Km14 golf course, Km6 golf course, Daensavanh course in Vientiane , courses in Savannakhet and Champassak provinces and those in neighbouring countries of Vietnam and Thailand .
Experienced golf coaches from South Korea are helping 10 Lao golfers to improve their techniques and boost their chances of winning medals at the games in Vientiane this December.
Mr Kim Mun Su and his assistant Mr Kim Mun Kyu have been training six male and four female golfers since March this year.
The federation will cooperate with the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation to hold an international level pre-SEA Games tournament at the new golf course in October and November.
The pre-games tournament will test the golfers' skills and allow the federation to select a final squad of four males and three females to compete at the games.
The current squad ranges in age from 16 to 28 years old and is currently situated in Vientiane where they are training twice daily.
In the lead-up to the games, the federation will hold training courses for 30 technical officials and 70 caddies who will participate in the games.
The golf event at the games will comprise of men's and women's singles and teams events.
The Lao team was unsuccessful in the golf event of the 24th SEA Games in Thailand in 2007.
By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes
