Lao golfers to train on new USD 5 million course soon

Posted by samakomlao Tuesday, June 30, 2009

(KPL) Vice-President of Lao National Golf Federation, Mr Songkharm Silaphet recently confirmed during a press conference held at the SEA Games Golf Club Site Office that national golfers would be able to train on a new golf course in preparation for the SEA Games.

A new golf course is being built in Xaythany district and scheduled to be ready for the coming SEA Games in December.

Managing Director of Global Turf Consulting Company, Mr Gary Chatfield, said that regarding the planting of grass on the course and other forms of golf course construction work, the company faced difficulties and this had delayed work.

He said, During the rainy season the ground was so soft that we could not use any of the heavy machinery to carry out outdoor work.

Moreover Booyoung Company of Korea, the investor that forked out USD5 million, made some changes to the layout and design of the course, thus causing another delay,・he added.

However, there is a positive side and it is the fact that while a new golf course normally has only immature trees, but for this course there are already in place some rather big trees and so when it is operational these trees will give the impression that it is a mature course and has been functioning for five or six years,said Mr Chatfield.

Another reason for the delay is that the clearing of land around the course was held up because some people were still occupying the houses in the area (150 hectares) slated for the construction of the course.

Mr Songkharm said, This 27-hole international standard golf course will also have a clubhouse, a driving range and a restaurant and sure it will be the first international standard golf course in Laos.

The Lao Golf Federation says the new golf course in Phokham village (at km18) in Xaythany district is almost ready (80 per cent completion).

The federation said it would be able to maintain the grass and ensure that it is green during the SEA Games period in spite of the dry weather in December. For the coming SEA Games, the golfing sector would be made up of individual men and women competitors and men and women golfing teams.

Today, we have 10 golfers in training - 4 females and 6 males - but soon two of them will be eliminated,・Mr Songkharm said.

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