25th SEA Games, Laos

The nation's golfers are better prepared than ever as they come out swinging for the 25th SEA Games in December.

Lao Golf Federation President Sounthone Sirisack said while the team was still young, they had gained valuable experiences and improved their scores since previous competitions.

With the golfers improving greatly, he raised the stakes by saying that golf will be a medal hope for Laos at the 25th SEA Games.

“We didn't perform well enough in previous SEA Games, but this time we are the host so our athletes have goodwill from the government, Lao people and their families to practise hard for these games.”

“Now they are better than ever and ready for the challenge,” he said.

After the announcement that golf would be included as one of the sports of the 25th SEA Games, the federation had gathered the nation's most experienced as well as up-and-coming players.

Trial matches were held to select the best golfers in Laos to prepare for the games in December.

“We had many of them prepare for the games, and now we have chosen 10 of them for the final team,” Mr Sounthone said.

“We have seven starting members including three women. The remaining three will be substitutes.”

During the preparations, the golfers received encouragement from the federation and the government as well as their families, who are eager to support them as they compete for the nation.

“We have had enough equipment during preparations and received great cooperation from the countries where we sent our players to practise. This was good preparation for them ahead of the games,” he said.

Mr Sounthone said the federation has found the popularity of golf in Laos to be increasing.

The SEA Games are seen as an opportunity for the federation to spark development of a new generation of Lao golfers.

The federation has also teed up financial support.

Assisting the federation financially are Beam Global Asia Pte Limited (US$15,000) and International Commercial Bank Lao Limited (US$5,000).

Both are hoping their support will translate into Lao success on fairways next month.

By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes

At present, many athletes are now preparing themself for the upcoming 25th SEA Games, and they hope to do their best for this special events.
Mr. Panpadith Sengsavanh, a golfer representing Laos said that golf is one of his favorite sports and he has been playing golf since 2000. He was then got a scholarship to study in Australia, and had participated in many internatinal tournaments, and his best performance was when he passed to the quarter final. Now He is selected to be in the group of the national team, and he will try to do his best, eventhough many competitors may have higher experience.
Mr. Phanpadith, 25, added that, he is now practicing at KM 14 golf court for 3-4 months. In the real SEA Games, only 7 players, 4 male and 3 female players will be selected. In the preparation, it was coach from South Korea, who teach how to make plan, score and to control feeling. If everything goes well, he hope to be one of the 7 players.
The practice at the real golf court to be used for 25th SEA Games at KM 18 will be started very soon.

ECOM

Experienced golf coaches from the Republic of Korea are improving 10 Lao golfers' techniques in the hope they will pick up medals at the 25th SEA 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.

Lao golfers are practicing on various courses including the Km14 golf course, Km6 golf course, and Daensavanh course in Vientiane as well as courses in Savannakhet and Champassak provinces and those in the neighbouring countries of Vietnam and Thailand .

Chairman of the Lao Golf Federation, Mr Sounthone Sirisack said the federation is trying to give the golfers as much experience as possible on different courses.

The federation will cooperate with the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation to hold an international level pre-SEA Games tournament in October and November.

The Lao golfers will have an opportunity to train at the Km18 course when it is finally constructed.

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.

He said to be selected to represent Laos , golfers must not only posses the necessary skills but also have good behaviour and the right attitude.

Mr Sounthone said it would be difficult for Laos to win a gold medal in golf at the games but the event will provide an excellent opportunity for the young team to gain international experience.

The current squad ranges in age from 16 to 28 years old. They are currently situated in Vientiane where they are training twice daily.

He said the federation is looking to build the stocks of talented young golfers for success at international events in the future.

He said the Lao golfing scene is growing steadily and many young people are interested in the game.

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

The Lao Golf Federation says the new golf course in Phokham village (km18) in Xaythany district where the SEA Games' golf tournament will take place is now 80 percent complete. A new golf course for use in the SEA Games is being built in Phokham village (km18) in Xaythany district.

Construction began in January 2008 and the three nine-hole courses will be finished by May. Only two will be used for the SEA Games.

The Booyoung Company of Korea invested about 50 billion kip (US$5 million) for construction of the 27-hole international standard golf course, which is being built on about 150 hectares of land.

Federation President Songkham Silaphet still hopes the company and the Lao government will seal the 2,250 metre road around the course and install lighting.

The federation is having difficulty clearing land around the course because some people have not yet left their homes to make way for construction.

Mr Songkham said the course would be completed in May as long as the plans did not change.

The federation says it will be able to maintain the grass on the golf course ahead of the games, despite the hot, dry weather.

Golfing events at the games comprise men's and women's singles and men's and women's teams.

The Youth Garden Golf Course at Km 14 in Hadxaifong district is not at the standard needed for international tournament play, but is where the Lao team is training in preparation for December.

Although the medal winning chances for Laos are meagre as the team lacks international experience, the federation is still hopeful of a good performance.

The federation is looking for a professional coach to train the team.

The Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, based in Australia , will provide financial assistance for the Lao golf team to participate at the games.

Booyoung signed a contract with the Asean Civil Road and Bridge Construction Company of Laos to design and create the golf course. The company will also build amenities such as a restaurant and hotel, to attract tourists.

After the close of the games, the Booyoung Company will extend the course by an additional 60 hectares, to make a total of 210 hectares and 45 holes.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
Vientianetimes