Gary Player is presented with a gift by Vietnam Golf Association General Secretary Nguyen Van Cuu and former actress and avid golfer Nguyen Thi Thu Ha.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Global golf icon Gary Player believes Vietnam will become a major player in the emerging golf market of Asia.
According to the South African great, ‘golf is now more than ever a global sport, and the Asian community has embraced this as many players from the surrounding areas are having excellent professional success’.
Player cited the fact that the International Presidents Cup team last year included five Asian players.
After successful developments in other evolving markets including Bulgaria, China and Abu Dhabi, Player and his design team have been engaged on multiple projects by Vingroup, a leader in Vietnam’s tourism industry featuring golf courses, international luxury hotels, resorts, beach villas and amusement parks.
“The development of playable courses throughout Asia would help boosting the popularity and accessibility of the sport to amateurs in this part of the world,” said Player.
“This will be a grass-roots effort, and Vietnam certainly will play a large role in developing the game in the Far East. We are privileged to work with Vingroup, a company known for producing first-class establishments.”
With golf set to be on sports’ biggest stage at this year’s Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Player said the world will soon realise the impact golf can have on a local and national economy.
Scott Ferrell, President of Gary Player Design, said: “Our team has visited Vietnam many times to lay a foundation for our business and Gary Player is personally in tune to the opportunities for the growth of the game there.
“His personal commitment to Vietnam will no doubt leave a lasting legacy in this important and growing market.”
Vinpearl Golf, the golf management organisation of Vingroup, is a pioneer in the development and management of golf courses in Vietnam’s most beautiful destinations.
A Golf Course Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation, Vinpearl Golf currently boasts courses in Nha Trang Island and Phu Quoc Island.
“The group continues to pursue its aggressive expansion plans to increase its portfolio of premier golf courses, with the aim of evolving Vietnam into an emerging destination for the global golfing community,” said a Vinpearl spokesperson.
The article "Player Predicts Bright Future for Golf in Vietnam" was originally published on http://www.agif.asia/2016/03/player-predicts-bright-future-for-golf-in-vietnam/
