Visited the newly opened Montgomerie Links in central Vietnam last weekend. Photos below with a few random thoughts and ramblings.
The course is an IMG managed, Colin Montgomerie design. I believe he spent one full day on site and is coming back in a few weeks for the grand opening. Monty Links is the first golf course in the Danang area and soon will be joined by what looks like a very interesting 36 hole Greg Norman development.
Central Vietnam has gorgeous sandy dunes and outstanding beaches, so natural to see 'links' courses. Instead of dealing with wind, rain and cold, there is just heat, humidity, and more heat.
The design is solid and the greens are outstanding, but unfortunately it's just off of the ocean with no ocean views or oceanfront holes. I believe the water table did not allow the course to get any closer but the Norman course down the road will have three holes along the ocean. There will be real estate development along with the course but fortunately it's not too severe and not throughout the course.
Here are some of the highlights:
The opening hole, 581 yard par 5. Your first impression is one that is not going to leave you throughout the round- there are a LOT of bunkers and they come into play on EVERY shot.
2nd hole, Par 3, 197 yards
4th hole, Par 4 327 yards. Drivable par 4 but water (not shown in the photo) to the right and OB left make it a challenge
Outstanding green contouring
Par 3 11th, 205 yards
Par 4, 13th, 455 yards, minefield of bunkers
Par 4 15th, 361 yards. This is one of my favorite holes because as you move away from the dunes it feels like a completely different environment. Palm trees and jungle await in the horizon and you're reminded where exactly you are playing golf.
Caddy training- yes this is Vietnam
Still new to golf, still learning the rules (and a little camera shy)
Quite a few elevated approaches with well-protected greens
Another example of bunkering, clubhouse in the distance
We're not in Kansas anymore...LARGE beetles
After playing a few rounds, I enjoyed the course but there are few shots where you are not adjusting play to avoid bunkers. perhaps just because they could do it. I heard that the total investment for the course and development was USD$45 million. Great experience and enjoyed it immensely but not really an overly welcoming club and probably wouldn't be a destination play at this point. All that being said, Monty Links is one of the best courses in Vietnam.
Dalat Palace tomorrow!