Greg Normans Site Visit to The Bluffs Ho Tram in Vietnam

Golfing legend Greg Norman touched down in Vietnam last week to tour the course he has designed at Ho Tram in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province on the southern Vietnamese coastline.

The course has been under construction for several months  and Mr Norman was in Ho Tram to cast an expert eye over the shaping process to see how his design is being brought to life after his initial visit to the site.

Internationally renowned teams from Greg Norman Design, Linksshape and IMG are in place at the course meticulously molding and shaping the terrain on the Ho Tram promontory into a course that Greg Norman believes will be among the leading courses in Asia. Members of each of the teams met Mr Norman as he dropped in by helicopter to walk the course and make design adjustments to perfect the course.

Bob Wolfe, Chairman of Asian Coast Development (Canada) Limited,  developers of The Ho Tram Strip said: “Greg Norman’s visit to Ho Tram is an important milestone for us as our plans for the golf course become reality. His design is truly outstanding and when our course opens I believe it will quickly gain a reputation as a world-class destination for golfers.”

Following an illustrious golfing career including two Major wins and more than 330 weeks as the World Number One, Greg Norman has established himself among the leading course designers in the world. He has already opened 76 courses and has a further 36 projects in development around the world. Describing his design philosophy, Norman says “I’m a firm believer in using what Mother Nature gives us on a particular site.”

In the case of Ho Tram, this means a seaside bluff with undulating sand dunes and dramatic ocean views. The name “The Bluffs, Ho Tram” was chosen to reflect the rugged nature of the site and hint at the challenges to golfers that will be provided by onshore breezes.

Immediately after walking the course site, Greg Norman described it as “One of only two pieces of land of this quality and character that I have ever been given to work with – the other being Doonbeg in the south of Ireland”.

Mr. Norman talked about the similarities to the famous links course and the challenges golfers would face from a course that rises from sea level to almost 50 meters at its highest point.

The clubhouse at The Bluffs will be as luxurious and sophisticated as any at the world’s most exclusive clubs. Catering for the special few golfers who are guests of the adjacent resort properties it will be the last word in privacy, elegance and top class service.

“Our course will provide unprecedented levels of service and luxury in Vietnam, reflecting its status as a one of the best in the region catering to discerning golfers staying in the Resorts on the Ho Tram Strip and visitors from around the world” said Ben Styles, General Manager of The Bluffs Ho Tram.

The Bluffs will ultimately include:

• An 18 hole Championship Links Style Golf Course designed by Greg Norman (par 71)
• A full functional PGA staffed driving range with 16 bays
• Practice areas which will include a chipping area, putting green and sand trap
• Multi story Clubhouse with restaurant &outdoor terrace with views of the coast and the Ho Tram Strip

As he departed by helicopter Greg Norman said: “I’m looking forward to seeing this magnificent course take shape over the coming months, and I am very much looking forward to revisiting Vietnam