Flagstick Strengthens Vietnam Links with Hanoi Office Opening
Hanoi, Vietnam: Flagstick, the world’s leader in golf course construction management, has underlined its commitment to Vietnam by unveiling an office in Hanoi.
“Given the volume of work we are conducting in Vietnam, it makes sense for us to open a Flagstick Asia Hanoi Vietnam representative office,” said Martin Moore, President of the company that will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2018.
“Now officially in operation, the office will enable us to serve our growing Vietnam clientele more effectively and more efficiently,” added Moore, whose company has more than 100 golf developments in 15 different countries to its credit.
“These are exciting times for golf’s development in Vietnam … and Flagstick is delighted and honoured to be playing a role,” said Moore, whose current projects in the country include the construction of a second 18-hole course at FLC Quy Nhon Golf Links as well as a championship layout at FLC Halong Bay Golf Club & Resort.
Last year, Flagstick’s reputation for the speed and quality of its work was enhanced with the opening of a trio of new courses in Vietnam – BRG Legend Hill Golf Resort, FLC SamSon Golf Links and FLC Quy Nhon Golf Links, all collaborations with world-famous Nicklaus Design.
From start to finish the original course at Quy Nhon, located in Vietnam’s central province of Binh Dinh, was constructed within a five-month period. Since opening, it’s received rave reviews from those who have played it.
Construction on the second 18 commenced in June with Trinh Van Quyet, Chairman of the Board of Management at FLC Group, issuing a daunting challenge to Flagstick to complete the course within four months.
Moore said: “I am confident that we will achieve this new record. We will mobilise a team of six shapers and other experienced construction specialists to conquer this challenge.”
Sculpted by Schmidt-Curley Design, the course that sits to the south of the first 18 on a large sand dune with panoramic ocean views, will stretch to 7,200 yards. Soft opening is planned for December.
Meanwhile, under the watchful gaze of Flagstick shapers and construction specialists, about 50 per cent of the one million cubic metres of earth-moving at FLC Halong Bay Golf Club & Resort is complete.
Located on a rolling mountain overlooking Ha Long Bay – a UNESCO World Heritage site and popular tourist hotspot – this Schmidt-Curley Design layout will measure 6,600 yards and play to a par of 70. It is being touted as Ha Long Bay’s first championship course with construction due to be completed by the end of 2016.
In keeping with other FLC developments, a clubhouse, resort hotel and convention centre along with villas and other residential units, are included in the masterplan.
In addition to its on-going work in Vietnam, Flagstick remains busy in China with restoration of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at Jinhai Lake and construction of the 27-hole Gary Player Signature Course at Beijing Tianzhu Golf Club both under way.
Renovation improvements at Thailand’s Amata Spring Country Club are also on-going.
