Record 8th Nicklaus Design Course Underway in Vietnam
As part of a 10 golf course Strategic Cooperation Agreement, Nicklaus Design and BRG Group recently had a signing ceremony announcing its newest project in Quang Nam and an additional nine holes at Legend Hill in Hanoi. Nicklaus Executive Chairman Howard Milstein and BRG Group Chairman Nga recently met in Washington, DC, to review the state of current projects, discuss a long term plan for growth and to review additional business synergies between BRG, Nicklaus and Milstein’s 8AM Golf properties. BRG is a harmonious match with leading golf course design firm, Nicklaus Design, with 423 golf courses in 45 countries and 40 U.S. states. Like Milstein’s business portfolio including Emigrant Bank, Chairman Nga also owns one of Vietnam’s largest banks, SeABank, in addition to hotels, car dealerships, food services and commercial centers.
“Chairman Nga is clearly one of the most successful business leaders and entrepreneurs in the entire country,” commented Milstein. “She has an astute vision for creating a positive economic and environmental impact on Vietnam through golf and her resorts. We are proud to be her partner.”
The BRG Group/Nicklaus Companies’ initiative to develop such an expansive collection of golf courses across the country reflects the enthusiastic demand for the game of golf in Vietnam. Jack Nicklaus II and Nicklaus Designer Sean Quinn toured sites late last year in addition to meeting with Chairman Nga to review project plans. Nicklaus Companies President of Asia-Pacific Paul Stringer, who has enjoyed a long standing relationship with Chairman Nga, visited Vietnam last month to discuss future plans with the BRG Group and Chairman Nga. “We see Vietnam as one of the top emerging golf markets in the world, and we have aggressively taken the lead in developing the game across the country in partnership with BRG,” commented Stringer. “Vietnam’s mission to expand its tourism industry parallels Nga’s approach to bolster economic growth with the development of resorts, various residential communities, and golf courses.”
Savvy golf course owners seek Nicklaus Design for its ability to craft both playable and championship-caliber layouts while incorporating unique natural elements and elevating them through their robust design process and sustainability. Environmental issues frequently confound other designers across the globe, something Nicklaus Design has been able to turn into a positive. Chairman Nga reinforced this, saying, “With everything we do, we apply environmentally friendly principles to preserve the natural ecosystems both inside and outside of our golf courses.” Nicklaus Designers Sean Quinn and Jim Wagner currently support the BRG projects in Vietnam drafting routing plans and creating strategy for the new golf being developed with BRG.
The future is bright for BRG and Nicklaus Design in Vietnam. “Vietnam has a tremendous potential for golf tourism supported by good year-round weather and our friendly, service-oriented people,” said Chairman Nga. The partners are excited to continue their relationship in the golf course development segment as well as other joint business opportunities.
