Singapore: Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) Facility Members Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club in Malaysia and Laguna Golf Lăng Cô in Vietnam have become part of Asian Tour Destinations.

Along with Sapporo Country Club and The North Country Golf Club, both in Japan, they join a select group of members at Asian Tour Destinations – an exclusive network of elite golf clubs with direct ties to the Asian Tour.

Earlier this year Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand; Classic Golf & Country Club in New Delhi, India; and Kota Permai Golf & Country Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, became part of the network. They joined Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore – the first golf club to sign up in 2015.

“Asian Tour Destinations is flourishing and now boasts eight of the finest golf clubs in the Asia-Pacific region. The Asian Tour is delighted to welcome the latest additions to this exclusive membership body,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour, a Full Business Member of the AGIF.

“The main objective of Asian Tour Destinations is to provide an affiliate membership programme between the associated venues and the Asian Tour – which will drive sustainable growth and development for the betterment of golf in our region as a whole,” added Cho.

Horizon Hills is one of the outstanding golf facilities in southern Malaysia and has hosted three editions of the Iskandar Johor Open, won by Ireland’s Padraig Harrington (2010), Dutchman Joost Luiten (2011) and Spaniard Sergio Garcia (2012).

“Since our opening in 2008, Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club has become a household name in the regional golf industry,” said Tang Meng Loon, Director, Club, Townships & Property Management, Horizon Hills. “It was, therefore, a logical step for us to become part of Asian Tour Destinations – a platform that will allow us to further build our brand in the region and beyond.”

Laguna Lăng Cô Resort boasts the distinction of having Sir Nick Faldo’s first Signature Design open for play and is the home of the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, hosted every year by Sir Nick. The Asian Tour has been a long-time supporter of the Faldo Series, which has helped to grow the game of golf globally.

Laguna Lăng Cô is an integrated golf and beach resort and is part of the Banyan Tree Group. It is the first golf course in Vietnam to be Earth Check Gold Certified.

Adam Calver, Director of Golf, Laguna Golf Lăng Cô, said: “Vietnam continues to be at the forefront of golf expansion and development in the region and we are very proud that Laguna Golf Lăng Cô is a contributor in this evolution. We appreciate the work the Asian Tour continues to do to grow the game here and Asian Tour Destinations is a perfect fit for us and supports our resorts future plans and ambitions.”

Sapporo Country Club and The North Country Golf Club, both located in Hokkaido, are the first golf clubs from Japan to join the Asian Tour Destinations fold.

Being part of the Asian Tour Destinations network means that each venue is certified Tour-calibre and operates a comprehensive range of facilities and services to their members and guests under tournament-ready conditions all-year round.

Among the core benefits, Asian Tour members are able to play and practice at each venue, allowing for the members at each club to enjoy direct engagement with the region’s best golfers.