Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Troon-managed Vattanac Golf Resort has been named the winner in two categories at the 2021 World Golf Awards.

Opened in October, 2020, the club’s West Course was recognised as ‘Cambodia’s Best Golf Course’, assuming the mantle from the East Course, which scooped the title last year.

Meanwhile, the unique Dragon Turn nine-hole night course was awarded ‘The World’s Best Nine-Hole Golf Course’.

Located 45 minutes from downtown Phnom Penh, the resort features two 18-hole courses sculpted by Faldo Design, as Associate Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF).

Sir Nick Faldo said: “Throughout the project at Vattanac we wanted to celebrate the unique character and identity of the Cambodian culture so to see the design recognised and rewarded with such honours is fantastic.

“We have been privileged to work with the team across both its courses, and to now see the West thriving alongside the East is wonderful.”

The nine-hole floodlit Dragon Turn is so named because it has four holes that are played around a dragon-shaped lake. Inspired by ownership’s vision to create a venue with unique and significant character, ‘The Dragon Turn’ offers golfers a fresh and exciting approach to the game under the night sky.

Faldo said: “The team really have done a brilliant job with the construction of the night golf facility around the Dragon Lake. It looks magnificent and further extends the enjoyment of golfers out on the course with a playing experience that will be hard to beat anywhere in the world.

“It is fully deserving of the awards and I can’t wait to get back over there to take it all in when I next get the chance.”

A Facility Member of the AGIF, Vattanac Golf Resort is managed by Troon International, the international operating division of Troon, an Executive Member of the AGIF.

Owned by Sam Ang Vattanac, the facility is committed to placing Cambodia on the global golfing map.

Ang said: “It is a great honour to receive recognition on a global level. We are humbled by this achievement, and the recognition is a testament to all those that have worked with us and supported us since the very beginning.

“Cambodia has a big future with golf and is set to become one of the most exciting golfing destinations in the region. We are proud to be a part of this journey and to play a role in the growth of this great game.”

As well as initiatives such as the Vattanac Ladies Golf Programme and the Vattanac Junior Golf Programme, developments at the club include a recently-opened golf academy, which boasts 28 bays powered by Eagle Try technology, a restaurant and one of the largest and most unique pro shops in the country.

In the coming months, two school rooms, a boutique golf gym, three simulator rooms and four VIP rooms will also be added. Each of these additions will showcase the latest golf technology.