Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Vattanac Golf Resort, a luxury Troon Golf property, has announced the appointment of various new leaders within its management team.

A Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF), Vattanac Golf Resort welcomes Chris Geraghty as General Manager, James Durkin as Golf Operations Manager, Rory Tinker as Head Golf Professional, and Sambath Chheang as Sales & Marketing Manager.  

Boasting 36 holes by Faldo Design, Vattanac Golf Resort is an award-winning venue in the bustling city of Phnom Penh.

Widely recognised as the best in the country, the courses pay homage to the marvels of Khmer architecture and the country’s rich history through scale replicas. Seven magnificent tea houses, a Night Golf offering at the ‘Dragon Turn’, and a state-of-the-art Golf Academy complement the Sir Nick Faldo-sculpted layouts.

Geraghty said: “In all my time in the golf industry, and all the places I’ve been lucky enough to travel to and see around the world, I have never seen a place as special and as unique as Vattanac Golf Resort. It really needs to be seen to be believed.

“To be selected to lead the facility and work with Troon to realise the phenomenal vision of our wonderful ownership is something I consider to be a real privilege.”

Geraghty joins the team having previously led the Troon-managed The Allegria in Cairo, Egypt, and joins from the Troon-managed Royal Golf Club, Bahrain.

One of the priorities of Vattanac Golf Resort is to develop the tourism landscape in Cambodia through the provision of ultra high-level service and facilities and attract new tourism demographics to the contemporary city of Phnom Penh.

“To quote our founder Dana Garmany: ‘The foundation of Troon’s 30-plus years of success consists of hiring the best people in the industry, who have created an unmatched culture for our partners and associates’,” said DJ Flanders, Senior Vice President at Troon International, an Executive Member of the AGIF.

He added: “Being able to provide Chris, James and Rory this well-deserved opportunity is one I am proud of. Not only will each of them be working at a truly world-class facility, the life experiences their international journey will teach them will be further enhanced by living in this remarkable part of the world.

“I would also like to thank the previous team, led by Karl Whitehead, who did a tremendous job in setting up the facility for success.”

In addition to offering cutting-edge, previously unseen golf technology to Cambodia, Vattanac Golf Resort Academy is now home to the only dedicated PGA teaching professional in Cambodia. 

Tinker, who joins from the Troon-managed Royal Golf Club in Bahrain, said: “I am truly honoured to represent Vattanac Golf Resort as the new Head Teaching Professional. I look forward to growing the game of golf, both at Vattanac Golf Resort and throughout Cambodia. This is a very exciting time for golf within the region and I am looking forward to being part of something special.”

With the help of the friendly and professional operations team, Vattanac Golf Resort aims to provide memorable experiences for all and help guests feel like a ‘member for the day’. 

In addition to the warm welcome and dedicated associates, the team of more than 140 caddies are expertly positioned to enhance the guest experience by providing advice and course knowledge, all with a friendly smile.

Durkin, a long-time Troon associate who joins the team from the UAE, said: “I am truly excited to be joining the team at Vattanac Golf Resort, a facility which has completely blown me away during my first month.

“With the combination of diverse and equally brilliant East and West courses, we have the opportunity to build upon the excellent work from the past few years and deliver a golf experience that is unmatched in the region through excellent customer service, consistency, and exceeding our guests’ expectations.”

Chheang added: “It is with much excitement that I join Vattanac Golf Resort and Troon Golf. It is exciting to have the opportunity to join such an ambitious company which is on the path to developing into one of the leading golf resort facilities in Asia. I’m very excited to use my skills to supplement this vision and make it a reality.”