Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam: Flagstick Golf Course Construction Management’s (GCCM) role as a key player in shaping the future of golf in Asia has been underlined with its latest work being unveiled in Vietnam.
Operating as Flagstick Asia Limited, the company has been instrumental in bringing to life the vision of BRG Group Chairwoman Madame Nguyen Thi Nga at Golden Sands Golf Course, part of the Golden Sands Golf Resort project in the central province of Thua Thien Hue.
The development features the North Course, the first 18 holes of 36 to be built on the site that represents the latest collaboration between the BRG Group and Nicklaus Design.
Opened on September 28, the course, which is being heralded as one of Vietnam’s most challenging, is already welcoming its first members.
Nestled along the beautiful Vinh Xuan beach, the Golden Sands Golf Resort offers a stunning blend of natural coastal scenery and meticulously crafted design, creating an experience that is both demanding and visually spectacular.
Designed by Nicklaus Design Senior Design Associates Jim Wagner and Sean Quinn, the North Course takes full advantage of the area’s unique features, including natural ridges, elevation shifts, coastal proximity and sand dunes.
To execute the ambitious vision, Flagstick Asia Limited brought its extensive experience in golf course construction to the Golden Sands project, providing expert golf course construction management and construction specialists, led by President Martin Moore.
The terrain offered unique opportunities – such as a prominent ridge running through the property from north to south – but also posed significant challenges. Low-lying areas required careful elevation adjustments, while the sandy terrain demanded strategic water diversion to prevent flooding.
Under the leadership of Flagstick, on site construction teams worked tirelessly to elevate and transform the front nine, which included many low-lying areas, ensuring proper drainage and reducing the risk of water retention.
The back nine, meanwhile, makes the most of the existing sand dunes and gentle rolling hills. Minimal changes were made in order to maintain the untouched look and feel, making it a standout feature of the overall layout.
The success of the project was due to the collaborative efforts of Flagstick Asia Limited, BRG Group, and several key stakeholders. The construction team partnered closely with BRG experts Mark Reeves and Heath Glasby to ensure all concepts and playing surfaces met the highest standards of quality.
Irrigation, a major challenge given the sandy terrain and unpredictable weather, was managed in collaboration with irrigation design specialist Jeff Stamper of Cadsult IDS and Jebsen & Jessen, who installed the Toro Lynx system.
“Together, the team delivered an efficient solution that keeps the North Course irrigated and fast and firm throughout the year,” said a spokesperson for Flagstick Asia Limited, a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.
Designed to be ‘Vietnam’s most challenging golf course’, the course delivers on its promise thanks to Flagstick’s exceptional attention to detail.
Many of the bunkers were shaped to follow the natural contours of the landscape, complemented by native grasses and pine needles that add both visual appeal and challenge. The intricately designed greens feature complex slopes that add to the strategic difficulty, requiring golfers to plan their shots carefully.
With the course measuring over 7,500 yards from the back tees and the addition of strong coastal winds, even the most skilled players will be tested.
To balance playability and challenge, Flagstick constructed long, freeform tees that allow flexibility in adjusting the course’s difficulty depending on the conditions, a thoughtful design element that enhances the overall golfing experience.
Nicklaus Design has created unique greens and surrounds, sculpted to create large single grass areas of TifDwarf variety Bermuda grass of up to 4,000 square metres per hole, offering players the chance to play different shots around the greens, from lofted to ground shots and everything in between.
Flagstick GCCM is known for its dedication to delivering quality projects on time and within budget, along with its ability to deliver exceptional courses in partnership with top designers and developers.
“Built on time and under budget with the expertise of Flagstick Asia Limited, the Golden Sands Golf Course stands as a testament to the power of innovative design, careful construction, and strong collaboration,” said the Flagstick spokesperson.