Vientiane, Laos: The imminent opening of Thatluang Lake Golf Resort will be a boon for golf in Laos and the country’s tourism industry.

Scheduled to be unveiled before the end of the year, the new golf resort has been sculpted by Faldo Design and is being constructed to the highest international standards by Flagstick GCCM, with premium turf supplied by Sports Turf Solutions (STS).

Set within the rapidly developing Thatluang Lake Special Economic Zone, the golf resort has been conceived to deliver a championship-calibre playing experience while helping establish Laos as an emerging destination for golf tourism in Southeast Asia.

Gareth Williams, Lead Golf Course Architect at Faldo Design, told Golf Course Architecture magazine: “Given its location so close to the city centre, our vision was to create a course with an urban botanical park character that helps to soften its surrounding environment.

“This includes a balance of formal and more natural areas, multiple water features, striking modern bunkers and changes in elevation that provide interesting green and tee locations.

“The site is located on the edge of a natural basin to the east of Vientiane and much of it sits at the natural water table. The golf course has been raised above high flood levels to ensure it is protected from damage during heavy rain and flooding. Doing so presented an opportunity to create some significant changes in elevation and undulation for the playing areas while also taking advantage of the low-lying nature of the site by creating attractive and dramatic water features throughout the course.”

Of the par-70 layout, he added: “Given the compact nature of the site, the course is extremely economically routed and, at 6,007 yards, not particularly long. However, with tree-lined, contoured fairways and strategically positioned bunkering, a focus on accuracy over distance will be essential. Greens are well protected by the contouring and drop-offs, bunkers and water features, so finding the optimum angle for approach shots will be at a premium.”

Flagstick Principal Martin Moore, who has been handling the build of the course, said: “The site has been raised on average by two to four metres from existing elevation. The key challenge of the project was to balance that material importation with managing water movement across the site, and that has been achieved via a gravity-balanced lake network.

“Although the land is flat, Faldo Design has created a unique design with a great variety of holes that will require strategic shot-making. Suited for all skill levels of golfers, the dramatic golfing landscape will offer a thoroughly entertaining round. I’m sure Thatluang Lake Golf Resort will attract the rising local Vientiane golfer population, as well as golfers travelling from China, Korea and other nearby Southeast Asia locations.”

To ensure premium playing conditions throughout the year, world-class turfgrass varieties have been selected. The course will feature Zeon Zoysia on its fairways, tees and roughs, providing exceptional density, presentation and playability. The greens will be planted with TifEagle Bermuda grass, known for its smooth, consistent performance and ability to deliver premium green speeds.

The resort will also feature an expansive golf academy and two-tier driving range, providing outstanding practice and learning environments.

Designed to cater to golfers of all ages and abilities, the facility will offer high-quality instruction in a welcoming environment, supporting both player development and wider participation in the game.

Russell Hannah, VP, Golf Course Services at IMG, who have been appointed as the golf course management partner, said: “Thatluang Lake Golf Resort has all the ingredients to become one of the region’s standout golf destinations, combining a world-class Faldo Design course, exceptional construction standards and a clear vision for long-term success.

“Our focus will be on creating outstanding playing conditions and memorable guest experiences from day one, while helping to establish Laos as an attractive destination for international golfers. We also look forward to supporting the growth of grass-roots golf and creating opportunities for the next generation of players within the country.”

*Faldo Design, Flagstick GCCM and Sports Turf Solutions are all members of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.