Flagstick experiencing construction success in Vietnam

Flagstick has constructed a second course at FLC Quy Nhon Golf Links in impressive time.

Reinforcing its reputation for the speed and quality of its work, Flagstick has completed its latest project in the space of just four months.

In so doing, Flagstick lived up to the daunting challenge laid down by Trinh Van Quyet, chairman of the board of management at FLC Group.

From start to finish, the original Nicklaus Design course at Quy Nhon, located in Vietnam’s central province of Binh Dinh, was constructed within a five-month period. For the second 18-hole layout, Trinh set out an even more demanding schedule.

“To conquer the challenge it’s been a remarkable team effort from all those involved with the construction,” said Martin Moore, President of Flagstick, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2018.

Moore mobilized a team of 13 expatriates, including six world-class shapers along with a project manager, feature foreman, irrigation technicians and grassing specialists.

Ground was broken on the layout on June 15. All grassing was completed Oct. 12 and the course will be opened for play before the end of the year.

Irrigation installation was completed in a 10-week period by Jebsen & Jessen while the course has been grassed wall-to-wall with certified TE Plantinum Paspalum, provided by Atlas Turf and imported from the United States.

Sculpted by Schmidt-Curley Design, the course sits up high with spectacular vistas of the ocean from no fewer than 16 of the holes.

The design playback incorporates many elements associated with a “natural design,” including surface flow drainage, transitional bunker edges and strong, natural fairway movement.

Flagstick is no stranger to building top-quality courses at breakneck speed, having set records at Mission Hills in China a decade ago when Moore was tasked with building five golf courses simultaneously in 14 months.

Between 2008 and 2010, Flagstick also managed the expedited construction process of all 10 golf courses at Mission Hills in Hainan, in a total of 28 months.  

In June, Flagstick underlined its commitment to Vietnam by unveiling an office in Hanoi.

“These are exciting times for golf’s development in Vietnam … and Flagstick is delighted and honoured to be playing a role,” Moore said. “It made sense for us to open a Flagstick Asia Hanoi Vietnam representative office and it’s enabled us to serve our growing Vietnam clientele more effectively and more efficiently. Given our excellent track record in Vietnam and Asia, we very much look forward to continuing to make a positive contribution to the development of the golfing landscape in 2017 and beyond.”

Last year, Flagstick played an integral role in the opening of a trio of new courses in Vietnam – BRG Legend Hill Golf Resort and FLC SamSon Golf Links as well as FLC Quy Nhon Golf Links. All were collaborations with world-famous Nicklaus Design.
 
As well as its commitments at FLC Quy Nhon Golf Links, Flagstick is also working on the construction of the FLC Halong Bay Golf Club & Resort.

Located on a rolling mountain overlooking Ha Long Bay – a UNESCO World Heritage site and popular tourist hotspot – this Schmidt-Curley Design layout will measure 6,600 yards and play to a par of 70. It is being touted as Ha Long Bay’s first championship course.

In keeping with other FLC developments, a clubhouse, resort hotel and convention centre along with villas and other residential units, are included in the masterplan.

In addition to its on-going work in Vietnam, Flagstick remains busy in China with construction of the 27-hole Gary Player Signature Course at Tianzhu Golf Club in Beijing and will soon begin construction at Sanya Grand Dragon in Hainan, an 18-hole Nicklaus Design project.  

Renovation improvements at Thailand’s Amata Spring Country Club are also ongoing.