New course at Cambodia’s Chhun On resort nears completion

Grassing is nearly complete on the Palms course at Chhun On Golf Resort, located north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The new course joins the Lakes, which opened in January 2024, with both layouts created by Curley-Wagner Golf Design. 

The resort, which will soon be more easily accessed via a new highway, sits on a former floodplain with both courses created through substantial earthmoving – huge lakes over 10 metres deep were formed to generate the fill to elevate holes and counteract flood concerns. 

The Palms is being built by the same team as the Lakes: Flagstick Golf Course Construction and Sports Turf Solutions. Fairways have been grassed with Zeon Zoysia while greens are Lynkz Zoysia. “The use of Zeon and its strong resistance to damage allows carts to leave the paths and drive directly to the player’s ball, a feature often absent on courses in the region and a significant advantage to the enjoyment of a round and allowing faster pace of play,” said architect Brian Curley. 

“The Palms is dominated with large lakes and massive sandy expanses, punctuated at times with islands of bahia grass. The course features a more natural look [than the Lakes course] with transitional edges to bahia landforms. Palms are the dominate tree with thousands spread throughout the course.” 

The course is 7,300 yards from the back tee and the resort has ambitions to host professional tournaments.  

“The Palms has grass-faced bunkering and evokes more of a TPC Sawgrass design style,” said Curley.  

“Given the pure and brilliant Cambodian skies that dominate almost daily, the two golf courses were routed to ensure as many north-south alignment holes as possible. While the lakes play a key role at times, great effort was made to allow for plenty of width in landing areas and avoid a relentless showing of water in play off the tee. The result is a feel of openness as holes weave through a steady environment of treelined corridors and landforms.” 

Richard HumphreysRichard Humphreys

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