23 TEE BOX Savan Resorts in Savannakhet, Laos, will open a new nine-hole short course, by Nicklaus Design, for preview play in September 2025. The development at the resort is being led by Hong Kong-based Continental Group. The course will feature Stadium Zoysia on tees, rough and approaches, TifEagle bermuda on greens and bahia for outer rough, all supplied by Sports Turf Solutions. Flagstick Golf Course Construction Management has managed the project and the team includes local contractor Pepsun, lead shaper John Carson, irrigation designer Jeff Stamper of Cadsult and agronomist Hamish McKendrick. A Toro irrigation system was supplied by Jebsen & Jessen. What is the vision for the Savan short course? The ownership set out to create an additional amenity for the newly acquired casino hotel in Savannakhet. There was already a well-appointed but incomplete two-story clubhouse and an underutilised driving range. The owner initially wanted a fulllength nine-hole course, but once he had decided on the volume of real estate needed to make the project viable, the golf area was only left with 16 hectares. He was not very keen on a par-three layout, but we convinced him we could create a short course where players could utilise most clubs in the bag. A residential element has also been masterplanned on the periphery of the course. Currently most of the hotel guests are gamblers from Thailand, but it is Photo: Nicklaus Design The ninth, which can be played from 145 to 272 yards, is the longest hole on the course “ The tees are enormous free flowing organic shapes that provide multiple shot angles” Sean Quinn of Nicklaus Design talks about a nine-hole par-three course that is taking shape in Laos. Q&A with Sean Quinn
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