33 TEE BOX New course in Laos nears completion Photo: Faldo Design The par-four third hole at Thatluang Lake Golf Resort Construction is nearing completion on a Faldo Design golf course for the new Thatluang Lake Golf Resort in Vientiane, Laos. The resort is part of the Thatluang Lake Park, a new urban area that is designed as an economic development zone. The 50-hectare area has a larger northern portion and smaller southern ‘island’ separated by an existing urban canal, over which golf will be played. “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,” said Gareth Williams, lead golf course architect at Faldo Design. “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.” “Given the compact nature of the site, the course is extremely economically routed and, at 6,007 yards, not particularly long,” said Williams. “However, with treelined, 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.” The course is being built by Flagstick GCCM and will feature Zeon Zoysia tees, fairways and rough, while the greens will be grassed with TifEagle dwarf bermudagrass. All grass and grow-in supervision is being provided by Sports Turf Solutions (STS). “Zeon Zoysia was selected for its superior aesthetics and low maintenance requirements,” said Brad Burgess of STS. “The client conducted extensive due diligence, including visits to properties and turf farms in Thailand, and determined that Zeon was the most suitable variety for the region. Laos has a climate very similar to Thailand, making it an ideal choice.”
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