Emerging golf markets

From its origins in Scotland, and early twentieth century expansion in Western Europe and the United States, golf continues to reach new markets throughout the world. Newer markets, including China, elsewhere in Asia, plus North Africa and the Middle East, have their own unique considerations for golf course development.

LATEST NEWS

Construction under way on North course at Legend Valley in Vietnam
Nicklaus Design
News | Fri 22 Aug, 2025

Construction under way on North course at Legend Valley in Vietnam

Nicklaus Design creates second layout on former quarries framed by limestone mountains

New Faldo Design course to open in Qiddiya in 2026
Qiddiya Investment Company
News | Mon 21 Jul, 2025

New Faldo Design course to open in Qiddiya in 2026

Eighteen-hole layout has been laid out near the Tuwaiq Mountains in Saudi Arabia

New golf course takes shape as part of US$280m project in Zimbabwe’s capital
Harris Kalinka
News | Wed 02 Jul, 2025

New golf course takes shape as part of US$280m project in Zimbabwe’s capital

The Hills Luxury Golf Estate is a development by WestProp and includes a Peter Matkovich 18-hole layout

Savan Resorts in Laos nears opening of Nicklaus Design short course
Nicklaus Design
News | Mon 30 Jun, 2025

Savan Resorts in Laos nears opening of Nicklaus Design short course

New nine-hole par-three layout includes an island green and can be lit for night golf

Nine holes take shape at Timehri Sands in Guyana
Miller Golf Design Group
News | Wed 18 Jun, 2025

Nine holes take shape at Timehri Sands in Guyana

Construction of first nine, designed by Jason Miller of Miller Golf Design Group, is expected to be complete by early 2026

New Faldo Design course opens at Silk Path club in Vietnam
PGA Silk Path Dong Trieu Golf & Country Club
News | Fri 04 Apr, 2025

New Faldo Design course opens at Silk Path club in Vietnam

Eighteen-hole public layout has been created as part of a US$60m development east of Hanoi

Mackenzie & Ebert designs new course for Puerto Rico resort
The Boundary
News | Tue 04 Mar, 2025

Mackenzie & Ebert designs new course for Puerto Rico resort

Shaping is in progress at Moncayo, a luxury development that covers 1,100 acres

Golden Sands resort on Vietnam’s east coast ready to open
Nicklaus Design
News | Mon 19 Aug, 2024

Golden Sands resort on Vietnam’s east coast ready to open

The first of two 18-hole courses has been completed on a sandy site along Vinh Xuan beach

Poland’s Karolinka Golf Park reopens with an 18-hole layout
All Golf Services
News | Wed 24 Jul, 2024

Poland’s Karolinka Golf Park reopens with an 18-hole layout

Grzegorz Marcinków and All Golf Services revamp existing nine and add nine new holes

Trump International Golf Club Lido opens in Indonesia
Jacob Sjöman
News | Wed 24 Jul, 2024

Trump International Golf Club Lido opens in Indonesia

Ernie Els course is located at MNC Lido City, a new destination two hours south of Jakarta

Construction begins on Benin’s first ever golf course
Jeremy Pern
News | Fri 17 May, 2024

Construction begins on Benin’s first ever golf course

Jeremy Pern routes West Africa design around sacred grove and voodoo shrines

Brian Curley’s Shura Links announced on Red Sea island
Curley-Wagner Golf Design
News | Tue 07 May, 2024

Brian Curley’s Shura Links announced on Red Sea island

New course in Saudi Arabia being developed in line with GEO Foundation OnCourse methodology

New Gary Player course takes shape in Montenegro
Gary Player Design
News | Mon 29 Apr, 2024

New Gary Player course takes shape in Montenegro

Construction of opening nine is progressing on rocky site overlooking the Adriatic Sea

New Brian Curley course opens at Stone Highland in Vietnam
Schmidt-Curley Design
News | Tue 12 Dec, 2023

New Brian Curley course opens at Stone Highland in Vietnam

Architect has designed two 18-hole layouts on mountain terrain for the Hanoi project

LATEST MAGAZINE

The October 2021 issue of Golf Course Architecture is out now!
Richard Humphreys
/ Categories: Magazine, News

The October 2021 issue of Golf Course Architecture is out now!llllll

The October 2021 issue of Golf Course Architecture magazine is out now.

The cover of our October 2021 issue features the first hole of the new St Patrick’s Links course at Rosapenna, Ireland, which opened for play in June. Adam Lawrence paid an early visit to the Tom Doak-designed layout, and came away deeply impressed.

Our main feature for this issue examines how the golf industry is responding to the sand crisis, one of a number of supply pressures that are facing golf club developers and operators. Dr Louise Gallagher, lead author of a recent United Nation Environment Programme report on sand and sustainability, David Nelson of contractor Greenmakers by Nelson & Vecchio, and Sam Thomas of the Golf Environment Organization are among the experts and industry professionals who share their perspectives with us.

With a desire to move quickly on from events at Whistling Straits, we profile the next Ryder Cup venue, Marco Simone Golf and Country Club near Rome, Italy, which has been completely redesigned by European Golf Design in preparation for the 2023 matches.

We also report on work at the Lower course at Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey, where Gil Hanse has completed his restoration of the AW Tillinghast layout; and Matt Dusenberry’s renovation of the course at Cornerstone Club in Colorado. Elsewhere, Ally McIntosh offers a plea to links courses to resist the trend towards homogenisation of design.

Our Tee Box section includes news of: Coore and Crenshaw’s new Te Arai South course in New Zealand; Iraq’s first golf course, designed by Cynthia Dye McGarey; Amelisweerd Golf Club in Utrecht, Netherlands, which is undergoing a renovation by Michiel van der Vaart; Rees Jones’ renovation of the Ocean Winds course at Seabrook Island Club, and an interview with Ben Chambers of Centreline Golf Design, who has overseen work on greens at St. Michael’s Golf Club, near Sydney, Australia.

There’s plenty more too – enjoy the issue!

Previous Article Fall 2021 issue of ASGCA’s By Design magazine is out now
Next Article Winter 2021 issue of ASGCA’s By Design magazine is out now
Print
2876 Rate this article:
No rating
Richard Humphreys

Richard HumphreysRichard Humphreys

Other posts by Richard Humphreys
Contact author

Contact author

x
Gopher Watch Competition – July 2025
Gopher Watch, News | Adam Lawrence

Gopher Watch Competition – July 2025

Which course has Sandy the gopher visited this month?

FEATURE ARTICLES

Stonehill: A new level for Thai golf
Jason Michael Lang
On site | Richard Humphreys

Stonehill: A new level for Thai golf

Kyle Phillips has transformed some desolate mud land north of Thailand’s capital into one of the country’s best golf courses

New frontiers: an interview with Cynthia Dye McGarey
Dye Designs
Interview | Richard Humphreys

New frontiers: an interview with Cynthia Dye McGarey

Richard Humphreys speaks with the American architect about her experience of designing the only golf course in Iraq, and more

From Wausa to the world
Dan Blankenship
Opinion | Addison DeHaven

From Wausa to the world

Addison DeHaven discusses the career of Dan Blankenship, designer of 18 golf courses in Brazil.

Grand sand designs
Istockphoto.com
Feature | Toby Ingleton

Grand sand designs

Toby Ingleton finds out about the origins of the game in Saudi Arabia, and what the future holds.

Ayla Oasis: Dealing with extremes
Opinion | Joe Betulius

Ayla Oasis: Dealing with extremes

Joe Betulius discusses how Profile Products helped to establish the Greg Norman layout in Jordan.

MOST POPULAR