The Nam Hai One-Bedroom Villas

The Montgomerie Links

The Nam Hai and The Montgomerie Links, Vietnam’s premier resort and golf club, respectively, have teamed on an exclusive golf program that gives beginners a chance to learn about the game and earn a proficiency certificate in less than a week.

The world-class properties, separated by five kilometers of highway along the stunning Central Coast, launched three and five day teaching sessions to promote golf and the region that is fast becoming the country’s most attractive holiday destination.

“From three UNESCO World Heritage sites to miles of unspoiled beach, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy this area,” said Herbert Laubichler-Pichler, General Manager of The Nam Hai. “Now there’s golf, championship golf, by European Tour legend Colin Montgomerie, no less and we want the world to come and experience it.”

The three-day class begins at The Golf Academy at The Montgomerie Links with an ‘Introduction to Golf’ hour, led by the club’s team of certified PGA professionals. Lessons in putting and chipping follow, before the day concludes with a 30-minute review.

The focus shifts on Day 2 to the swing, then on the morning of Day 3 to bunker play. The curriculum wraps on the afternoon of Day 3, with players taking to the links-style course for a two-hole practical assessment. All golfers walk away with a diploma that conveys their new skill level.

“Nothing like this has ever been offered in Vietnam,” said Jon Tomlinson, General Manager of The Montgomerie Links. “To go home with proof of standard, which residents of, for example, Singapore can use to secure tee times at their local clubs, is both rare and valuable.”

The five-day experience is more in-depth, with state-of-the-art video swing analysis and golf etiquette class among the additional features.

The Nam Hai, an award-winning, GHM-managed hotel along fabled China Beach, provides accommodation for the students. Most of the 35-hectare retreat’s 60 one-bedroom villas and 40 pool villas border the sea around five horseshoe-shaped spits of sand.

In addition to a private stretch of beach, there are three pools available to guests, including a 50-meter-long Olympic swimming pool.

From now until Nov. 30th 2009, residents of Greater China and Singapore can stay in a one-bedroom hotel villa for USD 295 and USD 595 for one-bedroom pool villas including complimentary tours for children under 12.

The Montgomerie Links (www.montgomerielinks.com) golf course moves boldly over a striking landscape of casuarina pines and sand dunes. Massive greens and rippled fairways are among the layout’s Old World features, while lakes and Paspalum, elements missing from classic links courses, provide a touch of modernity.

Currently, 15 holes are open for play. The remaining three will be unveiled at the club’s grand opening, Aug. 17th 2009

In addition to the course, the 70-plus-hectare development includes a driving range with 30 covered hitting bays and a chic, floor-to-ceiling-windowed café. As well, a dramatic 3,000-square-meter clubhouse and 54 three-bedroom villas — called The Estates at Montgomerie Links — are under construction.

The three-day golf program starts at USD 670 per person and includes the proficiency certificate, preferential tee times and green fees. The five-day session starts at USD 999 per person and includes the same benefits listed above, plus 9 holes of golf. Both offers are available until Dec. 31, 2009.

For more information, contact The Nam Hai at (+84) 510 394 000, or The Montgomerie Links at (+84) 510 394 1942.

Since opening, The Nam Hai has won a number of prestigious awards including:

• Conde Nast Traveler HOT LIST 2007 UK and USA: One of the Top New Hotels and Spas in the World
• Australia’s Gourmet Traveler 2007: one of the “Best of the Best” new hotels
• Travel + Leisure USA 2007: “The It List”
• TTG Travel Awards 2007: “Best New Beach Resort”
• Cigar Aficionado USA 2007: “The World’s Best New Beach Resorts”
• Travel + Leisure USA 2008: “The World’s Best Designed Resort”
• Arrivals + Departures Australia 2008: “Arrival + Departure’s Asian Resort of the Year 2008”
• Frommers Review 2008 : “simply put, the Nam Hai is the best resort in Vietnam”
• TTG Travel Awards 2008: “Best Beach Resort”
• Asia Spa & Wellness Festival Gold Awards 2009: Best Destination Spa

The five-star resort is a member of the prestigious The Leading Small Hotels of the World and Virtuoso. (etravelblackboard)