VIETNAM: THE BLUFFS HO TRAM STRIP
Anniversaries, traditionally, are a time for reflection. But Vietnam’s top rated golf course, The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip, is fixed on the future as it celebrates its fifth birthday.
Since opening in 2014, the Greg Norman-designed course has helped raise the bar for the game in Vietnam in a number of ways.
Over the last half-decade it has proved itself a worthy host for a number of high-profile tournaments, not least the Ho Tram Open, a $1.5 million Asian Tour event that attracted some of the biggest names in the game including eventual champion Sergio Garcia.
The course has also scored a number of top industry awards and has been recognized as one of the best golf courses in the world: ranking No.35 on Golf Digest’s latest ‘World 100 Greatest Golf Courses’ list.
Over the past two years, The Bluffs’ maintenance team, in consultation with Greg Norman Golf Course Design, has removed much of the vegetation that was overtaking many of the dunes that shape the course.
In addition to carving out bushes and trees and peeling away excessive turf between and around many of the tee boxes, the maintenance crew has been working with U.S.-based turf specialist On Course Agronomic Consulting to improve the performance of the playing surfaces, especially the greens.
The result is a firmer and faster links-style track thanks to its ability to breathe again.
The enhancements are the latest chapter in a success story that has seen a rugged, windswept chunk of land evolve into one of the greatest golf courses in Asia.
When it opened for preview play in March 2014, The Bluffs was already the most anticipated club in the region with Norman calling it a “true links golf course” and one that has the potential to reign among the top layouts in the world.
That much has proved to be the case. A string of honors, accolades and rankings triumphs attest to the veracity of the challenge created by Norman and his team.
It’s not just about the world-class course though. Renowned for its well-trained, professional caddies, unfailingly polite front of house staff, first class changing facilities and the outstanding food and beverage options at its clubhouse, the Bluffs is well and truly the sum of its parts.
“We’ve got a lot to celebrate this year,” said Gary Dixon, General Manager of The Bluffs. “The enhancements mean the course is continuing to evolve and we are committed to offering the best true links golf experience in Vietnam for our members and visitors to enjoy for now and into the future.
“This combined with the ongoing development of the Grand Ho Tram Resort will, we hope, make us one of the finest stay and play golf destinations in the world.”
