Ho Tram, Vietnam, August 25: The 2016 European Ryder Cup captain and 2011 Open Champion Darren Clarke announced he will play in the inaugural Ho Tram Open, a US$1.5 million Asian Tour event scheduled to take place from December 3-6 and will become the richest sporting event ever to be held in Vietnam.
The Asian Tour event will welcome 144 the world’s best players, including: Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke, multiple European tour winners and Ho Tram Strip Ambassador Robert Rock and the Asian tour’s leading golfers.
Darren Clarke, who has won 22 tournaments worldwide on a number of golf’s main, cited the increasing popularity of golf in Vietnam and the vision of Ho Tram Strip as reasons for wanting to compete in the highly anticipated tournament.
“All I keep hearing is that the resort and golf course are nothing short of world-class. When I heard more about what the promoters were looking to achieve, it made the decision even easier. It’s going to be a great week for everybody with plenty of good golf, excitement and entertainment” said Clarke.
In 4 days of competition, the tournament will be broadcast live across the Asian Tour TV platform, reaching 625 million households in over 180 countries thereby showcasing Vietnam to a global audience. The Ho Tram Open will put the Bluffs Ho Tram Strip Golf Course on the international map and showcase the destination as a world-class hub for gaming, entertainment and recreation.
Colin Pine, General Director, Ho Tram Project Company, said: “It is also our hope that the launch of Vietnam’s richest golf championship will provide the catalyst for the game to grow in this beautiful country, especially with golf returning to the Olympic Summer Games program in 2016. We are committed to stage the Ho Tram Open for three years and we will work closely with the Asian Tour and our partners to ensure its success in 2015 and beyond.”
Asian Coast Development Ltd (ACDL) has turned to the expertise of Troon Golf to deliver the Ho Tram Open, an Asian Tour sanctioned professional golf tournament, and the richest sporting event ever to be held in fast-growing Vietnam. Troon, an executive member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation [AGIF], will handle all operations and promotions of the Ho Tram Open, turning to its wealth of global expertise and its specialist event and marketing delivery team.
About The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip Golf Course
Only 2 hours by car from Ho Chi Minh City, the Bluffs Ho Tram Strip golf course is located 120 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.
Said the course’s designer – the “Great White Shark” Greg Norman: “The experience of playing true links golf among the dunes of southern Vietnam and having dramatic ocean views throughout your round will make The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip one of the most unique golf experiences in the world.”
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz, Troon is the world’s largest golf management company, with more than 250 golf courses in its portfolio. Also specializing in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estates management and associated hospitality venues, the company oversees operations at Troon Golf®, Honours Golf and Troon Privé properties located in 36 states and 27 countries
Additionally, there are 53 Troon affiliated properties featuring 75 courses that have been recipients of a “Top 100″ ranking by national and international publications. Troon properties include Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii; Sewailo Golf Club, Tucson, Ariz.; Manchester Country Club, Bedford, N.H.; The Grove, London, England; Abu Dhabi Golf Club, UAE, The Els Club Teluk Datai, Malaysia, The Els Club Dubai Sports City and Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, El Jadida, Morocco.
About the Asian Tour
As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognized pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status.