Laguna Golf Lăng Cô Makes a Comeback

Laguna Golf Lăng Cô golf resort in Vietnam opened in 2013. Sir Nick Faldo designed the 18-hole, par-71 championship course. Since opening, the course fell into deterioration until Adam Calver took over as director of golf in 2017 with the goal to return the course to its original pristine condition.

The course deterioration was due in part to neglect, poor caretaking, insufficient water drainage and inconsistent temperatures. The first order of business when Calver came on board in March 2017 was to replant on the 12 damaged greens. The aggressive maintenance plan allowed for the greens to return to tournament condition by June 2017. Trees were replanted and vegetation around the greens were removed in order to produce prime airflow. Besides improving the course’s playing conditions, the changes also made for a more scenic course.

In addition to these changes, Laguna Golf Lăng Cô adopted other innovations to continue the ideal conditions of the course. A family of water buffalo were brought in to act as “bio-mowers,” tending to the rice fields located in the center of the course. This move aided in the wider push toward sustainability. Laguna Golf Lăng Cô removed all single-use plastics. It is one of only three golf courses in the world to receive Earth Check Gold certification.

“Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and we are fortunate enough to have one of its most visually stunning sites,” said Calver. “As golf is a game that works in harmony with nature we have a responsibility to take a role in protecting the environment.”