Driving range tees up in Hanoi

March 16, 2011 | 18:16

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A 3.5-ha golf driving range will officially open at My Dinh Sports Complex in the capital on April 30.

illustration photo

The VND70 billion ($3.3 million) three-storey building, which began construction last year, has 108 lanes for golfers to practise their swing at the 300-yard long golf centre, 10km west of the capital's city centre.

This will be the biggest driving range in Vietnam, capable of hosting at least 100 players teeing-off at the same time, and includes two putting greens and two bunkers.

"The driving range will be open throughout the week. It won't take much time to travel from the city centre after work," said Phuong Thao, manager at My Dinh Golf Resort.

The centre has invited five foreign coaches to train beginners and kids as part of an extended programme.

"The golf club, which is situated closely to the Hanoi Elite Athletes Centre, is a perfect site for Vietnamese golfers to hone their skills in preparation for major international tournaments," Thao, who has a handicap of 15 since she began practising three years ago, said.

In the second construction stage in the next few years, the centre plans to establish a golf academy to nurture talented golfers from a very early age.

"We aim to enrol kids as young as seven in a long-term professional training course. The opening of the academy aims to raise the profile of golf across Vietnam," the manager said.

Vietnam has around 10,000 regular golfers, but only five have turned into professional.

VIR/VNA

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