Laguna Lăng Cô Turns on Style for Faldo Series Asia Grand Final

Competitors at next week's 12th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final can look forward to pristine conditions at the award-winning Laguna Lăng Cô layout.

More than 80 of the region's brightest young golfing prospects will converge on Lăng Cô for what promises to be a memorable climax to the 2017-18 Faldo Series Asia season.

For the second year in succession, the 54-hole R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking event will take place over the acclaimed Faldo Design course, located between Danang and Hue in Central Vietnam.

To be hosted by six-time Major champion and tournament founder Sir Nick Faldo, the Asia Grand Final (March 1-3) will feature qualifiers from more than 20 countries, including winners from the 21st Faldo Series Europe Grand Final and the inaugural Faldo Series United States Grand Final.

"We're going to have another championship to remember," predicted Faldo, Britain's most successful golfer. As well as putting on short and long game clinics, the Englishman will mingle with the competitors throughout the week.

Adam Calver, Director of Golf at Laguna Lăng Cô, said: "We are honoured to host the 12th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final. Supporting Sir Nick and his passion for developing the champions of tomorrow is truly rewarding. Our entire team at Laguna Lăng Cô takes great pride in hosting this event ... and helping to grow the game of golf throughout Asia."

Calver said Laguna Lăng Cô has implemented numerous course enhancements recommended by Faldo during last year's Grand Final.

He said: "Sir Nick has been closely involved with setting guidelines for the course strategy and set-up. Over the past 12 months, our team has executed Phase One of the course upgrades and two of the six new tees will be open for the first time during the 2018 event. We will execute Phase Two after finalising a few details with Sir Nick when he's here next week."

New cart paths were installed on all 18 holes at the end of 2017 and this has resulted in a noticeable improvement in the quality of the fairways during the winter months. Considerable resources were also invested in the greens, with the benefits of that programme clearly evident. Meanwhile, the driving range underwent renovation and the new Pro Shop Grand Opening will take place next week.

Calver said: "Having just finished the most challenging months of the year with regards to course condition, our team has delivered beyond our expectations and we're feeling great about our course conditions. With the temperatures rising and drier weather in the forecast we are beginning to firm up our playing surface to allow for the bump-and-run game that our course was designed for.

"As our green surrounds are firming up we have had to open up the landscape areas around the greens and expose more of the natural sandy areas to allow for easier recovery shots. Our surrounds were very challenging and after some discussion with Sir Nick we all agreed to allow for a fairer recovery shot when around the greens."

Off the course, too, players and guests at the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final will find that no stone has been left unturned.

"Hosting the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final is more than just golf for our team," said Calver. "It's an opportunity for us to immerse the competitors in an authentic Vietnamese experience while showcasing the entire Laguna Lăng Cô Resort.

"We have a full week of actives around the competition planned and we are counting the days until the first arrivals. For many of the players and their families this will be one of the best fully integrated golf and beach resorts they will have seen. We want to deliver the most memorable experience we can for them."

The 2017-18 Faldo Series Asia season is supported by The R&A and endorsed by the Asian Tour and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation. The International Junior Golf Academy is a partner of the Faldo Series.

As well as two events in China and Thailand, championships were staged in Australia, Bangladesh, Chinese-Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.

Recognised as the only global amateur series for boys and girls, the Faldo Series was established in 1996, expanding to Asia in 2006.

Today, 40 Faldo Series tournaments take place in 30-plus countries worldwide, touching more than 7,000 golfers each year. Past champions include Tseng Ya-ni and Rory McIlroy, both multiple Major winners.