Chairman tees off on SEA Games golf course

Standing Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the SEA Games Organising Committee, Mr Somsavat Lengsavad, led committee members, officials and businesspeople in a round of golf at the SEA Games Golf Club at Km 18 yesterday.

Mr Somsavat hits the first ever ball at the SEA Games Golf Club in Vientiane .

The event was held to test the new course which will be used during the SEA Games in December. The opening of the facility means the public can now play on the competition course in the lead-up to the games.

The course, located in Phokham village, Xaythany district, will eventually have 27 holes.

Secretary General of the Lao Golf Federation, Mr Songkham Silaphet, said the course is ready for the games, for which only 18 holes are needed.

The Asean Civil Bridge-Road Company began construction of the course in January 2008.

However, the Booyoung Company from South Korea took over construction of the facility in March this year.

The company spent US$15 million constructing the international standard golf course on about 150 hectares of land in Vientiane .

Manager of the Booyoung Company from South Korea , Mr Lee Joong Keun, said the company tried to conserve the surrounding environment and make a beautiful, natural course.

“We are proud to help Laos host the 25th SEA Games. We hope Lao golfers will win medals during the games. On behalf of the company, I promise to continue to help Laos in education, the construction of infrastructure, and the development of the Lao economy,” he said.

Mr Lee Joong Keun said the course can be used to host international events in the future because it meets the required standards.

The Booyoung Company has previously built schools in Laos , and provided them with equipment such as musical instruments.

Mr Lee Joong Keun said the company hopes to assist the education sector and provide more opportunities to people in all areas of Laos , with education considered to be the key to the nation's future.

“One of the main reasons we are in Laos is to help to improve the standard of education and provide more opportunities for all Lao people to access good quality education.”

The SEA Games Golf Club has not yet officially opened the course, but it is now ready for Lao golfers to prepare for the SEA Games.

 

 

By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
October 28 , 2009

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