Development Director of Sustainable Golf: "There has never been more activity about environmental issues as there is at the moment"  10:24, 10/09/2024

As a member of the survey panel for the 2017 Vote for Vietnam's Best Golf Course, can you recall your feelings at that time?

It was a wonderful opportunity for me to be able to see the many different golf courses and Vietnam and to meet with the people involved in the media and management of the courses themselves. It was also a great leadership taken by VietnamGOLF to include the sustainability category and add it as a key consideration in recognising the courses in the country at that time who were really embracing sustainability and their environments into the golfing experience – places like The Bluffs at Ho Tram and Laguna Lang Co near Da Nang.

What impressed you the most about that inspection trip?

It was for me really about seeing the breadth and diversity of the golf courses in Vietnam and how the different landscapes of the country had a real influence on the golf course and the experience from Dalat to Hanoi and down to HCM city. The country has a huge diversity of golf from north to south.

After 7 years, what motivated you to return to Vietnam?

We will be spending some time in Da Nang and Hoi An. We worked very closely with Hoiana Shores over the time of that golf project and we will be re-visiting that place and spending time with club managers and providing some education and learning around the great work done transforming that site into the landscape you see there today.

Will you be dedicating time to play golf during your visit to Vietnam?

I am not sure we will get a chance to play unfortunately, the schedule is quite packed, but I wil get to see a good few courses while I am here and that is always exciting to see the golfing landscape and industry in Vietnam really grow and become the rising country in the region for new golfing experiences.

What is your impression of Vietnam's golf courses after a long time returning? Compare 2017 with 2024?

There has obviously been rapid growth in the number of courses in the country – COVID did have a significant impact on everyone, and here – where tourism is so important to the industry – it has slowed things down no doubt. But all signs now are that the industry has a chance to go again and realise the vision and potential of golf in Vietnam.

What is your point of view about the potential of golf in Vietnam?

From my point of view the potential is great – many people have said this but there are some absolutely amazing sites for great authentic Vietnamese golf in the country – I am always cautious when such rapid growth potential is there as sometimes you can rush at something and it can not realise its full potential. I hope the new projects that come forward are respectful of the landscapes they are going into and that. They each celebrate the diverse landscapes of the country and become starts of the Vietnam golf scene in their own right.

What is the current status of golf and environmental issues in the world? In Vietnam, how do you value the issue of course maintenance?

There has never been more activity and conversation about environmental issues in the game as there is at the moment. We have been doing this kind of work for just over 20 years and the energy we are experiencing and the willingness now to really engage with the subject is great to experience. There are some key topics like water availability and stopping biodiversity loss which remain constant, but alongside those are so many more social and human stories connected to the game – we are seeing the sport diversify in new ways, which can only be healthy for us all as the game evolves.

Can you update the current activities of the GEO Foundation? Will the organization have activities in Vietnam in the near future?

From starting out working with existing courses – doing all we can to manage and look after them in the most sustainable way possible – today we see that same ethos and approach spread to how we might create a new course and increasing how to host a top level golf tournament – engage with fans, be aware of our carbon impacts and see all people in the game from PGA Tour pros to the club golfers coming together from all part of the globe to be together on this global challenge that is affecting us all today.

Will we work in Vietnam – I hope so… there is so much good to learn from at place like Hoiana Shores that can be replicated and built upon across the country where new courses are being created and where we would love to showcase th equality and uniqueness of Vietnam Golf.

What should golf courses do to preserve the sustainability of golf, especially in Vietnam?

Respect and authenticity are two words which we use often to try to describe approaches and aspirations good golf developments have. It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to work with the land like we do – and so we want to encourage people to design with nature and you will more likely end up with a golf course that sits in harmony with its landscape and its wider community. This is particularly true in a country like Vietnam where your landscapes are so diverse, and your culture is so strong and present – these are the ingredients to celebrate and work to promote in your golf course.

Personal Information

Full Name: Sam Thomas

Position: Sustainable Golf – Developments Director

DOB: 18.08.1983

Hobbies: Golf, Surfing, Hiking, Photography

Handicap: 5

Famous quote: “You are totally at the mercy of nature in this country, mate. It’s just a fact of life.” ~ Bill Bryson

• About GEO

GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation is an international not-for-profit dedicated to helping accelerate sustainability and climate action in and through golf. The organisation works collaboratively across golf’s amateur and professional realms to help the sport embrace and address key environmental and social issues. The Foundation believes golf deserves wider acclaim for its role in fostering nature, conserving resources, strengthening communities and taking climate action. Among other initiatives, GEO provides the OnCourse® programmes and solutions for sustainable golf facilities, new developments and tournaments, each of which can lead to the internationally accredited, endorsed and independently verified GEO Certified® label.