Vietnam Golf Excellence Awards 2025: Official Nominee Announcement  08:38, 16/10/2025

Vietnam Golf Legacy Award

Honoring organizations with long-term and sustainable contributions to the development of golf in Vietnam.
Nominees:

1. Vietnam Golf Association (VGA): The national governing body for golf with over 15 years of leadership in promoting youth and national tournaments.

2. Hanoi Golf Association (HNGA): A leading force in Northern Vietnam’s golf scene, renowned for youth programs and strong community engagement.

3. Ho Chi Minh City Golf Association (HGA): One of the country’s oldest golf associations, recognized for its community tournaments and charitable initiatives.

4. Ba Ria – Vung Tau Golf Association: A dynamic association fostering local golf development and long-term collaborations with regional clubs.

5. Hai Phong Golf Association: A large, active association that organizes major championships, supporting youth and community golf development in the North.

Vietnam Golf Pioneer Award

Recognizing innovators and trailblazers expanding golf’s reach and experience in Vietnam.
Nominees:

1. Vietnam Golf Coast: A Central Vietnam alliance pioneering integrated golf technology to enhance operations and visitor experiences.

2. S Golf: A nationwide online tee-time and livescore platform connecting golfers across Vietnam.

3. Golfzon: A global leader in 3D golf simulation, offering real-time scoring and swing analysis.

4. Vhandicap (VG Corp): The official WHS handicap system in Vietnam, connecting nearly 100,000 golfers nationwide.

5. D&G Golf Group: A pioneer in indoor golf and park golf innovation using 3D technology, with international awards for innovation.

Vietnam Golf Sustainability Award

Celebrating those advancing “green” thinking and sustainable practices in the golf industry.
Nominees:

• Laguna Golf Lăng Cô: Maintains natural landscapes through design, maintenance, and operation. EarthCheck Gold certified and home to the unique “edible golf course” model eliminating single-use plastics.

• Ba Na Hills Golf Club: Promotes eco-friendly drainage and landscaping, embodying the “Nature – Professionalism” philosophy.

• Hoiana Shores Golf Club: Asia’s first GEO-certified course, restoring native ecosystems with an environmentally responsible approach.

• NovaWorld Phan Thiết Golf Club: Implements water-saving irrigation and native tree planting, aiming for international GEO certification.

• The Bluffs Grand Ho Tram Strip: Coastal course recognized for dune restoration, reduced chemical use, and marine conservation.

Vietnam Golf Visionary Award

Honoring visionary leaders shaping the future of Vietnamese golf.
Nominees:

1. Nguyen Trung Khanh – Director General, Vietnam National Administration of Tourism: Integrated golf into national tourism strategy and global promotion.

2. Le Kien Thanh – President, VGA: Guided the association through a period of strong growth across two terms.

3. Le Van Kiem – Chairman, Long Thanh Golf Club: Passionate golf investor and philanthropist, developing world-class courses and golf management expertise.

4. Nguyen Thi Nga – Chairwoman, BRG Group: A trailblazer in establishing Vietnam’s modern golf ecosystem with over 30 years of leadership.

5. Do Quang Hien – Chairman, T&T Group: A strategic visionary developing high-profile golf projects like Van Lang Empire, integrating golf with tourism and community impact.

Vietnam Golf Philanthropy Award

Recognizing leaders and organizations making impactful social and charitable contributions.
Nominees:

1. Thu Duc Charity Golf Tournament: Raised over VND 40 billion in 2024 alone to aid patients, underprivileged children, and community programs.

2. Queen Club: For 15 years, the club has led women’s golf and sustained charitable initiatives—building 10 schools and donating learning equipment to children in remote areas.

3. Cobra Puma Golf Pro-Am Vietnam: In its 8th year, raised nearly VND 6 billion for children’s charities such as “Understanding the Heart” and The Kianh Foundation.

4. Swing for Life: With 25 seasons since 2000, one of Vietnam’s longest-running charity golf events, having raised nearly VND 35 billion for education, healthcare, and social welfare.

5. Long Thanh Golf Club & Mr. Le Van Kiem: A symbol of golf philanthropy, contributing hundreds of billions of VND to education, healthcare, and disaster relief at home and abroad.

6. Swing for the Kids: 17 years of annual scholarship fundraising for underprivileged students, sustaining long-term community support.

Vietnam Golf Leadership Honor (Foreigner)

Recognizing international leaders for their strategic contributions to golf in Vietnam.
Nominees:

1. Ben Styles: Over 18 years in Vietnam’s golf industry; founder of Vietnam Golf Coast, organizer of Ho Tram Open (Asian Tour), and member of Golf Digest’s Top 100 World Courses judging panel.

2. Lars Holden: Over 20 years in Vietnam; instrumental in talent development and industry sponsorship as head of Vietnam Golf Distribution (Titleist/FootJoy).

3. Mark Reeves: Key executive in BRG’s golf operations, raising management standards and international integration.

4. Evans Mahoney: Director of Golf at Kings’ Island (BRG Group), contributing to golf management and professional training.

5. Ian Cording: General Manager of The Bluffs Grand Ho Tram, recognized for improving course conditions, service quality, and human resource development.

Vietnam Golf Hall of Fame Award

Honoring individuals with lifetime achievements and foundational contributions to Vietnamese golf.
Nominees:

1. Nguyen Thi Nga – Chairwoman, BRG Group: Pioneer of Vietnam’s modern golf ecosystem and national golf tourism development.
2. Le Van Kiem – Chairman, Long Thanh Golf Club: Symbol of service and decades-long contributions to golf investment and development.
3. Le Kien Thanh – President, VGA: Key leader in the professionalization and global recognition of Vietnamese golf.
4. Don Lam – Founder, VinaCapital: Strategic investor in golf and tourism infrastructure, with major philanthropic engagement.

Vietnam Junior Golf Contribution Award

Recognizing those advancing junior golf training and development.
Nominees:

1. Els Performance Golf Academy (EPGA): Organizer of “Little Easy Young Athlete” series and national junior training center.

2. VGA Junior Tour: A well-structured national youth circuit offering consistent playing opportunities since 2023.

3. HNGA Junior Open: The first Hanoi-based junior event with WAGR points, setting new standards for youth golf tournaments.

4. Nguyen Thai Duong – Deputy Secretary General, VGA: One of Vietnam’s first professionals, driving youth and professional golf development.

5. Vu Nguyen – Tournament Director, VGA: Over 10 years at VGA, instrumental in organizing national/international tournaments and representing Vietnam at The R&A’s The Open for three consecutive years.

Women in Golf Recognition Award

Celebrating female leaders and organizations championing women’s golf in Vietnam.
Nominees:

1. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha – Vice President, VGA: Over 20 years leading women’s golf development and charitable initiatives as founder of Queen Club.

2. Nguyen Thi Gam – Secretary General, Ladies Golf & Beauty Club: Over a decade promoting women’s golf in Southern Vietnam, brand ambassador for Titleist.

3. Kelly Nguyen (54): Former caddie turned PGA-certified General Manager and Executive Director at 54, mentoring over 5,000 golf professionals.

4. Bui Thi Hong Thanh – GM, Dragon Golf Links: Over 20 years in management, leading one of Vietnam’s most dynamic new courses and promoting golf tourism.

5. Nguyen Thi Thu Lanh – GM, Trang An Golf & Resort: Among the first female general managers in Vietnam’s golf industry and founder of GM Golf Club, inspiring women’s participation in golf.

World Influential Leader Award

Honoring international leaders with global impact who contribute to promoting and connecting golf development in Vietnam.
Nominees:

1. Greg Norman: Vietnam Golf Tourism Ambassador; key figure in promoting Vietnam’s golf globally and providing long-term strategic guidance.

2. Jed Moore – CEO, 54: Leader of the Ho Tram Open and strategic advisor for Vietnam’s golf development 2025–2030.

Transparency and Credibility

The independent judging panel includes representatives from prestigious organizations such as VGL, VNAT, SAV, AGIF, VGA, APGC, and the GEO Foundation. Each member votes independently based on transparent, well-defined criteria, ensuring fairness and the highest integrity of the awards.

Awards Gala

The Gala Night and Awards Ceremony will take place on October 31, 2025, at Laguna Golf Lăng Cô, within the framework of the Vietnam Golf Course Owners Summit (VNGOS 2025). The event will gather top leaders, investors, and global golf experts to honor the brightest achievements in Vietnam’s golf industry.

Let’s look forward to celebrating the outstanding individuals and organizations that will be honored at Vietnam’s most prestigious golf event of 2025!