It would be an exaggeration to say that Cambodia boasts a rich history of golf, but over the past few decades, this noble sport has won the hearts of many in this country and attracted many tourists here. The golf industry is booming with high-quality courses that are transforming the picturesque Cambodian landscape and providing the perfect setting for those who find golf an integral part of the perfect holiday. One such destination is Vattanac Golf Resort, named this year’s winner of Luxury Lifestyle Awards in the category of Best Luxury Golf Resort in Asia.

Vattanac Golf Resort was established in 2019, and though it wasn’t chronologically among the first golf courses in the country, it immediately caught the attention of athletes and was recognized by industry experts. The resort is managed by Troon, a leader in upscale club management that is known for its uncompromising approach to providing the finest golf experiences at the global level.

This magnificent property is a 45-minute drive from Phnom Penh’s downtown, in the heart of Vattanacville, the first SMART and ECO satellite city in Cambodia. Surrounded by the epitome of luxury, innovation, and community living, Vattanac Golf Resort itself embodies cutting-edge values and customer responsibility.

The resort consists of two impressive courses designed by legendary golfer and six-time major champion Sir Nick Faldo. The first of them is the award-winning championship 7,467-yard East Course. This strategic 18 holes par 72 courses make masterful use of landscape features with water features, quirky bunkering, and native fauna, creating the perfect setting to practice for novice players and test the skills of experienced golfers. Along with unparalleled playing conditions, guests will also enjoy large-scale replicas of iconic structures, Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple, and Preah Vihear Temple, located on the course and paying homage to Cambodian history and the great achievements of Khmer architecture.

One year after the East Course was opened, the 18 holes par 72 West Course, Vattanac Golf Resort’s second course, was launched. It covers 7,249 yards and features winding fairways and Paspalum grass, which will allow players to showcase their best skills. An equally exciting challenge for golfers is the Dragon Lake, located in the center of the course. Three wooden tee-houses allow players to take a break, enjoy a delicious meal, a cold drink, and scenic views all around. While playing, guests will also encounter an impressive statue of the great king of the Khmer Empire Jayawarman VII and a statue inspired by the Elephant Terrace.

If you prefer the coolness and charm of a Cambodian night to the heat of a tropical day, you’ll appreciate The Dragon Turn, a 9-hole lighted course with a lake at its center. The specific shape of the lake around which the game unfolds gave the course its name. “The Dragon Turn” provides athletes with a unique experience under the cover of night in the bright lights and breathtaking surroundings of Phnom Penh.

Vattanac Golf Resort’s high recognition by the experts of the Luxury Lifestyle Awards is due not only to the impeccable quality of the courses but also to its innovative additional facilities. One of them is the golf academy led by passion and commitment to developing the game and deservedly ranked among the best teaching and training centers in the region. The academy boasts a floodlit driving range with 28 bays, powered Eagle Try technology, and multiple Trackman 4 golf launch monitors. The resort’s upcoming plans include the opening of new facilities and services, some of which will be unique to Cambodia. These include a new restaurant, the largest golf shop in the country, a custom fitting service, a golf gym, VIP rooms, simulator rooms, and school rooms.