DG ’ s Zenta meets with local kids in Myanmar
most successful golfer , PGA tour winner , Asian Tour Order of Merit winner , and recent Chairman of the Asian Tour , Kyi Hla Han , then known on the professional circuit as the “ Burmese Bandit ” has returned to his birth country with the mandate to raise golf to a level of international pride and make Myanmar an enticing destination for golf travel that accentuates the seemingly enchanted destinations dotted around the country . He is the signature co-designer with international designer Schmidt / Curley at Myotha National and his own design firm , Kyi Hla Han Golf Design is already well underway planning for several first class upgrades and a couple of new courses at major tourism locations . There is even talk of an international , multi-country golf trail and a domestic golf trail , accessible by luxury boat , which will take golfers through wild regions with opportunities to sample the most spiritual and authentic aspects of Burmese culture and golf along the way . Han pointes to cooler highland areas in ethnic Shan State and to the western Beaches
near Ngapoli as areas ripe for the kinds of experiential , adventure vacations many of todays ’ golf tourists are looking for .
So why golf in Burma now ? Exotic , Authentic , Isolated , Exciting . Like no other .
Destination Golf Advisor and operator of Golf Asian , SE Asia ’ s largest golf tour operator Mark Seigel says ’ “ If you want AUTHENTIC travel - Now is the time and Myanmar is the place .”
He goes on , “ 100 percent of Myanmar golf tourists also do cultural tours . Much of the golf is “ rustic ” but golfer ’ s feedback is overwhelmingly positive as long as we do a good job of letting them know what to expect . They have a very happy experience and consider it good value for the money . It is the perfect destination for travelers who like “ off the beaten path ’”
Ms . Marlar Aye who is the Country Director Asia Expeditions DMC in Yangon says , “ Our Tourism Ministry is working very hard and closely with private sectors to develop
36 Destination Golf . TRAVEL