~ Le Viêt Nam, aujourd'hui. ~
The Vietnam News

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Masters event a first for Vietnam

Conical hats dot the manicured green as a troupe of young women wearing rubber boots and sun-shielding face masks learn how to caddy for Vietnam's first major golf tournament. It's an unlikely sight in the communist country where the average monthly wage often would not cover the green fees. For access and economic reasons, sports such as soccer and badminton reign.

But the fact that Vietnam is hosting the inaugural Carlsberg Masters 2004 Vietnam tournament from November 4-7 is an unmistakable sign of emerging wealth in a country that no longer wants to be known for war and isolation. "The staging of the tournament fits in well with the development of the country," said Lars Holden, general manager of Chi Linh Star Golf & Country Club, about 80km outside the capital of Hanoi, where the tournament will be staged. "We're probably five years ahead of when most people say this event should be played. But for me, I want this event to kickstart mega interest in golf in Vietnam."

Since the Vietnam War ended, the country has been struggling to find its place in the world. But over the past decade it has opened its doors to foreign investors while gradually moving towards a market economy. As a result, many golfers teeing off on Vietnam's nine courses today are Japanese or South Korean business people, but unprecedented economic growth has spurred an increasing interest among Vietnamese players as well. Hanoi native Nguyen Thai Duong, 18, is one of them. He began golfing just four years ago with his father and now dreams of becoming Vietnam's version of Tiger Woods - or at least the first player in his country to go professional.

After training in Malaysia, Australia and the United States, Duong hopes to do well at the Carlsberg Masters. But he'll have his work cut out for him as 1995 US Open champion Corey Pavin and about 142 others compete for the $268,600 purse during the 19th leg of the Asian Tour.

By Margie Mason - The Associated Press - November 01, 2004.