Designed by Kentaro Sato, Siem Reap Booyung CC opened in 2009 and is located in the rice paddies just outside Siem Reap, and not far from the temples at Angkor Wat.
The course has two nines named 'The Friendship Course', and 'The Love Course'
We came as a large group playing golf and sightseeing our way through Vietnam and Cambodia, and of course we had come to Siem Reap primarily to see Angkor Wat.
But the golf was a welcome addition to the Cambodian part of the itinerary, and with hot, humid weather 'Booyung' tested us out.
Measuring 6963 yards off the blue tees( 7396 off the black), we needed to open the shoulders on a number of holes to have any chance of getting home in regulation...
But in general the fairways were wide, and the green complexes generous.
Sato started with flat rice paddies, but has made good use of his biggest asset, and routes the course around and over the water hazards at every opportunity. His bunkering is strategic, and there is plenty of sand to negotiate on most holes, although it is not overdone.
This is more a second shot course, as the fairways are fairly generous off the tee, but the bunkering and water becomes more demanding as you near the green.
The course was nicely maintained, and tees and fairways were grassed with a variety of paspalum that was very playable.
All in our group enjoyed the course and the day, although many found the length challenging.
Holes of note were the par 3 seventh, a 223 yard water carry, the par 3 thirteenth, a 202 yard water carry, the par 4 eighteenth, a 445 yard with water carry approach, and the par 5 ninth with a combination of multiple water hazards and bunkers and a winding serpentine fairway.
'Booyung' was a fun way to spend the day, and a good test of golf.
You will need to come prepared with a GPS though, because communicating with the caddies is not always easy, and vital information is easily lost in translation....
I thought the longish par 4 fourteenth hole was the standout with lake and a strategically placed creek being in place to demand all but the longest of hitters lay up. The resulting approach shot then required was a challenging carry over the lake to a green well protected by a nest of green side bunkers. It is a difficult, but strategically sound hole, and visually striking as well...
Other Golf in the Area
Check out Phokeethra CC and Faldo's Angkor Golf Resort for a 3 day golfing destination..
Sightseeing
Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples are one of the wonders of the world, and the real reason you should come to Siem Reap.
The floating village at Tonle Sap is also worth seeing.
Accommodation
The Travelling Golfer can advise on accommodation to suit your group
Golf Tours
The Travelling Golfer can tailor a golf trip to Cambodia to suit your group. We can also recommend tours combining Siem Reap with some time in Danang, Vietnam.
For itinerary suggestions please see Great Golf Destinations: Cambodia
Enquiries
For further information please enquire here: