Golf in Vietnam continues to boom. One of the global hotspots for golf course construction and a hotbed for young golfing talent, the country’s emergence as a force in the game is undeniable. So, too, is the role that the Els Performance Golf Academy (EPGA) is playing.
Your Passion is Our Passion is the adopted motto of the Academy that is at the forefront of shaping the future of the Royal and Ancient game in Vietnam.
Now into its eighth year, the acclaimed, state-of-the-art learning centre – located in the green urban area Ecopark adjacent to the centre of Vietnam’s vibrant capital city – is broadening its horizons.
As well as acting as a home to Vietnam’s national teams and the country’s first generation of genuine golfing stars, the EPGA’s blossoming reputation is attracting an ever-more cosmopolitan clientele.
And it’s not just elite players who are increasingly placing their faith in the Academy and its world-class facilities, line-up of coaches and cutting-edge technology, but men, women and children of all ages and abilities.
The EPGA’s enviable location is matched by the dedication of the Academy’s team of motivated instructors, led by Luke Ringrose, who joined as Head Teaching Professional in September, 2024.
A 20-year member of The Professional Golfers Association of Great Britain & Ireland, Ringrose is committed to cementing the EPGA’s burgeoning status as a premier learning centre in Asia.
“Our promise is to bring golf-lovers unique experiences in each lesson as well as a first-class practice area, bringing exciting golf sessions and helping players hone their skills with the support of the most modern technology in the golf industry,” he said.
That technology includes a Trackman Range training area, a studio using video analysis technology, Sam Putt Lab Technology, Boditrak and a separate short game practice area along with a spacious putting green.
Furthermore, there’s a fully-equipped gym with specialised equipment for golfers.
Complementing all of the above is an Ernie Els-designed par-three course, recognised as the Best Par-3 Course in the World at the World Golf Awards.
Ringrose, whose list of students includes Major champions Darren Clarke and Michael Campbell, said: “Whether you’re someone taking your first steps in the game, a high-handicapper or an accomplished player, the course offers a wonderful opportunity to brush up on your short-game skills and experience the thrill of being on a beautiful course in a stunning environment.
“It’s a major factor, too, in ensuring that the EPGA stands out from other learning venues in Vietnam and around Asia.”
The success of the coaching philosophy at the EPGA is evident from the dramatic rise in the number of overseas golfers being attracted, notably from China, Singapore and the United States.
To accommodate the demand, the EPGA’s services have expanded accordingly and now include not only assisting visiting golfers in terms of coaching at the Academy, but also with arranging room and board, transportation and booking tee-times at golf courses around Hanoi.
Ringrose said: “At the EPGA we believe playing the finest golf means keeping things simple. Utilising the very latest teaching techniques and video swing analysis, our PGA qualified coaches help players develop and refine their game through personalised attention, resulting in simple, focused steps any golfer can take to improve their swing, their strategy and ultimately their score.”
Among those to have reaped the benefits of spending time at the EPGA are Nguyen Anh Minh and Nguyen Viet Gia Han, the top-rated male and female Vietnamese in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).
Ringrose said: “At the EPGA we have an elite team of professional PGA of Great Britain & Ireland and South African instructors who have experienced and trained thousands of golfers, many of whom have gone on to achieve remarkable results and even represent Vietnam’s national golf team.
“As a training centre for national team members, the EPGA has been instrumental in helping identify and nurture dozens of talented players, some of whom will go on to become Tour professionals. We’re proud that the EPGA has been, and continues to be, a part of their journey.”
Last year, the EPGA collaborated with former Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Simon Dyson in an online workshop with EPGA students and members of Vietnam’s national teams, exchanging golfing experiences. Similar undertakings are planned for 2025.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Anh Minh has become the first Vietnamese male to break into the top-50 in the WAGR, with 14-year-old Gia Han on her way to emulating that feat in the women’s standings.
As well as winning the 2024 Vietnam Junior Open, Gia Han underlined her potential with top-10 finishes in the Singapore Junior Open and the Thailand Junior World Championship last year.
Currently 368th in the WAGR, Gia Han was a member of the six-strong Vietnamese contingent that flew the flag for their country in the seventh edition of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific at Hoiana Shores Golf Club on Vietnam’s Central Coast at the start of March.
“Gia Han is an exceptional talent who has come a long way in a short time. She’s well set to go on to have a fabulous career in golf,” predicted Ringrose.
It speaks volumes about the standing of the EPGA that Vietnam’s ruling golfing body considers the Academy such an integral part of the country’s golfing eco-system.
Bạch Cường Khang, Deputy General Secretary of the Vietnam Golf Association and a driving force behind golf’s growth and development in the country, said: “We are fortunate to have a world-class facility such as the Els Performance Golf Academy in Hanoi.
“The EPGA has been a long-term partner and sponsor of the national team, contributing significantly to the success and strong performances of many of our elite young players who are beginning to stamp their mark on the regional game.
“With modern facilities, including Trackman Range hitting bays, the nine-hole par-three course and a team of professional managers and coaches, the EPGA has been growing sustainably, playing a vital role in the development of golf in Vietnam.”
