Thailand finalizes golf competition venue at SEA Games 33

According to Khaosod, one of Thailand's largest and most prestigious newspapers, the above information was announced by Mr. Suwang Thienthong, Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand. He also confirmed that there will be no change in location.

The 33rd SEA Games will take place from December 9 to 20, with the three main host cities being Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla. The choice of golf course has been controversial. Initially, the Siam Country Club Rolling Hills (Chonburi province) was chosen.

However, Mr. Rangsarit Laksitanon, President of the Golf Association of Thailand, proposed switching to Royal Hill Golf Resort & Spa (Nakhon Nayok province). He also warned that if this course is not selected, the Association cannot guarantee the medal target.

Mr. Rangsarit emphasized: "Golf is not an easy sport to win medals. If they compete on a familiar field, Thai athletes can secure 2 gold medals. But if they change fields, the Thai Golf Association will not commit to the results."

However, Minister Suwang Thienthong has decided on the initial choice of Siam Country Club Rolling Hills as the venue for the 33rd SEA Games golf competition. He believes that the athletes can completely adapt to the conditions of this course.

Siam Country Club Rolling Hills is the fourth golf course in the Siam Country Club system, about 1 hour drive from Bangkok. Designed by Schmidt-Curley Design and put into operation since 2019, the course has hosted many LPGA tournaments and is rated to meet international competition standards.

On the Vietnamese side, according to Head Coach Nguyen Thai Duong, the official list of the National Golf Team participating in the 33rd SEA Games will be announced before September 1 and immediately after the 2025 Gia Lai National Golf Championship. After the two VAO and VLAO 2025 National Amateur Men's and Women's Championships, the first 4 faces of the team have been determined: Nguyen Trong Hoang and Ho Anh Huy (men), Le Chuc An and Anna Le (women).

At the 33rd SEA Games, golf will have 4 sets of gold medals: men's individual, women's individual, men's team and women's team. At the most recent Games in Cambodia, Vietnamese golf had the most successful Games in history when winning 3 medals of all types: gold medal in men's individual (Le Khanh Hung), bronze medal in men's individual (Nguyen Anh Minh) and silver medal in men's team.