Encouraging the next generation of Vietnamese golfers is a priority for Nhung in her teaching role at The Bluffs. — Photo courtesy of The Bluffs Hồ Tràm Strip

HỒ TRÀM — Việt Nam’s top rated golf course, The Bluffs Hồ Tràm Strip, is deploying a new asset to help drive a path for the women’s game in the Southeast Asian country.

Tăng Thị Nhung is already a much-admired figure in Việt Nam. She was the first Vietnamese woman to turn professional and remains the only non-amateur female golfer in the nation.

Now, as the recently appointed coaching professional at the club on Việt Nam’s glorious south central coastline, Nhung is ready to pass on her wisdom to the next generation of Vietnamese golfers, both male and female.

In joining The Bluffs, Nhung becomes the first woman to hold a professional coaching position at any of Việt Nam’s 40-plus clubs.

Having started the new job in early June, Nhung is excited at the prospect of passing on tips and knowledge gleaned from years of experience competing on the Ladies Asian Golf Tour (LAGT) and at top tournaments around the world.

Not only that, she is hopeful that her role as a mentor at a club ranked among the best in the world will help encourage more Vietnamese women to take up the game.

“Women’s golf has made huge strides over the years,” said Nhung. “Players like Annika Sorenstam and Karrie Webb became household names thanks to their achievements and they’ve been succeeded by great players like Jin-Young Ko and Lexi Thompson.

“All over the world, young girls have been spurred to take up golf. Here in Việt Nam, the game has been seen as something of a male-dominated preserve in the past. But I’m confident that my presence at a great club like The Bluffs will influence more young girls to take up golf.”

Since turning professional in 2007, Nhung has achieved a number of significant milestones in her career. Playing mostly in Thailand, she recorded a number of strong finishes in high profile tournaments. After deciding to move into tuition, she earned certification as a Golf Teaching Professional from the United States Golf Teacher Federation (USGTF) - one of the most respected bodies in the world.

Given her outstanding track record and her passion for sharing her knowledge of the game with others, it’s no surprise that the management team at The Bluffs is delighted at the arrival of Nhung.

“She’s a great person to have around,” agreed Gary Dixon, The Bluffs general manager. “She has played all around the world and has spent a lot of time in Australia and the US, so there’s no issue with how she interacts with our foreign members. But she’s Vietnamese so she’s got a real drive to help grow the game in her home country. We are positive that our members and our guests will really benefit from her presence here.” — VNS