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Welcome... | ...to the September edition of Asian Golf Insider. |
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September is one of the busiest months in our tournament calendar. We have just completed two events back-to-back, the Pattaya Men’s Open and the Bangkok Golf Championship. Our team is now heading straight to Danang for two weeks of the Vietnam World Masters, with Week 1 followed immediately by Week 2.
Asia’s winter high season is also just around the corner, and the most popular courses, tee times and hotels are already starting to fill. Now is a very good time to start planning your next golf trip. Golfasian still has some excellent early-booking specials available, and booking now gives us the best chance of securing the itinerary and tee times you want.
 September also brings the launch of the fifth edition of Asian GOLF & More. The new 108-page edition features Rick Shiels, who recently visited Vietnam and came away thoroughly impressed by the destination. If Vietnam is not yet on your golf travel list, it should be. Read the new magazine, then let us help you plan your next Vietnam golf holiday.
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A quick reminder to download the My Golfasian app, available now on iPhone and Android. From your phone you can:
đź—¸ Update your profile đź—¸ Check your reward points
đź—¸ Live Trip Itinerary & Pick Ups đź—¸ View your upcoming and past trips
Live Chat with the Golfasian Team đź—¸ Access 'App-only' special offers and promotions |
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This month’s newsletter takes us to Jakarta. We feature Pullman Jakarta Indonesia as our hotel of the month, Sedayu Indo Golf as our featured course, and an interview with the General Manager of Pullman Jakarta Indonesia. We also share some of the city’s lesser-known attractions and activities for the hours between rounds.
With Jakarta preparing to celebrate its 500th anniversary in 2027, there is plenty happening across the city. It is a fascinating time to discover a golf destination that offers excellent courses, first-class hotels, great food and far more to explore than many visitors expect.
Finally, do not forget to download the My Golfasian app, available for iPhone and Android. You can access app-only offers while traveling, update your profile, view your live itinerary and pickup details, check your reward points and chat directly with our team.
We hope you enjoy this month’s edition.
Mark Siegel, Managing Director
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ASIA GOLF EVENT CALENDAR |
Bangkok Golf Championship 30 Aug. - 5 Sep. 2026, Bangkok, Thailand
Vietnam World Masters 6 - 13 Sep. 2026, Danang, Vietnam (SOLD OUT)
Vietnam World Masters Week 2 13 - 19 Sep. 2026, Danang, Vietnam Cambodia Golf Tournament 25 - 30 Oct. 2026, Cambodia
Pullman Invitational 1 - 6 Nov. 2026, Pattaya, Thailand
Malaysia World Masters 21 - 28 Nov. 2026, Malaysia
Philippines Golf Invitational 21 - 27 Feb. 2027, Clark, Philippines (SPECIAL OFFER)
Amari Skins Hua Hin Golf Week 14 - 19 Mar. 2027, Hua Hin, Thailand
Centara World Masters 6 - 12 Jun. 2027, Hua Hin, Thailand (SPECIAL OFFER)
Avani Pattaya 2 Ball 13 - 19 Jun. 2027, Pattaya, Thailand (SPECIAL OFFER)
DoubleTree by Hilton Phuket Invitational 26 - 31 Jul. 2027, Phuket, Thailand
Pattaya Men's Open 1 - 7 Aug. 2027, Pattaya, Thailand
Vietnam World Masters 5 - 12 Sep. 2027, Danang, Thailand
Cambodia Golf Tournament 24 - 29 Oct. 2027, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Pullman Invitational 1 - 6 Nov. 2027, Pattaya, Thailand
Malaysia World Masters 20 - 27 Nov. 2027, Malaysia |
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DESTINATION OF THE MONTH: Jakarta, Indonesia |
City Golf, Big-City Energy, and an Easy Link to Bandung
Jakarta is one of Asia's most underestimated golf cities. More than 35 courses sit across the capital and its surrounding golf corridors, giving groups everything from established parkland layouts to newer resort courses near the coast. A central base keeps the city's restaurants, shopping and nightlife close, while private transfers make it practical to play a different part of the region each day. Jakarta golf holidays can be as short as a focused city break or the opening chapter of a longer Indonesia trip.
Our featured round this month is Sedayu Indo Golf, a Jack Nicklaus Design course on Golf Island at Pantai Indah Kapuk. Its seaside holes, steady breezes and modern clubhouse give Jakarta a very different golf experience from the mature inland courses around Bogor, Tangerang and the Jakarta-Cikampek corridor. With so much variety within reach, it is easy to build a three- or four-round itinerary without playing the same style twice.
The city itself is entering a special period. Jakarta will celebrate its 500th anniversary in June 2027, and the official countdown is already bringing more events and visitor-focused plans across the capital. Around Bundaran HI, a larger underground MRT concourse is under construction for 2027, with a planned entrance in front of Pullman Jakarta Indonesia. It is not open yet, but it shows how much easier the Thamrin area is expected to become for visitors on foot.
Jakarta also pairs naturally with Bandung. The Whoosh high-speed service links Halim in Jakarta with Padalarang, where a feeder train continues into central Bandung. That makes it much easier to combine city golf and big-city dining with cooler mountain air, tea-country scenery and a few relaxed days in West Java. There are transfers at both ends, but the journey is still a major improvement over spending hours in road traffic.
Come for the course variety and stay for the contrast: modern towers, heritage neighborhoods, late-night food, coastal golf and the option to finish in the mountains. Start planning your Jakarta golf holiday with Golfasian. |
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COURSE OF THE MONTH: Sedayu Indo Golf |
Sedayu Indo Golf brings something genuinely different to the Jakarta golf scene. Built on Golf Island at Pantai Indah Kapuk, the 18-hole, par-72 Jack Nicklaus Design layout stretches to 7,132 yards and sits close to both the city and Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. The setting feels modern and open, with the Java Sea on one side and Jakarta's expanding waterfront district on the other.
The course has two distinct personalities. Holes around the perimeter play more like a coastal links, exposed to sea breezes and framed by dunes, native grasses and deep pot bunkers. Move inland and the design becomes more parkland in character, with trees, shaped water hazards and broader green surrounds. That mix keeps the round changing, while the wind can turn a comfortable club choice into a much harder decision within minutes.
Nicklaus Design has given the longer hitter room from the tee, but scoring depends on choosing the right angles. The Paspalum Supreme playing surfaces are well suited to the coastal conditions, and the short game becomes especially important when the breeze is up. Golfers should expect firm strategic questions rather than one repeated formula, which is one reason Sedayu works well for mixed-handicap groups.
The clubhouse continues the contemporary feel, with dining, a driving range, locker facilities, massage and sauna services available around the round. Its location is another advantage: golfers arriving in Jakarta can play Sedayu near the beginning or end of a trip without crossing the whole metropolitan area, while guests based around Thamrin can combine it with inland courses on other days.
Sedayu Indo Golf is a strong choice for travellers who want a modern championship course and a side of Jakarta many first-time visitors never see. Golfasian can arrange confirmed tee times, private transfers and a complete city itinerary around the round.
Explore Sedayu Indo Golf. |
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ACCOMMODATION OF THE MONTH: Pullman Jakarta Indonesia Thamrin CBD | A Central Jakarta Base That Works for Golf.
Pullman Jakarta Indonesia Thamrin CBD puts golfers in one of the capital's most convenient locations. The five-star hotel stands beside Bundaran HI on Jalan M.H. Thamrin, with Grand Indonesia and Plaza Indonesia across the road and MRT access close by. That central position makes evenings easy: guests can walk out for shopping, dining or a look around the city instead of spending more time in traffic after the round.
The hotel has 427 rooms and suites, with a clean contemporary style and the practical details golfers appreciate after an early start. A pool, fitness center and spa give you several ways to reset between rounds, while the central setting works well for private departures to courses in different parts of Greater Jakarta.
Dining is a real strength. Sana Sini brings several international kitchens together under one roof, Kahyangan serves Japanese cuisine high above the city, and The Back Room is a comfortable stop for a drink at the end of the day. Le Chocolat and Makaron cover coffee, pastries and lighter bites, useful when tee-time schedules do not line up neatly with a long breakfast or dinner.
For a city golf itinerary, the address matters as much as the room. From Thamrin, groups are well placed for evenings around Menteng, central Jakarta and the heritage areas farther north. Sedayu Indo Golf lies toward the airport and waterfront, while the city's other golf corridors can be reached with properly timed private transfers. The result is a hotel that lets you enjoy Jakarta rather than simply sleep between tee times.
The Pullman is also looking ahead. A larger underground concourse at Bundaran HI is being built for 2027, with a planned entrance in front of the hotel. Until that opens, the existing MRT and central location already make this one of Jakarta's most straightforward bases for visitors.
Discover Pullman Jakarta Indonesia Thamrin CBD. |
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MEET DAN BENZAQUEN |
Set directly opposite Bundaran HI, Pullman Jakarta Indonesia gives golfers a central base for exploring the capital. For General Manager Dan Benzaquen, returning after first leading the hotel from 2019 to 2022 brought him back to a property, team, and city that had become part of his life.
Benzaquen brings leadership experience from hotels across Asia, the Middle East, and North America. At Pullman, he pairs that wider perspective with practical support for golf groups, including early breakfasts, coordinated transfers, golf-club handling, and plenty of ways to relax after a round.
We sat down with Benzaquen to discuss why Jakarta feels like home, how the city is changing ahead of its 500th anniversary, the overlooked Betawi culture at Setu Babakan, and why golfers should stay for more than the courses.
Read the full interview |
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BEYOND THE FAIRWAYS: Secret Jakarta
Jakarta's headline sights are only the beginning. Give the city a little time beyond the golf course and it reveals old harbors, family food stalls, local traditions and islands that feel far removed from the towers of Thamrin. These five experiences add a more personal side to a Jakarta stay.
1. See the phinisi schooners at Sunda Kelapa Start early at Jakarta's old port, where brightly painted wooden phinisi still carry cargo between Indonesia's islands. The scene is at its best before the midday heat. Pair the harbor with the nearby Maritime Museum and the old warehouses of Kota Tua for a look at the trading history that shaped the city.
2. Eat your way through Glodok Jakarta's Chinatown is a tangle of market lanes, temples and small restaurants with deep Chinese-Indonesian roots. Come hungry for bakmi noodles, dim sum and traditional snacks, then slow down around Petak Sembilan rather than treating the neighborhood as a quick photo stop.
3. Spend an afternoon with Betawi culture at Setu Babakan This cultural village in South Jakarta preserves the houses, music, dance and food of the city's native Betawi community. It is a relaxed place to see traditional architecture, watch a performance when scheduled, and try local specialties beside the lake.
4. Browse Jalan Surabaya's antique stalls In Menteng, a long row of small shops sells old cameras, records, carved masks, ceramics, nautical pieces and plenty of reproductions. The pleasure is in the hunt, the conversations and the bargaining. Go with an open mind rather than one exact item on your shopping list.
5. Trade the skyline for the Thousand Islands North of Jakarta, the Pulau Seribu archipelago offers snorkeling, quiet beaches and simple island stays. A day trip works if time is tight, while an overnight escape gives you a calmer finish after several city rounds. It is a reminder that Jakarta is also a coastal destination.
These experiences fit best when they are planned around traffic, tee times and opening hours. Let us build Jakarta's hidden side into your Jakarta golf holiday. For a tailor-made itinerary, please email us. |
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GOLF PACKAGE OF THE MONTH: Java Elite Golf Journey | 7 Days / 6 Nights · Jakarta & Bogor · fully customizable
The Java Elite Golf Journey brings together Jakarta's modern city energy and Bogor's cooler highland golf in one well-paced week. It is a strong choice for golfers who want variety without having to manage the logistics themselves.
Golf includes Sedayu Indo Golf and Royale Jakarta Golf Club in the capital, followed by Sentul Highlands and Rainbow Hills in Bogor. The settings change from coastal and championship layouts to mountain-backed courses, so every round feels different.
The package includes three nights in Jakarta and three in Bogor, daily breakfast, caddies, golf carts where stated, and all airport, hotel and golf transfers. Private transportation, meet-and-greet service, daily drinking water and Golfasian's 24/7 golf hotline are also included.
The itinerary can be customized around your preferred hotels, travel dates and pace.
Explore the full itinerary. |
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MEET OUR TEAM - Bagus |
 Bagus did not originally plan on a career in travel. He hoped to become an electrician, but a week-long motorbike trip around Bali changed his direction. Conversations with tour guides, drivers, and hotel staff inspired him to enroll in a one-year tourism diploma and take a traineeship with a local inbound travel agency. He made a point of learning every part of the business, from quotations and reservations to invoicing and operations, and discovered that he most enjoyed meeting people and creating trips around what they genuinely wanted to experience.
His career later took him across Indonesia and into an Operations Manager role with an adventure travel company. Leading guests into more remote parts of the country gave him firsthand knowledge of Indonesia's islands, cultures, and local communities. After meeting Golfasian's MD, Mark Siegel, Bagus was persuaded to bring that experience into golf travel. Today, as Golfasian's Indonesia Golf Consultant, he uses that practical local knowledge to help golfers plan well-organized, personal trips throughout the country.
Bagus's own introduction to golf was memorable for the wrong reason: he broke his arm during his very first lesson. He has not made it back onto the course yet, but he still hopes to return one day and learn the game properly. Until then, he is happy helping other golfers enjoy Indonesia without quite the same dramatic start.
Travel and food have always gone together for Bagus. He believes local dishes are one of the best ways to understand a destination and makes a point of trying regional food wherever he goes. His clear favorite is authentic Sumatran rendang. In his view, nothing else comes close. |
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 | Please vote for Golfasian 🙏 |
Once again, Golfasian has been nominated for the 2026 World Golf Awards.
If you have travelled with us before and appreciate our service, please be so kind and cast your vote by clicking the following links below. Every single vote counts and we thank you very much in advance. |
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Asian GOLF & More Magazine - Edition 5 is Here! |
 Over the past six months, we have been traveling across Asia, visiting exceptional golf courses, discovering new resorts and destinations, and finding plenty to enjoy away from the fairways.
The result is the fifth edition of Asian GOLF & More. Today, we are pleased to give you an advance look at all 108 pages.
This edition takes you from Northern Vietnam and West Java to Phuket and Phu Quoc, with destination features, course reviews, resort recommendations, and fresh ideas for your next golf holiday.
We also caught up with some fascinating personalities from the golf world, including Sir Nick Faldo, one of the LPGA's best-known players, and golf's No. 1 YouTuber, Rick Shiels, who shares his thoughts on Vietnam in an exclusive interview.
We hope you enjoy the new edition and would love to hear what you think.
If you have friends who enjoy golf and traveling around Asia, please feel free to share the magazine with them. They can also register to receive future editions and advance copies directly.
Enjoy the magazine. We hope it gives you a few ideas for your next golf holiday in Asia. |
| READ ASIAN GOLF & MORE - EDITION 5 |
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GOLFASIAN Customer Testimonials |
Don’t just take our word for it - we encourage you to delve into the testimonials of our satisfied customers. Their firsthand accounts will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the exceptional golf holiday services we offer at Golfasian, and how we strive to create unforgettable golfing experiences. View all recent reviews here.
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Update Your Personal Information
A quick reminder to download the My Golfasian app, available now on iPhone and Android. From your phone you can:
đź—¸ Update your profile đź—¸ Check your reward points
đź—¸ View your upcoming and past trips đź—¸ See the latest special offers and promotions |
| Update Your Information |
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