The Palms course at Chhun On Golf Resort, located north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, is nearing completion with grassing almost finished. This new layout will complement the Lakes course which opened in January 2024, both designed by Curley-Wagner Golf Design.

Both courses have been developed through extensive earthmoving, creating large lakes over ten meters deep to provide fill for elevating the holes and addressing flood concerns, as the resort is situated on a former floodplain.

Constructed by the same team that built the Lakes course - Flagstick Golf Course Construction and Sports Turf Solutions - the Palms features fairways of Zeon Zoysia and greens of Lynkz Zoysia. Architect Brian Curley noted, “The use of Zeon, with its strong resistance to damage, allows carts to leave the paths and drive directly to the player’s ball, a feature often missing in the region and a significant advantage for a more enjoyable round and quicker pace of play.”

The Palms course is characterized by large lakes and expansive sandy areas, occasionally dotted with islands of bahia grass. Curley describes it as having a more natural appearance compared to the Lakes course, with transitional edges leading to bahia landforms. Palms are the dominant trees, with thousands planted throughout the course.

Measuring 7,300 yards from the back tee, the resort aims to host professional tournaments in the future. Curley also mentioned, “The Palms features grass-faced bunkering that evokes a TPC Sawgrass design style.”

To take advantage of Cambodia's consistently clear skies, the two golf courses were designed to maximize north-south alignment for as many holes as possible. While the lakes play a significant role, careful attention was given to provide ample width in landing areas, minimizing the constant presence of water off the tee. The result is a sense of openness as the holes weave through tree-lined corridors and diverse landforms.

Source: Golf Course Architecture