The Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) has signed a partnership agreement with Chhun On Golf Resort to formally recognise the course’s international standing.
The agreement was signed on the morning of 19 June by PGA Commercial Director Duncan Rougvie and Chhun Chetna, General Manager of the resort. The collaboration aims to bring international experts to train young Cambodian players and coaches, while establishing the foundations for the country to host internationally recognised professional golf events.
Chhun Chetna expressed pride that the nearly 100-hectare golf course — located in Kandal province just outside Phnom Penh and featuring Khmer architectural elements — has now received this international recognition.
“The first step of this cooperation is to let people know about our country’s potential. We now have an international-standard golf course recognised by the PGA, and this opens a major gateway for golfers from different countries to come and play in Cambodia, which will help promote tourism and generate revenue for our country,” he said.
He added that the PGA would bring internationally qualified coaches to train Cambodian athletes to global standards, enabling them to compete internationally.
“The PGA may also have the ability to bring internationally recognised major tournaments to Cambodia in the future,” he said.
Duncan Rougvie stated that the PGA will continue discussions with the resort and the Cambodia Golf Federation (CGF) to assess the number of specialists required to train young golfers and improve the quality of local coaches, with the goal of advancing Cambodian golf on the international stage.
“We hope to bring international events to Cambodia. This signing confirms that Chhun On Golf Resort is an international-standard venue with all the necessary facilities and course quality required to host such events,” he said.
CGF Secretary-General Chea Bora described the partnership as a source of new hope for Cambodia’s young golfers, encouraging them to develop their skills alongside international experts and contribute to the growth of the sport in the country.
He noted that the PGA’s involvement would raise international awareness of Cambodia, which now features a high-quality international-standard golf course, while the country is well-prepared to welcome global visitors in a safe environment.
“The PGA’s recognition of Chhun On Golf Resort as an international-standard course is a matter of national pride,” Chea Bora said.
“In the past, Cambodia’s golf sector lagged far behind many other countries, but today we have reached a stage that is close to international standards,” he added.
He emphasised that Cambodia is ready not only in terms of golf facilities, but also with supporting hospitality, infrastructure, international airports. “With an international-standard course like this, we no longer need to wait for inspection teams and evaluations as we did before. Whenever there is an international event, we are ready to host it right here because we already have everything in place,”.
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