Phnom Penh / Cambodia

Cambodia may be famous for Angkor Wat; but since leisure facilities are few and far between in this country, playing golf is about the only way to pass the time on the weekends. There are two full-scale golf courses on the outskirts of Phnom Penh; but due to concerns about nearby robberies around the time of their opening in 1997, playing golf there-accompanied by security guards-was a rather nerve-wracking experience.

With Cambodia's entry into ASEAN in 1999, Cambodians all at once took up the sport of golf at the encouragement of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who almost seemed to be suggesting, "If we can't play golf, we can't be a member of ASEAN." Their rapid progress in this sport was a sight to behold. When the Japanese ambassador invited Cambodian young minister- and secretary-level officials to a golf competition, the Japanese group who had been playing golf for over 20 years suffered a crushing defeat to a group of Cambodians who had been playing golf for only around one year. Later, analyzing the rapid progress of Cambodians at this sport, the Japanese ambassador concluded that the following reasons were at play: 1) they are physically fit (until recently, they were engaged in intense physical activity in the fields); 2) they have extremely good eyesight (you almost never see anyone wearing glasses for nearsightedness); and 3) they have a very competitive spirit. Since it was clear that the Japanese group had no chance of winning, the competition was discontinued.

Despite their competitiveness, Cambodian golfers are apparently as averse to the heat as anyone else: recently, they ride around courses freely in their golf carts, playing on any open hole they find. Apparently, they think this is acceptable as "the Cambodian way" of doing things. The new administration, inaugurated in July, has adopted "good governance" as a motto; but personally, I'd like to see this policy applied to the golf course as well.

Nevertheless, golf has yet to become a general pastime in Cambodia; and because of this, the best thing about playing golf in Cambodia is that the courses are relatively empty. Even if you don't have a reservation, you never have to wait. Normally, people go to play golf early in the morning and finish before noon; but if you occasionally feel like playing under the hot sun in the daytime, you can relax and enjoy the feeling of having the golf course all to yourself.

For the Japanese living here, who normally travel around by car and almost never walk, golfing on the weekends also plays an important role from a health perspective. So when you come to Cambodia, don't forget those golf shoes!

Entrance to golf course Royal palace Wat Phom, symbol of Phnom Penh

Marubeni Group magazine "M-SPIRIT" VOL.23 (September, 2004)