Acclaimed Architect Brings “Core Golf” Philosophy and Minimalist Design Approach to New 36-Hole Destination
[Dak Doa Commune, Gia Lai Province, Vietnam] – Construction is underway on the first 18 holes of FLC Golf Club Pleiku, part of a 36-hole golf course within the FLC Pleiku Golf Club & Luxury City Resort complex. The project is designed by renowned golf course architect Brian Curley.
Set across a vast pine forest landscape near Pleiku, the project reflects Curley’s longstanding design philosophy: strategic golf routed lightly across the land with minimal disruption to the natural environment. The course corridors will wind through dense stands of pines, creating a shot-making test and sylvan aesthetic that Curley compares to Harbour Town Golf Links in its demand for precision and creativity.
“This is core golf,” Curley said. “The scale of the property and the density of the forest create a feeling of immersion in nature. You won’t feel hemmed in by out-of-bounds stakes or real estate. The emphasis is on golf, and in a design era of tree removal and wide expanses, this design is the antithesis, relying instead on management of tight corridors as the main design element, yet allowing recovery from most any predicament.”
The first 18 holes are currently being cleared, while timing for the second course will be determined in a later phase of development.
Rather than rework the site dramatically, Curley’s team is preserving as many existing trees as possible, routing holes through natural openings in the forest and leaving recovery corridors that reward imaginative play. The design will feature relatively few fairway bunkers, relying instead on angles, green contours and tree-lined strategy to challenge golfers.
Three lakes will come into play across the routing, but the overall design philosophy is intended to keep the course enjoyable and playable for golfers of all abilities. Greens – with the exception of several par-3 holes – will be open in front to encourage run-up approaches and recovery shots from the pine straw-covered forest floor.
“My hope is to create one of the best inland golf courses in Vietnam,” Curley said. “A course that is demanding but fair, where players can recover, improvise and manage their way around with one golf ball.”
A major focus of the project will be the greens, which will vary dramatically in size, contour and character. The surfaces will be planted with Lynkz zoysia, selected for its density, speed and long-term conditioning potential. Zeon zoysia will be used throughout the fairways, tees and roughs.
The golf course will also employ a minimalist turf strategy designed to reduce water consumption and preserve the site’s natural character. Large portions of the pine understory will remain intact rather than being heavily grassed, allowing the course to blend naturally into the surrounding environment while also allowing for recovery play.
Formal bunkering, though minimal, will be notable, with flashed sand faces inspired by the visual style of Augusta National. The approach is intended not only to create contrast against the site’s red clay base, but also to help minimize soil contamination and long-term maintenance challenges.
The broader FLC Pleiku Golf Club & Luxury City Resort development will eventually encompass 36 holes alongside resort and hospitality components positioned primarily around the perimeter of the golf playing grounds.
Curley brings deep experience to the project, along with a robust resume in Vietnam and the broader Asia-Pacific region. Over the span of nearly 30 years, he has been involved in the design and master planning of some of the most acclaimed developments throughout the continent, including Mission Hills in China as well as multiple high-profile projects in Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia.
His Vietnam portfolio includes FLC Golf Club Ha Long, FLC Golf Links Quy Nhon and FLC Golf Links Quang Tri, among other notable developments. Numerous Curley courses have earned recognition in rankings of the top golf courses in Asia-Pacific.
The groundbreaking comes amid continued growth in Vietnam’s golf industry, which has emerged over the past decade as one of the fastest-growing golf markets in the world. A combination of increased tourism, expanding infrastructure and government support for resort development has fueled a surge in new golf destinations throughout the country, particularly in coastal and highland regions.
Construction management for the golf course is being overseen by Flagstick Golf Course Construction Management, an internationally recognized firm with experience on more than 130 golf projects worldwide.
Upon completion, FLC Pleiku Golf Club & Luxury City Resort is expected to become one of Vietnam’s premier inland international-standard golf destinations, distinguished by its forest setting, minimalist architecture and emphasis on strategic, player-friendly golf.
About Curley Golf Design
Initially founded in 1997 as Schmidt-Curley Golf Design, Curley Golf Design is a full-service, U.S.-based golf course and master-planning design firm with a global portfolio of critically acclaimed and award-winning courses spanning 25 countries. Its work includes 22 courses at Mission Hills Golf Club in China as well as projects throughout the U.S., Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Egypt, Mexico, Sweden, and beyond.
Brian Curley has been named “Architect of the Year” by GOLF Magazine, “Best Golf Course Architect” by Asian Golfer for seven straight years, and one of golf’s “Most Influential Architects” by Golf Inc. His firm’s courses have hosted the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, PGA Champions Tour, World Cup of Golf, The Skins Game, Korn Ferry Tour, among other elite competitions.
Curley Design specializes in creating challenging, beautiful and enjoyable courses, often on difficult sites. By balancing classic golf course architecture with ever-advancing technology, the firm strives for soul-stirring designs that elevate a golfer’s appreciation for the land and the game, with cost-efficient construction, maintenance and operations always top of mind.
