Karl Whitehead – growing the game in Cambodia

15/03/2021

Karl Whitehead is the General Manager at the Vattanac Golf Resort in Cambodia. This stunning new development, managed by Troon International, is located in Phnom Penh and is home to two contrasting Nick Faldo-designed championship courses.

What made you want to move to Cambodia and take on this project?

The project was the major driver – I was lucky enough to meet our owner, Mr Vattanac, with the President and VP of Troon International, at my previous club in Dubai. The scale of the project, the vision of the owner, the excitement that Troon has for the region and the somewhat blank canvas for golf in Cambodia were all majorly inspiring. On top of that, I was excited to move to a new region, and to experience new experiences and challenges.

What are the main differences between working in the UAE and Cambodia, both from a management perspective and also from a personal perspective (living, culture etc)? How have you had to adapt?

The UAE is highly commercial, fast paced and ever evolving. The assets in the UAE generate high revenues, however, they also come with high fixed expenses (i.e. 99% of the workforce is expatriate). As they are generally corporate owned/managed, you are required to run the business within a prominent corporate culture. Here in Cambodia, the venues are family-owned and the workforce is 95%+ Khmer. Golf in the UAE is played in the more traditional way and is a little more formal compared to Cambodia, where here: 5/6balls are as popular as 4balls, each guest has a personal caddie, single use cart, dining on course is popular and ready golf is naturally played. It’s a hugely refreshing way of playing the game (social, fun, relaxed, casual).

From a personal perspective, both are great places to live. Dubai is obviously more cosmopolitan and a little more Western in the day-to-day feel. Cambodia has a strong sense of local culture and the Cambodian nationals are very welcoming. There is a much smaller expat community, however, that too is very friendly. Adapting has not been too difficult – the UAE is a great place to learn and with such a quality project and with so many good people around, the transition has been fairly smooth.

What is the vision of the owners for Vattanac golf resort?

To one day be one of the best golf resorts in the whole of Asia
To be the destination of choice for the county’s elite demographic
To attract new levels of tourism to Phnom Penh
To promote synergy across the ownership’s diverse group
To grow the game with ladies and with juniors
Our owners are particularly passionate about making the game inclusive and available for all. We seek to make a real impact with both junior and lady’s golf participation. We want to see entire families on course together

What are the immediate (12-month) plans for the facility?

Following the opening of our second course and night golf in the fourth quarter of 2020, the next major milestone is our academy. This 40,000 sq ft facility will play host to two instruction rooms, four VIP rooms, three simulator rooms, an expansive retail offering, an expansive F&B offering and a gym.

Over and above this, our goal is to keep enhancing our asset and our experience, to keep growing levels of business, and to further engage all components that Troon has to offer. All of this is to take place with a keen eye on our grand clubhouse project (all 500,000 sq ft).

What key challenges has COVID-19 presented and how have you overcome these?

From a direct business perspective, the complete eradication of tourism. However, like most parts of the world, the local play has shown huge growth, and many have taken up the game for the first time. The challenge operationally is the unpredictability – one day you’re operating in an all but normal fashion – and the next, it’s back to ‘code red’. Many golf clubs are probably now well-rehearsed when it comes to COVID contingency measures. The ability to jump in and out of contingency, depending on the external factors, is arguably what’s become even more important.

What is the current state of golf development in Cambodia?

Participation is on the rise and the future looks bright. Average spends are high, corporates remain strong and there is a clear passion for the game. The golf clubs out here are open and inclusive, and the culture on course is very much driven towards relaxation and fun. Furthermore, the principle of golf being a great place to do business remains strong.

Much work is required to grow the game from a grassroots level and once we have our academy, we hope to begin exploring that space in greater detail.

From a tourism perspective, with our two courses now complimenting the existing offering, overnight Phnom Penh becomes an attractive golfing destination. With such a healthy eco system in S.E. Asia, the future for golf participation across all segments of business does look positive.