Donald Retention as Team Europe Skipper Adds Lustre to VGC
Englishman’s soaring stock focuses spotlight on Central Vietnam’s stellar playing options. Central Vietnam’s status as an elite golf destination in Asia has been boosted by the announcement that Luke Donald will remain European Ryder Cup Captain.
Donald, whose only golf course design globally to date is Ba Na Hills Golf Club near Danang — the largest city in Central Vietnam — was confirmed last week as Team Europe skipper for the 2025 edition of the series to be held at Bethpage Black in New York.
The 45-year-old led his team to a 16.5 – 11.5 win in Rome in October to wrestle back the title from the US. He will now become Europe’s first repeat captain since Bernard Gallacher manned the helm in three consecutive tournaments between 1991 and 1995.
Donald set his sights on building a legacy as his retention was announced.
“The Ryder Cup experience for me in 2023 was an amazing one,” Donald said. “I really enjoyed the whole journey. To be only the second European Ryder Cup captain to possibly go back-to-back is something that’s very interesting to me and a great challenge and excites me. I love what the Ryder Cup represents. I’ve had so many amazing experiences as a Ryder Cup player and obviously as a captain, and to be given the honour to go back-to-back is very special for me.”
Donald’s retention as Team Europe captain reflects the esteem in which he is held in the wider golf community. And his rising stock is indicative of the caliber of courses in Central Vietnam which has an array of world-class golf layouts designed by some of the biggest names in the game.
“Luke’s success as a Ryder Cup captain is a great source of pride for us,” said Gary Dixon, general manager of Ba Na Hills Golf Club, one of the driving forces in the VGC, a freshly rebooted destination marketing organization that links the region’s best signature golf layouts. “The course here at Ba Na Hills Golf Club reflects his flair for strategic planning and is just one of the highlights for play in this part of Asia.”
Donald’s design unfolds over rolling foothills amidst the dramatic peaks that back the coastline in Central Vietnam. Other stunning tracks include Laguna Golf Lang Co, home to a Sir Nick Faldo Signature Design, and courses designed by luminaries including Greg Norman, Colin Montgomerie, Robert Trent Jones Jr., and Jack Nicklaus.
“There are few locations on the planet with such an abundant collection of outstanding golf courses crafted by renowned figures in the sport,” said Stephen Banks, Director of Golf at Laguna Golf Lang Co.
