Luke Donald Shines at Ba Na Hills Golf Club

The spotlight may have been on Bethpage Black, where Luke Donald secured his place among Europe’s finest Ryder Cup captains, but the echoes of his triumph reached far beyond the greens of New York, all the way to the Vietnam Golf Coast, home to his very first golf course design, Ba Na Hills Golf Club.

Donald’s back-to-back Ryder Cup victories have only reinforced his image as a leader defined by careful planning, quiet confidence, and sharp tactical sense, the same qualities that shape every contour and bunker at Ba Na Hills.

“I’ve always believed that strategy is the heart of golf, whether you’re leading a team or designing a course,” said Donald. “At Ba Na Hills, the goal was to create a layout that rewards patience, creativity, and precision. It’s not about power; it’s about smart decisions.”

Located in the scenic foothills west of Danang, Ba Na Hills Golf Club is a masterpiece that mirrors Donald’s thoughtful playing style. Designed in collaboration with IMG, the 18-hole course embraces the region’s natural beauty, with mountains, ravines, and streams shaping its layout. Each hole carries a distinct personality, offering players both challenge and reward.

Donald describes Vietnam’s landscape as “unbelievable,” noting how “you’ve got mountains, forests, and the ocean all within reach, the land gives you so much to work with.” The result is a course that feels like a journey, where every round tells its own story.

Highlights include the par-3 8th, a serene short hole surrounded by forest, and a dramatic finish with an island-green 16th and a water-guarded 17th, providing a thrilling end against the backdrop of Vietnam’s highlands.

Simon Mees, General Manager at Ba Na Hills Golf Club, said, “Luke’s design philosophy is about intelligence and restraint. Like his Ryder Cup leadership, it’s about smart choices and the long game. You can sense that same calm control in his design.”

Since its opening, Ba Na Hills Golf Club has been a key highlight of Central Vietnam’s rise as a premier golf destination, drawing players from across Asia and beyond. Together with other courses along the Vietnam Golf Coast, it continues to strengthen the region’s position as one of the world’s most exciting golf and leisure destinations.

Reflecting on the project, Donald said, “There’s something special about Ba Na Hills. When I see players from around the world enjoying the course, testing their patience and creativity, it feels like a reflection of everything I love about golf.”