VietNamNet Bridge – Members of Hanoi’s Van Tri golf course have fiercely opposed the golf course’s new rules which became effective on October 1.

VietNamNet Bridge – Members of Hanoi’s Van Tri golf course have fiercely opposed the golf course’s new rules which became effective on October 1.

The golf course opened in 2007 and two years late, it became the first golf course in Vietnam (open to members only) to receive the ISO 14001 certificate for its international, standardized environmental management system. Van Tri currently has 263 members who each pay $132,000 for club membership. The club can have up to 400 members.

According to members, the golf course is very nice, but they disagree with the management board’s rules, especially the new ones which took effect on October 1.

The new rules state members who cancel their booked hours less than 24 hours before the cancellation deadline will be suspended from booking hours within two months or will be fined $100. In addition, members have to hire golf carts ($20/ golf cart) and tip at least $10 to their caddies for a 18-hole game.

Nguyen Minh Son, who represents other members, said that these regulations are nonsense. “The management board can’t fine members who cancel their game because this is not noted in the business contracts signed between members and the board,” he said.

“Each member already has to pay $15 for a caddie whenever they play golf. The tip for caddies is up to players. We come here to play golf to relax. Members are not responsible for the health of caddies. It is unconvincing to force us to use golf carts during weekend to ensure the health of caddies.”

According to Son, up to 70 percent of the members are Vietnamese and most of them disagreed with the new regulations at Van Tri golf course.

Van Tri’s general director, a Korean businessman, agreed to meet with members on October 3 to explain the new rules. However, that day he was absent and turned off his cell phone.

That was the same day the management board asked its caddie division not talk to the media or provide any information to members about the golf course’s operations.

Son said that if Van Tri still imposes the new rules, members will bring the case to court.

Until now Van Tri golf course has been unaware of the pending court case.

Source: VNExpress