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“Bluffers at The Bluffs” a great success at APT Vietnam

Written by Ben Blaschke

This week might be all about the inaugural APT Vietnam at Ho Tram Resort Casino, but before hitting the tables players and organizers alike hit The Bluffs golf course for a day of not so intense sporting competition.

“Bluffers at The Bluffs” is set to become a regular feature of Ho Tram Resort Casino’s major poker festivals in future and this very first running of the event yesterday proved to be a great day out for all involved with a total of 32 players taking part.

The Bluffs is a world class golf course designed by Greg Norman and recently named as the newest stop on the Asian Tour with the Ho Tram Open to be held in December. But you didn’t need to be Tiger Woods to take part in “Bluffers at The Bluffs” with everyone from club pro Patrick Kelly to a number of first-time players all hitting the fairways.

Players were separated into teams of four and the event played in an Ambrose format whereby each team member would play a shot then choose the best of the four from which each would play their next shot. The only stipulation was that teams must use at least three tee shots from each player throughout the round to ensure everyone was involved.

We may not have won the day but what a great looking team we were! From left to right that's your truly, Ben Styles, Sunny Hoang and Andrew W Scott

We may not have won the day but what a great looking team we were! From left to right that’s your truly, Ben Styles, Sunny Hoang and Andrew W Scott

The Ambrose format is a great way to enjoy a round of golf socially and as well as the chance to spend a day in the Vietnam sunshine with the spectacular views over Ho Tram’s two kilometre-long beach, new friendships were made along the way.

The Bluffs also ensured we played the course in style with every player provided with their own caddy – the friendly and helpful girls suggesting the right clubs to use for each shot and helping guide us around the course in our special motorized buggies. There were even a few pit stops had along the way where we were offered a cool face cloth and a cold drink!

For yours truly, this was the first time I had swung a golf club in quite a few years but although our team – which also included colleague and World Gaming Group CEO Andrew W Scott, The Bluffs General Manager Ben Styles and sales manager Sunny Hoang – didn’t win top prize I can honestly say “Bluffers at The Bluffs” was a wonderful day out and great fun for all involved … whether you can play golf or not!

Players were also treated to a special BBQ and presentation of prizes on the deck of the clubhouse at the conclusion of play with the setting sun providing a spectacular backdrop as the day’s winners were announced. Congratulations goes out to the inaugural winners of “Bluffers at The Bluffs” – Patrick Kelly, Lloyd Fontillas, Gary Underwood and Nguyen Phuong Hoai Linh – and we can’t wait to be a part of this great day out again next time!

The winning team with APT boss Jeff Mann and Ho Tram Resort Casino President Shaun McCamley

The winning team with APT boss Jeff Mann and Ho Tram Resort Casino President Shaun McCamley

In the meantime, it’s back to the tables today as APT Vietnam officially launches with the Opening Event and Charity Event both getting underway today in the Ho Tram Poker Room.