Newcastle golfer receives best Christmas present ever – a luxury trip away with Sir Nick Faldo
Golfer wins the trip of a lifetime to ‘Live Like a Legend’ at the 5 star Banyan Tree Lang Co resort in VietNam during next year’s Faldo Series Asia Grand Final
Avid golf fan Tony Baker, 38, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, has received a big Christmas bonus, winning the trip of lifetime courtesy of British sporting icon Sir Nick Faldo and one of his favourite resorts, Laguna Lăng Cô.
Baker first saw the competition on Sir Nick’s Twitter page, offering an all-expenses paid dream escape for a week in March to the 5* Banyan Tree resort, playing golf, enjoying luxury dining, as well as being able to indulge in activities that range from spa treatments to water sports such as jet skiing and wakeboarding.
He will spend the week with Sir Nick and his team at the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at a resort Sir Nick is known to call ‘his paradise’.
The mechanic for the competition was quite simple; tell Sir Nick what traits and characteristics you think makes a legend. And then, be in with a chance to Live Like A Legend, like Sir Nick Faldo, for a week with him in Vietnam at his Faldo Signature design course.
Baker thought long and hard about his entry, and jokingly looked to compare traits to his own “un-legendary” characteristics. He didn’t have a lot of time to create his entry and therefore, headed straight down to his local driving range, with the help of his girlfriend, who often caddies or follows him whilst he plays, to come up with some creative concepts that would ultimately land him top spot. Tony has decided to take his girlfriend on what will be his first visit to Vietnam.
Although not a member of a golf club, Baker has a handicap of 14 and often plays tracking all his rounds in the process. His first memories of Sir Nick resonate from the early 1990s, in particular watching him win the Sun City Million Dollar Challenge in 1994 in South Africa. Baker remembered what a fantastic moment that was for him, as he was often limited in his watching of golf due to there being a lack of globally televised golf events at the time.
He is looking forward to watching the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final and being able to see so many incredibly talented young golfers first hand. As well as playing and watching golf, Tony will be looking to pick the brains of Sir Nick and see if he has any tips for him about how he can improve his own game.
Speaking after he was announced as the winner of the ‘Live Like A Legend’ competition, Baker said: “To be announced as the winner is absolutely breath-taking. When the email came through saying I had won the competition I was in disbelief. To be able to go to Vietnam and stay in 5* luxury will be incredible. The Faldo Signature design course looks stunning and I can’t wait to play it. I am trying to play all the bucket list courses in the world, including all the Faldo Design courses, so to be given this opportunity and watch some of the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final alongside Sir Nick is a dream come true. It can certainly be described as a once in a lifetime trip”.
Famed for its three-kilometre beach overlooking the East Sea of Vietnam, Laguna Lăng Cô is located just 50km from the historic city of Hue and is renowned for its pristine coastline, natural scenery and close proximity to UNESCO World Heritage sites. As well as being able to rejuvenate their mind, body and soul at the Banyan Tree Resort, golfers have the opportunity to play at Laguna Golf Lăng Cô, Sir Nick’s Signature Course design, and encounter numerous changing landscapes during their round. Laguna Golf Lăng Cô combines the unique elements of a tropical jungle, sand dunes, creeks, streams and ancient rice paddies to create a unique golfing experience that is like no other in the world.
Adam Calver, Director of Golf at Laguna Golf Lăng Cô, said: “We are delighted that Tony has been chosen to join us at Laguna Lăng Cô during the week of the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final next March. We are looking forward to welcoming him and his girlfriend to Laguna Lăng Cô and making sure they both get to experience the world-class facilities and 5* luxury that we have on offer here. It is fantastic that they will have the opportunity to play our Faldo Signature design course, as well as being able to witness coaching clinics delivered first hand by Sir Nick Faldo throughout the week. Tony and his girlfriend will not be disappointed!.”
