NG CO, Vietnam — A family of water buffalo greenkeepers, famous for tending to the rice paddies on one of Vietnam’s top-rated golf courses, Laguna Golf Lang Co, has welcomed a new member to the workforce: new-born baby Luna.
The bovine brood -- father Tu Phat, mother Chi Chi and their eldest calf Bao – are used as “bio-mowers” on the Sir Nick Faldo Signature Design track.
The threesome manages the seven-hectares of rice fields located in the middle of the course by eating excess weeds and crops in the area that would otherwise require machinery and manpower to maintain.
And now, with the arrival of Luna they have extra assistance as they strive to keep the course in pristine condition.
“Luna has already been initiated by her family. She has taken to the job brilliantly and our guests love watching the family graze alongside the 3rdand 4th holes” said Adam Calver, director of Golf at Laguna Golf Lang Co.
The rice-fields are not just for show. Harvested twice a year, they yield up to 20 tonnes of rice that are used to support the organic farm at Laguna Lang Co and donated to families and seniors in the area.
The utilisation of water buffalo as greenkeepers is part of a wider push by Laguna Golf Lang Co to be the most sustainable course in Vietnam.
It has eradicated the use of single-use plastics in almost all aspects of its operations.