Hi all,

The following may help with your decision re tour - Then again it may not.

Neither Chiang Mai nor Hanoi is definitively "better"; the choice depends on your travel style. Choose Chiang Mai for a more relaxed, peaceful, and nature-focused trip with a friendly vibe, great food, and a lower-cost of living for longer stays. Choose Hanoi if you prefer a more bustling, historically rich city experience with chaotic energy, an adventure, and excellent access to other key Vietnamese destinations like Halong Bay and Ninh Binh

Ultimately, your choice depends on what you prioritize: Chiang Mai for scenery and authenticity or Hanoi for premier, world-class golf experiences. 

---------- Original Message ----------

Hello Fellow DAGS,

 Attached are options for a golf tour in 2026.  I have only looked at Vietnam (Hanoi) and Thailand (Chiang Mai).  I have attached a 8 night 4 rounds and 7 nights 3 rounds for consideration.

 Please consider the attached and let me know PRIOR to the AGM :

1.      Are you interested in touring

2.      Your preferred destination

3.      Would you only tour one of the destinations.  That is, if you choose Vietnam, but the majority prefer Thailand, would you still tour.

4.      7 or 8 night package (3 or 4 rounds of golf)

 Also attached to this email is a proposal for a Canberra / New South Wales tour in 2026 from former DAG Neal Williams.  Happy to take feedback on his proposal.

 Vietnam and Thailand Summary : 

 Date : First week of November 2026

Approx Costings :

 Chiang Mai 8 Nights    (4.5* hotel) $1700 Golfer $774 Non Golfer

4 Rounds                         (4* hotel) $1620 Golfer $695 Non Golfer

 Chiang Mai 7 Nights    (4.5* hotel) $1395 Golfer $690 Non Golfer

3 Rounds                         (4* hotel) $1315 Golfer $ $615 Non Golfer

 Hanoi 8 nights                (5* hotel) $2050 Golfer $1021 Non Golfer

4 rounds                          (4* hotel) $1815 Golfer $789 Non Golfer

 Hanoi 7 Nights               (5* hotel) $1675 Golfer $890 Non Golfer

3 Rounds                         (4* hotel) $1485 Golfer $680 Non Golfer

 Greg

NEAL’S PROPOSAL

 Hello to all current DAGS and their partners.

 I’m Neal Williams, a former DAG and Centrelink employee and a 30 year resident of Canberra and I’d like to suggest Canberra and the South NSW coast for the 2026 Dags on Tour destination. I’ve been retired for 6 years but work a day and a half each week at the Murrumbidgee Country Club pro shop. My role includes sales, handling bookings, golf equipment repairs and managing member competitions.

 I have been following the Dags on Tour exploits for many years and would be willing to assist in all ways possible to ensure that a visit here is highly enjoyable from both golfing and entertainment perspectives. Indeed my casual employment provides me access to a range of services geared towards events planning and conduct.

 To start the conversation I make the following suggestions but I’ll happily take questions and do my best to answer them promptly.

 Time of travel:

I started with October as per current 2025 Dags on Tour dates

Early October 2026 in the Canberra region is busy with Floriade running till 11 October, Bathurst 1000 on 12 October, two Parliamentary sittings nominally scheduled for October and then National Gallery hosts an Arthur Boyd exhibition ending early October.

Daylight savings sees the sun setting around 7:15pm.

 Other sightseeing:

National Assets - Museum, Library, High Court, Museum of Democracy, Mint, War Memorial, Portrait Gallery,

Embassies

 Weather:

Canberra's climate in October is mild and warming, with average daily highs of about 20° and lows of 7°

The month is characterized by an increase in sunshine, with around 8 hours per day, but also has a moderate chance of rain.

 Golf:

Canberra has two Top 100 rated courses the first being, Royal Canberra but only the Federal Golf Club takes public or group bookings.

https://federalgolf.com.au

And the course where I’m employed Murrumbidgee Country Club has undergone considerable upgrades these past few years and indeed this week played host to one of the rounds of the Australian Masters Games

https://www.murrumbidgeegolf.com.au

 Other options include Gold Creek, Gunghalin Lakes or Queanbeyan golf courses

 Accommodation:

Canberra is quite decentralised and there are hotels spread around across the 5 main town centres that typically have several government departments located nearby and the bulk of their business being visiting public servants and lobbyists.

If you were to outline your requirements I could research further?

 Transport:

Canberra is well spread out and well served by public transport but that is unlikely to be satisfactory to needs.

My boss in the ProShop has extensive events management experience and has connections in the local bus transport fraternity

 South NSW coast

I would also highly recommend splitting up the tour to include several days at either Batemans Bay, Narooma or Ulladulla.

The golf could include the following three Top100 ranked courses of Mollymook Hilltop course

https://www.mollymookgolf.com.au

 and the Narooma Golf club that features the famous Hogan’s hole

https://www.naroomagolf.com.au

 Or Pambula Merimbula Golf Club

Home - Pambula Merimbula Golf Club

 Other golfing options on the south coast include Catalina, Moruya, Tura Beach golf courses

 Sightseeing and entertainment options:

The NSW south coast is a largely underrated part of the country, not overly crowded, numerous large estuaries and as scenic as the South WA coast!

Mogo village and Zoo,

Whale watching trips or fishing charters out of Narooma or Bermagui

Visit Rick Stein’s Bannisters restaurant in Mollymook or any one of a number of highly rated restaurants in the region.

I also plan to liaise with former Perth DSS workmate Norm Peters regarding accommodation and a private function at his Historic Grange homestead

https://historicgrange.com.au/home-hall/

 Weather:

The South Coast climate in October is slightly warmer with highs of 21° and lows of 8°

 As I said, I’ll be happy to further research any questions and to determine prices and availability. Canberra is also the home of two other former Dags, Chris Rose and Murray Willmott and I’m sure they will welcome your visit should you choose Canberra in 2026.

 Regards

 Neal