James Durkin promoted to director of golf at Vattanac Golf Resort
Vattanac Golf Resort in Cambodia has announced the promotion of James Durkin to director of golf – marking another success story in Troon International’s global leadership pipeline and commitment to nurturing top talent across its international portfolio.
Durkin has been a valued part of the Troon network for nearly a decade, which included senior retail roles across several prestigious clubs in the Middle East and golf operations at Troon facilities in the UAE.
Since joining Vattanac Golf Resort in 2022, Durkin has been instrumental in elevating operations and enhancing guest experiences, strengthening the resort’s reputation as one of Asia’s premier golfing destinations. His leadership and commitment to excellence have been central to the resort’s continued growth, highlighted most recently by his nomination for 59club Global Manager of the Year.
In his new role, Durkin will oversee all aspects of golf operations, with a continued focus on delivering world-class service to advance Vattanac Golf Resort’s position as a leading name in international golf tourism.
“James has demonstrated outstanding dedication, leadership and vision during his time with us,” said Damian McHugh, general manager of Vattanac Golf Resort. “We are confident that, as director of golf, he will continue to elevate our standards of excellence and strengthen our reputation on the global stage.”
Commenting on his promotion, Durkin said: “It’s an honour to be appointed director of golf at Vattanac Golf Resort. I am grateful for the trust and support of our team, and I look forward to building on the remarkable progress we’ve made. Our ambition is to not only deliver exceptional experiences for our guests but also to showcase Cambodia as one of the most exciting emerging destinations in golf.”
Durkin’s promotion reflects Troon International’s broader talent strategy, which includes structured development pathways, highlighted by Durkin’s graduation from Troon’s LEADer program in 2024 and mobility between facilities. The success at Vattanac Golf Resort reinforces Troon International’s ability to attract, retain and elevate high-performing leaders in both mature and emerging golf markets.
Vattanac Golf Resort is home to two Sir Nick Faldo–designed championship courses, an internationally renowned clubhouse, and is central to Vattanacville – a visionary smart eco-city development located outside Phnom Penh.
“Vattanac Golf Resort represents our ambition not just for Cambodia, but for the broader Asia region,” said DJ Flanders, EVP of Troon International. “Leadership is the heartbeat of a great guest experience, and James is a great example of how we can grow that leadership from within.”
To find out more about global career opportunities with Troon, visit www.troon.com/careers
