PEOPLE ARE TALKING
Here's what they are saying...
...about QUALITAS
Andrew Haggar, Lead Designer
Faldo Design, Cambodia
Sam Sakocius, President
+66 097 081 3878
sam@omnigolfez.com
Sam Sakocius is an award winning Real Estate and Golf Development Consultant and Builder, International Golf Travel Writer, Governmental Tourism Consultant to emerging Golf Markets, multiple time judge in Golf Inc’s World Best Golf Courses (New Course-Renovations-Restorations), and frequent collaborator with Hotel/Golf Resorts - Westin, Ritz Carlton, Hyatt, Six Senses, Marriot.
He is presently a principal owner of the consultancy, Qualitas Project Control with 30+ years in Golf and Real Estate development. He is also the founder of OMNIGOLF which launched in June of 2020. He is proudly a contract golf course design architect for the prestigious Faldo Design Group.
During the course of his career he has administered over 120 golf, residential, and resort development projects; several of these projects have won awards for top 10 best new developments in various respected publications. He is currently working on a design with Sir Nick Faldo for a new golf course in Vietnam.
His sphere of operations transects all of Asia, North American, South America, and most recently Europe and the Middle East. He has worked with many of the great designers working in the field today, including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Nick Faldo (current), Gil Hanse (the Rio 2016 Olympic Course Architect), Bill Coore, Robert Trent Jones ll, Pete Dye and Tom Fazio, to name a few. Additionally, QPC is one of the few golf oriented real estate consultancy that has actually owned and operated mixed use golf properties as well as having built many courses on a for profit basis. This gives QPC the edge in developing real bottom line focused efficiencies that other consultants and management companies simply do not have. When it is your own money on the line, the perspective is entirely different from that of an entity who simply manages other people’s money.
Qualitas Project Control is a vastly experienced technical advisor to multiuse real estate projects, particularly those that have a golf element. QPC safeguards the owner’s interests in all elements of the project from initial analysis, data production, feasibility, conceptual development, design integration, budgeting, timelines, quality control and cost control. Qualitas is very experienced in bringing together understanding to multinational project teams. Qualitas ensures a project is conceived, designed and constructed seamlessly by identifying and eliminating gaps, oversights, and mistakes that bedevil developers and eat into budgets.
As technical consultants with a strong civil engineering background, it is Qualitas’ mission to eliminate problems before they have a chance to appear. QPC works with the owner’s in house team to establish an integrated strategy that includes the creation of comprehensive development program with continuing oversight over all aspects of the project from feasibility, site, soil, and geo-tech evaluation, civil engineering, government approvals, design through construction and grand opening.
Prior to establishing Qualitas, Sakoicus successfully founded Project Control International which was chartered in Hong Kong and prior to that he founded USA based SAJO Construction, Inc. Sakocius built a company from two employees to over two hundred and fifty. He also established his company as a Certified Golf Course Builder by the Golf Course Builders Association of America and led SAJO to win the “1996 National Golf Course Builder of the Year Award.” During his tenure at SAJO Construction he was also featured on the cover of the Houston Business Journal in 1997. Sakocius helped pioneer Digital Terrain Modeling for the Golf Industry as well as other technological advances.
He has authored many articles relating to golf course development, which have appeared in major publications as well as trade magazines. He was a consultant and columnist for Destination Golf China which focused on the golfer’s navigation of strategic design characteristics of Asian golf courses. He is currently the Sr Feature Editor and Principle columnist for Destination Golf Europe covering Golf travel and tourism in Asia and the
Middle East.
Sakocius has appeared on numerous panels discussing and teaching the principles of Golf Course Development and Construction Management, including the Golf Inc. Show, the Golf Industry Show, The China Golf Show and the Golf Course Builders Association of America. He has been on the judges’ panel for the International Best New Golf Project of the Year sponsored by Golf Inc. magazine four times.
He has worked with the University of Wisconsin as a guest lecturer providing insight into the continued development of their Golf Enterprise Management Bachelor of Science Program.
Sakocius served for seven years on the Board of Directors of the Golf Course Builders Association of America serving as Chairman of the Committee to Establish Contractual General Conditions and Contract Format adopted by the American Society of Golf Course Architects.
Over the past decade he has been living in China-Thailand while advising and consulting to
numerous projects in throughout Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Recent or Active Representative Projects:
Vietnam – Golf Course Architecture – Faldo Design
Ha Tinh, Vietnam - Sir Nick has chosen to work with QPC for the complete design of a new golf course project in Ha Tinh Vietnam. From Routings to Detailed Design to Construction oversight, QPC will be “hands on” with Sir Nick and the Faldo Design staff in creating the new seaside venues
United Kingdom - Lead Consultant - Design, Process, Technical, and Operations
Management - Faldo Design
Sir Nick has chosen QPC to consultant on a technical and strategic design bases for all new major Faldo Design projects globally. He has also engaged QPC to retool the FD business process including retooling CAD systems, Specifications, and Design Process unparalleled in the golf course design industry. QPC directly represents Faldo design during the construction monitoring process for Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions and administers design and approval decisions.
Thailand - Lead Consultant - Planning and Implementation - Pattaya Jockey Club
The Pattaya Jockey Club has engaged QPC as the lead planning consultant for the creation of an ultra luxury horse racing track, golf course, luxury homes, retirement village, commercial walking street, 3 hotels, and a golf entertainment zone. QPC is currently creating the master land/amenities plan and will be the chief adviser to the BOD for the duration of the project.
Thailand - Lead Consultant - Design, Ideation, Project Management - SWGolf
Putter Face is the creation of SWGolf in Bangkok Thailand. They are golf entertainment venues on tiny plots of land wedged in between skyscrapers in high density retail areas of major cities. Amenities feature, ultra high tech short ranges with luxury hitting bays, simulater suites, high end putting courses, exciting F&B and more. QPC working with structural architects, creates unique putting courses, range features, and F&B amenities.
Sri Lanka – Design and Project Management to Sri Lanka’s Most Prestigious
Developer and Largest Conglomerate John Keels Holdings and their Cinnamon Brand. Colombo, Sri Lanka. Qualitas is advising John Keels Holdings on the development of recently acquired Victoria Golf and Country Resort into a Professional Tournament Venue and conducting the selection process and negotiations for a world class international golf and marketing operator.
Laos, - Lead Consultant Design and Project Management to Savan Resorts
After assuming control of an aging border casino, Macau Legends is doing big things with the addition of a VIP block, including private casino, guest suites, spa, ktv, pool, multiple restaurants, and a crowning amenity Golf Entertainment Zone (EZ), including sports book/sports bar, golf gambling range, putting course, golf simulators, VR games, climbing wall, “flow house” wave machine, brew pub, waterfalls, creeks and massive landscaping. QPC is leading EZ concept development, design and construction.
China – Project Management for 36 Hole Jack Nicklaus Project
OCT WIND VALLEY
China – Project Management to 18 Hole Schmidt Curley residential and Golf Project
China – Project Management to 18 Hole private Rees Jones Golf Course
Myanmar – Lead Consultant to Private Developer/Project Management
Kyeintali - Ngapoli, Myanmar - Qualitas has been chosen to create a conceptual Master Plan, Feasibility Study, and investor package for a 2.5 mile beach front property in Myanmar to include Hotel, Golf, Villas, Luxury Villas, Water Sports Marina, Water Park and entertainment District
Vietnam – Consultant to Private Developer/Project Management
Vissai - Ninh Binh, Vietnam. Qualitas is working with the Developer to develop a 1200 Acre project which includes three Golf Courses, Theme Park, Hotels, Residential Villas, Eco Village, Adventure Park, Inland Lagoon and Retirement Village. Located near a UNESCO World Heritage site, the project once completed is sure to shoot to the top of Vietnam’s hottest destinations lists. QPC is immersed in project ideation, planning, and execution across multiple disciplines, including concept development, infrastructure, logistics, technical and design oversight. The project is currently in the process of obtaining government approvals.
Cambodia – Private Owner Representation /Project Management
Vattanac Golf Resort - Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A Nick Faldo Signature project. Two spectacular courses on a grand scale, residential, retail, and entertainment districts. The championship course is a strategic masterpiece. Many of the expansive holes have multiple options tee to green. The ultimate in a thinking golfer’s game. As with all of his courses Sir Nick gave a nod to local culture. At VGR subtle shapes in the peripheral hint of ancient Khmer ruins. QPC has served as the Owner’s prime consultant since its inception, inventing unique solutions to the unending challenges of building on one of golf’s last frontiers.
China – Consultant to Developer/Project Management
Phoenix Valley, Chende, China. Set in the shadow of the Great Wall, this Gil Hanse design winds through two historic valleys surrounded by rugged mountains. Hanse is one of the masters of natural design and this championship design blends great golf seamlessly with the surrounding natural features for a feeling as if it was here so long that the great Kahns were probably members. QPC has been advising the owner and architect on everything from designer selection to technical complexities and will oversee the eventual construction.
China – Lead Consultant to Developer/Project Management
Ling Yun Shan, Nanchong, China. Set in the mountains of central Sichuan province the project is the region’s first “Lifestyle” community with recreational facilities, natural habitat, and home sites intricately woven into the living experience. QPC assisted in designer selection, ideation, and land planning and continues to serve as owner advisor as the project moves through planning and eventual construction.
Hong Kong – Private Club Advisory/Project Management
Discovery Bay, Hong Kong. The famous and venerable Discovery Bay is ready to do some reconditioning and QPC is elbow deep in the planning. As one of the most desirable locations in the Hong Kong area, it is critical that the course is in excellent condition year round. QPC is developing a unique action plan to guide the project smoothly through the seasons with minimal disruption.
Singapore – Private Club Advisory/Project Management
Singapore Island Country Club - The Singapore Island Country Club is unsurpassed in its prestige and Singaporean History. Set in the middle of the Central Catchment reserve, its rolling terrain is surrounded by spectacular jungle home to thousands of species of flora and fauna. QPC has been entrusted to lead the major reconfiguration project in the Islands most environmentally sensitive setting.
Singapore – Technical Consultant to Designer/Project Management
Kyi Hla Han Golf Design. Tour Champion and former ASIAN Tour Chairman, Kyi Hla Han has entered into a collaboration with Qualitas to provide technical and business operations expertise for the formation of his new Design firm. With an eye for aesthetics and unsurpassed knowledge of great golf strategy, a Kyi Hla Han in his design capacity, is sure to be a hit in SE Asia.
Representative Courses:
Pound Ridge GC
Built in the most environmentally restricted areas of West Chester County New York, the project was erosion control managed to capture and treat massive run off in the most extenuating of circumstances. (“No. 1 New York City Area Golf Course, 2010” by AskMen.com; “America’s Best New Courses, 2009” by GolfDigest; “Best New Golf Development of the Year, 2009” by ABTA Golf; “Top Ten You Can Play, No.2,2008” by Golf Magazine; “Best New Courses 2008” by LINKS Magazine; and, “America’s Best New Courses, 2008” by Golfweek
Liberty National GC
Located in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty on New York Harbor, it was one of the most environmentally and logistically challenging golf projects ever constructed. (Site of the Barclay’s PGA Tour Championship and 2017 President’sCup)
TPC of New Orleans
A Pete Dye classic built on land averaging 1m below sea level, this was another success on a uniquely challenging site. (“#4 Best Upscale Public Golf Course” by Golf Digest in 2004. TPC Louisiana is consistently included in Golfweek’s “Best Courses You Can Play”; Golf Digest Top 100 Public Golf Course.
Chamber’s Bay
Built on the environmentally sensitive, Puget Sound was the site of the 2015 US Open Championship.
Trump International
Built on hilly terrain and mangrove flats, between the treasured El Yungue rain forest and pristine blue Caribbean waters, the project was successfully integrated with a perfect environmental control record (Site of Puerto Rico Open and voted top 20 Courses of the PGA Tour)
Representative Designers:
Sir Nick Faldo
Tom Fazio
Jack Nicklaus
Robert Trent Jones II
Pete Dye
Reese Jones
Arnold Palmer
Bill Coore
Gil Hanse (Designer of the Brazil Olympics Course)
Robert Von Hagge
PGA Tour
…and many more.