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Teetime
Bbenny Teo reports on the region’s latest golf news
RISING STAR
Not only did Thai teenaged wunderkind Chinarat Phadungsil become the youngest winner on the Asian tour last year, with his victory in November at the inaugural Double A International Open at Pattaya’s St Andrews Hill 2000 – he did so as an amateur.
In yet another Asian tour finale that required a play-off , reigning world junior champion Chinarat beat India’s Shiv Kapur and became only the third amateur to win a title in Asia (incidentally missing out on the $50,000 professional prize money). Aged 17 years and five days at the time, he eclipsed the previous youngest winner, Korea’s Kim Dae-sub, by 78 days.
THE BEAST OF SAMUI
Known as the “Beast of Samui” on account of its extreme elevation changes, the island’s first 18-hole course at Santiburi Samui Country Club provides both challenge and charm. Designed by Pirapon Namatra and opened in 2004, this par-72, 6,932-yard layout has waterfalls and creeks running through a lush tropical setting with spectacular views across Maenam Bay and neighbouring Koh Phangan.
But as pleasant as this sounds, the “Beast” certainly isn’t a stroll in the park. Thai golf legend Boonchu Ruangkit warns that only the fittest can survive Samui’s sole championship course. “It’s a very hard golf course to walk,” says Boonchu, a five-time winner on the Asian tour and the club’s resident professional. “The changes in elevation from 30 to 190 metres are quite dramatic, which means that it favours strong and fit players.” Accuracy and course management during a game are paramount; even marginal mistakes, especially along the tougher back nine, will be severely punished. 12/15 Moo 4, Tambol Maenum, Amphur Koh Samui, tel +66 (0)77 421710, www.santiburi.com/eng/samui
BANGKOK AIRWAYS OPEN
Sunday 16 October was a diffcult day for golf and for the Thais at the Bangkok Airways Open, held at the Santiburi Samui Country Club. In what became a rain-soaked final round, veteran Chinese Lu Wen-teh prevailed over local hopeful Thammanoon Srirot during a play-off . This was the first win in seven years for the 42-year-old Lu; his achievement was all the more commendable given the standard of players taking part. “I’m very happy,” said Lu, who picked up $31,500 and became the third Taiwanese player to win on the Asian tour in 2005. “The competition is very diffcult on tour these days, so this was a good win for me.”
The Bangkok Airways Open made its debut in 2004 on the domestic Thai tour before joining the Asian tour schedule last year. It will continue as part of the 2006 professional circuit. For more details, visit www.asiantour.com .
FASHION YOUR PERFORMANCE
The latest product for performance enhancement comes as a fashion accessory as well. Q-Link is a high-technology invention that claims to enhance performance by balancing the body’s energy, thereby reducing stress. Worn as a pendent around the neck, top pros like Charles Howell III and Ted Purdy swear by it to keep their nerves in check when playing the professional circuit. As well as improving your game, it might also take your golfing fashion to another level. Available from www.qlinkworld.com.
RECORD BREAKERS
In November, the world’s biggest golf tournament was held – fittingly – in the world’s biggest golf club. First, Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen added a further five courses to its complex, bringing the total to 10; then it held its second marathon-style golf tournament on the Jack Nicklaus-designed World Cup Course. From early July, more than 500 players from 12 countries, ranging in age from seven to 68, participated in nine qualifying rounds of 18-hole games to compete for 100 finalists’ places. The final round of the golfathon was held on 6 November. Will this year’s event break more records? Guanlan Town, Shenzhen, tel +86 (0)755 2802-0888, www.missionhillsgroup.com
TOP TIP
Picture the situation: open green, no perils – no bunkers, no water and not much rough in front of you – and 20 to 70 yards out. The solution? Use an eight iron. Choke down, place the ball two inches in front of your back heel, take a backswing like a putt, and swing. Firm up your wrists and keep your head down. Your backswing will determine the length the ball goes. As accurate as a putt, and much safer than loft ing the ball, this is guaranteed to save you three strokes a round.
From www.free-golf-tip.com
A TALE OF TWO SIXES
A monstrous 878-yard, par-six hole made a daunting debut on the Asian tour late last year, causing traditionalists to frown and others to gawk. The St Andrews Hill 2000 course was designed by Desmond Muirhead and opened for play in 2000 (hence the name). There are actually two par-six holes (the fourth and the 13th) on the original par-74 course.
The course was constructed to resemble wind-swept Scottish links, and playing its lengThis not easy. Water traps lie in wait for impatient golfers who hit errant shots hoping to cut the course down in size. Take hole four – the fairway is split in two by a lake, providing various ways to tackle the hole. The brave might try a tee shot that can carry over trees and water for a shorter route to the green – but we all know where that can end up. 88/8 Moo 6, Highway 331 RD, Ban Bung, Chonburi, Pattaya, tel +66 (0)38 893838, www.standrews2000golf.com
BALLESTEROS IN BANGKOK
The best in Europe and Asia are set to square up against one another at the new Amata Spring Golf Club in Pattaya this January. The legendary Seve Ballesteros will lead the European team against a Masahiro Kuramoto-led Asian contingent in the inaugural Royal Trophy team challenge from 5 to 8 January.
Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate, 700/4 Moo 6 Nongmaidang, Moung District, Chonburi, Pattaya, tel +66 (0)38 468888
FOOL’S GOLF?
Everyone needs a little prep before heading to the first tee. As part of the popular For Dummies series of books, Golf’s Short Game for Dummies was published last year to give golfers just the right reminders to lay up better, approach bunkers more confidently and putt like a pro. Available from all good book stores.
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