Play time benny teo reports on the region’s sports news

Gee Up

Get ready for one of the highlights of Singapore’s horse-racing season – the S$350,000 Raffles Cup, which takes place at the Kranji course in the north of the island on 29 October.

Named after Sir Stamford Raffles, the man who purchased Singapore on behalf of the East India Company for 80,000 Spanish dollars and founder of the world-famous Raffles Hotel, the superb facilities of the Singapore Turf Club (www.turfclub.com.sg) add to the attraction of this exciting annual event.

BANGKOK BEAT Already speedy Bangkok is set to move even quicker this October. Thai hotel group, Amari encourages staff to make their dreams come true. In step with this philosophy, they established the annual Amari Midnight Run (www.amari.com/ watergate/charity/midnight.asp) starting/ending at the Amari Watergate Hotel on Petchburi Road. Taking place on 7 October for the ninth year running (pun intended!), the Amari Midnight Run is the only such race of its kind to start at the stroke of midnight.

RIDING HIGH

It’s all change at the annual King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament, the popular sport of kings, organised by Anantara Resorts (www.anantara. com). Held for the past five years on the coast at Hua Hin, this year’s event on 4-10 September will be in Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand.

Polo players from around the world will come together to compete and raise funds for the Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang.

For more animal magic, Thailand’s Chon Buri Buffalo Races beginning on 6 October should not be missed. Alongside a number of races that pit buffalos against each other – and even against men, other distractions include a Healthy Buffalo contest, a Buffalo Fancy Dress contest, and even a Miss Farmer Pageant!

A ROYAL AFFAIR

Boat racing is an integral part of Thai culture, with regattas having taken place in the Kingdom for centuries. The annual Royal Cup Phichit Long Boat Race, for example, has seen the best rowers from each province race along the Nan River in ornately-decorated boats since 1907.

This year, however, promises to be even more special, as His Majesty The King Bhumibol Adulyadej will personally grace the event on 2-3 September and present the trophy to the winner.

Visit www.tourismthailand.org for more details about this and other boating fun.

FAST CARS

Seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher did not feature at last year’s Chinese F1 Grand Prix in Shanghai.

But this year’s meeting is set to be very different. Despite letting up almost the entire season to the young Spaniard Fernando Alonso, Schumacher has returned to top form, including back-to-back wins in the US and French Grand Prix.

Will Schumacher and Ferrari regain their long-held throne, or will Alonso prevail to offer Renault a parting gift in the constructor’s title before the season is done?

Watch the King of the tracks go head to head on October 1 at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Get all the zooming details at www.f1corporate.com.

Play time golf news

FIRST FOR CAMBODIA The temples of Angkor now have a new neighbour in the shape of the swanky Phokeethra Country Club (tel +855 (0)63 964600, www..accorhotels-asia.com/3123), managed by the Sofitel Royal Angkor Golf and Spa Resort. The beautifully-designed 18-hole course located just 20 minutes from Siem Reap International Airport has only been open for just a few months. Yet, it is already the talk of the town. The challenging championship calibre layout boasts water features on all but one hole and concludes with the signature double water carry 18th-hole that offers a daunting final shot into a challenging island green. The 7,145-yard course was carefully designed by Bangkok-based Designer Golf, under the guidance of Weerayudt Phetbuasak, and employs paspalum grass to maintain a deep rich colour on both greens and fairways throughout the year. Public green fees start from US$120. However, guests of the Sofitel Royal Angkor will be entitled to receive extra benefits, including priority bookings, guaranteed tee times and free round-trip transfers. Come to Cambodia and tee off today!

THAILAND ON TOP

It is official: Thailand tops the golfing charts in Southeast Asia, with the Kingdom voted this year’s Best Destination for Hong Kong Golfers at the recent Golf Media Golden Ball Award 2006.

Organised by the Hong Kong Golf Media Association to recognise outstanding golf brands, golfers, golf clubs and other golf-related categories, the awards ceremony was the highlight of the 4th Hong Kong International Golf Show staged at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Special golf packages are available throughout Thailand during September and October at Amari hotels (www.amari.com).

GOLF TIP To hit consistent, straight chip shots, it is important to keep your wrist straight and firm throughout the swing. A good way to get a hang of this quickly is to get a pen or pencil and stick it in the space between your watch and hand so it covers the wrist and part of your palm. You’ll then be able to get the hang of it real quick! More advice available at www.free-golf-tip.com

GREAT SCOTS IN SINGAPORE

This year’s Singapore Open has much to look forward to – in the form of two Scots, albeit two very different kinds. Scottish company Barclays Bank is lending its name and a whole lot of money to the golf championship, while Australia’s Adam Scot is set to make the Barclays Singapore Open (September 7-10, www.barclayssingaporeopen.com) a top-bill in the region.

The best players in Asia and a select group of top international golfers will display their skills over four days at the Sentosa Golf Club’s newly-renovated Tanjong course and compete for the record prize money of US$3 million.

First staged in 1961, the Singapore Open has a distinguished history stemming from its early days at the Singapore Island Country Club. Today, it has become a marquee golf event in Asia and the fifth richest national open in the world.

HOME VICTORY

Things are finally looking up for this year’s winner of Bangkok Airways Open 2006 on Koh Samui. Prior to the event, the 32-year-old player from Chonburi, Thailand, Chawalit Plaphol has only enjoyed two tour victories since going professional with much promise exactly a decade ago.

It seems fitting that, after the long wait, the father of two was able to deliver a popular home victory at the US$300,000 Bangkok Airways Open, edging out Canadian Rick Gibson in a sudden-death play-off.

“I’m very happy,” Chawalit said. “Although I won in Japan two years ago, this is only my second Asian Tour title since 1998 and to do it in Thailand is very nice”.

Characterised by a positive attitude and a playing style that has garnered many fans, the Thai golfer went on to explain his winning approach.

“I’m an aggressive player and I didn’t change my style for this course, although it’s such a tough track. When I got into the play-off, I just told myself that I needed to fight on.”