GREG LOWE DOES THE ROUNDS OF THAILAND’S HARDEST HOLES ACROSS THE BEST NINE OPEN COURSES
FROM AZURE SOUTHERN seas to misty northern mountains, Thailand offers some of the best technical golfing available in Asia. Ease of access combined with luxurious leisure activities and unsurpassed environments make it second to none. But where should you play? Here is a list of nine of the best courses on the route map, all open to the public.
1 PATTAYA
St Andrews 2000
St Andrews 2000 heralds a new era in golf. Designed by the late Scottish golf icon Desmond Muirhead, the course features elevated tees and greens, tight landing zones and split elevation fairways.
Most Challenging Hole: 4th hole, 855 yards, par 6
Experts say: “This hole demands three good long shots; there’s water everywhere. With the drive, keep left of the centre. Every shot after that should be kept right, avoiding the water hazards.” – John O’Flynn, 1st European five-star professional, current Senior PGA Champion of Germany
The Extras: Choose from pan-Asian and Western cuisine. There’s also Thai massage, tennis and basketball. Fish for carp, snakehead fish and striped catfish in the club’s lake. Equipment can be hired for 100 baht per hour. Accommodation is also available at the 80-room resort.
Green Fees: Weekdays 2,000 baht. Weekends 3,000 baht.
Tel +66 (0)3 889-3838, www.standrews2000golf.com
BANGKOK AIRWAYS SAMUI OPEN
Thailand hosts a number of important golfing events. Now in its fifth year, the Bangkok Airways Open runs from 5-8 June, at the Santiburi Samui Country Club. This Asian Tour tournament is the island’s foremost golfing event with a grand prize of US$300,000. Bangkok Airways is the proud sponsor of the event. www.bangkokair.com
2 Laem-Chabang International Country Club
Golf exoticism brought to you by Jack Nicklaus with three sets of nine holes: Mountain, Lakes and Valley. Opened in 1994, the course is characterised by wide bunkered, slanted and dipping fairways. Greens are modest, with subtle undulations and occasional gentle tiers. Expect waterfalls and flowers in abundance.
Most Challenging Hole: Lake Course, 6th hole, 441 yards, par 4
Experts say: “You must avoid the bunker and water on the inside of the right dogleg. Then leave this fairway, carry a pond and hit the target green resting behind a high bulkhead bordering the lake. The green is only 24-yards deep.” – Marisa Bhumichitr, Laem-Chabang’s director of golf
The Extras: Stay at 40-room The Golf Lodge, where fine food and wine is the order of the day. Book a massage or go for a swim at the clubhouse.
Green Fees: Weekdays 2,500 baht. Weekends 3,000 baht.
Tel +66 (0)3 837-2273, www.laemchabanggolf.com
3 BANGKOK
Thai Country Club
Built to US PGA standards and designed by the former president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, Denis Griffiths, this course opened in 1996. Its abundance of water and sand hazards will test the skills of the most serious golfer.
Most Challenging Hole: 6th hole, 230 yards, par 3
Experts say: “It’s the longest par 3 here and it plays against the prevailing wind. Keep to the left side and the contours may feed your ball onto the green. Too much to the left , however, and you may find one of the deep hollows.” – Daniel Wyborne, UK PGA
The Extras: Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Western food is available at the clubhouse restaurant, or drink to your success in the bar.
Green Fees: Weekdays 3,607 baht. Weekends 4,809 baht.
Tel +66 (0)2 651-5300, www.thaicountryclub.com
4 Lamlukka Country Club
Two courses make Lamlukka an excellent choice for a challenging day’s golf. Roger Packard craft ed landscapes and the club opened in 1994. The East Course’s longer yardage gains it championship status. The West Course is relatively short in contrast, but water comes into play on 15 holes, making course management a key factor in scoring.
Most Challenging Hole: West Course, 9th hole, 422 yards, par 4
Experts say: “You have to be careful with the water. When you tee off there’s no fade, so it requires a straight shot. But the green slopes upward and you must keep your focus.” – Tony Meechai, US PGA, Director of Instruction, Heartland Golf Schools (Asia)
The Extras: Clubhouse facilities include a restaurant, swimming pool and pro shop.
Green Fees: Weekdays 1,600 baht. Weekends and Holidays 2,200 baht.
Tel +66 (0)2 995-2300, www.lamlukkagolf.net
5 KOH SAMUI
Santiburi Samui Country Club
Koh Samui’s only golf course affords views of Koh Phangan and hosts the annual Bangkok Airways Samui Open. Pirapon Namatra and Edward A Thiele teamed up to design this championship offering that traverses steep uphill and downhill slopes; its winding fairways cut through coconut forests and mountain creeks.
Most Challenging Hole: 10th hole, 357 yards, par 4
Experts say: “It’s steeply uphill, with a small landing area for the drive on an elevated green. Keep the drive right of centre and play for the heart of the green, with an uphill putt.” – John O’Flynn
The Extras: Luxuriate at Santiburi Spa, stay at Santiburi resort or enjoy the clubhouse’s staggering panoramic views.
Green Fees: 3,350 baht.
Tel +66 (0)7 742-1700, www.santiburi.com
6 CHIANG MAI
Royal Chiang Mai Golf Resort
Five-time British Open Champion Peter Th ompson developed Royal Chiang Mai with the vision of creating a challenging course in harmony with its surroundings. Features include undulating fairways, with mounds and pot bunkers aplenty.
Most Challenging Hole: 6th hole, 219 yards, par 3
Experts say: “Most players use a wood from the tee, playing to a slightly elevated green, well defended by bunkers and mounds. Place the ball with an iron in front of the green, then use the sand wedge or pitching clubs to hit the ball to the green for par.” – Club chairman, Varin Pulsirivong
The Extras: Rooms offer stunning views of the valley, mountains and course, and start from 3,700 baht per night. The clubhouse serves Asian and international fare, with a snooker room, sauna and massage services.
Green Fees: Weekdays 1,400 baht. Weekends 1,800 baht.
Tel +66 (0)5 384-9301, www.royalchiangmai.com
7 Chiangmai Highlands Golf and Spa Resort
Created by Schmidt-Curley Design, known for constructing challenging bunkers and unique greens, this course features short holes which tempt the player to take risks; lengthy ones demand solid shot-making.
Most Challenging Hole: 12th hole, 453 yards, par 4
Experts say: “This uphill is just plain tough. Make sure you avoid the bunkers off the tee and leave yourself a reasonable chance of reaching the green. Keep your approach short of the pin and below the hole.” – Director of golf, Derek Schade, Canadian PGA
The Extras: A new spa will open soon.
Green Fees: Weekdays 1,800 baht. Weekends 2,700 baht.
Tel +66 (0)5 326-1354, www.chiangmaihighlands.com
8 PHUKET
Blue Canyon Country Club
One of Asia’s top clubs, Blue Canyon is home to two award-winning championship courses: The Lakes and The Canyon. Both were devised by Yashikazu Kato, who shunned a man-made landscape, opting instead to create the courses around existing environmental features to maintain the integrity of the natural habitat.
Most Challenging Hole: Lakes course, 14th hole, 416 yards, par 4
Experts say: “The layout slopes downhill to a green surrounded by water hazards – it’s a tricky 190-yard shot. Wind is a challenge here, creating a higher chance to get six to seven shots to hole. Approach with a five-iron, then make two more strokes to secure the par.” – Chinnarat Phadungsil, Thai golf prodigy and youngest ever Asian Tour winner at 17 years old
The Extras: Stay at Blue Canyon Lodges – its 32 rooms each feature a private jacuzzi and views of Phang-nga Bay and the Andaman Sea. Take your pick of cuisines at their three restaurants.
Green Fees: Canyons 5,300 baht. Lakes 3,800 baht.
Tel +66 (0)7 632-8088, www.bluecanyonphuket.com
9 Mission Hills Phuket Golf Resort and Spa
This 560-acre resort boasts Phuket’s only course, with beachside bunkers and greens – a testing technical course from Nicklaus Design.
Most Challenging Hole: 12th hole, 481 yards, par 4
Experts say: “The longest par 4 on the course needs two big hits to reach the green and make par. Hitting a tee shot along the left side of the fairway will give the best angle onto the green.” – Suraphan Ngamjitsuksri, Mission Hills’ creator and coach
The Extras: Bars, a spa, restaurants and luxury accommodation.
Green Fees: 3,800 baht
Tel +66 (0)7 631-0888, www.missionhillsphuket.com
RASING THE BAR
Thai pros continue to make the cut at an international level, driving the kingdom’s position in the game globally. Beyond Asian Tour-winning names like Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant, ground is being gained in ladies’ golf by LPGA players Russamee Gulyanamitta and Stacy Prammanasudh.
“You can see how Thai golf is developing by the number of players who are making the Order of Merit and winning the Asian Tour,” says Chuah Choo Chiang, Asian Tour media director, who tips Chinnarat Phadungsil and Thaworn as the best hopes.
Chinnarat, now 19, was the Asian Tour’s youngest ever victor aged 17 when he won the 2005 Double A Open. Better still, Ariya Jutanukarn made history as the youngest golfer ever to play at a tour event when she contended in last year’s Honda LPGA Thailand, aged 11.
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