Gv#006

Thailand Edition vol. 6

The 19th Collection Move Louis Vuitton’s BMW I8 Special Editions

SIAM COUNTRY CLUB at Siam Country

Grey Goose Par 3 World Championship

My Top Ten

Kyi Hla Han’s TOP 10 Favourite Courses

Destination Focus New Life at Nasa Due magazine of the gm group

golf vacations thailand vol.6 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014 / 180 baht

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An Enchanting Vacation

the first

© David J. Whyte

Reader Mark Yew visits Terre Blanche in the south of France and shares his trip with us.

Recently in April, I took my wife Anna and daughter Gisele to

Europe for a holiday and went to Lake Como and Portofino in Italy before driving on to Nice in france and checking into terre Blanche in the township of tourettes. terre Blanche is only an hour from Nice International Airport so it is very easy to get to. Surrounded by five Provençal villages perched high on rolling hills, this is an all-suite and villa only resort. through my ‘Leading Hotels of the World’ membership (only at US$150 a year), they upgraded me to a premier suite that has a huge bedroom with a big separate living room and a nice terrace where we can have breakfast overlooking the resort. I only paid €400 per night, which is far better than any you can get in nearby Nice or St. tropez.

It should have been the start of spring but this was an especially cold winter and hence the flowers were not blooming yet. Nevertheless, it was still unbelievably beautiful here so I decided to take the two girls with me as we drove around to the driving range, which is also the Albatros Golf Performance Centre on the first day.

On the second, I played the Château Course (there are two courses here, the other being Le Riou) that stands out for its spectacular water features, vast rapid greens and polished white bunkers. It costs me €150 but I’ve got Anna and Gisele tagged along as non-playing 4

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Mark is the founder of a multi family office that manages funds for a few ultra high net-worth families.

partners enjoying the ride in the cart and taking in the views. Some of the bunkers were so big and white that Gisele felt she was at the beach! from the white tees, the course was tight with huge trees lining the fairways. It was a quiet day so we took our time around taking in views of the villages up on the hill and basically spending a lovely time together. At night we discovered a restaurant nearby called Le Castellaras. the food is awesome with a beautiful alfresco terrace that overlooks the rolling hills and villages as we dine on some magnificent french cuisine. We decided to return for lunch the next day and you can have a good main course here for under €30 so it’s great value for the quality. I highly recommend having the pigeon and duck.

In all, this was such a wonderful experience, I will definitely return to terre Blanche if I am around Nice!

contents

ON THE COVER

GOLF VACATIONS THAILAND VOLUME 6 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2014

SIAM COUNTRY CLUB, THAILAND

contents

GM MULTIMEDIA PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED Chairman & CEO : Pakorn Pongvarapa Executive Vice President : Finance Pornjitt Pongvarapa Executive Vice President : Editor niPan kulprasoot Executive Vice President : Business Development ritnarong kulprasoot Executive Vice President : Marketing Suebwong kaewthipharat General Manager : Panuwat Pongvarapa Finance Manager : wiMonLak asaiphanit New Media Director : PeSiLP Pongvarapa Executive Art Director : PrateeP Putchimtuck Art Staff : kornratH ngamprasit Accounting Manager : nicHaPa buparanond Editor-in-Chief : Suebwong kaewthipharat Editorial Staff : SiraYa Pongvarapa Computer Artist : PraSit anakananthpun Advertising/Marketing Manager : kongwarong Somsa Advertising/Marketing Staff : SantiPat Suksinchai kanokorn channgam wijak chaopanitjaroen Production Manager : ratana khow Color Separation : kanoksilp (thailand) tel. +662 215 1588 Printing : oS. Printing House co., Ltd. tel. +662 434 6850

Editor's Page The Eastern Riviera of Thailand (paTTaya by Kamala Sukosol) i long for the sun and sea The beaches calling me The music is in the air and laughter is everywhere The fun is in pattaya The sun is in pattaya Stars above in pattaya you’ll fall in love in pattaya When the city has got you down i know a place out of town a wonderland of sand and sea Come along and play with me Take a boat out to islands They’re waiting just for you a paradise with room enough for two Take a boat out to islands Sing a happy song before you know your troubles go and all the world will sing along When the sunset is sinking low There’s no better place to go Wine and dine all night away everyday’s a holiday Take a walk on moonlit beaches underneath the stars or take in all the nightclubs and the bars Take a walk on moonlit beaches a land of make-believe and yon can bet like all the rest you won’t ever want to leave…..

Every time I think of Pattaya, the song 'Pattaya' by Kamala Sukosol always comes up on my mind. The song's lyrics and melody really make me feel like I'm relaxing in Pattaya. Dear readers, I suggest you go download and listen to this song now.

Suebwong Kaewthipharat editor-in-chief

Singapore Company: Pacom Media Pte Ltd Address: 801 Toa Payoh Lorong 7, #06-08, Wearnes Building, Singapore 319319 Tel: (65) 6323 9600 Publisher: Karen Chan Managing Editor: Benny Teo China, hong Kong & MaCau Company: Senasia Publication Group Ltd Address: Unit 832, 8/F, Metro Centre II, No. 21 Lam Hing Street, Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong Tel: +852 2570 6123 Website: www.senasia.com.hk Publisher: Alan Mok Managing Editor: Alex Tam CzeCh republiC Company: Resort Media s.r.o.

Address: Škroupovo námestí 1255/9, 130 00 Prague 3, Czech Republic Tel: +420 271 773 934 Website: www.golfvacations.cz Publisher: Vera Hartmanova Managing Editor: Cenek Lorenc MalaySia Company: Big Shot Media Sdn Bhd address: 31-5, Block E1, Dataran Prima, Jalan PJU 1/42, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia Tel: +603 7880 2788 publisher: Louis Foo Managing editor: Tony Francis

Thailand

Company: GM Multimedia Public Company Limited Address: GM Group Building, 914, Rama 5 Road, Dusit, Bangkok 10300, Thailand Tel: +662 241 8000 Website: www.gvthailand.com Website: www.gmgroup.in.th E-mail: thepooh.gvthailand@gmail.com Facebook: facebook.com/ golfvacationsthailand Publisher: Pakorn Pongvarapa Editor-in-chief: Suebwong Kaewthipharat

download gM group's interactive e-magazines from the app Store and standard e-magazines from online bookstores such as Truebook, dtac and bookSmile.

Contributors

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AAron de SilvA

PATriceA cHow

In the months before this, Aaron had been extremely busy for us, traveling to Switzerland twice and covering two amazing annual watch fairs - the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) and Baselworld – the latter of which a collection is sampled here. Also in this issue are his insights on the merits of artisanal timepieces and an extraordinary brand that has made a comeback.

A Singaporean based in Bali since 2006, Patricea Chow has written many fascinating stories of her beloved adopted home. Her day consists of writing copy for businesses in Bali, rice field views, Gamelan music, and being woken in the middle of the night by Bali chickens, or geckos, or her two young kids.

This time, with us, she unveils the wonderful luxury resorts, big and small, in the island’s private enclave of Nusa Dua, with its new highway and the recently opened Bali National Golf Club.

An old adage goes, “Old is Gold”, and especially for Tony, who’s still pitching to play the Senior’s Tour, believes he has the years ahead to look forward to. Here, he talks to some of the brightest stars ever to grace a golf course, as well as some whose stars are just beginning to shine, late in life. Here’s to wishing our ever-spritely correspondent his best towards joining this elite group.

Kyi Hla Han has provided a guiding hand in the development of professional golf in Asia since the early 1990s. When the region’s players decided to form a new player-representative body, The Asian Tour, in 2004 to chart their own future and destiny, Kyi Hla was elected as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Today, the Executive Chairman is entrusted with charting the development and future of the tour.

Tony SmArT

Kyi HlA HAn

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Contributors

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Peter robinson

Marie Monozca

When he’s not travelling or writing about golf, Peter is the editor of an ice hockey magazine, which is virtually a perfect work combination for any Canadian male.

He’s fortunate but not lucky because with any luck his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs would’ve won the Stanley Cup during his lifetime, a fruitless quest he wrote about in Hope and Heartbreak in Toronto: Life as a Maple Leafs Fan (Dundurn, 2012).

A consummate editor for many years in golf, health and female lifestyle publications, Marie is our Philippinebased correspondent and here, she visits the country’s newest golf and property offering, Anvaya Cove, which she says, is “a scintillating experience in 18 holes and beyond.”

When she’s not starting up professional ladies tournaments or reading the news on air, Justine Moss likes to travel.

In her latest journey, she brings us to an exotic locale that is not quite far but still very much unexplored – Laos. In her search for an exploratory adventure, she finds a gentle race who still needs help in a time between prosperity and a war torn past.

Erstwhile fashion writer and now PR practioner, Darren is now still highly sought for his keen eye for ‘beautiful things that people wear’, according to his words. This issue sees him traveling first class and espousing the benefits of ‘proper air travel’, again, sayeth the man.

We have no reason to contend with that, especially with the unbelievable services he shows us this issue.

Justine Moss

Darren Wong

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Postcard

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Yunling Mountain Golf club, Kunming, China Hole 3 Par 4, 362 yards

PHOTOGRAPHER: LARRY LAMbRECHT Golf Vacations

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cartogolf

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Southeastern Par 3s

From Indonesia to Singapore, to Vietnam, here are the finest par 3s in Southeast Asia.

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Hole 17 laguna national World ClassiC, singapore

Hole 16 dunes golf Course, danang golf CluB, VietnaM

Hole 7 nirWana Bali golf CluB, indonesia

Hole 17 aMata spring Country CluB, tHailand

Hole 15 dalit Bay golf and Country CluB, Malaysia

Reminiscent of the same penultimate hole at TPC Sawgrass’ Stadium Course, the new World Classic’s rendition presents all the drama that is deserving of its class.

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The course's signature par 3, 16th hole offers splendid views of Cham Island in the distance and tough club selection depending on wind conditions.

Our Choice Resort this month, this magnificent cliffhanger will go down in the annals of golf design as the definition of the word, ‘breathtaking’.

A true island green bordered all round by water, it takes a ferry ride to get across to this second-to-last hole location that calls for all the confidence in the world to get onto.

Designed by Ted Parslow, the par 3 11th is its signature hole and for good reason.

At 150 metres, it does not seek to intimidate but rather give golfers a fair chance of getting on and enjoying the scenic marsh views surrounding this hole location.

Journal ★ Home Away

Marina Bay Suites

Prime land with stunning views across Singapore’s Marina Bay landscape makes living at the suitably named, Marina Bay Suites, something to crave for.

A room with a view please. That’s

what you pay that extra for when you check into a hotel but what if you want 360-degree view of a modern cityscape and bay area?

Welcome to Marina Bay Suites, Singapore’s latest luxury accommodation located at the new Marina Bay Financial Centre, with the world’s most powerful offices as neighbours.

American Express, Standard Chartered Bank, Barclays, Baker and McKenzie and local bank DBS are among the numerous tenants who have moved their offices here since the development was completed in 2012.

Consisting of three office towers, a large underground retail and dining space of about 179,000 square feet, and two residential towers, this final 66-storey screw of the mixed-use development cogwheel that is the new downtown of Singapore attained Temporary Occupational Permit status in June and now has only about 20 units left since marketing efforts began in November 2009.

There are 221 units altogether, with three (108) and four (110) bedroom apartments ranging from 1,600 sq ft (146 sq m) to 2,700 sq ft (250 sq m), the largest apartments in the district. But to get that splendid view of the bay, the Signature Suites from levels 54 upwards can cost an average of S$2,700 psf. That’s S$4.6 million for 1,700 square feet of concrete more than 200 metres above ground. Beyond that, the remaining area includes a single-level penthouse and two duplex penthouses, ranging from 4,700 to 8,100 square feet, and each with its own swimming pool.

Dining area

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50m lap pool

Marina Bay Suites

Contact: Marina Bay Suites Pte Ltd, 8 Marina Boulevard, #04-01, Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 1, Singapore 018981, Tel: +65 65353113, Fax: +65 66368306, Email: mbs@rqam .com.sg

Living room

Designed by world-renowned architect Kohn Pederson Fox from New York, the slender silhouette and sculpted balconies are reminiscent of ocean waves, paying tribute to the bustling bay that it is named for, below. Lush landscaping from The Lawn below breaks the constancy between shining glass, metal structure and the blue of water to make this an alluring sight both calming and inviting to the eyes.

Inside, floor-to-ceiling glass windows views of the exhilarating skyline and further within, is tastefully furnished with an elegant combination of Miele kitchen appliances and quality fittings from Laufen, Steinberg and Reginox; each apartment also comes with its own private lift lobby, distinguishing Marina Bay Suites from other residential properties in the vicinity.

While 90 percent of its apartments are already sold, they have now released their cream of the crop, the Signature Suites, offering one of the last opportunities to own a prime waterfront luxury home in one of Singapore’s newest and finest districts.

Still keen on that room with a view? Here’s one to keep.

Bedroom

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By BENNy TEO

Journal ★ Culture

Skeleton Crew

Vacheron Constantin’s 2014 offerings sees the manufacturer flex its horological muscle in the decorative arts with a series of extraordinary skeleton watches.

engraving Caliber

Hand Bevelling Caliber

Gem-setting

enamelling

In the last couple of years, there’s been a burgeoning fascination with

métiers d’art watches – those exquisitely handcrafted timepieces adorned with enamelled dials, engraved movements and gem-set cases. It comes at an interesting time when rapid prototyping machines, 3D printers, CNC (computer numerical control) lathes and DRIE (deep reactive-ion etching) technology can produce infinitesimally small watchmaking components and complex jewellery designs with a level of precision and symmetry once only dreamed of.

While many aspects of watchmaking are indeed industrialised, processes such as movement assembly, case finishing and dial decoration are, and will continue to be, done by hand, at least for the high-end segment. Christian Selmoni, artistic director at Vacheron Constantin, believes that this is because, “Métiers d’Art watches create emotion by themselves. The craftsmen create them with passion, love and care, and you can’t help but be touched by them.”

Vacheron’s 2014 collection thoroughly reflects this spirit.

The Malte tourbillon openworked, Patrimony Traditionnelle 14-day tourbillon openworked, and Métiers d’Art Mécaniques Ajourées all encapsulate the decorative ideals espoused in the very first pocket watch that Jean-Marc Vacheron created in 1755. That watch featured an openworked and engraved balance-cock, laying the foundations for the art of skeletonising, which today is one of the manufacture’s strongest suits. (The other specialities are enamelling, engraving, guillochage and stone-setting).

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Skeletonising a movement poses two major difficulties: one, structural integrity has to be maintained in spite of the minimalist framework; and two, the resultant framework has to be aesthetically appealing, which involves careful consideration of the layout of movement components. “To create a skeleton movement, you take the movement and try to remove the most amount of material without compromising the functionality,” explains Selmoni. “Traditionally in Vacheron, we would also do a bit of engraving on the surface. But this year, we decided to take a very different approach, which is to create a kind of 3D sculpture in the movement, so that it becomes much more spectacular, like a relief.”

On the mainplate and bridges of the manualwinding Calibre 2790 SQ used in the Malte tourbillon, Vacheron’s artisans created tiny triangles, composed of recurrent straight lines, to give a 3D effect. They then had to hand-chamfer the 246 parts of the calibre. An astonishing chiaroscuro, or light and shadow effect, is produced, enhanced by the airy structure of the tourbillon carriage. On the Patrimony Traditionnelle 14-day tourbillon, four barrels are stacked in pairs on the upper part of Calibre 2260 SQP, which would have resulted in visual imbalance had the watchmakers not structured the movement in layers. This added depth to the movement architecture, which the artisans then accentuated with a specially designed engraving motif.

The most painstaking skeletonising process was reserved for the Métiers d’Art Mécaniques Ajourées, a quartet of watches with grand feu enamelled rings in black, grey and blue, plus a gem-set version. Over three days of work are required just for a single movement, the Calibre 4400 SQ. The difficulty arose from Vacheron’s desire to engrave rounded shapes (inspired by the ribbed vaults of 19th century European railway stations) rather than classic straight lines or geometric angles. This involved a more complex and time-consuming process of chamfering and hand-drawing. Contrasting polished and matte finishes further animates the openworked construction, giving the watches a distinctive, unprecedented character. www.vacheron-constantin.com

By A A r o n D e S i lvA

Journal ★ Culture

A Sanctuary for the ‘Man of the Forest’ Nestled within 400 acres of tropical forest is the perfect place to nurture young Orangutans back to confidence.

The word ‘Shangri-La’ evokes peaceful, magical sentiments, like the luxury resort chain it is named after. But for Orangutans at Sabah’s tropical rainforest, it literally means a perfect sanctuary.

Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort, located along Pantai Dalit Beach near the East Malaysian state’s capital, Kota Kinabalu, presents a glorious beachside resort but also boasts of a commitment to biodiversity conservation with SANCTUARY, Shangri-La's Care for Nature Project, set up since 1996.

Today, a Nature Reserve has been established in collaboration with the State Wildlife Department with the aim of protecting a 64acre ecological space to help facilitate rehabilitation programs for endangered species of faunas endemic to Sabah, most notably among them, the human-like Orangutan.

Orangutans (from the Malay phrase Orang Hutan, or ‘Man of the Forest’) live in Southeast Asia, on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.

10,000 years ago, they ranged as far north as China, and as far south as Java in Indonesia. Now they are only present on the islands of Borneo (estimated population: 22,000) and Sumatra (estimated population: 5,000).

The largest tree-climbing animal in the world with both hands and feet adapted for gripping branches, the greatest threat to them is habitat loss due to mechanised logging, forcing the population into smaller areas, which cannot support them. Young Orangutans are also threatened by poachers who capture them to be sold as pets. The mother is often shot in order to gain access to the baby.

Located at the far end of the Rasa Ria resort, near the beach is a nondescript entrance that leads to an uphill climb through densely forested jungle. Led by Dino Joummy, Senior Animal Curator, there are 10 rangers here looking after the animals and also serve as guides to visiting guests.

As we approach an open upper deck led by one, there will be another awaiting us beyond the border of this wooded pathway. There, he shares the story of the plight of these gentle creatures before placing large amounts of fruit and vegetables on a platter and calling out to them.

Timidly at first, then one by one, they arrive, ‘Ten Ten’ (3 years old), ‘Kolapis’ (4 years old) and ‘Itinban’ (4 years old). These are the current three who are still being rehabilitated but the facility has, since its inception, successfully saved 42 Orangutans from captivity.

When they are between 5 and 6 years old, the young will be sent to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre for their next stage of rehabilitation before returning them to the forest as able adults. So, how do we help them? To foster an Orangutan child, it’s a simple case of filling a form and donating RM160. www.shangri-la.com/kotakinabalu/rasariaresort 24

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By BENNy TEO

Journal ★ Luxury

emirates First Class Shower Spa

emirates onboard Lounge

emirates First Class Private Suites

Sky High Luxury

Fly like a hedonist and expect only the finest in First Class, and in one specific case, even above.

I hate flights. Don’t get me wrong. I loved the

convenience, and the accessibility of travelling from one end of the world to another in less than a day.

It was the sleeplessness that caused my aversion to flights. I could get some shut-eye for 30 minutes, but would strangely awaken, leading me to think that hours have passed and the destination near, but only to realise that everybody around me is still fast asleep. Drifting in and out of sleep is exhausting let alone the puffy eyes and dark eye rings. I hate flights.

Until I chanced upon the luxurious world of a First Class cabin, enticed by a large adjustable seat, fluffy pillows, a closet to place my coat, generous servings of delectable food and wine with exquisite cutlery, and most importantly, deep, quality sleep.

Maybe it’s the large, fully reclining seat with so much legroom, or the delicious dessert wine after that sumptuous meal, or perhaps just the First Class atmosphere, with every passenger soaked in luxury and well-pampered, but it has changed my perspective in flying. Just hoping my wallet stays full enough to support it. And if it does, here are a few I wouldn’t miss.

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Emirates

The Emirates First Class experience starts even before departure from the airport with passengers enjoying complimentary airport transfers in a chauffeur-driven car, in more than 70 cities around the world. Once aboard, the private suites boast of a sliding door, a personal mini-bar, 27-inch personal TV screen with over 1,300 entertainment channels and reclining seat that can be converted to a fully flat bed with mattress. While the airline’s outstanding dining experience aims to please even the most discerning gastronomic enthusiasts, it is the in-flight shower spas that gets people talking. Complete with a state-of-the-art shower system and shower kits made from the finest natural ingredients, and those fine linens, you can rest assure that the paparazzi taking your pictures upon arrival, will show you in the very best light. www.emirates.com

By Da r r e n W o n g

Etihad Airways The Residence

Etihad Air

‘The Residence’ by Etihad is a breathtaking upper-deck cabin on its A380 fleet, which comes with a living room, separate double bedroom and ensuite shower room. As if it is not enough, guests in ‘The Residence’ will also have a personal in-flight butler to cater to any conceivable need. With that, the airline’s First Class cabins, now renamed as ‘First Apartments’, fly its guests in fully private suites with a separate reclining lounge seat and full-length bed, complemented with a chilled minibar, personal vanity unit and wardrobe. A fully equipped shower room is also available on the A380 for exclusive use by First Class guests. Etihad Air’s first A380 will operate commercially to London Heathrow this December, followed by a second A380 on the same route in early 2015. Operations to both Sydney and New York JFK will commence by the end of 2015. www.etihad.com

Etihad Airways The Residence Bed

British Airways

Indulge in an invigorating spa treatment when you fly First Class with British Airways.

The innovative, travel-essential pre-flight treatments at Elemis Travel Spa include ‘Just for Men’ facial treatment and a powerful back massage. Don’t forget to pamper yourself with a Power Shave by award winning shave guru, Richard Anthony, who will leave you fresh and ready to fly. In partnership with Aromatherapy Associates, British Airways provides its First Class passengers with two exclusive kits specially tailored for men and women. From Firming Eye Serum, Triple Rose Renewing Moisturiser, Orange Flower Hand Lotion, and Hydrating Renewing Rose Cleanser for women, to Revitalising Moisturiser, Eye Gel and Shave Gel for men, the airline takes care of its passengers through the entire journey. The relentless effort to improve its service quality is truly remarkable. As Robert Williams, British Airways regional general manager (Southeast Asia) aptly puts, “We have committed to invest more than £5 billion in our products and services, that include new aircrafts, better airport lounges, smarter cabins, and improved catering and technologies.”

British Airways First Class Cabin

www.britishairways.com British Airways Elemis Travel Spa

British Airways First Class Washbag

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Cover Story

Siam Country Club at Siam Country

If you have to imagine a vast amount of land, you might find it difficult to do. However, you might get a better picture if you drive around the land or see the overall view from the top. This large piece of land used to be plantation of sugar cane, pineapple, and tapioca, with parts of the area left unattended. With their love in the game of golf, the Phornprapha family transformed it into a green city.

This land is not only the location for Siam Country Club, but the Phornprapha family has also developed this area for the surrounding community. Some of their activities include developing personnel for automotive engineering, building schools, supporting the golf industry, restoring temples, building Church of the Assumption, developing public health by building hospital and improving public utility system such as electricity and water supply. That’s why this land has been called “Siam Country” by people in Bang Lamung distirct. In addition, Phornprapha-Nimit road also known as Soi Siam Country Club, is well known by people in Pattaya city and, at the same time, it also reflects the lasting relationship between the management of the golf course and the people living in the surrounding community.

The Siam Country Club is a legendary golf course in Thailand. Having hosted international professional golf competitions, this 18-hole golf course is the first private-owned course in Thailand that meets international standards and is wellknown globally.

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Siam Country Club Pattaya OLD COURSE: HONDA LPGA 2007, 2010-2011-2012-2013-2014 The first golf course was built in 1969 and was completed 2 years later. It was officially opened by HM Queen Rambhai Barni on 26 February 1971. Since its inception, Siam Country Club has become a renowned course and had the honor of welcoming important guests from all over the world, including leading golfers, celebrities, royal families, prime ministers and presidents. The course was so well-responded by golfers from around the world that Dr.Phornthep Phornprapha decided to construct a new golf course with 27 holes and named it as “PLANTATION”. The previous 18-hole course was then renamed as “OLD COURSE”. Although there are currently 3 courses within the premise, totaling 63 holes, the Old Course remains very popular among golfers. The Old Course was originally designed by I.Izumi before it was closed for the first renovation in 2006.

The course in the hills with 18 holes, 72 pars and 7,162 yards was later re-designed by Lee Schmidt and Martin Moore from Schmidt-Curley Design, Inc. to be an international standardized course.

It is noted that an outstanding feature of the Old Course is its location on the mountain slopes. Golfers walk by 45-year-old trees, standing along a pond with red cogon grass and green grass mixed. Besides, there is a big water fountain at the 8th hole. The highlight, however, is the course’s Signature Hole the 9th hole. It is a 422-yard, par 4 hole in which golfers can have a view of Phra Sangkajai, the god of wealth and fortune, sitting on the top of the mountain. The grass used on the fairway is the Seashore Paspalum while the Bermuda Novotek is used on the putting greens.

After its renovation in 2007, the Old Course was chosen to be a venue of several important golf tournaments.

In 2007, the course was the venue of Honda LPGA Thailand 2007 tournament while in 2009, the Plantation course was chosen for the event. However, due to its charm, the Old Course was once again chosen for Honda-PTT LPGA Thailand 2010 tournament and subsequently Honda LPGA Thailand 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 tournaments.

Lady golfers who won Honda LPGA titles at Siam Country Club OLD COURSE include: 2007 Suzann Pettersen Norway 2010 Ai Miyazato Japan (Honda-PTT LPGA) 2011-2012 Yani Tseng Taiwan 2013 Inbee Park South Korea 2014 Anna Nordqvist Sweden Other famous female golfers who showed-off their swings at this course include Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie, Annika Sorestam, Hee Young Park, Pornanong (Waen) Phetlum, and Areeya (May) Jutanukul.

Suzann Pettersen, 2007

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For more information, please contact Tel: 038 909 700 and E-mail: rsvn@siamcountryclub.com

Inbee Park, 2013

Yani Tseng, 2011-2012

Ai Miyazato, 2010

Anna Nordqvist, 2014

Siam Country Club Pattaya PLANTATION: Panoramic View With an investment of this outstanding golf course features 27 holes and Par 36 for each nine hole, averaging 7,600 for each 18 hole. The Siam Country Club Pattaya Plantation as it was originally a plantation each round (of 9 holes) is named after the produces grown in the area - sugarcane, pineapple and tapioca.

The Plantation course is located on a rolling hill slope. It boasts a panoramic view of Pattaya beach, Jomtien beach, Pattaya Park Tower, Khao Chi Chan, Three Kingdom Park etc. One of the main objectives when designing the course was to maintain the original scenery and streams. As a result, even the grass and the trees set along the fairway were specifically chosen to blend in the original habitat, such as Brazilian nut tree, Red cogon grass, Love grass, and Vetiver Grass.

The Bermuda Novotex grass is used for the putting greens because of its ability to withstand Thailand’s climate, and to resist diseases and insects. In addition, the Bermuda Novotex grass can be cut short, making putting more fun and challenging for golfers. As for the fairway, tee-off, and other remaining areas, Seashore Paspalum grass stands for its green, thick and tall characteristics. Overall, apart from the challenging wind during the day, the course fascinates golfers with its slope-like greens and incomparable scenery.

The clubhouse was designed by Smith Obayawat of the Office of Bangkok Architect Co., Ltd. with an emphasis on luxury, elegance, and uniqueness. The external architecture symbolizes a bird’s wings, delicately designed to agree with nature. The clubhouse is fully equipped with amenities, such as Pro shop, spacious locker rooms and modern banquet hall.

In term of dining area, it is divided into air-conditioned zone and outdoor zone, where guests can appreciate fresh air. Particularly from the front of the clubhouse, guests can enjoy clear view of the golf course where 3 putting greens connect to each other across 3,000 square meters of land. This so-called “Triple Green”, the course’s Signature Hole is the only place in Thailand and Asia where golfers can appreciate such unique design.

In 2009, the Plantation course was chosen to host Honda LPGA Thailand tournament in which Mexican golfer, Lorena Ochoa, was the title champion.

For more information, please contact Tel: 038 909 700 and E-mail: rsvn@siamcountryclub.com Golf Vacations

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Siam Country Club Pattaya WATERSidE: Fun Golf Course The course was developed to accommodate business growth in the East, such as in Chonburi, Rayong and nearby provinces. There are a large number of foreigners who work in the area. Thus, the name of “Siam Country Club” is well known around the world.

Having been chosen as the venue for Honda LPGA Thailand from 2007-2014, Siam Country Club became very popular among international golfers. Each year, over 100,000 golfers visit the course (especially during the weekends) resulting in an expansion to the third professional golf course under the name of “Siam Country Club WATERSidE”.

The 18-hole course is 7,454 yards long. The course was designed by iMG design inc. and constructed by Golf East. The sports club was constructed by Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co., Ltd. The concept of Siam Country Club WATERSidE as “Fun Golf Course” is different from the other two courses. The “Fun Course” is emphasized more on water, beautiful view and shady atmosphere around the reservoir.

The course was designed to be proportionate with the size of the land bigger putting greens and more challenging fairways, such as more slopes, more water, and long and narrow fairways parallel to the water. These obstacles definitely bring fun and excitement into the game.

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The Signature Hole of this course is the 8th which is a par 5 hole, 618 yards long, and is unique in its decade-old trees by the side of the green. Waterside also has the first ever putting course in Asia Pacific on a 2,500 sqm. putting course.

The clubhouse was designed with the use of natural materials, such as stones and wood slats which allow the clubhouse to better fit in with the environment. The clubhouse is fully equipped with amenities, and guests can enjoy a 180 degree view of the mountains, lake, and brook from the balcony. The service is comparable to that of a 5-star hotel – a Pro shop that sells leading golf equipment, locker rooms that are spacious, restaurant that serves a variety of food for Thai and international guests, and a call center that is convenient for tee-off reservations. Plus, a hotel is to be built at this location in the future.

For more information, please contact Tel: 038 909 700 and E-mail: rsvn@siamcountryclub.com

All 3 courses within Siam Country Club Pattaya – Old Course, Plantation and Waterside – have become landmarks of Thailand and Asia.

They have drawn golfers from all over the world.

Pattaya would become the “golf lovers’ paradise” and Thailand, as the host of international golf tournaments, has increased young people’s interest to join the world of golf.

The great success stems from the visionary leader who has the policy to develop the land for the ultimate benefits of the community and truly sees the potential of Siam Country Club.

The course’s management and people in the community have successfully worked together to develop and bring prosperity to this land.

SIAM CO U NT R Y CLU B at

SIAM COUNTRY

In the year 2012, it was marked as the 60th anniversary of Siam Motors Co., Ltd. The company used this auspicious occasion to make changes to Siam Country Club area. The changes made were in line with the 2 courses and a construction of a new one. The Thaworn-Usa Phornprapha Foundation has continuously provided their full support to the public, such as building schools, libraries, multifunctional buildings and religious sites so as to develop the community into ecotourism destinations as well as to create a positive image for Pattaya and Chonburi as tourist spots.

Tourists and golfers are welcome to visit the places within the Siam Country Club premises at any time.

Dr.Thaworn Phornprapha Hall of Fame Hall of Fame is a modern Thai building located at the entrance of Siam Country Club. It is divided into 2 parts : a library and a museum. Here, people can search for various information including bibliography and anecdote of Dr.Thaworn Phornprapha - when his family migrated from China, selfmade man, and the time he operated the Nissan automobile business, Yamaha musical instruments, Komatsu construction machine, Daikin air-conditioners, GS Battery, Hitachi Elevator, JCB backhoe loaders, Mahle, Valeo, Bosch and Nittan Valve. Outside the building is a museum of Datsun-Nissan automobile. The visitors can witness the evolution of Datsun-Nissan automobiles, since its pioneer in Thailand until the present models. The building also comprises of a seminar room for 60 persons, banquet hall for 80 persons and an outdoor amphitheater for 200 guests.

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Church of the Assumption Pattaya Church of the Assumption Pattaya was built from the inspiration of Dr. Phornthep Phornprapha, President of Siam Motors Group, who believed that there should be a church where people can gather together for religious activities. The construction of the church was supported by the Thaworn-Usa Phornprapha Foundation, Siam Motors Co., Ltd., and Chatree Sophonpanich, Chairman of Bangkok Bank Plc. The all-white church was designed by Thanawat Chaiwutikornwanich on a 21-rai land in the concept of Modern Building with Abstract Thai and Relative with the Environment. The church can house more than 200 people.

When you get inside the church, outdoor view can be seen through the clear glass behind the lectern. People can see a big trees and a crucifix through this glass. The walls were designed to be high enough to block direct sunlight, as well as to maintain silence during the service.

Church of the Assumption Pattaya is located in the Thaworn-Usa Thanee parkland area, and near Dr. Thaworn Phornprapha Hall of Fame, Moo 9 Pong Banglamung district Chonburi province.

The time schedule for Mass is every Sunday (9.30 am. Thai Mass and 11.00 am. English Mass). For more information, please call 038-716-401, 081-782-4325.

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Phornprapha Meditation Hall (Boonthaworn) Phornprapha Meditation Hall (Boonthaworn) is located near the Old Course. The entrance has a modern look in which when visitors go 200 meters up the hill, they will see a panoramic view of the 3 golf courses and the city of Pattaya. Inside the pavilion is where the Subduing Mara Buddha image and the White Jade Buddha are placed. The White Jade Buddha is carved from white marble and is from Myanmar. At the top of the hill is Chinese Buddha, a golden image of a portly monk who is placed facing the west towards the Phornprapha-nimit road. Numerous golfers and people visit the temple to pay their respects to Phra Sangkajai.

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Phornprapha Nimit Movable Throne The design of Phornprapha Nimit Movable Throne is influenced by the Rattanakosin period. The construction was financially supported by Siam Motors Group as a place for Luang Por Dum of Khao Pho Thong Temple. It is believed that this temple will become a sacred tourist destination, and a place where local and international tourists can turn to for spiritual gatherings.

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Sala Phornprapha A number of open pavilions, such as Sala Katanyoo, Sala Ruampaiboon, Sala Ruamtookporn and Sala Sermtrakoon, were built to house the family members of Dr.Thaworn Phornprapha who passed away.

The interior of the pavilion is designed to look spacious and allows the wind to pass through.

Each pavilion is surrounded by large trees and plants that have been designed to look like a herd of elephants. From the pavilion, there is a view of “Dragon Lake� presenting the dragon and the bird flying above the water.

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Siam Motors Train Station Across from the Hall of Fame, tourists will see a statue of the founder in front of a station which was renovated into a garden of old trains and planes. The trains were old trains that could no longer be used in 1988. In 2012, which marked the 60th anniversary of Siam Motors Co., Ltd., modifications were made to the front area of Siam Country Club while the trains – some as old as 100 years – were restored to look as close as their original state. The train garden was then renamed the “Siam Motors Train Station” – the first place in Pattaya to serve as a source of information to educate the public about the history of the Railway of Thailand. There is also an "airplane garden" that features a big Avro airplane which has been fully renovated.

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Phornprapha Botanic Phornprapha Botanic was built with the vision and the inspiration to transform worn-out land into one that emphasizes the beauty of nature. 45 years later, the same land is shaded by a variety of fullgrown trees. In order to bring more color into the picture, a variety of flowers are currently being introduced. The garden has become both an educational tourist spot for visitors to learn about nature, and a leisure spot for people to spend time with family and friends and to take photos. This is another form of giving back to the society.

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Auto-TU Workshop Building (Siam Motors Group)

Automotive Engineering Program (English Program) Thammasat University Siam Motors Group joined forces with Thammasat University to initiate Automotive Engineering Program (English Program) or Auto TU at Thammasat University, Pattaya Campus. Siam Motors Group donated for the construction of workshop building on the area of 3,000 sq.m., The Group also supported scholarships for students in order to be the center to develop competent personnel for automotive engineering in Thailand. At the same time, it aims to develop the education of automotive engineering in Thailand to be able to produce quality automotive engineers to serve the needs of the industry and the upcoming AEC. Meanwhile, Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited supported the construction of student dormitory.

Auto-TU Dormitory (Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited)

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SIAM CO UNTRY C LUB at

SIAM COUNTRY

Legacy goes on

Dr. Phornthep Phornprapha

Siam Country Club at Siam Country is the business empire of the Phornprapha family. Located in Banglamung district, Chonburi province, this plot of land used to be a plantation of sugarcane, pineapple and tapioca. Today, it has been developed into a precious land and has been frequently visited by both domestic and international tourists. With its beautiful nature and environment, it is believed that, in the near future, this area will be the “Green City” near Bangkok.

More importantly, this land has been a center for education and international sporting venue that places great emphasis on the development of various sectors including automotive engineering, golf, religion, public health and Thai automotive history through its Siam Country Club, Dr.Thaworn Phornprapha Hall of Fame, Church of the Assumption Pattaya, Phornprapha Botanic, Airplane Garden, Siam Motors Train Station, etc. In addition, there is Siam@Siam Design Hotel Pattaya to serve both Thai and international tourists.

I take great pride in the fact that Siam Country Club has been selected as a venue for Honda-LPGA THAILAND from 2007-2014. The opportunity to host LPGA events has brought along world-class lady golfers where they act like golf ambassadors allowing the event to be broadcasted worldwide, exciting local and foreign golfers. All the media attention in reporting these events live does not only help promote tourism and investment but also the credibility of Thailand. I would like to thank LPGA, Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Channel 7, IMG and other supporters as well as Ms.Surang Prempree and Mr.Pisanu Nilklad for trusting in our golf course.

Today, I have a dream to develop this land into a onestop sports and recreation center. In particular, I have a plan to organize “Triathlon”, a sport event that comprises swimming, running and cycling, here. I also plan to build hotel, Music Camp Organic Farm, Wonder Fruit Festival and housing estate which will provide considerable job opportunities and generate income for the surrounding community.

In 2016, or only 4 years from now, golf will be played at the Olympics for the first time in 112 years at Rio Games in Brazil which indicates that more people are interested in this kind of sport. Meanwhile, I am confident that Pattaya will be a new Golf Landmark in Asia thanks to its wide variety of venues and facilities that serve the continuous growth of the industrial sector including various industrial estates in Rayong and Chonburi such as Eastern Seaboard, Map Ta Phut, Amata City and Laem Chabang, as well as Central Plaza Rayong, hotels, Suvarnabhumi Airport, U-Tapao Airport and Motor Way. Above all, Siam Country Club at Siam Country is truly the Gem of the East, one of a kind in Asia and paradise for all golf lovers and it is destined to be widely known both domestically and internationally.

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Legends

Harry Vardon

Part of golf ’s great triumvirate in the early 20th century, Harry Vardon is also credited for a golf grip named after him.

© Bettmann/CORBIS

- By Tony SmarT

There’s a scene at the beginning of the Hollywood movie ‘The Greatest Game Ever Played’

where a group of thugs evict a poor family, including a young boy, from their small cottage in Jersey in the Channel Islands.

It’s the late 1870s and the cottage and land around it is needed to build the Royal Jersey golf course so the local toffs can try out this wonderful new game.

During the course of the movie we discover that the young boy evicted from his home at the beginning of the movie was Vardon and, whether or not this scene is apocryphal, it is a fact that Vardon did grow up in poverty in Jersey. And it’s also a fact that, although he was the best golfer in the world at that time, he had to battle all his life against the class boundaries that excluded him from gentlemanly English society.

Born on 9th May 1870 in Grouville, Jersey, Vardon was soon attracted to golf by watching the golfers and experimenting with their game using sticks and marbles.

Later he found golf an excellent means of earning money as a caddie. Together with younger brother Tom, they became interested in playing golf and both showed a genuine gift for the game. However, Vardon’s father did not approve and he had to follow the elder into gardening work.

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Vardon has been called “Father of the modern golf swing�, and he was the first to make a science of the swing, working out mechanics that everyone could understand and try to emulate.

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Opening page: Harry Vardon at Fox Hills Golf Club in 1920; ON

OPPOSITE PAGE: 1,000 Guineas Golf At Gleneagles. L To R- Harry Vardon, Ted Ray, James Braid, and J.H. Taylor

As luck, or fate, would have it, the young Vardon’s first job was for a retired Army officer who was a golf fanatic and he gave Vardon his first set of proper golf clubs. Not long after this, in his early 20s, Vardon followed his brother into professional golf, becoming club professional at Ganton Golf Club in Yorkshire, England.

He quickly developed a demanding practice program - the most ambitious seen to that time - driven to become the very best of professional golfers, and his hard work soon produced results.

In 1896, Vardon won the first of his six Open championships (a record to this day), defeating defending champion J. H. Taylor by four strokes in a 36-hole playoff at Muirfield. He won the Open again in 1898 at Prestwick, and successfully defended his title the following year at Royal St. George’s.

By now, Vardon was known throughout as the best player in the world. In 1900, he was invited to the United States for an extensive tour meant to promote interest in what was still a very new game, while at the same time publicising a new golf ball named after him, the Vardon Flyer, made by the A.G. Spalding Company. During this tour, he played in the US Open for the first time at Chicago Golf Club and became the first British golfer to win it, albeit his only one.

During this time, Vardon was known for his accuracy.

Indeed it was said of him, only half-jokingly, that if he played the same course twice in a day, in the afternoon he’d be playing out of his morning divots. He also hit the ball with considerable power and it was this quality that the Americans most admired.

In a book he wrote about his first trip to America, he said: “At that period, the Americans were not sufficiently advanced [in golf] to appreciate the finer points of the game. They did, however, appear to thoroughly enjoy the type of ball I drove. I hit it high for carry, which resembled a home run.”

The 1900 US tour has been credited with creating the first significant interest in golf in the US and it lasted most of the year apart from a break to return to St Andrews to defend his Open title, which he finished second. In America, Vardon travelled over 20,000 miles going as far west as Chicago and touring extensively throughout the southeastern states. At each stop, he played the best ball of the two best players in town, or a top professional in a singles contest. He lost only 13 out of 65 best-ball matches and only one of over 15 singles.

On his return to Great Britain, Vardon continued his winning ways and became part of the Great Triumvirate that dominated golf from until the First World War, alongside J.H. Taylor of England and James Braid of Scotland, who both won five Open Championships during that time. Vardon won his fourth and fifth Opens at Prestwick, again, in 1903 and at Royal St George’s, again, in 1911.

Then, in 1913, he embarked on another exhibition tour of the US, this time in partnership with fellow Jersey professional Ted Ray who had won the 1912 Open and who idolised Vardon. Again, this trip is credited with helping to popularise golf in the US but this time, it was because of their defeat in the US Open to an unlikely amateur named Francis Ouimet, main character of the aforementioned movie.

The next year, Vardon won his final Open Championship and the last one before the war, again at Prestwick which, along with Royal St George’s, were courses he seemed to like very much with five Open titles from both. By the time the war ended, Vardon was 48 and though he did make one more trip to the US Open in 1920 at the Inverness Club and finished second to Ray, he never won another major and, apart from that US Open, never really contended in any big tournaments.

However at the 1920 US Open, there was another fateful collision of sorts as Vardon played the first two rounds with the man set to become the next golfing superstar, an 18-year-old Bobby Jones still three years away from winning the first of his 13 majors. In the first round, Jones topped a simple pitch shot and asked Vardon, “Did you ever see a worse shot in your life?” To which Vardon, always known for his economy with words, answered, simply and honestly, “No.” At the end of his playing career, this incredible golfer had recorded one win and two second places in the three US Opens he played in, and six wins, four second places, two thirds, and eight other top ten finishes in the 30 Opens he contested. And it could have been better but for Vardon’s poor putting. In the 1913 US Open, he missed a 10-foot putt to win the title on the final hole of regulation play, and in 1920 he missed a short putt to force a playoff with Ray. “I think I know as well as anybody how not to do it,” he once said of his putting. However his struggles on the green can be attributed to a life-threatening bout of tuberculosis he suffered in 1903, which caused nerve damage to his right hand.

Vardon has been called “Father of the modern golf swing”, and he was the first to make a science of the swing, working out mechanics that everyone could understand and try to emulate. But he didn’t invent the golf grip named after him, the Vardon grip in which the little finger of the lower hand on the club overlaps the index finger of the opposite hand, though he is certainly responsible for popularising a grip now used by over 90 percent of golfers worldwide.

In his later years, he became a golf course architect designing several courses in Britain including Woodhall Spa, often voted the best inland course in England. He also turned to coaching and writing golf instruction and inspirational books, and was the professional at South Herts Golf Club from 1902 until his death in 1937. After his death, the PGA of America created the Vardon Trophy, awarded annually to the player on the PGA Tour with the year’s lowest scoring average. In 1974, Harry Vardon was chosen as one of the initial group of inductees into the World Golf Hall of Fame. He was golf’s first superstar and one of many unsung heroes who made it possible for ordinary people to play the game.

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The Interview Series

Ken & Tenniel Chu

An exclusive interview with the two most powerful men in Asia golfdom reveals more than just business minds. - BY Da n G r a n n a n

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“He taught us about life and how all-win, not just win-win, is important. Everyone can benefit from your success and passion.

All-win means that not only the enterprise wins, but the colleagues, the employees, the community, the city, and also the nation wins.”

- Ken Chu "Hi! My name is Ken. How’re you doing?”

As a matter of introduction, I arrived at Mission Hills Resort in Haikou for the “The Match at Mission Hills” featuring golf’s most exciting twosome, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, and was having a quick beer when this youthful-looking gentleman came up. We chatted a little about the resort, how it was my first time here, and how big it was when I slowly discover that I was speaking with Ken Chu, chairman of Mission Hills Group.

It was not exactly the kind of introduction I had expected with one of Asia’s most powerful men in golf.

And that’s an official title. A day later, I am sitting down for an exclusive interview with both Ken and his brother Tenniel, who form the other half of the power award.

Like most interviews with important people, you are asked to prepare a list of questions before the main event, which I did. But as it turns out Ken and Tenniel are not merely big shots with padded talking point answers. They are lovers of the game whose passion in talking about golf is evident from the first time you speak with them.

“Ken, this guy worked at PGA National at West Palm Beach!” effuses Tenniel when he found out that I was a professional golfer. The bond was natural and almost immediate as we delve straight into conversation.

“I don’t consider my days to be busy, I look at them as fulfilling,” says Ken Chu. While having Tiger and Rory visiting will make most shake with anxiety, the duo handle it with easy confidence. This boils down to regularly playing host to international events like the Omega Mission Hills World Cup and the World Celebrity Pro-Am Tournament, bringing top golfers, Hollywood stars, and Asia’s famous actors to cavort over 18-holes at Mission Hills.

Formally, Dr. Ken Chu is the Chairman and CEO of Mission Hills Group, while his brother Tenniel is ViceChairman. Quite an amazing accomplishment for anyone, let alone a couple of guys who have yet to reach the age of 40. Ken, who is 39 this year, started with Mission Hills Group in 1995, studied at Western University in Canada where he was given an honorary Doctorate of Law for his contributions to sports and leisure developments and community service in China and Hong Kong.

The younger Tenniel is 37 and joined in 2001 after graduating in Economics from the University of Toronto, Canada. He then studied professional golf management at Humber College and worked for the PGA Tour at TPC Sawgrass, learning important aspects in event organization and golf operations amongst other things.

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Differing characteristics make this duo a force to be reckoned with. The combination of education and real world experiences helped prepare them for the day when they would take over from their father, Dr. David Chu, who started the business back in 1994 with Mission Hills Shenzhen, investing up to US$1.5 billion in the process. Known as the “Father of Golf” in China for his passion and foresight in helping to grow the game, David Chu then led the Mission Hills Group to invest a further US$4.4 billion in 2010 for what was to be his final venture, Mission Hills Haikou. Tragically, he passed away a year later in August 2011 and was not able to fully witness the success that has come of this amazing facility.

To most, this would be a risky venture considering that the Chinese government forbade any future golf development in the country. This stemmed from concerns associated with land grab schemes and pure profiteering.

But Mission Hills forged on, with the blessings of both local and provincial governments. The reason was that the group was not merely looking at property appreciation and sales but more so towards an organic model where the people and environment benefit.

By offering a business proposition to develop an unknown area with difficult build conditions, and yet putting the environment and local folk in mind, the group avoided many of the pitfalls that have plagued golf developments elsewhere in the country. This, as it turns out, is the secret sauce. Mission Hills facilitated the type of golf development that showcased golf in China in a positive light and will be an indelible legacy left by Dr. David Chu. What this translates to is a tough act to follow for the brothers. But since taking over the business from their late father, they have continuously risen to the occasion. Adding world class events like today’s match, for example, helps propel the group’s brand values to an international level. However, that is not the only motivation that keeps them going.

“To me, what I value the most is not the asset he created, the hardware, or the inheritance of wealth, but his 48

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Previous sPread, Main picture: Ken and Tenniel Chu, young, powerful, and full of passion for golf. inseT: Tenniel Chu, rory Mcilroy, Tiger Woods and Ken Chu at the Match.

This Page, FroM LeFT: rory reacting after a shot; Mcilroy loving his new driver. oPPosiTe Page: World number one Tiger Woods playing the crowd in this unique mic-up event.

core values. One of which was being a good father,” reflects Ken, who adds, “he taught us about life and how all-win, not just win-win, is important. Everyone can benefit from your success and passion. All-win means that not only the enterprise wins, but the colleagues, the employees, the community, the city, and also the nation wins.”

Tenniel chips in, “Our father was a visionary, and was known to do what was impossible. Anything he attempted had four key ingredients - Do something that has never been done before; Do it the biggest; Do it the best; And ensure it has a meaningful impact. That is to be our legacy moving forward.”

By harnessing the core values and life lessons passed down from father to sons, the brothers are moving Mission Hills forward and forging their own path. To that end, they have teamed up with Allan Zeman, chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group, to produce the mainland's second Lan Kwai Fong development in an effort to expand shopping, hotels and entertainment available at the Haikou complex by adding an IMAX theater, bowling lanes, a moviethemed city, and some 250 shops and restaurants in an all-out integrated mammoth resort that is so ambitious it will hardly be seen again in the near future.

Ultimately, their focus is on the family. No one is left out. “We don’t endorse the golf widow idea where the guy goes and plays golf with his buddies and leaves the wife and kids home. A problem with many golf clubs in the US is that they are too focused on golf only. We offer golf and then some, so the entire family can enjoy themselves,” chimes Ken. If there was a model that the club follows, it could be Disney. Ken Chu agrees when that idea was brought up. “We are not copying Disney, but we do believe in the values that are associated with that organisation. Essentially it is a vacation destination where you don’t even have to leave the premise and the guest will be able to do almost anything they

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“We are a pioneer and at the forefront of the industry with regards to this important area. We are focusing on implementing such ideas as using local materials during construction, organic pesticides, solar lighting, solar paneled golf carts, lower carbon emissions for better air quality, ecological impacts, recycling initiatives, composting, and bio-diversity initiatives.” - Tenniel Chu want there. In order to keep growing the game, you have to offer people what they want, even if it isn’t golf. By providing a place where the family can come as a whole, you encourage families to stay together and, maybe even play together,” he explains.

An important aspect that aides the cause is promoting junior golf. Earlier today, Tiger and Rory took on this year’s top amateur at the US Masters, the 14-year-old Guan Tianlang, at a skills challenge after the junior clinic with members of China’s junior national team also gleaning practical lessons from both. Add to that the ‘Faldo Series Asia Final’ and ‘Annika Invitational’, and you get a range of events that make up a fine calendar for world-beaters of tomorrow.

On the more practical side, Mission Hills is the only golf facility in the world offering two of their courses free of charge, year round, to juniors under the age of 16. This dedication toward an aspect of the industry that generally makes no money would make most people think they are foolish. But they disagree.

Tenniel explains, “A lot of people ask what is it for? It is not profitable, but for us it is about investing and committing to social responsibility and growing the game.” McIlroy would later agree saying after the junior clinic, “To make golf more accessible, especially in a country like China where it’s seen as a rich man’s game, is phenomenal.”

Echoing the Northern Irishman’s thoughts, the brothers are devoted to showcasing Mission Hills Haikou as a destination for all and sundry, and one that is environmentally sustainable. When selected as Asia golf’s most important people, they are scored on a multitude of categories with one being environmental sustainability.

Tenniel sheds some light on what they are doing, “We are a pioneer and at the forefront of the industry with regards to this important area. We are focusing on implementing such ideas as using local materials during construction, organic pesticides, solar lighting, solar paneled golf carts, lower carbon emissions for better air quality, ecological impacts, recycling initiatives, composting, and bio-diversity initiatives.”

By undertaking these ideas, the brothers hope that Mission Hills is illustrating to developers and golf course owners how one can incorporate greener management practices into everyday functions.

clockwise FRoM ToP: The Match presentation ceremony; Tiger woods attends Halloween at Mission Hills with a dressed up Tenniel chu; The Power Trio - Tenniel chu, Allan Zeman and ken chu hamming it up at the post-event Halloween party at Mission Hills Haikou.

Ken adds, “My philosophy is a three P theory.

First, you need to be ‘Profitable’, otherwise you are a liability to the asset and all your colleagues.

The second P is ‘People’. You need to be able to grow together, win the people’s hearts. The third P is ‘Planning’. You have to preserve. This model is designed toward a green environment and green economy. The whole world is looking at China’s CO2 emissions and the issues it creates. We are so proud that we are the city’s largest carbon off-setter.

We are the green lungs of the city. We are creating a green economy and sustainable development.”

Just like their late father, they want to make sure they are making a meaningful impact by doing something that has not been done before. “Mission Hills Haikou has become the white paper of golf development for China. It is one of the first tourist destinations that have been named as a sustainable development. We have become the model of future golf development in China,” says Ken. As the interview winds down and the day draws to a close, Ken and Tenniel continue to weave their magical charm as they move through the crowd, chatting, making sure everyone they meet has a fulfilling experience here. A small, yet poignant reminder of the brothers’ commitment to the cause is seen everywhere you turn, whether it be a cleaning lady or front desk staff, as he or she carries a smile whenever someone walks past, and makes eye contact wishing, “Ni Hao” (How are you), as though welcoming you into their very homes.

At the core, Ken and Tenniel Chu are just two people who love golf. They love the history, its values, and how it brings people together. Their father had a major impact in their lives and it shows.

His legacy lives on through them but does not stop there. They are making their own story. They are pushing the envelope to do bigger and better things and constantly creating, all while focusing on the essential element of ‘all-win’. Everyone will benefit from their success but more important than all that, the one thing that means more to them than anything, is that their dad would have been proud.

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The 19th

GREY GOOSE

World Par 3 Championship

Armed with killer short games, 160 odd participants from 15 countries arrived in one of the most beautiful islands in the world for the trip of their lives.

- By P E T E R R O BI N S O N

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Just when you think you have Bermuda straight in your mind, an actual visit

turns your mental image on its head. Bermudians do things their own way. It starts with the shorts. Pictures of oddly attired gentlemen - proper business clothes from the waist up, short trousers below – come to mind. Preconceived notions are soon overidden as you’re overwhelmed after you exit the airport by what lies before you.

“It was my first time out there,” said Mark Mouland, recent winner of the Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship at Turtle Hill Golf Club, March 28-30, 2014. “It was just beautiful. Everything, really. I didn’t know what to expect and what I got was a little bit of England, a little bit of the U.S., a little bit of the tropics, wonderful people and just a beautiful setting.”

As Mouland suggests, Bermuda puts you on your back foot mentally when you first get there (and on the golf course but more on that in a minute). The subtle confusion is all part of the charm. There is also significant confusion just where Bermuda is located.

It’s tiny – about 53 square km – a speck in the Atlantic Ocean. If you have your head titled the wrong way on approach from the air, you may not even see land until you touch down.

Bermuda is not a Caribbean country despite the tendency by certain outsiders to label it as such. In fact, Bermuda is further away from the Caribbean than large swathes of the U.S. and is actually closer to the Canadian city of Halifax than it is to Miami.

The continental U.S. is two hours flying time away and it’s seven hours to the U.K (roughly the same distance as New York to London). As those coordinates suggest and as Mouland pointed out, Bermuda is neither American nor British, even if strictly speaking it is still a colony.

THIS PAGE, CloCkwISE from ToP lEfT: Turtle Hill Golf Club; mark mouland, winner at this year's championship.

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rIGHT PAGE, CloCkwISE from ToP lEfT: Participants at the Par 3 event, Grey Goose, sponsor of the world Par 3 championship.

Bermudians seem to enjoy their close connection to both solitudes while still being quite different. The uniqueness of its location has bred many different quirks in the island way of living, helped along nicely by its physical beauty. Put simply, Bermuda is gorgeous. Like a pretty girl comfortable in her own skin, she knows full well that onlookers won’t be able to shake their gaze once they set their eyes upon her.

Golf has been part of the allure for more than a century. And just like that hard-toget-girl, Bermudian courses all have one hallmark in that they make 5,500 yards play more like 7,000. The recent participants in the Grey Goose Par 3 World Championship found this out the hard way.

“It’s tricky,” said Danny King, a Canadian who is one of his country’s best club professionals. “First it’s the wind, [Turtle Hill] is designed to play into the prevailing wind. On your first hole you may have 105 yards and you have to use fiveiron. You’re forced to be creative.”

Evidently, Mouland was the most creative of the 152-strong professional field culled from 14 different countries. He won by a single shot over two of Bermuda’s best players, Michael Sims and Camiko Smith.

The World Par 3 Championship has been going for five years with Grey Goose coming on-board as sponsor last year, part of an effort to continue to grow the purse that currently sits at $75,000, of which Mouland picked up a tidy $20,000 for winning.

In addition, the PGA of Canada was installed to run this year’s event in an effort to capitalize on that organization’s history at conducting tournaments with large, international fields.

“We want to make the Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship world-class and felt we needed to bring in the PGA of Canada to execute the various aspects of the event from start to finish,” says Turtle Hill Golf Club’s Director of Golf Anthony Mocklow, in a release at the outset of the tournament. “It [made] a lot of sense to have them partner with us and take the Grey Goose World Par 3 Championship to the next level.”

Part of Mocklow’s vision is to have regional feeder competitions around the world, taking advantage of the desire for some golfers to play shorter set-ups. To that end, Mocklow and his team on-site and the PGA of Canada officials who conduct it are in the midst of determining the qualifying format for both professionals and amateurs for 2015.

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“Great golf but also great beaches, water sports, sailing, hiking. And the people are so welcoming and friendly. I loved Bermuda.”

While traditionalists may scoff at a tournament that does not require hitting a driver on every other hole, those who have played here came away impressed with the par-54 set-up and its treacherous North Atlantic wind, particularly on the second of two days of competition.

“This is not a pitch and putt” said Mouland, who turned 53 shortly after winning. “You have many variations to [contend with] many downhill and uphill shots and nothing is straight forward. I used rescue clubs a lot out there.”

The World Par 3 Championship is part of the country’s efforts to attract golfers beyond the traditional tourist crowd that tee it up while on holiday. Bermuda’s small size – population about 65,000 –precludes it from holding conventional sporting events of a truly international stature. But there are other ways to attract elite golfers and the Grey Goose event is one of three significant golf tournaments held annually on the island.

The Grand Slam of Golf is held at Port Royal every October and the Bermuda Open is also held there the week before the Grey Goose event. Many of the professionals who travelled there last March played in both events. The Grand Slam attracts the four major winners from that year’s PGA Tour schedule on the spectacularly revamped Port Royal layout. Interestingly, Tiger Woods has only been eligible to play once in Bermuda, by virtue of his 2008 U.S. Open win (to date his last major championship) but declined the invite because he was still recovering from surgery.

The Bermuda Open attracts a field more in line with the Grey Goose - touring professionals who have yet to find a permanent home on the PGA or European Tours, or who are looking for a professional tune-up in preparation to attempt to return to those circuits. For instance, while most may not be familiar with this year’s winner, Mouland is also a member of the U.S. Champions Tour. In addition, former European Ryder Cup players Ronan Rafferty, Barry Lane and Gordon Brand Jr. were in the field, as was Ian Leggatt, a former winner on the PGA Tour who now works as golf director at a high-end club in Canada.

“To be top against a field like that was fantastic, for sure,” said Mouland, whose winning score was 1-under 107, attesting to the difficulty of making par here at Turtle Hill.

The lifeblood of the Par 3 tournament is for a critical mass of golfers to embrace the abbreviated format. And that is what attracts many to Bermuda, both professional and amateur, player and fans. “I loved the format,” said Lindsey Edmunds, a female participant and former member of the U.S. Symetra Tour (the LPGA’s development circuit). “For me it was great, despite the wind it was actually the greens where I struggled most – I don’t usually have that trouble.”

OPPOSITE PAGE: The magnificent landscape 1,200ft above sea level.

TOP PICTURE: Design team breaking ground on construction site; In 2016, when work is completed, Dalat@1200 will look wonderful.

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Edmunds finished middle-of-the-pack in 51st spot, a single stroke out of earning a cheque, 17 strokes behind Mouland. The fact that a woman could be so competitive against the men is notable for that reason alone but Edmunds put it down to the format.

“Playing par 3, you don’t have to worry about being on the par 5s where length is such a big advantage. Basically, it’s [no advantage] to hit it past [your opponent] so for me that was a real equalizer,” she explained.

Given the experience and perspective she now sees as a territory manager for Nike Golf, Edmunds believes the par-3 format is something that should be given more consideration and respect. “It’s a lot of things,” said Edmunds, when asked what she liked about playing the competition. “It takes less time, you’re still challenged and it’s still fun.” Which is what visiting Bermuda ultimately is.

King pointed out the island attributes beyond the golf. “It seems to have everything,” he said. “Great golf but also great beaches, water sports, sailing, hiking. And the people are so welcoming and friendly.

“I loved Bermuda.”

But if your primary reason to go to Bermuda is to golf, you also have to play Port Royal. Robert Trent Jones Sr.’s first design

outside of the U.S. is even better now after re-opening in 2009.

The refurbishments extended the layout to 6,842 yards at par 71.

The course gives off the feeling that it is bathed in the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean, particularly on the 235-yard 16th, its signature hole, and a par 3 that is considered among the best in the world.

Port Royal is a public course and like Turtle Hill can be played by anyone willing to turn up and pay. Beyond Turtle Hill and Port Royal, Bermuda also is home to Belmont Hill Golf Club, Ocean View Golf Club, Riddell’s Bay and Tucker’s Point Club. All are either fully public or at least accessible for some public play. Most importantly, all are more than worth a go. More exclusive but still somewhat accessible if you ask around is the private Mid Ocean Club, which hosted the first Grand Slam in 2008 while Port Royal was closed for renovations.

Sounds like a lot of golf for a small piece of land? Well, all the better to pack your trusty clubs in and consider romping off for a visit here, particularly around March when you can watch the most awesome display of precision short game in display.

For more information on Bermuda or on the Grey Goose Par 3 World Championship, visit www.bermudatourism.com

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Destination Focus

Nusa Dua, home of luxury hotels and a newly opened championship golf course, now has direct toll access from a new international terminal for even greater ease of travel.

- By Pat r i c e a chow-caPodieci

New Life at

Nusa Dua The Indonesian island of Bali is internationally regarded as a tourist destination. Its verdant rice fields, rich local culture, and indulgent spa retreats are an invitation to relax, get closer to nature, and forget about the hustle and bustle of life. Among its many sprawling districts that range from pristine beaches to lush mountains, Nusa Dua has long been known as a secluded paradise for travellers wanting a slice of heaven on their own.

Located on the south peninsula some 40 kilometres from Denpasar, the provincial capital of Bali as well as the location of its international airport, Nusa Dua is sidled along the east side of the peninsula, and the Kawasan Pariwisata, a purpose-built tourist enclave known for posh accommodations, long stretches of white sand beaches, and scenic views.

Five-star resorts including the Grand Hyatt Bali, the St. Regis Resort Bali, and the Sofitel Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa are but a few of the international and boutique names that pepper this stretch, which are also built to host small meetings of 12 attendees, up to large events for 1,500 persons.

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RIGHT PAGE: Bali National Golf Club - Green#6.

THIs PAGE FROM TOP: Aerial view of Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Resort; Main living room area at Grand Nikko Bali.

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Previously, seclusion also means that it takes a while to get there. This was because Nusa Dua was accessible via only one road, the Bypass Ngurah Rai, which connected Bali’s south peninsula to the rest of the island. This meant heavy traffic both ways, resulting in daily congestion. A journey to or from the airport that should take no more than 30 minutes could sometimes take more than twice that time, and even more.

Lately, however, that changed with the arrival of the island’s only toll road, Jalan Toll Bali Mandara, in September 2013. Built over the Gulf of Benoa, a stretch of the toll road now connects the island’s Ngurah Rai International Airport directly to Nusa Dua. As there is no congestion, the journey takes only around 5 minutes, and offers a scenic view of the gulf. From the airport to Nusa Dua now, the total journey varies between 15 to 20 minutes each way.

Also taking into consideration the new international terminal of the airport that opened last November, faster processing times for Visas on Arrival, improved baggage handling, and smoother immigration and customs clearance, the time spent on the visitor arrival process is now halved from almost an hour that it took at the old terminal.

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THIs PAGE FROM TOP: Nusa Dua map; Grand Hyatt Bali aerial view.

RIGHT PAGE CLOCKWIsE FROM TOP LEFT: The Remede spa, relaxation gazebo at st Regis Resort Bali; Fine dining at st Regis Resort Bali; swimming pool at Grand Hyatt Bali.

Old Location, New Tees This unique situation ensures that the arrival of the island’s latest golf offering, the Bali National Golf Club (BNGC), is certain to pick up visitor interest very quickly. Located right in the thick of things is one of Nusa Dua’s most notable attractions for golf enthusiasts. The former Bali Golf & Country Club that opened in 1991, it has recently gone through an ownership change, along with structural renovation that looks to propel what had already been named one of ‘Asia’s 5 Best Golf Courses’ by Fortune magazine, to even greater heights.

Beginning from early 2012, Nelson, Haworth Golf Course Associates began planting the seeds, literally and figuratively, to this exciting new tract. When it reopened as the Bali National Golf Club this January, the new landscaping provides golfers with two distinct scenic experiences with lush tropical foliage on the front nine, while the back holes feature coconut groves and sand bunkers. A scenic backdrop comprising Bali’s Gunung Agung volcano, and the Indian Ocean frames this sprawling tract wherever one goes.

At 7,166 yards (almost 300 yards longer than before), it is a lock for a true championship test with new greens on all 18-holes, a new driving range, and a new clubhouse with an elegant meeting room and lounge facilities. At first, the course looks difficult, but is actually manageable once one gets around the many beautifully carved bunkers and water features.

Starting from the hole one, mature trees are set between fairways and rough and share the stage with a backdrop of spectacular ocean views, which then transform to that of the magnificent Gunung Agung by the time one arrives at the 4th green. While mostly flat, the course does elevate from there and at the 7th tee, the high ocean view makes driving this long par 5 (620 yards from the championship tees) an experience to regale.

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“As there is no congestion, the journey takes only around 5 minutes, and offers a scenic view of the gulf. From the airport to Nusa Dua now, the total journey varies between 15 to 20 minutes each way.�

At Hole 8, a gargantuan drive is needed to traverse a jungle ravine before arriving at the left sloping fairway of this challenging par 4. Finally, the halfway finish beckons with a generous fairway but with a babbling brook on the right side all the way to an elevated green, club and shot selection plays a premium here.

Thereafter, driving the buggy towards the back nine unveils a totally different landscape of rolling coconut groves with strategically located lakes to test the nerve and skill of golfers, starting on holes 11 and 12. A plethora of well-placed bunkers are to be navigated on the par 5, 13th before arriving at the nestled down green. Following two gentle par 4’s, the finishing holes consists of both length and accuracy tests.

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Hole 16, a par 5 carved from amongst high dunes, with the wind billowing against is set to make all 534 yards of it longer than it is. A dogleg left layout also means that better players need to accurately draw their second shot for a good chance to approach with a short wedge.

Among the many interesting holes that the Bali National churns out, the biggest test of nerve comes at the signature par 3, 17th hole, which, with its island green, requires a precise tee shot to safely navigate. And finally, the 18th, a 400-yard dogleg left hole that is draped by a lake all the way down the left side of the fairway, brings one to a greensite directly in front of an elevated clubhouse terrace, where many others who have completed their round will be watching those that come after them.

Apart from a world-class golf course, Bali National also boasts of a golf academy operated by Ancora Golf Institute, one of three golf academies owned by Ancora Sports and managed by the Professional Golfers Association of Australia, where visitors can engage the services of its professionals for game saving tips or simply to enjoy a round of golf with.

Headed by Australian PGA instructor Robert Wayne Turvey who had been with the site since 2009, he had successfully led the DKI Jakarta provincial golf team as head coach to a seven gold medal haul at Pekan Olahraga Nasional or PON National Games 2012, held in Riau. With earned accolades and experience, Turvey has set about a junior golf program as well as training program for adults in this unique driving range featuring multiple greensites and pin positions that vary from week to week.

“Players can really test and practice their ability to fire at tricky pins or to monitor their ability to land on the green,” says Turvey, adding, “This driving range is definitely set up as one of the best iron play practice facilities in the country.”

Back inside and at the proshop, there is plenty of Bali National-logoed paraphernalia and rentals of right and left hand PING and Titleist golf clubs as well as Footjoy golf shoes for both genders. While truly a leisure engagement, there is no denying that there are some who never fully switch off from their business.

Bali National caters to this aspect with a board meeting room fitted with state-of-the-art audio and visual equipment and a VIP lounge with amenities for private catering and a private restroom. A complimentary shuttle service between the course and hotels in Nusa Dua, Tanjung Benoa, Sawangan, and Jimbaran is also available by arrangement at the clubhouse reception.

LEFT PAGE: The Expansive Lagoons at The Laguna Resort.

THIs PAGE CLOCKWIsE FROM TOP LEFT: Bale Bengong at Laguna Bali Resort & spa; Arwana - Bar at The Laguna Resort & spa; The Laguna Pool Villa.

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“When it reopened as the Bali National Golf Club this January, the new landscaping provides golfers with two distinct scenic experiences with lush tropical foliage on the front nine, while the back holes feature coconut groves and sand bunkers. A scenic backdrop comprising Bali’s Gunung Agung volcano, and the Indian Ocean frames this sprawling tract wherever one goes.”

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LEFT PAGE FROM TOP: Bali National Golf Club Hole #17 (island green); Bali National Golf Club.

TOP PIGTUREs: Lagoon Pool, Lobby & Beach Dinner at Courtyard Marriott.

BOTTOM PICTUREs CLOCKWIsE FROM LEFT: Executive lounge's reception area at sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort; swimming pool & luxury room with plunge pool at sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort.

To ensure that high service standards are maintained throughout the course and property, Bali National has limited the number of memberships to only 100, with prices starting from US$60,000 and categories in Individual, Family, and Corporate.

The club’s director of sales and marketing Cahaya Oktora says, “The BNGC membership is exclusive. It is a one-time initiation until the year 2039, with an extension until 2069 at no additional fee. All members also receive welcome gifts that include a member’s certificate, an exclusive bag tag, shoe bag, and more. Plus, members enjoy discounted green fees at Senayan National Golf Club.”

Close to the course are hotels and resorts such as the St. Regis Bali Resort, Amanusa villas, and the Courtyard Marriott, all of which offers its very own unique blend of hospitality and services to its guests. And speaking of which, those who are keen on brining in large groups and requiring large convention spaces that complements luxury fittings may want to consider the 20-year old Bali International Convention Centre (BICC) that is located on the property of the Westin Resort Nusa Dua, also within Kawasan Pariwisata.

Providing 2,700 sqm of exhibition space, a 506-seat auditorium, and a 2,700-seat ballroom, the venue has hosted numerous world-class events from the 19th ASEAN Summit in November 2011 to the 13th Forbes Global CEO Conference in September 2013, Miss World 2013, and most recently this February, the Southeast Asian leg of the Samsung Forum 2014.

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“Close to the course are hotels and resorts such as the St. Regis Bali Resort, Amanusa villas, and the Courtyard Marriott, all of which offers its very own unique blend of hospitality and services to its guests.”

CLOCKWIsE FROM TOP LEFT: Bali International Convention Centre - PorteCochere; spa treatment room & Wellness platform at The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali.

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Organically Growing Infrastructure And in anticipation of increased tourist arrivals from the combined new infrastructure of airport terminal, toll road and golf course, a number of high-end hotels in Nusa Dua began refurbishment projects as well.

For example, at the Grand Hyatt Bali, a new Grand Ballroom was opened within the hotel’s lobby with a dedicated Porte Cochére or covered entrance to create a smoother arrival and departure experience.

The Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa refreshed their 382 guestrooms and suites with modern facilities and amenities while retaining its Balinese décor and ambience. The hotel also opened to all guests its Royal Residence, which was previously only available to royalty and highly distinguished guests, complete with the best levels of service.

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A new entrant to the market, The Mulia, which opened in February 2013 and covering 30 hectares along the bay of Nusa Dua, has 111 suites, 526 guestrooms and 108 villas with a Grand Ballroom that can effectively host 1,500 guests. Its 15 conference rooms and eight F&B outlets makes this a remarkably large enterprise in an already mature hospitality estate, further establishing Nusa Dua as a region of growth.

Set within the sprawling luxury resort, The Mulia Spa offers relaxation with 20 treatment rooms, a Wellness Suite by Sweet Spa with hammam tables, aroma steam room with emotional showers, and an ice fountain room with Chromatherapy Chakra cleansing colours that is the first of its kind in the Asia Pacific.

Even the erstwhile mentioned BICC, which has seen the finest events within its halls, refreshed its 26 function rooms and two VIP holding rooms. Its Mangupura Hall, Bali’s only tiered theatre of its kind, is now supplemented with two new F&B outlets called, The Café and The Lounge.

nirwana bali golf club Apart from playing the new Bali National Golf Course, a trip to Nirwana Bali Golf Club completes one of the most exhilarating experiences one can have over 18 holes.

Imagine teeing off with the ocean just beyond the course, its huge waves thundering up against the cliff as a strong wind blows.

Or sink a hole as the sunlight bounces off the vibrant green of the surrounding terraced, traditional farmed rice fields. This is the experience of a golf game at the Nirwana Bali Golf Club.

Designed by Greg Norman, the 18-hole, par-72 course is built atop a sheer cliff facing the Indian Ocean, and spans over 103-hectares. Norman has successfully woven the natural landscape into the layout of the course for a thrilling and scenic experience: there are five holes by the ocean, three cliff-tocliff tee shots, and eight holes fashioned into more than 10-hectares of rice fields.

The course also has a number of strategically positioned creeks, which flow year round, and offering golfers a challenge with getting their shots across them. There is also the par 3 hole 7 facing Bali’s famous Tanah Lot temple, making it the most photographed hole of the course.

While the setting may distract the eye for a moment, it is the game that commands attention at this par 72, 6,308 yards layout. Its exhilarating play has garnered Nirwana Bali Golf Club numerous awards and accolades.

The practice areas here is also world class, with a chipping and bunker area for short game practice, up to 16 bays at the 300-yard driving range, eight target greens, and a 6-hole putting green by the 16th hole. The 2,500 sqm Balinese-styled clubhouse is elevated from the course. From here, one can clearly view the 1st, 5th, and 9th holes.

The Nirwana Bali Golf Club is a member of the renowned IMG Prestige programme. Full members of participating golf clubs are entitled to a range of privileges at all the courses in the programme, including preferred access, special rates, and discounts. Some of the courses include The Vines Resort and Country Club, Australia; Angkor Golf Resort, Cambodia; Suzhou Jinji Lake International Golf Club, China; Clearwater Sanctuary Golf Resort, Malaysia; Laguna National Golf & Country Club, Singapore, and IMG Academy Golf Club, USA.

www.nirwanabaligolf.com

Jalan Raya Tanah Lot, Kediri, Tabanan, 82171, Indonesia Email: golfreservation@panpacific.com Tel : + 62 361 815 960

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The overview of The Mulia, Mulia Resort, Mulia Villas.

With the mounting traffic, Nusa Dua continues to maintain its unique blend of privacy and luxury. There are still no shopping streets, nor are there hawkers or stand-alone restaurants, or even rows of bars and clubs that call out to guests from other parts of the island to come hither. But what they have and can always guarantee is that those who enter its resort-laden estate may feel both at ease with its varied offerings for individuals and groups alike, while at the same time, able to carve out a living experience of their own from the panoply of choices that are available here, undisturbed, and unperturbed, anytime of the year.

life at jimbaran For those who prefer something more active and yet not too far away from the golf, staying at Jimbaran Bay, some 10 minutes away from Nusa Dua may be the answer. The Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran offers contemporary living that inspires a relaxed, understated style. With 118 rooms, suites, penthouses and villas, the resort also features the newly developed Le Méridien Hub experience, which sees the hotel lobby designed into a social gathering place. A main focal point of the resort is its large (1,300 sqm) and uniquely shaped lagoon pool that winds its way throughout the entire premise so there are loads of opportunities for fun in the sun. Come night, the lively Smoqee Lounge & Sky Bar turns out chic cocktails and a resident DJ spinning tracks to watch the sun set, and then deep into the night till 11pm. Of course, there is also that famous stretch of seafood restaurants along the beach a short walk away that is arguably Bali’s best, so for an alternative to staying in Nusa Dua, the Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran isn’t that far off, literally and figuratively. www.lemeridienbalijimbaran.com

Jalan Bukit Permai, Jimbaran, IDB 80361, Indonesia Tel: +62 361 8466 888

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Hotel & reSortS of nuSa Dua THE MULIA, MULIA RESORT, MULIA VILLAS Average Room Price: From US$380+++

No. of rooms: 111 suites at The

Mulia, 526 rooms and suites at Mulia Resort, 108 villas at Mulia Villas Conference size: Minimum 10, maximum 1,500 persons Catering Capacity/Options: Special menus can be planned for those with dietary restrictions.

Unique selling points: A combination of luxurious guestrooms, suites and villas spread over The Mulia, Mulia Resort, and Mulia Villas. Asia Pacific’s first and only ice fountain room with chromatherapy chakra cleansing colours at the Mulia Spa.

AMANUSA

Average Room Price: US$3,500 to US$6,750

No. of rooms: 10 villas Conference size: 30 Catering: Up to 70 pax. The

Terrace, serving Thai, Indonesian, and continental fare, and the Bar situated opposite each other on either side of the main swimming pool offer scenic views of the surrounding. For a more formal evening, The Restaurant serves Italian cuisine in an al fresco venue in a protected courtyard filled with frangipani trees.

Unique selling points: At only 10 villas, this is an exclusive luxury resort. Located next to the new Bali National Golf Club course.

SOFITEL BALI NUSA DUA BEACH RESORT

COURTYARD MARRIOTT

17 villas and 22 suites Conference size: Minimum 15, maximum 650

No. of rooms: 240 rooms, 6 suites Conference size: 324 pax Catering: Full Day Meeting Package

Average Room Price: POA No. of rooms: 376 rooms, including

Average Room Price: US$109-

Catering Capacity/Options:

includes full meeting set up with two coffee breaks and lunch. Half-Day Meeting Package with full meeting set up, one coffee break and lunch.

International flavours at MoMo Café and MoMo 2 Go. Personalised dinner on the beach featuring four menu options with wine pairing prepared by award-winning Chef Wicaya.

Unique selling points: Private beach with private beachfront dining. Marble bathrooms in suites.

Menus can be customised according to conference capacity and dietary restrictions.

Unique selling points: The hotel adopts environmental sustainable initiatives outlined by Planet 21, the Accor group’s sustainable development programme consisting of 7 pillars, 21 commitments and concrete actions.

Access for the physically challenged include ramp access, reduced mobility facilities such as accessible bathroom, and light for the phone and door knock for the hearing impaired.

LAGUNA BALI RESORT & SPA

Average Room Price: US$220US$1,215

No. of rooms: 287 Conference size: 40-400 pax Catering: Fresh gourmet seafood and

barbeque with wine pairing for 190 persons at Arwana Beachfront. Private International buffet dinner at Banybiru for 170 persons. Standing cocktail for 200, and banquet for 150 persons at Temple Garden. Standing cocktails for 80, or banquet for 60 at Nusa Bagus Island. Cocktails for 40 at Cascade Garden Lounge & Bar. Green catering menus that provide sustainable options of organic or local sources.

Unique selling points: - Sustainable meeting package including green meeting, green menu and coffee break.

8 meeting venues carefully designed to create an unparalleled guest experience and 4 outdoor venues.

Complimentary Wifi.

US$240

GRAND HYATT BALI

Average Room Price: POA No. of rooms: 648 rooms, including

17 Grand Executive suites, 16 Grand suites, three Ambassador suites, one Belibis suite, two Presidential suites and two Deluxe villas Conference size: 1,420 pax indoors; 1,500 pax at beachfront location Catering: The Watercourt Balinese dining room, Salsa Verde Italian restaurant, Garden Café with Asian and international bites, and Nampu Japanese restaurant. Two bars and one lounge.

Unique selling points: 9-hole putting green and medical clinic onsite with doctor on call 24-hours a day. The Bay Club Fitness and Health Centre is fully equipped with an aerobics room, two air-conditioned squash courts, pool, whirlpool bath, sauna, steam room and plunge bath.

Facilities are accessible to guests with special needs. Look out also for Pasar Senggol, the hotel’s own traditional night market of Balinese arts and crafts.

NUSA DUA BEACH HOTEL & RESORT

Average Room Price: US$175 No. of rooms: 382 guestrooms and suites

Conference size: Minimum 12,

maximum 1,000

Catering Capacity/Options: Full Day

Meeting Package and Half Day Meeting Package, available for a minimum of 10 persons with an additional choice of buffet for lunch if there is a minimum 40 persons. Six different theme parties available, including Black and White Ball, Tropical Beach Barbeque Party, and Royal Rajalaya, where each course is served by a procession of girls dressed in traditional Balinese costumes and accompanied by a Beleganjur orchestra, a service that was traditionally reserved for royal families.

Unique selling points: Guests can request for limousine pick up service from the airport for a fee. Unlike the long, sedan limousines, these are more spacious and comfortable multipurpose vehicles that are more suited to Bali’s road conditions. Obtain last minute gifts and souvenirs at the onsite shopping arcade and Lobby Shop.

AMARTERRA VILLAS BALI NUSA DUA MGALLERY COLLECTION Average Room Price: POA No. of rooms: 32 one-bedroom, 6

two-bedroom, and 1 three-bedroom villas Conference size: 10 pax Catering Capacity/Options: Terra Terrace Restaurant & Bar serving Indonesian cuisine.

Unique selling points: Villas with privacy and private pool. Surroundings and architecture design of villas showcase the cultural heritage of Bali. Common indoor heated pool and outdoor unheated pool, and gym. Ramp and wheelchair access, as well as phone light for the hearing impaired.

THE BALE

Average Room Price: POA No. of rooms: 29 pavilions Conference size: Catering Capacity/Options: Faces

provides all day dining with high quality seafood. Bliss located at The Spa offers nourishing dishes and drinks incorporating healing herbs and fruits of the region. Fluid Bar & Lounge by the main pool for cocktails. Private barbeque and full menu for in-room dining.

Unique selling points: Highly exclusive and luxurious. 24-hour butler service. Private Beach Club in Geger beach. No children policy.

CLUB MED BALI

Average Room Price: From S$710 for 2 nights

No. of rooms: 393 rooms and suites Conference size: Catering: Agung Restaurant serving

international cuisine, and bookingsonly Le Batur serving local specialties alongside international dishes.

Unique selling points: The treatment menu at the spa by Mandara includes Balinese massage, hot stone massage, foot reflexology, a spa sampler, as well as a Turkish bath, sauna, and Jacuzzi.

ST. REGIS RESORT BALI Average Room Price: POA No. of rooms: 123 suites and villas

Conference size: 180 pax Catering: For events: six set lunch

menu options or International buffet lunch, five types — vegetable, fish, Japanese, meat, sweets — of canapés selection, two options each for 4-course and 5-course set dinner menu, choice of International or Barbeque buffet dinner, choice of Standard and Open Bar of beverages and wine. For meetings: six set lunch menu options or Continental buffet lunch, three coffee break menus for morning and afternoon.

Unique selling points: In-room check in available for all suites and villas. The Business Center is adjacent to two meeting rooms, the Newport and John Jacob IV, providing convenient access to business services and facilities.

The wireless Internet access is complimentary throughout the resort.

GRAND NIKKO BALI

Average Room Price: From US$160+++

No. of rooms: 389 rooms and 19 villas

Conference size: 20-1,000 pax Catering: 30 - 760 pax. Full Day

Meeting Package and a Half Day Meeting Package are available for a minimum of 20 persons.

Includes rental of the meeting room, overhead projector, one microphone, lectern, flip chart, white board, and stationery. Option for buffet lunch with a minimum of 40 guests.

Unique selling points: The ballroom features floor to ceiling windows that provide breath-taking views of the Indian Ocean. An arrival and departure lounge allows guests to wait in comfort. The guest relations team is multilingual.

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My Top Ten

Must play!

The executive chairman of the Asian Tour takes some time off from travelling around the world to tell us what his favourite courses are.

By K yi H l a H a n, E x E c u t i v E c H a i r m a n, as i a n to u r

Kyi Hla Han has provided a guiding hand in the development of professional golf in Asia since the early 1990s. Rated amongst Asia’s best players during his prime, he was one of the founding members of the former Asian PGA Tour in 1994 and then subsequently in 2006, executive chairman of the Asian Tour. Throughout his playing career and even as the tour’s head honcho, he has travelled around the world experiencing a variety of courses. A big fan of the older golf courses where the landscapes are natural and allows for all kinds of different shots throughout the game, he thinks they have more character too. One of the key factors that he looks out for is the playability of each course. A good golf course shouldn’t be too difficult and can challenge both professional and amatuers alike. One to enjoy welding the big stick, Kyi Hla particularly endears towards a course where the driver can be used often. Putting greens should not be difficult as well and should allow for some fair chances to make putts.

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Augusta National Golf Club (Augusta, Georgia)

I think this has got to be in every player’s top 10. Having played host to the annual Masters Tournament since 1934, the course has not only produced exciting golf every year but also grown to become one of the most famous golf club in the world. The golf course was founded by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts on the site of a former indigo plantation and designed by Jones and Alister MacKenzie. Playing at Augusta National is definitely one of the most unforgettable and unique experiences for me.

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The Royal Melbourne Golf Club (Melbourne, Australia) The Royal Melbourne Golf Club which has existed since 1891 has been regarded as the oldest golf club in Australia today. The course is just amazing. Everything is kept in mint condition and pretty much perfect but having said that, it’s a very difficult course. Even so, it was still an awesome experience to play on one of the finest courses in the world.

3 Pinehurst Resort, No. 2 course (United States) Pinehurst No. 2, is another golf course that is consistently ranked among the world’s best today. One of the signature holes is the 18th which is a perfect example of what Pinehurst is all about. A demanding, yet fair course which I’ve enjoyed playing on.

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Old Course, St Andrews (Scotland)

Royal Birkdale Golf Club (England)

I’ve always loved playing on old course and there’s none older than this.

The game has played here since the 15th century and it is to me, considered the finest, and certainly most famous course in the world.

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Royal Birkdale, one of Britain’s finest golf clubs, is definitely among the best in my book.

The clubhouse has got amazing facilities where you can just sit back and relax after a day of golf.

It is also one of the clubs in the Open Championship rotation for both men and women. I think it is a ‘must go’ for anyone serious about their golf.

5 Muirfield Golf Course (Scotland) One of the oldest golf courses in the world with amazing history.

Without doubt, it is a great world-ranked course that is all about tradition, high standards and spending quality time at a very special place. It is a great test of golf, challenging but very interesting. It is a very fine old course with lots of character.

Muirfield once again hosted The Open Championship in July this year.

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Pebble Beach Golf Links (United States)

A golf course of legendary status, Pebble Beach is renowned for the challenge and panorama of its links. Pebble Beach is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful courses in the world with some of golf’s most breathtaking views and has played host to a number of world-class tournaments over the years such as the US Open Championship. It is scheduled to host its sixth U.S. Open in June 2019.

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Kingston Heath Golf Club (Australia) Kingston Heath Golf Club has a classic design that has stood the test of time and certainly rates among the best courses in Australia. Every hole is challenging and unique on this course.

It is an ultimate example of strategic golf and a stirling golf experience in every way. The course condition and layout are both brilliant too.

This is a wonderful and fair course which I would highly recommend to all golfers. It is a course with stunning sceneries and you can feel the history as you walk the links. Having hosted The Open Championship on seven occasions, Carnoustie is a fantastic golf course with a true test of golfing abilities and definitely one of the toughest courses in the world. It has also been considered as one of the top links courses in Britain and described as Scotland’s ultimate golfing challenge.

Cypress Point Golf Course (Pebble Beach, California) Cypress Point Club is a private golf club in California and is one of the most special golf courses which I’ve played on. The club has a single 18-hole course, one of eight on the Monterey peninsula and is also well known around the world for its series of three dramatic holes (15, 16 and 17) that play along the Pacific Ocean. These three holes are regularly rated among the best in the world. The 16th is a long par 3 that actually plays over the ocean.

It is a really beautiful course where it offers natural beauty that is unmatched anywhere.

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The mentor

Furthering

The ArTs

Now in its seventh edition, the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative continues its winning formula of pairing illustrious artists with budding talents.

- by AA r o n D e S i lvA, i m Ag e S Co u rt e S y o f t h e fo n DA z i o n e g i o r g i o C i n i, ©r o l e x/b A rt m i C h i e l S

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From religion to fiction, Jesus and his disciples, or Luke Skywalker and Yoda, the concept of mentorship, and the relationship between mentor and protégé, is as old as time itself. Literature tells us that the word ‘mentor’ is derived from the Greek term Mentōr: in Homer’s Odyssey, Mentōr is the name of the adviser who guided Odysseus’ son Telemachus through a difficult phase in his life. From those literary beginnings, the Ancient Greeks created a culture where learned men sought to shape the minds of their young apprentices. The three most famous names in Greek philosophy – Socrates, Plato and Aristotle – were connected by mentorship.

Socrates mentored Plato, and Plato mentored Aristotle. As for Aristotle, well, he tutored Alexander the Great.

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In Eastern religion, the Hindus and the Buddhists established the notion of the guru - a sagely, pious figure who served as the community’s spiritual leader and moral compass. In medieval Europe, the guild system, where apprentice craftsmen received tutelage from master craftsmen, was devised as a means of ensuring the longevity of those crafts. A few centuries later, German composer Christian Neefe functioned as a role model for the young Beethoven, while French impressionist Camille Pissarro devoted his life to nurturing young talents such as Paul Gauguin, Georges Seurat and Paul Cézanne.

Even today, Hollywood has its share of mentor-protégé duos – Paul Newman and Tom Cruise in ‘The Color of Money’, Clint Eastwood and Charlie Sheen in ‘The Rookie’ or even the Will and Jaden Smith father-son mentorship that sprang from real life into reel life in ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ and the more recent ‘After Earth’. Regardless of time or place, high culture or pop culture, the end goal of mentorship is the same: to allow the protégé to hone skills and achieve potential.

In this same spirit, the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative was set up in 2002 with the aim of pairing internationally recognised masters with young talents for a year and making significant contributions to the global arts arena.

The Initiative evolved from an earlier philanthropic programme, the Rolex Awards for Enterprise, which began in 1976 as a way of supporting scientists, conservationists and explorers. These professionals were in some respects Rolex’s target audience to begin with – the anti-magnetic Milgauss watch was created for engineers working in highly magnetised environments; the ultra-robust Explorer was developed for use in extreme conditions; and the Sea Dweller was purpose-built for deep-sea exploits.

However, Rolex determined that mentorship was best reserved for the artistic realm, so the ‘Initiative’ turned its focus to nurturing young writers, musicians, filmmakers, dancers, theatrical directors, visual artists and, since 2012, architects. For the mentors, it is a chance to pass on their knowledge and experience to a new generation; for the aspiring artists, the chance of a lifetime to absorb invaluable wisdom. The young artists cannot, however, apply directly to the programme. Like contestants on a reality show, they have to go through rounds of auditions.

First, seven nominating panels – one for each artistic discipline – are formed. Panel members shortlist suitable candidates, who are invited to submit their credentials and a motivation statement to Rolex. The panel members then peruse these applications and select three finalists for each discipline. Finally, Rolex arranges for the mentors to meet with the finalists and decide who they want to take under their wing. Once chosen, the requirements are very straightforward. Mentors and protégés need only spend a minimum of six weeks together (more if they wish) at a time and location of their choice.

The nature of their interaction is also entirely up to the pair. A protégé, could, for instance, accompany his or her master at work, or they could

collaborate on a project. The end of the mentorship year culminates in the Rolex Arts Weekend, a series of performances, discussions and a gala dinner.

The meetings, both formal and informal, encourage dialogue on arts’ role in society, with these ideas sometimes expressed in the performances. For the young artists, there is also the chance of cross-fertilisation through the alumni network.

Apart from professional perks, there are financial rewards as well. Each protégé receives a grant of 25,000 Swiss francs for the year, not including expenses such as travel costs. If the protégé embarks on a new piece of work after the programme, such as a publication, performance or public event, Rolex will stump up a further 25,000 Swiss francs for the enterprise. There is no obligation to produce a work, though. The mentors don’t have it bad, either; they’re awarded a sum of 75,000 Swiss francs to compensate them for the time, energy and resources they have invested, although few can consider monetary compensation as motivation for this exercise; the joy of moulding talented individuals into something greater cannot be counted in financial terms.

As such, some of the creative world’s biggest names have served as mentors. They include David Hockney (2004–2005), Martin Scorsese (2008– 2009), Zhang Yimou (2010–2011), Anish Kapoor (2010–2011), Brian Eno (2010–2011), Gilberto Gil (2012–2013) and Margaret Atwood (2012–2013).

The upcoming 2014–2015 season will see bigwigs such as Olafur Eliasson (visual arts), Alejandro González Iñárritu (film), Michael Ondaatje (literature), Alexei Ratmansky (dance), Kaija Saariaho (music), Jennifer Tipton (theatre), and Peter Zumthor (architecture).

Zumthor is a Pritzker Prize-winning Swiss architect renowned for his timeless buildings that express mastery of materials and light. Tipton is another wizard of light; the Tony award-winning American lighting designer has artfully lit OPENING SPREAD: Class of 2012-2013 OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Gilberto Gil and Sara Fgaier; Chinese architect Yang Zhao; Mateo López under the tutelage of William Kentridge.

THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Dina El Wedidi performing at Cairo Jazz festival; A theatrical discussion in progress; Wole Soyinka; A protégé's film project; Exploring the literary arts with Margaret Atwood and Naomi Alderman.

the stage for hundreds of theatrical, dance and operatic performances. Habitué of the opera world, Finnish composer Saariaho is recognised for her operatic scores, orchestral works and chamber music which uniquely blend traditional instruments with electronic elements. Also pushing artistic boundaries is Danish-Icelandic artist Eliasson, whose large-scale installations and sculptures make intriguing use of water and light.

Bolshoi-trained Russian choreographer Ratmansky is currently the artist-in-residence at the American Ballet Theatre and one of the most in-demand professionals of his genre. Sri Lankanborn Canadian novelist Ondaatje is acclaimed for his lyrical style and multicultural themes. He is best known for his 1992 Booker Prize-winning novel The English Patient. Mexican director Iñárritu won seven Academy Awards for his 2006 film Babel and is admired for his realistic and penetrating films that explore the human condition.

“These artists are all highly respected leaders in their fields,” says Rebecca Irvin, head of philanthropy at Rolex. “We are grateful that they have generously offered to nurture a new generation of artists.” The seven protégés were announced in May 2014. They are Gloria Cabral (architecture, Paraguay), Myles Thatcher (dance, the US), Tom Shoval (film, Israel), Miroslav Penkov (literature, Bulgaria), Vasco Mendonca (music, Portugal), Sebastián Solórzano Rodríguez (theatre, Mexico) and Sammy Baloji (visual arts, Democratic Republic of Congo). “Over the past 11 years, we have seen remarkable, enduring

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Others, like Chinese architect Yang Zhao, held more humanitarian ideals. Under the direction of his mentor Kazuyo Sejima, a Pritzker Prize winner, Zhao designed a ‘Homefor-All’ meeting place to help victims of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

collaborations and friendships form between mentors and protégés. We look forward to seeing more of this rich creative dialogue,” adds Irvin.

While it is a two-way street – the mentors gain new energy, insights and even inspiration from their charges – the benefits are tipped in favour of the protégés. Take the example of Naomi Alderman, a British author who mentored under the noted Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood. Alderman also writes computer games and is the co-creator of “Zombies, Run!”, a best-selling iPhone app and audio adventure for runners. She created the digital zombie novella, “The Happy Zombie Sunrise Home”, together with Atwood. “We spent a lot of time discussing new technology, the changing nature of writing and reading, what the future might hold for the arts – and indeed for the world,” she says of her collaboration with Atwood.

Then there’s Egyptian musician Dina El Wedidi, who tutored with the legendary Brazilian bossanova artiste Gilberto Gil. El Wedidi performed at Cairo’s Jazz Festival in 2013 with Gil, who gave her advice on her debut album, on which he will be a guest performer. “My meeting with Gil in Cairo was the most important event in the year; singing with him in the same festival was a great honour, especially him being in my country,” she says. In addition, El Wedidi benefitted by being with Gil at the Montreux Jazz Festival.

For German artist Matthias Weischer, working with the iconic English artist David Hockney turned his life around. As Weischer shares, “I met him at a time when I was asking myself, ‘How can I go on?’

He said: ‘Just keep on drawing. When you draw, you never run out of energy and ideas’.” Weischer has followed that advice to great success – he has had two solo exhibitions in the past two years, at the Museo de Arte de Ponce in Puerto Rico, and at Amsterdam’s Grimm Gallery.

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LEFT PAGE FROM TOP: Rebecca Irwin, head of philanthropy at Rolex; Dance, an inspiration of physical art.

RIGHT PAGE, CLASS OF 2014 - 2015: 1-2. Architecture mentor, Peter Zumthor & nominee, Gloria Cabral; 3-4. Film mentor, Alejandro Iñárritu & nominee, Tom Shoval; 5-6. Dance mentor, Alexei Ratmansky & nominee, Myles Thatcher; 7-8. Visual art mentor, Olafur Eliasson & nominee, Sammy Baloji; 9-10. Theatre mentor, Jennifer Tipton & nominee, Solórzano Rodríguez; 11-12. Music mentor, Kaija Saariaho & nominee, Vasco Mendonca; 13-14. Literature mentor, Michael Ondaatje & nominee, Miroslav Penkov.

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Beyond personal gain, some protégés go on to become mentors themselves. Upon his return to his native Ethiopia after a stint with Japanese choreographer Saburo Teshigawara, dance protégé Junaid Jemal Sendi decided to start mentoring younger dancers. Over the years, he has led classes in contemporary, African and traditional dance for people throughout Ethiopia, and gives workshops to marginalised youth in the UK. “I’m telling them my story,” he says. “It gives them confidence and they are inspired by my energy.”

He is now setting up a new dance company to train young dancers.

Others, like Chinese architect Yang Zhao, held more humanitarian ideals. Under the direction of his mentor Kazuyo Sejima, a Pritzker Prize winner, Zhao designed a ‘Homefor-All’ meeting place to help victims of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan. “We have to think about architecture in terms of the basic needs of human life,” he says of the project to design a gathering place for a devastated Japanese village.

Ultimately, by recognising excellence and making a significant contribution to society, the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative becomes an extension of the company’s brand values: quality, know-how, and individual achievement – values that pervade all of its endeavours. www.rolexmentorprotege.com Golf Vacations

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Destination Focus

LAOS

The Road Less Travelled A country largely undiscovered but containing some of Southeast Asia’s most storied past, brings a new game to the fold. - by j u s t i n e m o s s

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Landlocked Laos – with a rich history stretching back 10,000 years and bordered by China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand – is not an obvious destination on golfers’ itineraries. Yet the reality is that there are a handful of first class courses in the capital Vientiane and Luang Prabang, the former royal capital and UNESCO World Heritage town.

Vientiane is worth traipsing around for a couple of days and in that time, most sights can be visited on foot - it’s an easy city to walk around so long as you pack a map and plenty of water. The three-layered gilded stupa of Pha That Luang is the national symbol and most important religious monument in the country, dating from the 16th century. Other popular landmarks include the Wat Si Saket and the Patouxay monument. Climb up the various levels packed with little stalls selling trinkets and souvenirs to the rooftop where you can gaze across the city and down the Avenue Lane Xang (similar to Paris’s Champs-Élysées) to the Presidential Palace, which is a rather magnificent structure that used to house the royal family, and is now used by the government for functions and ceremonies.

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Ho Phra Keo, a former temple that housed the Emerald Buddha figurine is now a museum with small shop. Built in the 16th century, it was destroyed and rebuilt three times throughout the ages and lastly by the French between 1936 and 1942.

The revered Buddha now resides in Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok but the beautiful structure and its statues remain an alluring destination for visitors today. A nontouristy must-do is the Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise (COPE) clinic at the National Rehabilitation Centre. Here local staff are trained in the manufacture of mobility devices and rehabilitation aids including wheelchairs, braces, prostheses and walking aids.

Sadly, Laos holds the world record for being the most heavily bombed country per capita, and there are still 78 million cluster bombs in the country. Many people continue to be killed or injured each year and COPE provides new limbs and aids and training in how to operate them. It is worth spending a bit of time reading up on the history in the carefully constructed visitor centre and after a self-guided tour, you can donate money to buy prostheses, wheelchairs and other such aid.

While one must fly into Vientiane from overseas destinations, there is so much of the rest of this stunning country, with its small population of 6.2 million, to visit and experience. I would recommend flying the 40-minutes from the capital to the beautiful Luang Prabang, situated in northern Laos. It has been the historical, religious and cultural core of the country since the 14th century and sits on a peninsular at the confluence of two rivers, the Nam Khan and the famous Mekong.

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UNESCO declared Luang Prabang a World Heritage site in 1995 and legend has it that the Buddha smiled when he rested in Luang Prabang for a day during his travels, prophesying that it would one day be the site of a rich and powerful city. How right he was! The small, elegant city fell into decline in the latter half of the 20th century following the withdrawal of the French (who had a protective role), and the 1975 revolution that resulted in Laos declaring independence as the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

In 1989, Laos opened its doors to tourism stimulating economic growth and a revitalization of Luang Prabang, and the traditional timber houses were also restored to service the growing tourist trade. The French influence in most of the country and very much so here, is still very much apparent with many fine colonial villas having been restored to their former glory as either guesthouses, hotels, shops or restaurants.

The stunning Satri House, a member of Secret Retreats, comes to mind. The final residence of Prince Souphanouvong, the building was refurbished in 2002 by Mrs. Lamphoune Voravongsa and has since been run as a hotel. In 2008, the hotel added six more colonial style buildings to its property and has 28 rooms and three suites which are furnished with crafted wood furniture, balconies, spacious bathrooms with rain shower and separate toilet, with bath tubs in the suites. Facilities include a restaurant that serves up local Lao delicacies as well as Western options and is set overlooking the garden and pool. There is also a garden bar, library, outdoor swimming pools and spa and the hotel also has bicycles which you can borrow and ride the short distance into town – a perfect way to get around Luang Prabang.

There are numerous restaurants and bars in Luang Prabang and along both rivers serving superb Laotian, French, Japanese, Korean, German and Italian cuisine. Try the Tamarind for local food and its own cooking school, where you can spend half a day visiting a food market and becoming accustomed to local ingredients before creating dishes at Tamarind Gardens Lakeside Cooking School. A group of us each paid US$25 which covered all ingredients, transport and a guided trip to a local market before we prepared and ate a number of local dishes including stuffed lemongrass (Oua Si Khai), steamed fish in banana leaves (Mok Pa) and minced meat and herb salad (Koy).

French cuisine there is not surprisingly good, owing to their heritage. From the reasonably priced Le Banneton where you can feast on fantastic coffee, pastries and filled baguettes, to the mid-range Couleur CafÊ & Restaurant for excellent views of the Mekong river and finally, the upmarket L’Elephant with its associated fine-dining bells and whistles.

Lao cuisine is very similar to the food eaten in the northeastern Isan region of Thailand: very spicy, more often bitter than sweet, and using lots of fresh herbs and vegetables served raw. Some of the local specialties include Luang Prabang salad, Kai pen (River Weed), Au Lam (soup), Nan Nyam (crispy buffalo skin) – which is a particularly good snack washed down with Beer Lao - and Sup Pak (steamed vegetables).

Apart from good hotels and dining options, Luang Prabang is also a renowned place for fine arts and handicrafts unique to the place, including silverware, lacquer ware, gold embroidery, hand-made paper, woodcarving, paintings and much more. Visit the night market, which is sort of a walking street that is closed to vehicles and where stalls sell good quality clothes, jewellery, silk, wall hangings, shoes, paper, silver, bags and ceramics. It is quite easy to spend at least an hour pottering around and picking up souvenirs to transport home.

Pleasantly, there is minimal hassling and a little gentle bargaining is welcome.

Among the attractions here, the Haw Kham Royal Palace Museum and the Wat Xieng Thong temple are among the most well known historical sites. Wat Xieng Thong was built during the 16th century and is one of the most interesting examples of Buddhist art and architecture in Luang Prabang. The ornately carved and gilded funeral vehicle of the former king is kept in one of the buildings in the temple grounds.

LEFT PAGE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: Long Vien Golf Club; Lao Country Club, Vientiane.

THIS PAGE TOP: Muang La Resort.

BOTTOM: Satri House, a member of Secret Retreats

The National Museum was constructed in 1904 and various royal religious objects are displayed in the large entrance hall. Many gifts from foreign envoys and religious and cultural artifacts are on display here including the 14th century gold Phabang (Buddha image) from which Luang Prabang derives its name. Another temple to visit is the Wat Visounnarath which is the most ancient of temples here at Luang Prabang; Wat Visounnarath was originally erected in 1515 and rebuilt in 1898.

Within the walls you will see That Mak Mo, also known as the ‘Watermelon Stupa’ because of its similarities to the fruit.

The Tad Sae Falls, which are often over shadowed by the more popular Kuang Si Waterfall, are a quieter alternative. Located 15km southeast of Luang Prabang, the falls can easily be reached by taxi. Swimming is possible in some of the tiered pools and at the base of the falls. The best time to visit is from June to October. And for those who prefer altitude, Phousi Mountain is located in the centre of town, its central presence asking you to climb up the 328 steps to its peak to enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the whole town.

You may arrive a little hot, sweaty and out of breath but the view is well worth it. This is also Luang Prabang’s Holy Mountain where you will find the 20-metre high Wat Chomsi stupa.

Luang Prabang’s most iconic attraction, however, is Sai Bat - the morning parade of monks wearing their saffron robes and leaving their Wats at dawn, walking silently down the streets in single-file to collect food offerings from the local people and early rising tourists.

All in all, it is very easy to spend a week in Luang Prabang drinking in the peaceful, picturesque surrounds, visiting temples and cycling around town which is how most tourists get around. Just stop outside restaurants or shops and lock up your bike Golf Vacations

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GettinG there Lao Airlines flies direct to Vientiane from Singapore four times a week. From Vientiane a domestic flight to Luang Prabang takes around 40 minutes.

StAYinG there www.satrihouse.com www.muangla.com www.secret-retreats.com

PLAYinG there SeA Games Golf Club At Saythany District, Vientiane

Tel: +856 21 732239 www.seagamesgc.com Lao Counry Club KM 14 Tha Deua Road, Nahal Village, Hadsayfong District, Vientiane

Tel: +856 21 812390/391/392 Email: laocountryclub @hotmail.com www.laocountryclub.com.la Long Vien Golf Club KM 17, Tha Deua Road, Vientiane

Tel: +856 309 778888

Luang Prabang Golf Club Ban Houiphai, Phatamnai, Khet Sangkhalok, Luang Prabang

Tel: +856 55 571182 Email: lpggolfclub @gmail.com www.luangprabang golfclub.com

while you have a drink. You can also hop on a boat for a day trip up the Mekong, where down on the river there are many boat drivers who will ask whether you want to take a trip or not. They do not aggressively hassle you but rather politely step away with a smile if you decline.

From Luang Prabang, take a trip up the Mekong River, the world’s 12th longest and the seventh in Asia at 4,350 km. I picked up a boat about two hours drive north out of Luang Prabang and was ferried four hours along to a recommended destination - the very mountainous province of Oudomxay where altitudes vary between 300m to 1,800m above sea level with approximately 60 rivers flowing through.

Here up north, stay at Muang La Resort, also a member of Secret Retreats. At the foot of the Lodge, a natural source of hot water has existed for thousands of years. The idea of the Lodge was conceived to use this natural resource for the spa - an outdoor bath built four metres high.

By building a platform and bridge especially for the local people and maintaining the banks of the river, the Lodge contributes to the welfare of the villagers, who now have easy access to the river and the hot water spring.

The resort has five wooden villas and 10 bedrooms and is a stunning retreat. At night you can dine on Lao-Thai cuisine in the transient restaurant where your table will be prepared wherever you like: in the gardens, on your terrace or even on the small island opposite the Lodge.

Cooking lessons are also provided at the Lodge for beginners or those wanting to perfect their skills in Asian cuisine. The resort also offers tours to explore this part of northern Laos with its many local ethnic groups in the mountains, either on foot, by mountain bike or in a 4x4 vehicle.

Golf in the Old World If you’ve packed the clubs and are looking to play a round of golf or two, try the capital first.

Vientiane, which has roughly half a dozen or so courses, was the host of the 2009 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and the SEA Games Golf Club was built specially for official competition during the 25th Games. And, in a growing sign that golf is taking off in the country, the capital is also home to three driving ranges, which are regularly full on weekday evenings.

Designed by the Korean managed Golf Course Design Group, Lao Country Club re-opened in January 2011, and is situated around 20 minutes or so from the centre of the city. It has a membership but is also open to the public. Unlike elsewhere, it is customary to have six in a flight here and some players request three caddies each, which means it can get fairly crowded during a round.

The opening hole at this premier golf club is a par 4 with a generously wide fairway, and yet to have a shot for birdie, it is best to aim to the right to have the right angle for your second shot.

The dogleg right par 4 seventh is the longest (489 yards from the black tees) and toughest. The par 3 16th is gorgeous and requires a shot over water from all five-tee boxes, and from the black tees, you will need to cross two sets of water to get on.

Facilities here include a modern clubhouse, comfortable and spacious locker rooms, a pro shop stocking the latest equipment and apparel, private function rooms and a restaurant which serves up Laotian and western food. There are also two ‘tee houses’ on the course for some halfway refreshments.

Another semi-private golf club, Long Vien Golf Club, is also its newest. A first-class 18hole course opened towards the end of last year, this Vietnamese-owned Vientiane Long Thanh Golf project is a US$1 billion development located near the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge in a specific ‘economic zone’ and covers an area of more than 550 hectares. In addition to the championship golf course, the project will later include luxury villas, five-star hotels, a school, an international hospital, a luxury resort, a trade centre, sports facilities and an urban area with over 2,000 villas. It’s a magnificent layout with no expense spared, and features a gorgeous clubhouse, restaurant, locker rooms and floodlit driving range. The area has a capacity for 36 or even 54 holes which may be built in future.

The pristine par-72 course – the first nine is called the West Course and the back nine the East Course - has 17 holes where water comes into play. It’s a challenging layout that is just down the road from the Lao Country Club for a onetwo punch in golf experiences here in Laos.

And in Luang Prabang, situated about 15 minutes drive from the town centre along the Mekong River is Luang Prabang Golf Club with absolutely exquisite views of the mountains and the river. Significant holes here are the long and uphill Par 4, 8th, the Par 4, 15th with a creek that runs across the fairway and the signature Par 3, 17th at 185 yards and is magnificently set along the Mekong with mountain views behind the green.

For golfers, it may be good to note that the hot season is from March to May, when temperatures can soar as high as 40°C with slightly cooler wet season from May to October, when temperatures are around 30°C and tropical downpours are frequent. The dry season is from November to March, which has low rainfall and temperatures as low as 15°C. www.tourismlaos.org Golf Vacations

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Fairway

Old Is

GOld

Playing golf is a lifetime profession, especially for the proponents of the European Seniors Tour, as we take an inside look speaking with some names known, and others onto their second wind.

- By to n y s m a rt

The Senior Open is part of the European Seniors Tour

and one of the senior’s Majors. Indeed, prior to the Senior Open, the great Tom Watson topped the European Senior Tour Order of Merit in 2011 with €254,651 by virtue of having played in and won just one counting event, the US Senior PGA Championship, another Senior Major.

Skipping three years to today and with a reversal of roles, this time with Colin Montgomerie at the helm of the Senior’s oldest event, the 75th US Senior PGA Championship at Harbor OPENING PICTURE: Bernhard Langer Shores, Michigan. He beat two of the game’s most tenacious reacts after winning players in Watson and Bernhard Langer on route to his first the 2010 U.S. Senior Open Championship at Major championship, albeit with a ‘senior’ tied to it.

Sahalee Country Club “I’m a major champion and will treat it as such,” he said in Sammamish, Wash. on Sunday, August. after finishing with a final round 65 and a four shot margin over 1, 2010 the two. “It might have a ‘senior’ connotation to it, but it is a major that has been going for 75 years. I’m proud to be part of THIS PAGE : that history.”

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THIS PAGE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: Fred Couples Senior Open Championship, July 2012; Boonchu Ruangkit at New Delhi, India; Practice at Senior Open 2012 at Mallorca.

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Like the main tour, it is more lucrative playing in the Champions Tour in the US but a strong European Seniors Tour is a welcome second chance for many players, or even a first chance at professional golf for gifted amateurs who never even thought of turning professional until they reach 50.

One of those is Gary Wolstenholme, a former two-time British Amateur champion and Walker Cup player. “Without the Seniors Tour, I would just be stacking shelves in a supermarket or something like that,” he said after his first round at Walton Heath in the 2011 Senior Open Championship. He was to finish tied-31 with Australian Peter Senior and pocket a little more than €10,000, which may not seem much, but gave him a new lease of life in his golden years.

As a matter of fact, Wolstenholme never planned to try the Seniors Tour when he reached 50. “I found myself in a position where I didn’t have a decent job and a friend of mine came up with a potential contract and the decision was made almost on the spot.

One morning I woke up and I was an amateur and by lunchtime I was a professional.” Today, the 54-year-old Englishman has three European Senior titles under his belt from wins in 2010 and 2012.

His total takings last year? €85,000 on the back of three Top-10s, albeit no wins.

Another player who got a second chance professionally on the Seniors Tour and grabbed it with both hands is Carl Mason. He made Tour history after winning the 2011 OKI Open de Espana Senior by Cleveland Golf/Srixon in Spain, became the record winner with 24 victories since joining in 2003. So what changed for Mason, who only won twice in 25 years on the main European Tour?

“After I lost in a play-off to Tom Watson at Turnberry for the Senior Open in 2003, only my third event on the Seniors Tour, I began to get a little bit more belief in myself, realised that I was a better player than I thought I was,” In fact, Mason played so well that he topped the European Senior Tour money list in 2003, 2004 and 2007, and finished runner-up to Sam Torrance in 2005 and

THIS PAGE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: Gary Wolstenholme at Benahavis Senior Masters; Colin Montgomerie with the US PGA Senior title; Sam Torrance at OKI Castellón Open de España 2008 - Senior Tour Championship; Carl Mason at OKI de Espana Senior 2007.

2006. In the year 2007, where he won five times, he pocketed more than €400,000.

To put it in perspective, Miguel Angel Cabrera, himself a member of both the European Tour and Senior Tour earned €250,000 when he won the Open de Espana on the main tour back in May. That is more than the total prize fund at the English Senior Open to be played later in August.

Wolstenholme also had considerable success since turning 50 although it has not always been easy. “When I reached 50 in August 2010 I only had one invite to an event at the beginning of September. Luckily I managed to finish in the top ten, which got me into the next tournament, which was a big money event, and I managed to win it. It’s been a fairytale really ever since.”

But what of the big guys, the players with two or three Major wins and a whole host of other tournament victories to their names? Why do they continue to play at an age when they could be taking it easy, relaxing on a beach somewhere?

“It’s a lot of fun,” says Nick Price who won the Open in 1994 and two US PGA Championships in 1992 and 1994. “For us it’s a continuation of our enjoyment and success, and the camaraderie is great. There’s no cut (except at the Majors), you always get paid, you don’t need to practice as much and there’s a lot of laughter out there.” Tom Watson agrees. “There’s great camaraderie out here. You get to meet, play with, even go out to dinner with old friends, old rivals,” “I love the Senior Tour,” says two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer who has dominated the Champions Tour ever since his arrival in 2007. With 20 wins to date including two Majors and a single European Senior Tour win at the Casa Serena Open in 2008, he is relishing his second wind.

“Obviously I don’t play a lot in Europe because I live in America, but I really enjoy it. Many friends out there, many great players, and we have some good tournaments. I enjoy going home Sunday night and coming back out Tuesday or Wednesday, which I couldn’t do on the regular tour because of an extra day’s play (all events on the Seniors and Champions Tour are just three rounds apart from the Majors).”

Price adds this insight, “If you look at the guys that work the hardest out here, the guys who never had successful careers on the regular tours, whether it was the European Tour or the PGA Tour, they are the ones who really work the hardest because it’s a second chance for them.”

But it’s an expensive second chance. “Realistically I would say that it probably costs around £40,000 a year to play the 20 or so tournaments,” says Wolstenholme. “They put us in some fairly expensive hotels which are the only ones the courtesy cars go to the course from, so staying in cheaper hotels, hiring a car in strange countries like Brunei, is not really an option.”

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“After I lost in a play-off to Tom Watson at Turnberry for the Senior Open in 2003, only my third event on the Seniors Tour, I began to get a little bit more belief in myself, realised that I was a better player than I thought I was.”

- Carl Mason LEFT PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Nick Price at Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship; Carl Mason; Colin Montgomerie won finishing with a 6-under 65 for a four-stroke victory over 64-year-old Tom Watson; Senior European Tour.

THIS PAGE FROM TOP: Bernhard Langer held off a late challenge from US Ryder Cup captain, Corey Pavin, to win the 2010 Senior Open Championship; Tom Watson.

Using Wolstenholme’s figure of £40,000 for annual expenses as example, only 47 of the 110 players on the 2010 European Seniors Tour Order of Merit broke even for the year, and that’s before you take into account other expenses like mortgages and living expenses for the 31 weeks of the year when there aren’t any Seniors tournaments. For a deeper perspective, the top 18 that year all made more than £100,000 and Thailand’s Boonchu Ruangkit, who was leading, made just over £235,000, as compared to the Champions Tour where the top 80 all made over US$100,000 in 2010 and the top 13 made more than US$1 million and Langer, who topped the 2010 Champions Tour, earning a cool US$2,648,939.

So, why do the old guys still go out and play it? The final word is probably best given by the European Seniors most winningest (as the Americans would say) player of all time, Carl Mason.

“I believe the European Seniors Tour has a good future and I hope the powers that be believe it has. The number of golfers over 50 in the UK and around the world is enormous and they can relate to the Seniors more than the young guys and they want to come and watch them play, and enjoy watching them play. We get good crowds everywhere we go.” www.europeantour.com/seniortour Golf Vacations

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Choice Resorts

AnvAyA Cove

Beautiful seascape meets mountain in this exciting new golf property in the Philippines.

- B Y M a r i e M o n o zc a

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In this country of nearly 100 milion people, one name stands out that is synonymous with upscale, high-quality property developments, Ayala Land. After all, this is the group that master-planned Makati City, the Philippines’ premier financial district. The same vision, foresight and meticulous planning is evident in the group’s latest venture and its first foray into high-end leisure development called Anvaya Cove.

Located 2.5 hours from Manila, where America’s largest overseas military installation once stood, Anvaya Cove encompasses 470 hectares and spans 3.5 kilometre of pristine coastline with a peak elevation of over 130 metres above sea level. This seaside residential community features neighbourhoods with distinctive environments set against stunning views of Bataan mountain range and Subic Bay. It took close to eight years to complete the entire construction due to the careful and methodical planning imposed by Ayala Land to keep the natural lay of the land and preserve the inherent beauty of the site. As a result, the golf course, homes and other structures are woven into the terrain on verdant swathes of land, surrounded by splendid panoramas, open expanses, wetlands teeming with life and abundant forests. opeNiNg spRead: 385-metre par-4, 12th with fairway 80 feet below and bisected by a natural stream working its way down to the beach.

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this page, FRoM top: anvaya cove also features a striking Beach & Nature club situated along a massive swath of pristine beach and amidst unspoiled nature trail; Nature club cabana

opposite page, clockwise FRoM top: 310m, par 4, 11th with massive bunker that stretches along the cliff from landing area to green; Roadway; Beach & Nature club.

At the heart of Anvaya Cove's residential community sits what will surely be the region’s finest links.

The 7,030-yard (6,429 metres) layout, designed by Golfplan partner Kevin Ramsey, was opened for play last December. Separated between a ‘Mountain Nine’ (Holes 1-9) and ‘Seaside Nine’ (Holes 10-18), the initial reaction from those who played it for the first time was overwhelmingly simple: Fantastic.

Anvaya elicited that same reaction from none other than the architect himself. “Any time you visit a seaside site you get excited about the possibilities. Anvaya had that and more. It had dramatic topography that allowed us to take advantage of the setting and the views. Flatter sites don’t offer this. Combine all this with the diversity of the landscape and you have a very unique setting.”

Running directly beside the West Philippine Sea, on bluffs looking straight down on the beach, and along ridges with long views across Subic Bay, one would be hard-pressed to find a hole that is nondescript. Several of Anvaya’s holes play directly alongside the beach, with a few tee boxes perched on cliffs. Several more cut daring paths through thick, tropical jungle, while the remaining play along ridges 100 metres above sea level.

“With that sort of elevation change, there are only a few holes that don’t have an ocean view, but it’s always a thrill to deploy salt water as a legitimate hazard, and we did that multiple times out there at Anvaya,” adds the 49-year-old designer, whose California-based firm has designed more than 200 courses in 75 different countries – including the Serapong Course of Sentosa Golf Club.

For Ramsey, seeing Anvaya finally come into fruition can be considered a career highlight. He and his team started work on the site in 2006, and recalls two key challenges, one of which was Mother Nature.

“We sequenced the construction in such a way as to minimise any potential for negative impacts from erosion or excessive runoff. This also caused us to slow the construction schedule down so that as the rainy season approached we only had a small manageable area of earthwork underway.”

The other difficulty they encountered was the dramatic topography. He notes: “As much as it was an opportunity it was also a challenge to minimise the earthwork, thereby preserving more tress and keeping the golf course more natural.”

In doing so, the golf construction process, which would normally take 18 months to two years, took about three years. “Growing in those 18 holes was slow and methodical to limit erosion and preserve Anvaya’s natural features,” he adds.

In line with its environmental commitment, Ayala Land has implemented sustainable practices across the property, on course and off. Anvaya is perhaps the most eco-sensitive course to debut in Asia-Pacific in the 21st century; its turfgrass a special, salt-tolerant zoysia – its specimen dita and cuphon trees preserved across the expansive property.

Golfplan’s tour-de-force design is the centrepiece of the 470-hectare development at Anvaya Cove, an exclusive, seaside residential community of stately homes nestled in distinct and secluded tropical neighbourhoods.

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Take the 11th “Wisdom” for instance.

At only 310 metres, it is tempting to hit driver and try to reach the green some 30 feet below. To do this, one must carry a massive bunker that stretches along the cliff from the landing area to the green.

“At this elite level, it's not enough to have built such an exquisite layout on such amazing, seaside terrain. There must be the commitment to maintain the course to the highest standards of conditioning and environmental sensitivity - and Anvaya Cove has made that commitment,” Ramsey reiterates.

Playing at Anvaya can be summarised into the distinct environments that golfers will experience: high grassland atop the ridges; tropical rainforest on the inland portions; holes right on the beach and others perched on an adjacent cliff above the sea or set high atop rolling hillsides with 180-270 degree views of the West Philippine Sea and the mountains across the bay to Bataan. In a unique combination of elevation and expanse, the mountains frame everything, yet the ocean is so close that one may even lick the salt off his lips.

Each hole has its own personality and names (Fortitude, Resilience, Reflection etc.) to signify the virtues that should come in handy to play it. Each is a testament to the coexistence of great golf and the environment. Take the 11th 98

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“Wisdom” for instance. At only 310 metres, it is tempting to hit driver and try to reach the green some 30 feet below. To do this, one must carry a massive bunker that stretches along the cliff from the landing area to the green. The slightest mishit right will end in a low collection area right of the fairway resulting in a challenging approach. The wind coming off the sea is a strong factor here with respect to club selection off the tee.

“Intensity” or the 12th is yet another breathtaking hole; an intense 385-metre par 4 with tees set high above the landing area and green, the golfer must be careful not to be too aggressive as the landing area, 80-feet below is bisected by a natural stream working its way across the fairway and down to the beach.

From here, the fairway drops down to the green another 30 feet below separating the beach from the natural hillside; it is the only hole where the golfers can get down to the beach.

Asked for his favourite holes, Ramsey says, there are many. “It is like being a proud parent. It is hard to pick just one. However, I have always gravitated towards the 11th hole. Something about that cliff-top setting and it’s the first of the three cliff and beach holes. On top of that, I enjoy the risk versus reward strategy of a short, drivable par 4. This hole appears harmless due to

opposite page, clockwise FRoM leFt: pool tower at the Beach & Nature club; Deck Bar at the main clubhouse; anvaya cove clubhouse; seascape Ridge is designed for vacation living in a prime elevated location.

tHis page FRoM top: 370m, par 4, 14th; according to local folklore, the point where the 145m, par 3,13th is situated is guarded over by a wise old woman.

its length but it is very tempting to try and drive the green. The views here are some of the best and incredibly distracting.”

Finishing off a round here, the brand new clubhouse beckons in a modernist ‘Asian Tropical’ style enabling golfers to dine in and outdoors, feel soothing sea breezes and enjoy panoramic views over the golf course. With 50 guest cottages or casitas, two restaurants, spa, water sports pavilion, pool complex, gym and health club, and a pristine private beach, it is easy to spend a few days here relaxing to the tune of nature.

Despite being visually striking and intimidating, the golf course fairly challenges all levels of play and provides a mentally stimulating experience for all. “From the tips, it’s long and tough enough to challenge tour pros, which is something the client specifically requested — but it’s a very playable track from the multiple forward tees we created,” says Ramsey. After all, the name Anvaya was coined from a Sanskrit word which means ‘family’. www.ayalalandpremier.com or www.anvayacove.com Golf Vacations

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Resort Golf Academy albatros Golf Performance centre at

Terre Blanche The Academy moves to the French Riviera and the area’s finest golf and spa resort, Terra Blanche. - By Dav i D J. W h y t e

ALL PICTURES: The Albatros Golf Performance Centre at Terre Blance is one of the most comprehensive teaching facilities in Europe.

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Set in southern France between Côte d’Azur

and Aix en Provence is a 300-hectare luxury retreat of exceptional character with two consummate golf courses, Terra Blanche, was until recently run by the luxury hotel group, Four Seasons. It is now returned to the owner Dietmar Hopp but there is a little known fact that Hopp first bought it from legendary Scottish actor, Sean Connery, who owned it for 20 years.

Now a member of 'Leading Hotels of The World', it combines qualified luxury as defined by being a part of that select group, with premium golf experiences as Hopp is himself an avid golfer. And with the addition of the Albatros Golf Performance Centre 3 years back, Terre Blanche quickly became recognised as an exceptional learning facility bringing together cutting-edge technology with a team of highly qualified teachers. It is the first centre in the world to be branded as a “European Tour Performance Institute”, which is part of the European Tour’s long-term strategy to create a worldwide portfolio of state-of-the-art coaching establishments.

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The centre features 64 driving bays on two levels, private teaching enclosures, an indoor putting green, the latest high-performance training programs, two outdoor putting greens, two chipping greens and a grassy driving range with bunker area. It also boasts a fitness room equipped with physical training machines specifically adapted to golfers’ needs. There is a club fitting workshop using TrackMan and Select Fit systems to fit and assemble equipment to a player’s exact requirements.

Here, in this wonderfully secluded resort, golfers of all levels can come, stay, play and work on their game. Some of Europe’s Ryder Cup players have availed themselves to the latest knowledge and hi-tech equipment that accompanies these first-class practice facilities and continue to do so. The ethos here is to combine traditional coaching with the latest in sports science to optimise each individual’s capabilities.

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Resort Golf Academy

AlbAtros Golf PerformAnce centre PGA teaching professional Alain Alberti, who heads the David Leadbetter Academy here at Terre Blanche delivers a straightforward view of how a player should address his game with tips that are easy to apply at home or on the golf course. His array of teaching aids is almost playfully simple for such a sophisticated centre; a tennis ball cut in two halves, an exercise ball, a regular sized ball and two alignment canes, but it works wonders.

“For the average player, I do not have a fixed philosophy,” says Alberti. “I look for the natural qualities of a player. There is no one swing that suits everyone. Each player is different. We look to adapt the swing to a player’s physicality, not try and change the player to suit someone else’s swing. Everybody has their own signature and it’s the same with their golf swing. I try to help them to find their own swing.”

This concept was further explained as Alberti takes us through another section sited alongside his coaching bays at the practice range called the BiomecaSwing Centre. This is where a battery of sophisticated, state-of-the-art appliances are available to diagnose and deliver a unique biomechanical swing profile for each golfer, showing us exactly what our profile is.

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Alain Alberti

Jean Jacques Rivet

BiomecaSwing provides teaching professionals like Alberti with a far more detailed knowledge of what is really going on with a player’s swing along with his physiology and prescribes exactly what is required to improve it.

Here is where Jean Jacques Rivet, otherwise known as J.J., takes over. A sports biomechanist, osteopath, founder of BiomecaSwing and head of the E.T.P.I “Sport Performance & Biomechnanics” department at the European Tour Performance Institute at Terre Blanche, J.J. first studied as an engineer before ‘accidentally’ (as he confesses) coming across kinesiology, which is the scientific study of human movement that combines engineering, anatomy, physiology and bioenergy.

Connecting the laws of mechanics with the human anatomy, J.J. began lecturing in sports biomechanics.

Subsequently, extensive experience in golf and his knowledge of biomechanics has earned him plaudits and now, players like Justin Rose, Matteo Manassero, Rafa Cabrera-Bello and Raphaël Jacquelin seek his guidance.

“In the beginning, BiomecaSwing was designed for Tour players,” says Jean-Jacques. “14 years ago, we changed the program so that, here at Terre Blanche, any player can make use of the facilities. We apply the same programs and procedures to our clients that we do with top Tour players.”

“To be successful,” J.J. went on, “golf coaching must be linked back to the biomechanical analysis of your swing and how it correlates with a morphological diagnosis of your skeletal structure, your neuro-motor system and your physical efficiency,” he continues as he puts us through a sequence of sophisticated diagnostic procedures meant to decipher our physical structure and abilities.

“These detailed analysis will help pinpoint your individual strengths and weaknesses,” J.J. emphasizes. “The findings will show you how to make ultimate use of your golf swing. This way, you can increase your strengths and learn how to deal with any natural limitations that we identify in your physiology.”

Within a shortened evaluation session, I learned that I had very good lateral balance but my weight tended to be centred too far forward at address. This, I was told was probably caused by tight hamstring muscles and weak Tibialis anterior (the muscles that sit in front of the ankle that are crucial for good balance). J.J. explained how these weaknesses would impact my ability to make a well-sequenced swing.

“Everything is going to the calf,” he told me. “All the muscles in the front are not working and all the muscles in the back are too tight – always working. This creates poor posture.”

For my tight hamstrings, J.J. recommended a treatment that would have immediate effect. Dressed in a skin-tight body suit, Jean-Paul applied a large vacuum-type machine with rollers to the backs of my thighs. The sensation of pulling the skin wasn’t uncomfortable but I could feel its effect. “This is the opposite of massage,” J.J. explains.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Alain demonstrates how a simple tennis ball, cut in half and garden canes can help address swing issues identified

by BiomecaSwing; Alain Alberti uses an exercise ball to establish correct rotation.

THIS PAGETOP PICTURES: The European Tour Perfomance Institute concept at BiomecaSwing identifies specific physical issues and links them to swing issues. This helps golf coaches to offer specific solutions in their training programmes.

THIS PAGEBOTTOM LEFT PICTURE: Canes also help to establish a more precise alignment.

“We are pulling at the muscle fascia.

60 percent of the elasticity of the muscle is linked with the deficit in mobility in the fascia, the envelope around the muscle.” J.J. tested my ability to raise my legs straight up after the treatment and there was a marked improvement, at least a 70 percent increase in flexibly. For my weak Tibialis anteriors he showed me two simple exercises that would strengthen and stretch those muscles into activity.

While the science behind biomechanics is complex, the remedies are dazzlingly simple.

Back to Alberti’s halved tennis balls, exercise balls and canes. It was coming clearer to me now. Armed with concise biometric data, golf coaches can apply that technical information directly towards the areas that cause poor swing dynamics. The appropriately placed halved tennis balls addressed my weight dispersal issue giving me the sensation of keeping my weight back on the rear foot during backswing and moving it forward on the front foot during the downswing.

If touring professionals are coming here with their coaches to make use of the BiomecaSwing technology, just think what it can do for amateur golfers. The traditional approach of the David Leadbetter Academy combined with BiomecaSwing really is a powerful combination to make lasting improvements to any golfer’s game. The European Tour is also using this concept in its physio unit on tour and in all the future ETPI centres.

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Resort Golf Academy

Terre Blanche

hotel Golf & Spa resort

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With original works of art that are

part of Dietmar Hopp’s personal collection tastefully scattered around the interiors and gardens, Terre Blanche sprawls around an ancient chateau perched upon a hill, uninhabited but not abandoned with plans for its rescue and renovation.

The accommodations, all suites and villas, are generously appointed with a personal patio facing the sun and a well-appointed spa to soothe tired muscles. In the evening, its restaurants take centre stage. The lounge-style Le Gaudina Restaurant specialises in fish of the Mediterranean combined with local products that are personally sourced by chef Franck Ferigutti, while Le Faventia Restaurant is where Ferigutti practices his considerable talents. Le Tousco Grill is more casual and open only during the busier summer season and Les Caroubiers is the clubhouse restaurant with very fitting fayre for this part of France.

Among its luxurious temptations is a 3,200 sqm spa villa nestled among Mediterranean gardens but it is the golf that most will come to Terre Blanche and they are quite exceptional; ‘Le Château’ is clearly one of the finest in France while ‘Le Riou’ is highly entertaining.

Getting around Le Riou involves precision driving (usually foregoing the driver) along with impeccable greenside play. The course funnels through tight, often doglegging, tree-lined

A luxurious appeal that vows to entrap the visitor with a multitude of sensory experiences. www.terre-blanche.com

configurations. There is little need for distance in this rather short course but Le Riou tests the ability to scramble around the multi-tiered greens, which can be difficult to hit and hold.

It is interesting to note that Le Riou course will be hosting an Open for the Ladies European Tour Access Series. With wonderful views across to the villages of Pays de Fayence, Le Riou is great golf in a relaxed, scenic setting.

Dave Thomas designed both courses and integrated them perfectly into what must have been challenging but inspiring terrain. The Le Château course is clearly one of his best efforts anywhere in the world and certainly one of the finest in continental Europe. This is a full-blooded championship experience, kept in perfect condition and designed to test the very best. The course measures 6,616 metres and combines wide water features with rocky ravines and large, tantalizing greens that tempt you to go for it.

Because of the elevation changes, there are many high driving holes which is always enjoyable coupled with lush fairways to aim at. More generous off the tee than its shorter sibling, Le Château employs water hazards to tighten shots and puts pressure on the player to hit confidently. Le Château is the only Francebased event on the European Senior Tour and a fitting course to test your newfound prowess following a session with Jean-Jacque and Alain Alberti at the Performance Institute.

The likes of Cannes, Nice and Monaco are within easy driving distance (30 minutes) of the resort, as is the Mediterranean Sea. But once through the gate, there is little desire to go elsewhere – at least for a few days. The property sprawls across wooded hills and lush valleys creating a great sense of seclusion from the rest of the world, especially when staying at one of its many villas set alongside the hillside commune, and if one wishes to continue staying there, they can enquire about building their own dream villa within the resort.

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Accomodations

137 Pillars House

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137 Pillars House is a stunning, luxurious

30-suite boutique hotel with a rich colonial past; built around the original colonial teak homestead which dates back to the early 1800s. It is located in a lush tropical residential enclave that is within walking distance to the historical Wat Gate Khar Rham Temple, Ping River and trendy boutiques on Nimmanhaemin Road, Chiang Mai. It is not just another teak house, but full of historical and memorable accounts, as shared by a neighbor: “There was a house on the compound that my family and I called Baan Dam which is Thai for ‘Black House.’ It was built in the Indo-Portuguese style with a high platform atop more than 100 wooden columns.

I remember because as children we used to count them.

In fact, there are all together 137 columns. And that has become the name of the hotel.

Back then, Louis Leonowens the son of Anna, the renowned British teacher of King Chulalongkorn joined the East Borneo Company in 1886, opening its Chiang Mai office in 1889.

During Louis’ tenure as Superintendent for the Company in Chiang Mai, he opened the Company’s office along the Ping River on January 24, 1896. Three sprawling teak houses, each with more than 100 teak pillars were placed or built on this site and a fourth, 137 Pillars House as we now know it, was moved over from the west side of the river to the Company’s land in the foreigner’s enclave and he briefly lived here.

The house served as residence of the Company manager until 1927 though it remained part of Company headquarters until World War II. The Japanese invaded Thailand in December 1941 and commandeered all the Company’s Chiang Mai assets including this house. Most of the Company’s Chiang Mai staff escaped to freedom by walking to Burma.

In the post-war years, the Company returned to Northern Thailand but sold its Chiang Mai headquarters to William Bain, a Scotsman educated at Harrow who at age 23 had fled his family’s expectation for Chiang Mai where he joined the Company. William married a local Mon girl, and together they raised a family of two daughters and two sons. Son Jack followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the company and raising his own family in the vicinity.

The latest chapter in the long and fabled history of this unique house begins in 2002 when Bangkok-born Panida Wongphanlert came on her own holiday to Chiang Mai and fell in love with the house known to locals as Baan Dam, or “black house.” In her own words, “We were charmed at first sight by 137 Pillars House. As we learned the true, fascinating story of this house and the East Borneo Company, we knew our family could share this slice of Thai history with the world.”

At 137 Pillars House, our staff will be honored to lead you through the surrounding charms of Chiang Mai and welcome you home into pampered privacy. We sincerely hope to create exceptional and meaningful memories for every guest on every single day.

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Guest quarters Architectural historians and conservationists worked meticulously to retain the integrity of the original 1889 structure at 137 Pillars House. Tiled verandas, cane shades, rattan furniture and free standing Victorian baths are reminders of days gone by, blended with the modern facilities including outdoor garden showers, flat screen televisions and the all-important wi-fi access. Four stunning suite types range from 70 square meters up to 135 square meters, each named after a famous Colonial settler. They are • 20 Rajah Brooke Suites (70sqm); interconnecting suites available • 6 East Borneo Suites (75sqm) • 2 William Bain Terrace Suites (100sqm) • 2 Louis Leonowens Pool Suites (135sqm) Location • Minutes from Chiang Mai International Airport, 10 minutes from Chiang Mai Railway Station • Walking distance to Night Bazaar and The Riverside Bar & Restaurant • Popular attractions include Wat Gate Khar Rham Temple and Museum, Huai Kaeo Falls, Royal Winter Palace, Doi Pui Tribal Village Meeting, event and other facilities • The Drawing Room: ideal venue for a small private dining function, social gathering or business meeting (maximum capacity 35 persons) • The Lawn: ideal venue for outdoor dining function, cocktail party or wedding ceremony and reception • A range of options for your relaxation and recreation : health and wellness facilities and restaurants and bars Awards • Conde Nast Traveler’s Hot List 2013 “Best New Hotels in the World” • TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice 2013 “Top 25 Luxury Hotels in Thailand” and “Certificate of Excellence” • Travel&Leisure Magazine USA IT List 2012 “50 Best Hotel Openings in the World”

For more information, kindly contact 137 Pillars House 2 Soi 1, Nawatgate Road, Watgate, Muang, Chiang Mai 053 247 788 www.snhcollection.com/137pillarshouse Golf Vacations

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Collection ★ Move

BMW & Louis Vuitton Collaborates

louis Vuitton teams up with bMW to launch a collection of stylish yet functional luggage that is exclusively designed to fit the German automaker’s first plug-in hybrid vehicle. - By S a n d e r S J o n e S

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Weekender GM i8 A large, soft travel bag designed to be handheld or carried on the shoulder, is a perfect fit for the boot of the BMW i8.

GarMent BaG i8 The garment bag slips onto the car’s rear parcel shelf. With two rounded handles and a removable address tag on the outside, as well as two hangers protected by a zip-up microfibre sheath on the inside, it offers the very best protection for suits and shirts.

Business Case i8 The business case comprises two ultra-resistant, thermo-compressed semi-rigid shells that follow the curves of the BMW i8 back seat perfectly. It also leaves space for the Weekender PM i8 bag to slide on top of it.

Weekender PM i8 The small soft bag lies snugly on the flat surface of the business case.

Like the other pieces in the set, it features a specially designed handle, a natural leather address tag and that ubiquitous Louis Vuitton padlock.

Since its founding 160 years ago, Louis Vuitton has been dedicated to the lifestyle of the international traveller. As one of the oldest existing malletiers in the world, the French fashion house has been creating trunk cases for sophisticated journeymen, supplying their very needs as time, and technology evolves. So, when it was announced that they have teamed up with German high performance automaker BMW to unveil a tailor-made collection of luggage for the newly launched BMW i8 rechargeable hybrid sports vehicle, fans of both luxury marques anticipated an exciting range that will set them apart from everyone else. And they are not disappointed.

Echoing the same refinement and regard for quality embraced by the luxury fashion house, the four-piece set comprising two weekender bags, a garment bag, and a hardshell business case, have been constructed with exacting standards and carefully designed to follow the clean, minimalist lines of the BMW i8. So inspired were they by the visionary design of the modern automobile that the bags and cases have been crafted to match it perfectly; for instance, the bags are built with featherlight textile made entirely of carbon fibre to mimic the car’s lightweight engineering. Coupled with sturdy high-tech material and you get extreme robustness and strength, made for the rigours of travel – no matter how long and arduous the drive.

Function aside, the devil, when it comes to differentiating the best from the good, lies unerringly in the details and here is no exception. As a stamp of their collaboration, the microfibre lining in the bags is laminated with a coat of electric blue – the trademark brand colour of the BMW i8 – with its handles made from dyed natural leather; a sign of Louis Vuitton quality.

Sharing his thoughts on the collaboration, Patrick-Louis Vuitton, head of special orders at the French fashion house and great grandson of the its founder said, “This collaboration with BMW epitomises our shared values of creativity, technological innovation and style. Our craftsmen at Louis Vuitton have enjoyed the challenge of this very special project, using their ingenuity and attention to detail to create a truly madeto-measure set of luxury luggage. This is a pure expression of the art of travel.”

But the product, as we already know, does not end with luggages. For practical dayto-day business or otherwise social functions, the Weekender GM i8, with both hand and shoulder carry straps, is custom-designed to go into the boot, while the Garment Bag i8 is a perfect fit for the rear shelf of the BMW i8 when you need to bring formal wear for important occasions. The sturdy hardshell Business Case i8, which is also ideal for carrying laptops, matches the shape of the rear seats, while the small Weekender PM i8 is designed to rest on its surface. With the exception of the garment bag, all items in the collection come with leather nametags and the iconic Louis Vuitton padlock.

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Collection ★ Move

All New F-TYPe CouPé immortalised through the art of tim layzell Bangkok, 17 September 2014 – The Jaguar F-TYPE Coupé, launched recently in

the Thai market by Jaguar’s authorised distributor, City Automobiles, has been immortalized on canvas by one of the world's leading automotive artists, Tim Layzell. The British painter began his career at just 13 years of age when his work was recognised by the British Racing Drivers' Club. 19 years on, Tim's work sells to collectors worldwide. Jaguar has always been a favourite subject for Tim; one of his BRDC-award winning paintings was of the 1953 Le Mans-winning Jaguar C-type, and so the opportunity to get involved with a project around the F-TYPE Coupé was immediately of interest.

In the artist’s own words, “The F-TYPE Coupé is everything a sports car should be beautiful, fast, and it sounds amazing. I was, of course, very excited to become involved with the car.” Jaguar’s F-TYPE Coupé is a focused hard-top version of the ‘2013 World Car Design of the Year’ F-TYPE Convertible. Combining an uncompromised supercar mantra of COME ALIVE with contemporary British style, the F-TYPE Coupé epitomises aggression, power and indomitable spirit.

Visual appeal is also fundamental to Jaguar, and as such the All New F-TYPE Coupé embodies the uncompromised design vision of the stunning Jaguar C-X16 concept sports Coupé, its dramatic cabin-rearward stance being defined by three flowing heartlines.

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Tim explained, “The angle of the Coupé that I've chosen to paint shows off some of what I feel are its most exciting design cues; the tail lights, the deep-draw rear wings and its dramatic roof line. I wanted to paint it in a situation we'd all love to be in, driving through the mountains in late afternoon sunlight and shadows, while perhaps chasing another piece of exotica, in this case the F-TYPE Convertible!"

It is from the twin ‘shark gill’ openings that sit either side of the grille that the essential first heartline flows and begins to take shape. The Coupé’s second heartline, also shared with the Convertible, begins at the rear edge of the door, swelling outwards and upwards to create a visually strong wheelarch, emphasising the car’s rearwheel drive layout, before dropping vertically through the tail lamp.

The third heartline is the sweeping Coupé roof profile which provides an unbroken silhouette while emphasising the visual drama of the tapered cabin sitting between powerful rear haunches.

CoMe AlIVe - F-TYPe Coupé Performance

The All New F-TYPE Coupé is the most dynamically capable, performance-focused sports car that Jaguar has ever produced.

Powered by Jaguar’s 5.0-litre supercharged petrol V8 allaluminium engine in 550PS and 680Nm form, the F-TYPE R Coupé achieves headline figures of 0-96KM/h in 4.0-seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 299KM/h, 80-120KM/h taking a mere 2.4-seconds.

Secondly, the F- TYPE S Coupé is powered by Jaguar’s 3.0 V6 Supercharged petrol engine, propelling it from 0-100KM/h in 4.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 275 KM/h.

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Collection ★ Bespoke

Small in Size, big on Sound

Bang & Olufsen’s latest Beolit 12 is set to charm sound purists with its chic design and unrivalled sound quality. - By S a n d e r S J o n e S

These days, when it comes to purchasing portable speakers for your home or office, there’s little doubt that we are spoilt for choice.

However, if brilliant aesthetics, portability and unrivalled sound quality are some of the things you are looking for in a portable speaker, then the recently unveiled Beolit 12 from Bang & Olufsen has all the boxes ticked. The masterpiece of Danish designer Cecilie Manz, the newly launched Beolit 12 features a vintage design that pays tribute to the Beolit transistor radio, one of the brand’s flagship pieces in the 60s. With its slender white housing, light grey aluminium speaker grill, and a black carrier handle made from full grain leather, when placed on any office desk or study table, it looks just like an exquisite piece of art. Apart from looking great, the Beolit 12 has also been imbued with optimal functionality in mind – the non-slip rubber top tray allows users to conveniently place their phones on it while the music is playing.

Despite its sleek and chic profile, the Beolit 12 is big on sound; this nifty portable speaker consists of a 120 Watt digital Class D power amplifier system that individually drives two 2” tweeters and a 4” woofer to offer a strong and accurate sound performance.

Additionally, the Beolit 12 features the signature B&O PLAY sound, which delivers clean and outstanding audio to recreate music the way its artistes meant it to be with no tweaks or over emphasised elements.

To optimise portability, the speaker is equipped with a rechargeable battery that lasts approximately 8 hours when connected to its source through USB or audio cable or 4 hours when connected via AirPlay.

The Beolit 12 also features Apple's Airplay technology, allowing users to play music wirelessly from their iPod, iPhone, Mac or PC. http://beostores.bang-olufsen.com.sg

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Collection ★ Bespoke

Fondation Louis Vuitton

The fondation Louis Vuitton will open its doors to the public on Monday, 27 October 2014.

The building, designed by architect Frank Gehry, will become a new location in Paris for contemporary French and international artistic creation.

The LVMH Group announces the opening to the public on Monday 27 October 2014, of the foundation Louis Vuitton. The foundation will be located in a building commissioned by Bernard Arnault, and designby the American architect Frank Gehry. Resembling a cloud of glass, the building is set in the Jardin d’Acclimatation in Paris, in the northen part of the Bois de Boulogne.

The foundation Louis Vuitton’s mission is to encourage and promote contemporary artistic creation both in France and internationally. The collections and programmes will continue the tradition of artistic and creative movements of the 20th and 21st centuries.

The building for the Fondation Louis Vuitton includes exhibition galleries dedicated to the permanent collection, temporary exhibitions and artists’ commission. It is completed by a flexible auditorium for the presentation of multi-disciplinary performances and events.

Its terraces offer unique panoramic views of Paris and the lush greenery of the Jardin d’Acclimatation, the inspiration for Frank Gehry’s architecture of glass and transparency.

In the context of the opening programme, the Fondation Louis Vuitton is a corporate foundation and a provate cultural initiative dedicated to art and artists. The foundation represents a new phase in art patronage and in the culture initiated by LVMH in France and around the world over the past two decades.

Key ArchitecturAl DAtA Land area: 1 ha Building floor area: 11 700 m2 11 galleries Auditorium with capacity of 350

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Picture Perfect

Combining function and form, the Leica T-System is a golf vacationer’s best mate. - By Be n n y T e O

For years, digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras have enjoyed a reputation as the

most versatile camera on the market, capable of delivering the highest quality images. But imagine lugging one around during a golfing trip and constantly swapping resin with iron.

Tough way to enjoy the game.

Enter the Leica T-System, a minimalistically stylish, compact camera designed in collaboration with AUDI Design and crafted from a single block of aluminum. It is equipped with a 16.5 megapixel APS-C sensor with a sensitivity range of ISO 100-12,500.

That it delivers excellent image quality – sharp, detailed, with lush film-like colours and organic-looking noise at lower ISOs – is a given. It is a Leica after all; and with shutter speeds from as low as 1/30 to 1/4,000 seconds, even a golf ball in mid-flight can be frozen. Other features include full HD movie recording with stereo sound and an internal 16GB memory.

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The Leica T-System’s configurable touchscreen interface is very straightforward and easy to navigate. Almost everything – settings, menu and playback – is operated through a well-thought-out touch interface, except the main exposure settings, which is controlled by a pair of top-plate dials.

To keep friends and family abreast of what’s happening, the Leica T-System offers something useful for all Facebook, Instagram and Twitter addicts. Featuring an integrated Wi-Fi module, users can transfer both pictures and videos from the camera to a smartphone, tablet or computer almost instantly, as long as there is Internet connection.

Two lenses are currently available for the Leica T-System – zoom and prime.

The Vario-Elmar-T 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 is a compact zoom that offers a 27-84mm equivalent range, while the Summicron-T 23mm f/2 ASPH is a small prime that offers a classic 35mm equivalent moderate wideangle view. Both come with a fully electronic mount, near-silent internal focusing, and electronically coupled manual focus. www.leica-store.sg

Collection ★ Style

Swingin’ Style

Berluti steps into the green with the ‘Swing’, its first golf shoe. - By Be n C h i n

Leave it to the Italians to seriously up the sartorial stakes on the golf course. Esteemed Paris-based shoemaker Berluti is no stranger to crafting sturdy, durable footwear for sports. Torello Berluti, the son of founder Alessandro Berluti, first started making bepoke ski shoes for famous Italian film star Rudolf Valentino in the 1920s. The fashion house soon began receiving orders for polo, hiking and cycling shoes. And for the first time in 119 years since the birth of the company, they have added golf shoes, aptly named the Swing, to their respected repertoire.

True to its repute for dedication to detail, Berluti started building the shoe from ground up, creating an entirely new last suited to the golfer’s foot. It is fondly named St. Andrews, after the Scottish home of golf.

Kangaroo leather, well-regarded for its suppleness and strength, is used for the upper. Kangaroo hide has highly uniform fibre bundles, which means that the leather can be sliced more thinly without sacrificing structural integrity, resulting in much greater tensile strength than cowhide.

Marrying high-tech know-how with traditional luxury, Berluti’s outsole is a combination of technical rubber and leather inserts. The intricately brogued shoes also houses a shock-absorbent foam-lined insole, which is further enhanced with a lightweight carbon insert for strength and stability. Fitted with precision-engineered spikes, the sole is its secret to a superior swing. The true versatility of the Swing is the ability for the gentleman to remove the spikes with a special key, allowing him to look elegantly garbed on and off the golf course.

Of course, it is not a Berluti shoe without the brand’s trademark handpainted patina. In dual tone osso and gold or vermillion and indigo denim, it is topped off with a removable fringed lace cover in Venezia leather. Launching this month, the Swing is bound to leave an indelible impression on the green. www.berluti.com

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Collection ★ Fashion

The SmiTh AeSTheTicS By far and away Britain’s most successful designer of clothes, Paul Smith is as quintessentially English as it is ever quirky and delightful. - By Da r r e n Wo n g

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It all started with a car accident. Sir Paul Smith, then

17-years-old, had wanted to become a professional racing cyclist.

While cycling to a Nottingham clothing warehouse where he worked as an errand boy, he collided with a car and sustained serious injuries enough to crush his ambition.

The dejected young man then made friends with people from the local art college who would introduce him to the fascinating world of art and fashion - from Warhol to Kokoshka to Rolling Stones, Smith was enchanted by colourful and exciting ideas, which follow to spark his successful career as a fashion designer.

Things began to come together in 1969, when Smith met Pauline Denyer, then a fashion design student at the Royal College of Art. Pauline Denyer (now Mrs. Paul Smith) encouraged him to open his first shop called Paul Smith Vêtement Pour Homme on 10 Byard Lane, Nottingham in 1970. He sold pieces that he had designed himself, while attending night school to study military tailoring.

By 1976, Smith had garnered plaudits and appreciation for his designs and subsequently showcased his first menswear collection in Paris. From a small 12feet square, windowless shop, this British lad who would be an Olympic cyclist has built his brand to become one of the behemoths in international fashion.

Today, with more than 300 stores worldwide and a total of 14 different collections ranging from Paul Smith for men and women, to Paul Smith Jeans, to Paul Smith Accessories, “Paul Smith” has cemented itself as a brand that embraces the creative spirit and contemporary aesthetics of its founder.

Paul Smith’s designs are synonymous with classic British tailoring and style, yet pushes fashion boundaries. Sir Paul Smith (he was knighted in the year 2000 by Queen Elizabeth II) creates clothes that are luxuriously softened, in other words, the ability to be mixed and matched creatively, contrasting clothes that are made to look like attires for interviews or weddings. The idiosyncratic combination of patterns and colours is evident throughout his collections, which adhere so closely to his much-nicked catchphrase, ‘Classic with a twist’.

The inventive use of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge design can be observed from the Spring/Summer 2014 collection. Rich in colour and print, including hues of yellow and peach gradating across knitwear and pleated trousers, this collection boasts a hedonism of the 70s.

Encapsulating the playfulness of Paul Smith, the pieces showcase detailed embroidery, jacquard featuring hidden grinning clowns and magic mushrooms with panels of contrasting fabric that develop the dynamic undertones.

The collection is playful but not sloppy. With a sharp silhouette consistently featured, shoulders and waists are slim, while lapels and shirt collars are extended and accentuated. While the casual outerwear is cropped, single button jackets are lengthened a little and trousers are also fuller.

Sir Paul Smith has certainly lived up to his playful repertoire in this season’s accessories collection. Drawing on bold and trendy colours of green, yellow, pink and blue, the brand’s new line of bags and accessories is a burst of ebullience. Taking inspiration from the angular shape of origami, the Boston holdall has a V-shaped black panel at the bottom, contrasting the block colour on the body of the bag, while the diagonal lean of the base and front section create a structured feel to the piece.

The tote bag reflects a high-quality take on the sportier fabrics and textures, with padded and stretch meshes and an Aertex handle grip. It is constructed in strong, ripstop silk, finished with a high quality zip, printed lining, masculine lace-fabric detailing and nickel buckles with gold-plated rollers.

Every piece in the collections is a reflection of Sir Paul Smith’s aesthetics. As a tastemaker, a leader of British and international design trends, and possessing an unmistakable Englishness in his design elements, this world renowned designer is exceptionally successful, yet extremely down to earth. Sir Paul Smith’s designs speak of quality, quirkiness, and a certain glee that is missing in many other fashion designers.

It almost seems like him trying to convey a message, that a little playfulness can add so much colour and excitement to life. www.paulsmith.co.uk www.club21global.com

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Collection ★ Time

The MonTblanc

Meisterstück heritage collection The Montblanc Meisterstück heritage collection

Sharing the Passion for Fine Watchmaking

Ninety years ago, Montblanc created a writing instrument that became an icon in the culture of writing: the Montblanc Meisterstück. With functional and aesthetic design, an innovative ink supply and a manually profiled gold nib, this fountain pen is the legendary writing instrument of our time.

Ever since 1924, the Meisterstück has represented consummate excellence, the striving for perfection and masterly craftsmanship – and has thus embodied the principles that pervade Montblanc’s production, innovation and products. Precisely this attitude also determines the extremely high standards that Montblanc upholds so that it can consistently develop and produce the finest timepieces and innovative calibres on the highest echelons of the traditional art of Swiss watchmaking in its manufactures in the Swiss Jura, in Villeret and Le Locle.

The Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage Collection is inspired by the ninety-year heritage of the Meisterstück. With classical design, discriminating complications and sumptuous decorations, these elegant timepieces manifest the values of the Montblanc Meisterstück and the traditional features of fine Swiss watchmaking in every detail – thus making them their owners’ lifelong companions.

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This “Spirit of Meisterstück” was the starting point for the development of a new line of watches: the Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage Collection.

This new collection is inspired by the standards of the Montblanc Meisterstück.

Like the legendary fountain pen, these timepieces are distinguished by masterly craftsmanship, timeless design and perfect functionality.

The Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage Collection embodies the finest Swiss watchmaking in each and every detail.

For example, the time is shown by faceted hands in the classical dauphine shape, which sweep over cambered, silver-white dials that have been tastefully embellished with sunburst patterns. Dauphine hands are extremely challenging to fabricate because their clear geometry, straight contours and perfectly smooth flanks would instantly reveal even the tiniest flaw in their manufacturing or assembly. Their elegant length is an especially distinguishing feature of fine watchmaking. The hour circle combines polished faceted appliqués in three different lengths and an eyecatching applied Roman numeral “XII”.

In accord with the best watchmaking tradition, each appliqués stands atop two little feet which are firmly riveted to the dial. The classical shape of the elegant 39- or 41-mm-diameter case is accentuated by various finishings on the surfaces, for example, horizontal satin finishing on the middle piece. The crown is adorned with Montblanc’s emblem in polished, raised relief against a matte sand-blasted background. These elaborate features distinguish all models in the Meisterstück Heritage Collection: from the classical three-handed wristwatch with date display, through the elegant moon-phase watch, to grandes complications such as a perpetual calendar and a monopusher chronograph.

Collection ★ Time

HeRmÈs ARceAu

Lift chevaux en camouflage At Hermès, time slips by to the gentle rhythm of artisans’ nimble fingers. Their rare and demanding crafts merge in giving rise to exceptional creations. The Arceau Lift Chevaux en camouflage is no exception to the rule. Available in two 8-piece limited editions, it stages an encounter between a Manufacture Hermès flying tourbillon and the art of cloisonné enamel, revealing a motif inspired by a Hermès silk carré: Chevaux en camouflage.

The enamelling workshop is the scene of painstaking, meticulous hand-crafted process.

The artist-artisan begins by sketching on a sheet of paper the outlines of the horses, which will serve as the base for tiny gold wires.

The canvas is a gold dial on which he delicately places the golden filaments, thereby marking out the surfaces to be enamelled.

Like a painter, he then prepares his palette of colours, a symphony of blue and brown shades, according to the specific version of the watch.

Using the tip of his brush, he applies the colours in light touches to create a play of light and depth effects. In the course of successive firings at around 800°C, the various subtle nuances gradually appear in all their subtle splendour, giving life to the mettlesome horses breaking into a gallop and framed by the white or rose gold case.

This cavalcade of glass, gold and fire plays out above another stunning visual show – this time of a mechanical nature. The flying tourbillon of the Manufacture Hermès H1923 movement spins airily inside a carriage topped with a double H symbol evoking that of the lift in the historical boutique at 24, Faubourg Saint Honoré in Paris.

Brilliantly orchestrating skills perpetuated by the human hand, the Arceau Lift Chevaux en camouflage stems from a combination of timehonoured watchmaking and cloisonné enamelling techniques. In keeping with the origins of Hermès, it is naturally fitted with a leather strap – complete, as one would expect, with finely crafted saddle stitching.

For more information: www.press.montre-hermes.ch Golf Vacations

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Collection ★ Time

Patek PhiliPPe

175 Years of heritage and aesthetics

Patek Philippe, the last family-owned independent watch manufacturer in Geneva has perpetually enjoyed total creative freedom to entirely design, produce and assemble what experts agree to be the finest timepieces in the world.

The history of portable mechanical timepieces began 500 years ago. Tracing the arc from there to Patek Philippe’s 175-year anniversary, this means the Genevan manufacture has co-written, co-designed, and co-measured a third of the history in this category of timekeeping instruments.

Patek Philippe has proudly and cordially pursued its business without interruption since it was founded on May 1, 1839 and has always been a privately owned company. To this very day, Patek Philippe is domiciled in Geneva and headquartered on Rue du Rhone in the heart of the city, in a building it has occupied since briefly after the company was first registered.

From the very start, the manufacture has been a player in the very top league of watchmaking artistry- in haute horlogerie with opulently decorated and highly complex creations as evidenced by the exhibits in the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva’s Plainpalais district. It not only displays a globally unique collection of timepieces spanning 500 years but also showcases a fascinating selection of horological masterpieces crafted in the manufacture’s workshops during the last 175 years.

This heritage positions Patek Philippe amid the oldest and most distinguished watchmaking companies in Switzerland and the world. The 175-year legacy is subdivided into three chapters corresponding to three epochs: Inception, Accession of the Stern family and Present; with their historic milestones.

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Chapter 1: the company founders and the ascent of Patek Philippe – 1839 to 1932

1839 Patek & Czapek is established in Geneva.

Six months after the company is incorporated, Patek & Czapek sells the first strikework model: a quarter-repeating pocket watch.

1868 Patek Philippe crafts the key-winding lady’s bracelet watch No. 27 368, the first wristwatch in the history of Swiss horology. It is sold to Hungarian Countess Koscowicz in 1876.

Chapter 2: Patek Philippe and the beginning of the Stern era – 1932 to 1989

1933 Delivery of the Graves “Super Complication” pocket watch No. 198 385, the world's most complicated portable mechanical watch until 1989.

1999 It is auctioned off in New York for a record sum of 11 million US dollars, unmatched since then.

1933 Graves Super Complication

1989 Patek Philippe celebrates its 150th anniversary with the launch of the Calibre 89 pocket watch with 33 complications. It still holds the world record for complicated portable mechanical timepieces.

The limited-edition anniversary wristwatches – Patek Philippe revived the popularity of minute repeaters with two self-winding wristwatch models: the Ref. 3979 with subsidiary seconds and the Ref. 3974.

1946 Patek Philippe creates a department for electronic time measurement.

2009 CH 29-535

2013 Ref 6002

1989 Ref 3974J

Chapter 3: Patek Philippe in the present – 1989 to 2014

2001 Inauguration of the Patek Philippe Museum with over 2000 exhibits from the 500-year history of portable mechanical timepieces, fantastic examples of Genevanémail (miniature painting on enamel), Patek Philippe watches from 1839 to date, and a library with more than 8000 publications on watches, astronomy, and timekeeping.

2009 Patek Philippe presents the first chronograph movement completely crafted in-house. It is self-winding and has a classic column wheel as well as a horizontal clutch. The new CH 29-535 PS caliber premieres with the Ladies First chronograph Ref. 7071 and is to replace all future models formerly equipped with the outsourced caliber CH 27-70 movement.

2013 The manufacture's most complicated wristwatch, an intricate ensemble of 686 individual parts, is relaunched as the Ref. 6002 in a “Rare Handcrafts” case of equal complexity with relief engravings as well as cloisonné and champlevé enamel.

“Patek Philippe’s 175th will, surely, also make history.”

And the legacy is definitely to go on…

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Collection ★ Indulge

Ace of chAmpAgnes, Ace of spAdes

Luxe champagne Armand de Brignac exemplifies liquid luxury. - By J a f r i M.

Celebrated parties around the world will never be the same without

the right bubbles and there is nothing that represents indulgence as a 15-litre Armand de Brignac, also called “Ace of Spades” at a beach club in the desert with bikini-clad babes in tow.

Sounds like your kind of fun? Well, that’s what bungalow guests at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas were offered – an exclusive limited production of 15L Armand de Brignac Rosé for a cool $100,000. Girls not included.

While the partying continues at every corner of the world today, it must be noted that this award-winning liquid that hails from the Champagne Cattier chateau of Chigny-les-Roses in France has been in production since 1763.

The Cattier family owned and cultivated vineyards in the notable Montagne de Reims terroir of the French Champagne region. It is a refined, artistic process that persists till this day with Jean-Jacques Cattier and his son, Alexandre Cattier, along with some six other craftspeople, creating the champagne from grape to glass through traditional Champenois tools and labour-intensive methods.

For instance, remuage (riddling) is done by hand on traditional wooden racks, after which bottles are degorged manually with a craftsman pouring out the sediment manually.

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The liquid gem is aged in a gated section of the cellars 119 steps underground. One of the deepest in the region, it ensures a slow, uniform aging. Each cuvée includes a unique liqueur de dosage aged one full year in oak barrels from Burgundy and Champagne for heightened character and subtlety.

Many champagnes are produced in millions of bottles using high capacity filling machinery.

Industrial-grade presses are used with modern bottling lines. But not with Armand de Brignac.

Its real pewter labels are individually stamped, manually polished, and applied by hand. And the opaque hand-dipped metallic bottle, inspired by famed French fashion designer André Courrèges, is presented in a black, velvet-lined wooden case embossed with the champagne’s royal crest.

Liquid art indeed.

Moments 10 September 2014

↓ Bangkok Bank goLF ToURnaMEnT 2014 Bangkok Bank

Golf Tournament 2014 has come to its 7th course at the Royal Golf & Country Club (Ladkrabang). This time, Bangkok Bank's cardholders excitedly competed for the holein-one grand prize-Toyota Camry (worth 1,659,000 baht) More than 160 male and female golfers looked forward to play the 17th hole with much enthusiasm to win the Toyota Camry.

Unfortunately, nobody could beat the challenge to claim the grand prize. The course proved to be especially challenging in the par 3 3th, 7th and 13th holes where the distance to hit a hole in one was restricted to only 25 yards.

The evening party consisted of the award ceremony for the winning golfers in three categories and a wide array of fun activities to keep everyone entertained.

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Moments Bangkok – S.T. Gan, Managing Director of Independent Wine & Spirit (Thailand) Co., Ltd. which was founded in 2000 and has imported over 300 labels of wine and spirit from around the world, celebrated Campari’s new look with us at the “Campari New Look Launch Party” on Thursday 26 June 2014 at Woo Bar, W Hotel Bangkok.

Campari is a contemporary and charismatic classic spirit, which has remained unchanged and originated in Novara in 1860, known as the most famous cocktail base around the world. It is obtained from the infusion of bitter herbs, aromatic plants and fruits in alcohol and water. With its vibrant red hue, intense aroma and inspiring bittersweet flavor, Campari has always been a symbol of pleasure, which unfurls itself into a captivating drinking experience. Campari is famous throughout the world as an icon of passionate Italian style and excellence.

At the party, fantastic Campari cocktails were served to guests by the best bartenders of Campari Academy 2014.

Over 150 years, Campari has represented uniqueness, passion, prestige and internality for its unique and unmistakable recipe used and served worldwide which has been kept secret and passed down over the generations without reformulation.

For the special night, special cocktails were served by private hostesses in the VIP zone under the theme "Classy Red". The party was graced by many Thai celebrities and the ambassador of Italy in Thailand, Mr. Francesco Saverio Nisio as the principle of the event.

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26 June 2014

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CAMPARI New look Launch Party

Moments 25 July 2014

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AUDEMARS PIGUET Boutique Grand Opening Event, Bangkok presented by Cortina Watch

The first Audemars Piguet

Boutique in Thailand, located in the Central Embassy, welcomed 150 guests in celebration of its grand opening on 25 July. The Audemars Piguet Boutique is a joint-venture with Cortina Watch (Thailand) Co., Ltd. Guests were treated to a plethora of fine canapés and exquisite wines while soaking in 139 years of brand history in the form of a miniature exhibition. More than 25 exquisite timepieces specially curated from the Audemars Piguet Museum were on display, such as the 1894 Grande Complication pocket watch, all the way to the very first Royal Oak Concept timepiece launched in year 2002, and even the Royal Oak Offshore Pride of Siam launched in 2013.

A contemporary dance group impressed the crowd with sleek moves and choreography that led to the grand opening of the boutique and champagne toast between Oliviero Bottinelli, Managing Director of Audemars Piguet, Asia; Krist Chatikaratana, Executive Director of Cortina Watch (Thailand) Co., Ltd; Buddy Chatikaratana Chairman of Cortina Watch (Thailand) Co., Ltd; Jeremy Lim, Chief Operation Officer of Cortina Watch Singapore Pte Ltd and Sirinij Chokchairittikul, Vice President Marketing, Central Embassy The Audemars Piguet boutique, located in the new Central Embassy along Ploenchit Road, boasts a 50 sqm space showcasing an original concept design that captures the 139-year old brand’s core values: origins, artistry and extraordinary relationships. The blend of wood, metal and idyllic landscapes of Le Brassus, immerse clients in the Vallée de Joux in Switzerland, birthplace of Audemars Piguet.

Committed to the highest levels of excellence in design, manufacturing and service, timepieces from all six major collections will be presented in the boutique, where clients will enjoy an unparalleled level of comfort.

Emblematic timepieces as well as pieces from the new collection will be showcased around the boutique for watch enthusiasts and collectors to enjoy in the new Audemars Piguet “Home away from Home” in Bangkok.

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Moments 6 August 2014

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IWC presents the 2014 Aquatimer Collection in Thailand

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Located in the heart of Bangkok,

the Cortina Watch boutique at Central Plaza Ladprao was transformed with a unique set-up that juxtaposed the world above and below the ocean surface. Imbued with blue atmospheric light, the ambience was enhanced further with underwater sound acoustics and beautiful wall images of underwater creatures.

The evening began with the arrival of invited guests, and a welcome address from Krist Chatikaratana, Executive Director of Cortina Watch Thailand, followed by the introduction of Matthieu Dupont, Managing Director of IWC Southeast Asia.

The evening’s highlight was the premiere of the IWC 2014 Aquatimer collection movie, which Mr. Dupont further detailed the new diving watch collection with a dedicated presentation, in which he shared key attributes of the 2014 Aquatimer collection.

The evolution of diving watches continues with IWC’s 2014 Aquatimer collection, which was launched at Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie earlier this year in Geneva. IWC’s 2014 Aquatimer collection comes with inspired technical features, even more in-house calibres and a patented IWC bracelet quickchange system. The Aquatimer collection dates back to 1967, and is a distinctively masculine, dynamic and professional sports watch line.

Overall, the new 2014 Aquatimer collection presents a more discreet look with more subdued colours, encompassing a design that is more purist than the previous collection. The new collection is also now more functional and safer, emphasized by the new, innovative rotating bezel, which is the hallmark of the IWC Aquatimer watches.

Guests were then invited to get up-close to the star offerings from IWC’s new diving watch range, including the new Aquatimer Automatic 2000, the Aquatimer Chronograph Edition “Galapagos Islands” and the Aquatimer Chronograph Edition “Jacques-Yves Cousteau”. These two special editions are part of the four special editions that IWC has launched this year, in support of the work of the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Cousteau Society. As a manufacturer of topquality watches that stand for lasting value, IWC feels a very special obligation to help preserve the fragile ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands.

It therefore supports and sponsors the Charles Darwin Foundation and its research organization, which adopts a scientific approach to the challenges on the Galapagos. IWC brings the same commitment to the Cousteau Society, which dedicates itself to continuing the research work of Jacques Cousteau and the preservation of the world’s seas.

The night concluded with much excitement in the air, as guests left with much anticipation for what IWC had to offer for the year ahead. Without a doubt, the new 2014 Aquatimer collection would appeal equally to diving watch aficionados to admirers of highly sophisticated in-house watch movements.

The Last Putt ChAtChAi

PAyuhAnAveeChAi

"Playing golf makes us friends rather than business partners."

Golf course is not only a place for people to go exercise, but also a place to meet and talk business.

Although Chatchai Payuhanaveechai, Executive Vice President of the Kasikorn Bank, has little time to play golf because of his responsibilities and busy schedule, he usually meets and talks business with clients and business alliances on the golf course.

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Chatchai is responsible for the entire small business loan at Kasikorn Bank. Those loans, a 300-billion baht portfolio, include mortgages, credit cards, and collateral-free personal loans. Chatchai is also responsible for looking after big name business alliances who own small businesses such as department stores or shopping malls. And it is the goal of Kasikorn Bank to build relationship and join hands with these alliances, as well as to develop new banking innovations to serve its clients. For any activity that involve Kasikorn Bank, Chatchai is always part of them to a certain extent.

Business Golfer

Chatchai said that he starts working since getting up in the morning until just before going to bed. Each day he has to attend 5-10 meetings and, later in the evening, has 2-3 appointments with clients and business alliances.

“I think that working hour is not only 8 hours per day, but it can be every hour of the day.”

He especially admires golf. In the past, he had to go golfing with his friends every week, playing 40-50 times per year. But, now, he only has time to play once a month or once in two months.

“The time for me to play golf is getting less and less. It becomes a combination of golf and work. There are events that we create for our clients including our alliances who are real estate developers, or our major alliances such as Siam Cement Group or PTT. Sometimes I have to go golfing with

6-7 important clients at the same time or sometimes we host a golf tournament for our high income clients such as the Wisdom. On those days I have to be a business golfer.

However, working and playing golf at the same time give me the opportunity to relax and build relationship with clients at a golf course since playing golf allows me to get to know my clients better. We feel more like friends than business partners.”

A Sport that Builds Relationship with Clients

Kasikorn Bank is considered as one of the commercial banks that fully support golf. The bank has supported many golf tournaments including the Day to Day Campaign that offers 10-70% discount on green fees and 10,000 baht reward for every time a golfer hits a hole in one. In addition to a monthly draw of prizes and rewards for golfers, there is a big draw of prizes for clients to go golfing overseas.

Judging from a business perspective, all golfers are Kasikorn Bank’s target where those with medium to high income clients would be the bank’s High Value Customers This particular group of clients spends a lot using credit cards, have a lot of money in saving accounts, and conduct a lot of business transactions.

“Golf is one avenue that allows the bank and its clientele to get closer. It is a way to build good relationship with clients. And offering the privileges to them directly is absolutely a way to strengthen your brand.”

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