Gv#017

Thailand Edition vol. 17

My Top Ten Greg Norman Legends Tom Watson Destination Focus Kota Kinabalu Choice Resorts Westchester County

Southern BelleS

The 19th Golf Vacations Buyer’s Guide to Golf Style Vacation Rekindling an Oriental Acquaintance

Robert Trent Jones Trail in Alabama magazine of the gm group golf vacations thailand vol.17 july-august 2016 180 baht

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09 CaRTOgOlf Greatest Championship Courses

ON THE COVER

10 pOsTCaRD The Rise, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

GOLF VACATIONS THAILAND VOLUME 17 jULy-AUGUST 2016 RObERT TRENT jONES GOLF TRAIL, ALAbAMA, USA

12 JOuRNal - Wonderful Golfing in Hokkaido - Rolex Testimonees Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer evoke memories - Rolex rooted in the iconic moments of Open Championship history - Cameron, of the seas - Through Father's Eyes - No pain, all gain - Eastern & Oriental Penang 22 lEgENDs TOM WATSON The man who defied the times and almost became a record equalling Major champion at 59 is also a living legend worth emulating.

26 COVER sTORy SOUTHERN bELLES, RObERT TRENT jONES TRAIL IN ALAbAMA In the American south, the summers are hot and steamy. Along the Gulf of Mexico, the white sand beaches are heavily populated with sunbathers and tourists smeared with sun tan lotion and splashing in its warm waters, but then, there’s also golf.

32 my TOp TEN GREG NORMAN One of the most influential figures in world golf for more than 30 years, Greg Norman won 88 professional tournaments in a glittering playing career. As a much sought-after designer, the Shark has now opened some 74 courses worldwide with 35 projects in development. In an exclusive article for Golf Vacations, he lists his top ten courses.

38 THE 19TH GOLF VACATIONS bUyER'S GUIDE TO GOLF Our first ever comprehensive guide to the latest golf equipment available in our market.

48 DEsTiNaTiON fOCus PLEASURAbLE bUSINESS With Kota Kinabalu’s array of golfing and accommodation options, it’s easy to mix business with leisure.

TOM WATSON RObERT TRENT jONES TRAIL IN ALAbAMA

My TOP TEN GREG NORMAN 4 • G o l f V a c a t i o n s • JUl-aUG 2016

54 CHOiCE REsORTs WESTCHESTER COUNTy THE RAjPRUEk CLUb

GOLF VACATIONS bUyER'S GUIDE TO GOLF

PLEASURAbLE bUSINESS

66 ResoRt Golf acadeMy DESERT COURSES Our resident celebrity instructor shows us a new way to play the sandy belt.

70 style Vacation REkINDLING AN ORIENTAL ACqUAINTANCE 78 collection 78 TIME - Rado Centrix Open Heart - Bell & Ross vintage BR Aeronavale - High jewellery 2016 - Hautlence Invictus vida Loca Choppers Chronograph 82 MOVE Mercedes-Benz Style edition Garia Golf Car 83 hOTEL RAMADA MENAM RIVERSIDE - Ramada Menam Riverside - Le Meridien Chiang Mai - The Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel 86 DRINk - joseph Phelps vineyards

88 MoMents - Big Hitting - Title holder Thaworn and Major winner Immelman headline the King's Cup - Negroni Week Launch Party - Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Chronograph Launch Party - Golfers Branden Grace & Paul Dunne become Audemars Piguet Ambassadors - Montblanc 110th Anniversary - 2016 Rolex Baselworld Collection at Cortina Watch - 2016 Centara World Masters 98 last putt A Day with the Iron Lady Golfer

RESORT GOLF ACADEMY DESERT COURSES

GM MULTIMEDIA GROUP PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED Chairman & CEO : PAKORN Pongvarapa Executive Vice President : Finance PORNjITT Pongvarapa Executive Vice President : Business Development RITNARONG Kulprasoot Executive Vice President : Marketing SueBWONG Kaewthipharat Executive Vice President : New Media PeSILP Pongvarapa Editor-in-Chief : SueBWONG Kaewthipharat Executive Art Director : PRATeeP Putchimtuck Photographer : DAMRONGRIT Sathitdamrongtham Computer Artist : PRASIT Anakananthpun Advertising/Marketing Manager : SOMWuT Somsa Advertising/Marketing Staff : WORAMON Asampinpongs Proofreader : SIRAYA Pongvarapa Production Manager : RATANA Khow General Manager : PANuWAT Pongvarapa Finance Manager : WIMONLAK Asaiphanit Accounting Manager : NICHAPA Buparanond Color Separation : Kanoksilp (Thailand) Tel. +662 215 1588 Printing : O.S. Printing House Co., Ltd. Tel. +662 434 6850

REkINDLING AN ORIENTAL ACqUAINTANCE hIGh JEwELLERY 2016

ThE MARCO POLO hONGkONG hOTEL 6 • G o l f V a c a t i o n s • JUl-aUG 2016

A DAY wITh ThE IRON LADY GOLFER

Editor’s Page The Professional The biggest news in the realm of Thai golf this month is none other than “Pro Chang” Thongchai Jaidee’s European Tour victory at the Open de France with €583,300 in Tour prize (THB22.75 million).

“I’ve played here many times. The course is fantastic. This is the greatest victory of my life and it was even more special to have my family present at the course. I'm delighted to have won the tournament as a birthday present for my son,” said Pro Chang.

Thongchai Jaidee is the first Thai golfer to play on both The Asian Tour and The European Tour. He started playing golf at age 16 and turned professional at age 31. Currently, the world's no.31 player who has amassed more than THB150 million, is training with his German coach Peter Wolfenstetter.

In this August, Thongchai Jaidee will lead a team of Thai professional golfers to compete at the Olympics in Brazil.

From his past as a military man, his life has taken such a dramatic turn.

“I’m very satisfied to be where I am today. I never thought about how far I must go. I just keep my focus, concentrate on the game and work hard, everything else will follow...,” THE PrOFEssIOnAl sAId.

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: Benny Teo

Thailand

Company: GM Multimedia Group 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

Suebwong Kaewthipharat editor-in-chief

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 Dr.Micaiah Meuer Michelle Yee

DarrYl Wee

ToM PeTers A journalist by day and ardent yogi by night, Michelle started writing in 2009, spreading across diverse genres including architecture, interior design, sports, motoring, timepiece, art, travel, food, and property. Here, Michelle talks about a unique, testosterone heavy foundation with a charitable heart, as well as a luxurious yachting experience for the wellheeled.

A long-time newspaper man with The Halifax Chronicle Herald since 1968 and now semi-retired. Tom has worked in sports, news, business desk as reporter and editor, and is now happily scouting new golf and travel experiences across North America for Golf Vacations magazine.

Dr. Micaiah Meuer is a sports performance specialist currently practicing with Fullerton Healthcare in Singapore.

As a former competitive golfer he has competed on both the U.S Collegiate and U.S. State PGA Sectional levels, and holds advanced certifications from the Titleist Performance Institute and Nike NG360, as a Golf Performance Specialist.

lesTer liM

An expert in property and public relations in conglomerates managing real estate communities, Lester is also an avid writer and traveller. This time, he combines both interests and visited Penang’s very own heritage stay, the Eastern & Oriental hotel as well as the upscale marina community Seri Tanjung Pinang.

10 • G o l f V a c a t i o n s • JUl-aUG 2016

annabel rolleY

We have a new resident golf coach, and she is none other than Golf Channel host and professional golfer, Annabel Rolley. Annabel has also joined David Leadbetter as an academy coach and while she takes her jobs seriously, she shows us a lighter side while at the same time giving us useful tips to play the various courses around the world.

A recent member of the Scotty Cameron Museum and Gallery, Darryl discovered a world of putter collectors that has changed his outlook on the short game itself. Currently, the Managing Director of The RBL Group for Southeast Asia, Darryl spends his time growing the business across the region but nevertheless, finds time between his home clubs at Singapore Island Country Club and Royal Bangkok Sports Club.

cartogolf 3

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Blue Canyon Golf CluB Johnnie Walker Classic

TRump TuRnBeRRy ReSoRT The open Championship

auGuSTa naTional The uS masters

Royal Sydney Golf CluB emirates australian open

SenToSa Golf CluB HSBC Women’s Champions

There are two courses here, The Canyon, built in 1991 and The Lakes in 1999. But it was in 1998 that the Phuket-based golf club cemented its place in golfing history. A young Tiger Woods, then fresh from the previous year’s momentous win at the US Masters is 11 strokes behind Ernie Els after two rounds. He nevertheless predicted he would win.

His final round 65 got him into a play off with the Big Easy, which he prevailed after two playoff holes.

After many changes in ownership, it is now the domain of American billionaire developer cum TV celebrity and now US Presidential candidate. But the most exciting period of Turnberry’s golfing history has to belong to the Tom Watson’s one stroke victory over Jack Nicklaus in the ‘Duel In The Sun’ at the 1977 Open Championship.

Then of course, there’s Watson’s near victory, also by a single stroke at the 2009 championship, over Stewart Cink. He was 59.

There are many glorious moments at Augusta National since it was founded by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, but the most incredible one in recent memory has to be Bubba Watson’s maiden victory in the 2012 edition.

Watson has always been an exciting and unpredictable golfer. But if there was one thing that would cement his place in golfing history, it was in that final round, when faced with an impossible shot from the pines, had the gall to hook it onto the green in what will be remembered as one of the greatest saves of all time.

The Emirates Australian Open is recognised for being Australia’s most prestigious championship and in the 2013 edition, Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy broke the hearts of thousands to steal the title at the last gasp from local hero, Adam Scott. His first win of the year required a birdie at the 72nd hole and a bogey from his rival in the final group. Scott, who had already collected the Australian Masters and PGA titles in successive weeks the month prior, held a one shot lead going down the last and needed to par to complete the domestic grand slam.

The site of many incredible championships, Sentosa’s Serapong Course probably saw its finest in the 2014 edition of the LPGA’s HSBC Women’s Champions.

Paula Creamer, winless in four years, approached the second playoff hole against Azahara Munoz needing a birdie to return to the teebox. With a 75foot downhill snaking putt, it was a miracle to even get close. Instead, the Pink Panther had other ideas, rolling in a putt that would go on to play in golf TV’s show-reel throughout the year. She had been winless again ever since.

Postcard The Rise, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia P h oto g r a P h y by dav i d j. w h y t e

12 • G o l f V a c a t i o n s • JUl-aUG 2016

Journal ★ Golf

Wonderful GolfinG in Hokkaido

By G e o r G e S o m a pa

Golf in Japan? There is something

that most golfers are dreaming to achieve once in their lifetime there but perhaps they may have been detered by the extreme high costs in the past.

It is no longer the case since now Japan is more open to welcome golfers from around the globe especially Asia where there are plenty of direct connecting flights from Bangkok, Taipei, Singapore, Seoul, Hong Kong, etc.

There are various golf resorts and destinations around Osaka and Kyoto but the second largest island of Japan, Hokkaido is also welcoming golf visitors to over 160 stunning golf courses in the area. Nearly all of them are equipped with in-house onsen bath facilities, wonderful Japanese restaurants and most also serve international cuisine as well.

Hokkaido is welcoming golf visitors from Thailand.

Thai Airways offers daily direct flights from Bangkok to New Chitose International Airport arriving with TG670 in the morning at 08:30 am, which will give you a good opportunity to begin the game once you have cleared immigration and customs formality before checking into the hotel.

Notably, The North Country Golf Club (www.the-north.co.jp), a wonderful five-star links golf establishment not far from the airport, can get you started on a good round easily before your hotel check-in. Designed by famous Japanese professional Isao Aoki, it is one of the must-play courses and is well-known for its superb conditions and extreme high level of maintenance all year round.

Hokkaido Brookes Country Club (www.brooks-c.com/en) is another championship course to check out. Guarded by mountains and lakes, the course if naturally beautiful yet challenging for all levels of players.

Sapporo Regent Golf (www.sapporo-regent.jp), a short 30 minutes away from Sapporo city center, is another magnificent golf course. It sits on the rolling hills in close proximity to Sapporo and the New Chitose Airport. The exciting 36-hole course cleverly utilizes natural undulations, birches and ponds, with plenty of 14 • G o l f V a c a t i o n s • JUl-aUG 2016

creeks and bunkers to add to the challenge. The Old course is where you can enjoy dynamic golf, while the new Thomson course gives you much of an American sense of course design.

Caddies in Hokkaido are simply amazing. They are carefully trained to look after up to 4 golfers with ease. Some even use manual semi-motored buggies while others are equipped with fully automated remote-control carts that can run along the path.

Life after the game couldn’t ask for more with Hokkaido's most famous fresh food, sushi, Sake and more. Shopping is wonderful as most goods here (such as famous confectionery) are still “made in Japan” and tax-free.

The best time to visit Hokkaido is from May to October when the area has its best weather with average temperature around 20C. The cost of accommodation here is another thing that may surprise you. It is much lower than in larger cities. We stayed at both Crown Plaza Chitose and Sapporo Prince which were both good and reasonably priced.

Thai Airways offers daily flights from Bangkok to New Chitose International Airport in Hokkaido. TG670 leaves Bangkok at 23:45 and arrives at 08:30 on the next day. The return flight TG671 leaves

CTS at 10:30 and arrives back in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi at 15:30 local time. The flight takes approximately a little over 6 hours.

Thai Airways uses various type of aircrafts on this route, including the Boeing 747-400 Jumbo which includes 3 classes from Royal First, Royal Silk and Economy. They are also generous with golfers, giving extra weight allowance for golf passengers.

Most recently, Thai Airways started using the 787 Dreamliner to fly to Australia and sometimes on Japan route as well.

Journal ★ Time Defending the title at 22 years old - the same age Nicklaus enjoyed his first U.S. Open victory - Spieth said: "While the game is different now than it was back then, there are definitely a few things I can take from how others carried themselves before me, and how the U.S. Open was won here."

Of Spieth's enthralling career to date, Nicklaus said: "Jordan has already achieved so much at just 22 years old. My Major Championship wins took place over the course of 25 years, so let's give him time to build on what he has already done."

World No. 1 and Rolex Testimonee Jason Day arrives at Oakmont Country Club as one of the Championship favorites. The formidable power of his long game and supreme touch around the greens has fostered a winning momentum in 2016 and with this growing confidence, a continued commitment to excellence.

"All the hard work that I've put into my game right now has paid off, but I've got to keep working hard to win as much as I can," said Day. Meanwhile, a special exemption granted by the USGA has welcomed two-time U.S. Open Champion and Rolex Testimonee, Retief Goosen, to the field. The South African was victorious in 2001 at Southern Hills, and held off fellow Testimonee Phil Mickelson to win at Shinnecock Hills in 2004.

Recent Rolex Testimonee, Bryson DeChambeau, renounced automatic qualification for Oakmont Country Club as the 2015 U.S. Amateur Champion, by turning professional in April.

Nevertheless, the former USA Walker Cup player proved his talent and maturity by advancing through Sectional Qualifying to secure a place in the field. Joining him is fellow Rolex Testimonee, Luke Donald, who captured a spot after a six-person playoff.

Since 1895, the U.S. Open has been conducted by the United States Golf Association (USGA), whose values of excellence and innovation are shared with the Swiss watchmaker. Rolex is a longstanding partner of the USGA, and in addition to the U.S. Open Championship, the Swiss watchmaker supports additional USGA championships including the U.S. Women's Open, the U.S. Senior Open, the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Women's Amateur along with international competitions including the Walker Cup and the Curtis Cup. Rolex Director of Communication & Image, Arnaud Boetsch, said: "As golf's leading supporter, Rolex understands the paramount importance of the game's international growth. For this reason we are proud to partner with the USGA and the U.S. Open, one of the game's foremost Championships, providing opportunities for rising amateurs to compete alongside the professionals, as well as an esteemed stage to showcase the best in sportsmanship.

"Whilst we honor the great memories of Palmer and Nicklaus' spirited contest at Oakmont Country Club, we look forward to witnessing the young generation of Rolex Testimonees in their pursuit of the coveted title."

Beyond the U.S. Open, Rolex has played a leading role as a committed partner of golf for nearly half a century, sharing its values and actively supporting the growth of the modern game.

ROLEX TESTIMONEES JACK NICKLAUS Arnold Palmer evoke memories as new generation of champions assemble for the 116th U.S. OPEN.

Geneva, Friday 10 June 2016 - As golf's new generation prepare for the 116th U.S. Open Championship, where Rolex is Official Timekeeper, memories of the famous battles at Oakmont Country Club set the scene for a historic ninth staging at the Pittsburgh-area course.

A milestone in the evolution of the game, the 1962 competition famously gave rise to the legendary major career of one of golf's most influential characters. Reflecting on this significant victory, Rolex Testimonee Jack Nicklaus said: "My 1962 U.S. Open win at Oakmont was extremely important. It was not only my first Major Championship victory, but my first win as a professional. It gave me a lifetime exemption that set the foundation for my professional career.

"It also came under challenging circumstances, with my longtime friend Arnold Palmer playing such a high level of golf at the time and competing in his Pennsylvania backyard. But at age 22, I didn't even think about that. I only thought about the one thing I could control-me."

Inspired by their fellow Rolex Testimonees, the greats of today, including Rolex Testimonees Jason Day, Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth will seek to create their own memories when they take to the tee at the course famed for its undulating greens, deep bunkers and narrow fairways.

16 • G o l f V a c a t i o n s • JUl-aUG 2016

Journal ★ Time

ROLEX

ROOTED IN THE ICONIC MOMENTS OF OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY Geneva, Thursday 7 July 2016 – The intrinsic links between Rolex and golf’s oldest and most international Major Championship are brought to the forefront as The Open returns to Royal Troon Golf Club for the ninth time since 1923.

The Scottish Westcoast venue is most commonly associated with the 1962 Championship: when a famous victory by Rolex Testimonee Arnold Palmer reawakened public interest in the game and redefined the future of the iconic championship.

A pioneer in the game, the American convinced his compatriots to follow him across the Atlantic Ocean, among them a young Jack Nicklaus, who teed up that summer in his first appearance in The Open. It was the beginning of an extraordinary career in The Open for the Rolex Testimonee which included three victories between 1963 and 1982.

During these years, a watchmaker with a deep affinity for remarkable sporting achievement had begun the makings of a unique relationship in golf. Partnering with Palmer in 1967, Rolex grew its natural association with this precision sport soon after, linking with golf’s governing body and organizer of The Open, The R&A, in the 1970s. A seminal moment came in 1981 when Rolex became The Open’s first Official Timekeeper, as well as the first company to install clocks on the golf course at a Major Championship.

Now 35 years later, more than a score of Rolex Testimonees will participate in The 145th Open. Among those following in the footsteps of the greatest ever to walk the fairways is world No. 1 Jason Day, who will seek to add the Claret Jug to a collection of titles collated over the past 18 months. Day leads a New Generation of Rolex Testimonees at the top of the sport, including Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Brooks Koepka, as well as

21-year-old British golfer, Matt Fitzpatrick who will compete in The Open for the first time since winning the prestigious Silver Medal as an amateur in 2013.

On a global level, Rolex’s association with The R&A extends to a host of partnerships at both amateur and elite levels, each seeking to help develop and support the game of golf around the world. Among these, the leading Swiss watchmaker champions The Amateur Championship, the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, the Latin America Amateur Championship, the World Amateur Golf Ranking and the Walker Cup – an amateur team competition co-organized with the USGA involving the United Kingdom and Ireland against the United States.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A said: “For over 40 years Rolex has played an integral role in the rich history of The Open. Our unwavering relationship has actively supported the growth of the modern game and encouraged its development around the world and will continue to do so for years to come.”

A committed partner of golf for nearly half a century, the values of innovation, precision and excellence are the foundation for strong links between Rolex and golf.

Journal ★ Luxury

Cameron, of the seas.

COMO Hotels and Resorts’ newly launched luxury yacht ‘Cameron’ offers travellers an exceptional way to explore two of the group’s Maldivian resorts – Cocoa Island and Maalifushi by COMO. Featuring crystal clear sapphire

waters, pristine white-sand beaches and a bevy of recreational activities, the serene and lovely utopia known collectively as the Maldives is the ideal destination for scuba divers, sun worshippers, honeymooners and even families with kids in tow.

Now, you can explore its reaches in style with COMO’s newly launched luxury yacht, Cameron, which allows travellers to dip in and out of the group’s two resorts at Cocoa Island and Maalifushi and experience two very beautiful and different atolls.

Usually anchored at Maalifushi, the Cameron, which spans 68 foot in length, also allows guests to enjoy itineraries and excursions that can be specially customised to their preference. From indulging in gastronomical delights by COMO’s chef on white Maldivian sandbanks, night dives with an experienced instructor, to catching a glimpse of whale sharks on their migration trail from the yacht’s 12-metre tower.

While the adults busy themselves with a slew of activities, the young ones, too, will be kept entertained by a marina biologist who will take them snorkelling in crystal clear waters.

And for the more adventurous bunch seeking a multi-night sojourn around some of the archipelago’s finest waters, Cameron serves as a floating hotel suite with three well-appointed cabins that comprise a queen, twin, and master suite – all with ensuite bathrooms – which are all designed with COMO’s signature understated style.

COCOA ISLAND Often touted as the ultimate luxury resort in the Maldives, Cocoa Island is a private island resort comprising 33 overwater suites. While the resort offers privacy, exclusivity and a tranquil respite in the midst of the Indian Ocean, it doesn’t compromise on convenience. In fact, the island resort is easily accessible – the resort is located in South Male’s coral atolls, a 35-minute

speedboat transfer from the international airport – and is within close proximity to some of the best dive sites in the world.

The tranquil setting is enhanced by the understated elegance of Cocoa Island’s rooms, which resemble local dhoni fishing boats and feature direct access to the shallow lagoon.

All suites come fully outfitted with a private outdoor sun deck, as well as spacious living and sleeping areas decorated in flowing white muslin.

MAALIFUSHI BY COMO Then, nestled in the Thaa Atoll archipelago in the Maldives, the luxurious Maalifushi

by COMO is the ultimate ‘away-from-it-all’ destination with white beach, inland tropical greenery and a cobalt lagoon. Designed by Koichiro Ikebuchi, the resort is sublime and simple – each room sits on stilts above the Indian Ocean, made from beautiful natural materials and decorated with a minimalist touch. Private steps allow you to dunk straight into the ocean and snorkel with your friendly neighbours, the rays, turtles and fish, or you can plunge into your private infinity pool.

Whether you’re an outdoor or indoor person, the resort offers activities that cater to all – from an on-site dive centre, nearby swell for surf-lovers and boat trips to nearby uninhabited islands, as well as a schedule of wellness and relaxation at the onsite yoga pavilion and of course a state of the art Shambhala spa with an extensive spa menu to luxuriate in. www.comohotels.com

By Michelle yee

Journal ★ Comments

through , father s eyes

enjoy the open, just grin and 'beer' it.

A long anticipated trip to golf ’s most heralded tournament and site.

wasn’t a shot of Tom Watson bidding farewell to the Open. The image was far more significant. It was a photo of myself and my son, Paul, at the conclusion of our Scottish golf adventure. I am now semi-retired at 66 and my son, married with two great young boys, is 41. It all started on a warm summer night at a cottage on Nova Scotia’s north shore. It was a family vacation at the beach and late one night my son and I were the only ones still awake, enjoying the night and a few beers. He suggested doing the Open in 2015. To say I was excited to spend a week playing golf in Scotland with my son was an understatement.

Two years later, we arrived in about mid-morning at Drumoig Golf Hotel, about a 20-minute drive from St. Andrews in the beautiful rolling Fife countryside, settled in and had a tee time for early afternoon. Normally, we walk the course but after an overnight flight and little sleep we decided to take a power cart or as they call them in Scotland, a buggy.

Prior to the trip my son had sent me a dozen Titleist Pro V1 golf balls for Father’s Day with St. Andrews 2015 Open specially printed on the side of each ball. It was only fitting that I tee one up at the first hole at Drumoig to honour the occasion. I promptly pulled it into some deep grass. Our first of many laughs.

We headed for St. Andrews and the second round of the Open on Friday morning. The atmosphere was charged as we stepped from the bus. We hustled to the course with thousands of other golf fans, like penguins, heading to the ocean. Then, we were there.

During one of our lunches during the week, Paul asked me if I had ever taken a trip of this nature with my father. I said no.

My father and I were never really close. We had the odd day trip hunting or going to the beach. But I also had two brothers and two sisters so finances were also an issue.

On Saturday, the wind blew so hard that much of the third round was suspended and had to be completed on Sunday.

By To M P e T e r s

© Pictures by tom peters

It was another memorable photo on the Swilcan Bridge. No, it

Paul and Tom Peters on swilcan Bridge

However, the wind didn’t deter us. We had a tee time in the morning at The Torrance Course across the bay at the Fairmont Hotel. The wind blew off the land out to the North Sea. My son, who normally hits an 8 iron about 150 yards, had a 100 yards to the flag and into the wind and came up 20 short. We just laughed.

And when I got into a pot bunker and took four swings to get out, the laughs got even louder.

On Sunday we walked the course and on a few occasions, sat in the bleachers where we could pick up the action on three or four holes. We teed off Monday morning at The Castle Course; the rugged coastline and the challenge of this venue proved, in the end, to be our favourite course of the trip. After the round we booked into our next hotel, the Rusacks, located beside the 18th fairway of the Old Course. As it grew darker and the last public groups finished up on 18 that Tuesday evening, we headed to the green to test our putting through the Valley of Sin, that famous deep swale. As others came to look, we gave them our putters to try. There were a lot of laughs and new friendships made as the light from the old clubhouse streamed over us.

On Wednesday, we played the New Course and finally, Thursday morning, Paul and I bade our goodbyes at the airport with strong hugs and a kiss. He had a direct flight back to Toronto while I had to fly to London to connect to Halifax. It was all over too fast but it was a week we will always cherish. Paul arrived before I got to Halifax and called his mother. He told her how much he had enjoyed the trip and also wanted to know if my flight was on time. His concern didn’t surprise me, he was still looking out for his old man.

Journal ★ Health

no pain, all gain.

What the pros are doing to prevent low back injury and how it can benefit you.

I have had the pleasure of working with some of the best juniors, amateurs and professionals throughout Asia and North America.

One thing I am consistently asked is what the differences are when working with professional athletes versus an average midhandicapper. I equate it to an auto-mechanic working on a Honda versus a Ferrari.

Although both are cars, the Ferrari is built for performance, requiring consistent maintenance, high grade petrol and designed to go 0-60 mph in under 3 seconds. A Honda however requires fewer tune-ups and is built for durability, requiring mid to low grade petrol, eventually breaking down after years of use. While

there are certainly similarities between the cars, the differences can be major and the same is true with amateur and professional golfers.

Professionals focus on maintaining their bodies both on and off course using a synergistic medical team approach. Like the Ferrari, a pro must come ready to race. No ‘morning mulligans,’ professionals know a tight low back could result in a costly double bogey from the get-go.

Current medical research shows that repetitive low back forward flexion combined with rotation is the most common movement contributing to injury of these discs. It means that repetitively bending forward over time to pick up your children, groceries, and 40-plus hours a week looking like Victor Hugo’s ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’, while bent over the computer results in the compression of your discs soft bone and increases the risk of injury to your spine.

Like the office and at home, back injuries can also be caused by poor posture during the golf swing and are often characterized by swing coaches as “poor spine angles.”

Bio-mechanically, poor posture contributes to the loss of pelvic tilt causing excessive flexion (C-curve) or extension (S-Curve). Along with lateral swaying brought on by poor rotation of the hips and shoulders or upper back, and inability to stabilize the spine throughout the swing because of deconditioned core stabilization muscles (abdominal wall and glutes).

Over time these postures contribute to inconsistency, loss of distance, and increased risk of injury.

Here are few simple ways I help my professionals maintain their posture and decrease the risk of low back pain.

1) Hip Hinge: helps reduce the pressure load on the low back musculature and discs.

2) Manual Manipulation: increases normal joint motion between vertebrae, decreasing structural restrictions and fixed positions.

3) Myofascial Soft Tissue Therapy: reduces scar tissue, increasing normal blood flow to areas of tissue dysfunction.

4) Kinesiology Taping: increases blood flow, decreases inflammation, creating postural awareness. www.urban-rehab.org

By Dr Micaiah Meuer

Journal ★ Suitespot anything from the mini bar, guests can help themselves to drinks whenver a lazy afternoon or nightcap calls for one.

The restaurant Sarkies on the first floor of the hotel offers a daily buffet dinner which features a selection of international cuisine as well as the famed Penang street food that is so popular that there is a significant proportion of locals dining at the restaurant alongside hotel guests. And for those more concerned about their personal well-being, the hotel has partnered with the well known Thai spa, Panpuri, to open the Panpuri Organic Spa. Its famous range of skincare products are made only with natural and organic materials.

One highlight of the stay at the E & O Hotel is the complimentary water limousine. A pier right outside the hotel

eastern & oriental penang A heritage hotel set in an idyllic enclave in northern Malaysia.

The grand, brilliant white facade against the beautiful

sparkling turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea is the first thing that catches your eye as you approach the magnificent lobby - the same one that has welcomed the world’s most celebrated artists, writers and heads of state since 1884. A sense of history pervade all who enter the Eastern and Oriental hotel in Penang. Standing as a testament to the heritage of the British colonial era, the hotel has effortlessly combined the elegance of that time and the modern luxuries that guests have come to expect from a five-star hotel.

The Heritage Wing is the original part of the hotel. Built in 1885, its Moorish minarets and cavernous domed lobby, khakiclad doormen and pith-helmeted bellhops have welcomed guests for over 100 years and an area in the lobby showcases pictures of some of the famous personalities that have stayed here. The inspiration to just pick up a notebook and pencil and scribble in a corner by the lobby, watching the world go by is supplanted only by the desire to roam its halls, taking in the smells and aura of its nostalgic past.

Transitioning to the present and future, yet keeping with the sentimentality of the past, the E&O hotel expanded its horizons in 2013 and unveiled a new Victory Annex that continues to incorporate architectural elements of the original with its colonialstyled guestrooms of the early 1900s. All suites feature Victorian details such as en-suite bathrooms fitted with claw footed long baths, pedestal ceramic basins, lazy ceiling fans and breezy private balconies.

Happy hour hospitality is extended in the Victory Annex with access to the Planters Lounge, which offers evening cocktails and snacks daily from 6pm to 7pm, a perfect time to catch the sunset and the magnificent view of the Andaman Sea. Additionally, in a welcome change from being charged a high price for consuming

The heriTage Wing's enTrance

Victory annex swimming pool

Victory annex corner suite's bedroom sunset view at the heritage Wing

offers guests a ride from where they are at the tip of Penang to Straits Quay, a new shopping and dining area. This 20-minute boat ride is a great way to see the skyline of Penang from a different perspective and is a cool respite from the tropical heat of the region. And when you look at the glittering night sky across the Andaman Sea on-route to the other side, you can’t be blamed for wanting to live here forever. www.eohotels.com

By M i ko ko h

Legends

The man who defied the times and almost became a record equalling Major champion at 59 is also a living legend worth emulating.

BY to n Y s m a rt When Tom Watson had a 10-foot putt to win the Open Championship at Turnberry in 2009 just 47 days before his 60th birthday, the whole world of golf, except perhaps Stewart Cink, his immediate family and friends, and anyone who’d bet on Cink to win, were willing that ball into the hole. Sadly Watson missed his putt, lost the play-off to Cink, and what would have been golf’s greatest ever fairytale championship failed to happen.

For any normal man, or even any normal top class professional golfer, that would have been the end of trying to compete against the ‘flat bellies’ as the regular 20 and 30-year-old tour professionals are called. But Thomas Sturges Watson is no normal top class golfer and he was at it again this year at Royal St George’s, 22 • G o l f V a c a t i o n s • JUl-aUG 2016

finishing tied-22nd in the championship in the very worst of the wind and rain ahead of such youngsters as Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott, Jason Day, and Justin Rose, just a few weeks short of his 62nd birthday.

In between Turnberry 2009 and Royal St George’s 2011, as if just to prove that it’s not only on links courses in bad weather that Tom Watson can compete against the young uns, in 2010 he finished tied-8th at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on the European Tour. And he played all these events with an artificial hip he’d acquired in October 2008.

So how on earth does this golfing legend continue to defy the ageing process and remain competitive against world-class professionals in their prime? Part of the answer may be in his incredible desire to compete.

“I’m asked what keeps me going at age 62,” he was recently quoted. “I enjoy the competition and enjoy beating people. I enjoy getting in the hunt and having the chance to win a golf tournament. That’s me. It defines me.”

He added, “I’m very fortunate to have a forum in which to conduct my career: the Champions Tour.” However Watson hasn’t exactly dominated the Champions Tour since he turned 50 in 1999, having been dogged by hip and knee injuries throughout much of the last ten years. But he has won 14 times on the Champions Tour, including six Majors, and his latest victory came this year in a Major, the 2011 Senior PGA Championship.

That victory came almost exactly 36 years after his first Major triumph at the 1975 Open Championship at Carnoustie on the main tour, where he won in a play-off against Australian Jack Newton. The victory at Carnoustie was a big relief to the then 25-year-old Watson who was beginning to get himself a reputation as a ‘choker’, a great player who could never quite get the job done, especially after he led going into the final round of the 1974 US Open at Winged Foot only to fade away quite badly.

But he had already won twice on the US PGA Tour when he arrived at Carnoustie and victory there banished that reputation forever. However it was at Turnberry in 1977 that Watson really began to establish himself as one of the greats of golf. Anyone who saw his ‘Duel in the Sun’ with Jack Nicklaus that week will never forget that incredible

“I didn’t like links to begin with. I did not like the bounce. I did not like the firmness of the greens, and the wind so much, and I didn’t like the uncertainty. It takes American golfers a while to adjust to links golf and it took me four Opens to grow to like it. Just so happened I won two of them.” tournament and it’s still talked about as one of the greatest Open Championships ever.

After two rounds, Watson and Nicklaus were both one shot off the lead and paired together for the third round. They both shot 65 in glorious sunshine, making them tied for the lead three shots ahead of the field and so they were again playing together in the final round.

They were still tied for the lead after 16 holes before Nicklaus missed a makeable birdie putt on 17 giving Watson, who’d birdied the same hole, a one shot lead standing on the final tee. Then things really got crazy.

Whilst Watson split the fairway with an iron off the tee, Nicklaus drove way right into the rough, his ball eventually coming to rest underneath some gorse.

Watson then hit his short iron to three feet from the hole and that seemed to be that. But Nicklaus, the Golden Bear with his immense strength, slashed his ball from under the gorse and on to the front of the green some 40 feet from the hole.

Then he holed his birdie putt, leaving Watson with a nervous three-footer for victory. Back then Watson, later to suffer from the putting yips, was one of the best putters in the game and he confidently rammed his putt into the back of the hole for his second Open victory.

Watson had played that final round in 65 strokes again to Nicklaus’ 66 and Hubert Green, who finished third a full ten shots behind Nicklaus, would later say, “I won the tournament I played in. They (Watson and Nicklaus) were playing in something else.”

Watson had already beaten Nicklaus earlier that year to win his first Masters but his triumph at Turnberry over those glorious four days in July firmly established him as one of the best players in the world and a serious rival to Jack. He would go on to win three further Opens, at Muirfield in 1980, Royal Troon in 1982, and Royal Birkdale in 1983, just failing to equal Harry Vardon’s record of six Opens the following year at St Andrews, when an imperious Seve Ballesteros beat him by two shots, and then of course in 2009 at Turnberry.

Three subsequent Senior Open titles at Turnberry in 2003, Royal Aberdeen in 2005 and Muirfield in 2007 helped to establish Watson’s reputation as arguably the greatest links player ever. Yet, as he admitted at this year’s Senior Open when asked to comment on Rory McIlroy’s apparent dislike of links golf, “I didn’t like links to begin with. I did not like the bounce. I did not like the firmness of the greens, and the wind so much, 24 • G o l f V a c a t i o n s • JUl-aUG 2016

and I didn’t like the uncertainty. It takes American golfers a while to adjust to links golf and it took me four Opens to grow to like it. Just so happened I won two of them.”

His fondness for the links grew so much that he eventually became a member at Ballybunion in Ireland where he regularly practiced the week before each Open, and was Millennium Captain of the club for the year 2000.

Watson’s two other main Tour Majors also came with victories over the Golden Bear, beating him and Johnnie Miller by two shots in the 1981 Masters, and Nicklaus alone by two shots to win his first US Open title at Pebble Beach in 1982. This latter win was another memorable tournament with Nicklaus playing two groups ahead of Watson in the final round and charging into a share of the lead with five consecutive birdies.

When Watson reached the par-3 17th, the two were still tied, but with Nicklaus safely in the clubhouse at 4-under-par 284. Watson hit his tee shot on 17 into the rough just off the green, leaving an almost impossible chip shot downhill on a very fast green that sloped toward the Pacific Ocean.

While being interviewed on national television and fully aware of Watson’s terrible predicament, Nicklaus appeared confident he was on his way to an unprecedented fifth U.S. Open championship. However Watson’s chip shot, amazingly, hit the flag stick and fell into the cup, giving him a miraculous birdie and setting the stage for yet another win over Nicklaus, a victory that was confirmed minutes later when he went on to birdie the 18th as well.

At that stage in his career, Watson had an amazing short game and an incredible confidence and when his caddy Bruce Edwards urged him to get the chip shot at 17 close, Watson’s response was, “Close? Hell, I’m gonna knock it in.” And so he did and that chip-in was later named the greatest shot in golf history by ESPN. But, though winning Opens in the United Kingdom seemed easy for Watson, that victory at Pebble Beach was his only US Open title and, like another of the game’s true greats, Arnold Palmer, he also failed to ever win the US PGA Championship and so never graduated to that elite group of players - Nicklaus, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, and Tiger Woods - who have won all four Majors. However his eight Major victories place him sixth on the list of total Major wins behind only Hogan, Nicklaus, Player, Woods, and Walter Hagen.

In all, Watson won 39 times on the US PGA Tour, recorded seven other victories around the world and has

so far won 14 times on the Champions Tour. Before the existing Sony World Rankings started in 1986, he was the number one player in the world according to Mark McCormack’s World Golf Rankings from 1978 through 1982; in both 1983 and 1984, he was ranked second behind Seve Ballesteros.

In addition to his great playing record, Watson is also respected throughout golf for his honesty and integrity.

He displayed the latter in 1991 when he resigned from the Kansas City Country Club, where he’d been a member for much of his golfing life, in protest of its exclusion of people of Jewish ethnicity. He subsequently rejoined after the club’s acceptance of Jewish and minority members.

The man from Kansas City, Missouri, has also been an active supporter of US troops in the Middle East, visiting them in Kuwait and Iraq in 2007 and again in 2009. And he’s also a tireless worker on behalf of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) charities ever since his long-time

OPENING (PREVIOUS PAGE): Tom Watson holds the trophy for winning the 1983 British Open Golf Tournament.

ABOVE: Tom Watson hits out of a bunker on the 17th hole during the first round of the 110th U.S. Open on June 17, 2010 in Pebble Beach, California.

friend and caddy Bruce Edwards was diagnosed with the disease in early 2003 and died of it just over a year later.

When Watson arrived at this year’s Senior British Open at Walton Heath, the week after that tied-22nd at Royal St George’s, he showed no sign of tiredness from the week before. Quite the opposite, he appeared strong, fit, tanned and raring to go. He entertained the press at his pre-tournament press conference, the galleries throughout the tournament, and eventually finished tied-third, just failing to add to the three Senior British Opens he’s already won.

Millions of other golf fanatics worldwide are already hoping he will be in the thick of things again at the Open in 2012 at Royal Lytham & St Annes, and certainly dreaming that he can achieve a miracle, win a sixth Open at age 62, and prove once more that he’s still very much a Major winner.

26 • G o l f V a c a t i o n s • JUl-aUG 2016

Cover Story Not far from the Gulf Shores and Orange

Beach region of Alabama, golf occupies a lot of vacation time for visitors who come to the Crimson Tide state year round to sample the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, enjoy some deepsea fishing and dine on southern delicacies such as seafood, wild game and cuisine of a cultural and historical past influenced by Cajun, French, Native American and Spanish folks who used to live here.

Aside from food, fishing and a multitude of other favorite southern pastimes, golf in Alabama is finding an ever increasing place of importance on the list of what brings people to the state. And a much talked about part is the RTJ Trail made up of several courses designed or influenced by the old famous architect.

Robert Trent Jones Sr. was born in England and moved to the U.S. with his parents at the tender age of five. He has designed or carried out renovations on over 500 courses around the world including a smattering of 20-odd tracts here in Alabama. The RTJ Trail was initiated in 1992 by Dr. David Bronner, CEO of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, which in turn owns the trail. Dr. Bronner saw the trail as a way to boost the fortunes of the state’s retirement fund, increase tourism and attract business. The plan was to provide topnotch golf at affordable prices.

His idea has proven to be a big draw and a significant addition to the state’s golf and tourism products. In the last 10 years, tourism has gone from a $2.5 billion industry to $9.3 billion.

The RTJ TRail

The trail is a collection of 26 courses spread over 11 sites that offer an incredible variety of golfing terrain. Now, if length of course is your thing then take a look at this. The trail has two courses in particular, Ross Bridge in Hoover and Fighting Joe in Florence, that are over 8,000 yards and eight other courses that play over 7,400 yards. Green fees range from $45 to $65 at 22 of the courses. No site along the trail is more than a two-hour drive from another.

Lakewood Golf Club, part of the historic Marriott Grand Hotel Resort and Spa at Point Clear, is one of the longstanding fixtures on the trail. Established in 1947, Lakewood features two 18-hole designs - Azalea, a 7,504-yard tract and Dogwood, at 7,063 yards.

Opened in 1847, the gracious and luxurious Grand Hotel, located on the shores of Mobile Bay, has been entertaining guests a lot longer than the golf club. Situated on a 550-acre site filled with mature trees and immaculate grounds, the resort has 405 rooms and suites,

Southern BelleS roBert trent JoneS trail in alaBama

In the American south, the summers are hot and steamy. Along the Gulf of Mexico, the white sand beaches are heavily populated with sunbathers and tourists smeared with sun tan lotion and splashing in its warm waters, but then, there’s also golf.

by to m peter s

OPENING PAGE: Kiva Dunes.

INSET FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: Fishing charter; Man with red snapper.

28 • G o l f V a c a t i o n s • JUl-aUG 2016

“There still persists stories of oily beaches caused by last year’s oil spill but that is simply not the case. The beaches and water are clean and clear and ready to be enjoyed by all and sundry.”

spas, pools and 37,000-square feet of meeting space. It has undergone over $50 million in renovations in the past eight years and is a property that boasts that warm, southern feel.

And like the hotel, the golf courses have also gone though major renovation – Dogwood in 2004 and Azalea in 2005. Although these were not original Jones’ designs, they became a part of the trail because they are owned by the Retirement Systems of Alabama. In 1996, the Azalea course underwent some renovation before the major overhaul and Jones did have some involvement in that 1996 work.

Originally designed by Perry Maxwell and Ron Garl, Jones’s influence is certainly evident in today’s product.

Jones was known for his raised greens guarded by deep, frontside bunkers which force golfers to hit high shots into the greens. These features exist on several of Azalea’s holes.

The course is maintained to the highest standards and its tree-lined fairways of mature live oaks paint an inviting picture for nature lovers.

azalea, DogwooD aND MoRe

Water is an ever-looming factor on both the Azalea and Dogwood courses.

On Azalea’s fourth for example, the Par 3 at 203 yards from the back tee requires a forced carry over both water and a large bunker to a large green. On the 14th, considered by most as its signature hole, the final landing area on the 545-yard par 5 is an island green. The hole plays 472 yards from the whites so long hitters may go the risk-and-reward

OPPOSITE PAGE, clOcKwISE FROM TOP: Timber creek Golf course; Rock creek Golf course; craft Farms Golf Resorts; cotton creek Golf course.

ABOVE: Glenlakes Golf club.

route and attempt to reach it in two although the smart play is to lay up just before the water and try your luck with a short iron to the green. And if you sneak away from 14 with a par and feel you have escaped water, 15 is in your face with another Par 3 at 195 yards, and again over water.

The Dogwood course, designed by Perry Maxwell and Joe Lee, is no pushover either, but every bit as groomed and enjoyable as the Azalea. If you thought all the sand and water in Alabama were along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, you would be quick to change that opinion after playing Dogwood.

Those sand traps are large, deep and plentiful and there is water or wetlands on eight of the first nine holes and on four holes on the back nine. The fourth hole, a Par 4 at 399 yards from the back tees, is dominated by water in front of the tee, all down the right side of the fairway and partially in front of the green. It forces smart position play or you’re feeding balls to the gators. And that’s not a joke. Alligators are common in Alabama and a large gator sighted resting on the shores of the water along the ninth fairway was a reminder that they are present.

Although the back nine doesn’t have as much water hazard, doglegs and sand put a premium on shotmaking.

No. 12, a 548-yard par 5, is a good example. It’s a double dogleg that is well trapped. An additional issue to navigate if you get too close to the fairway edges are overhanging trees to bring that little punch shot into the equation.

30 • G o l f V a c a t i o n s • JUl-aUG 2016

MORe GOLF?

Also within these three relatively close areas are Gulf Shores Golf Club, a Jay and Carter Morrish design was built in the 1960s and completely renovated in 2005. (www.golf.gulfshores.com) The Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club featuring 27 holes with separate nines Marsh, Lakes and Cypress - borders 400 acres of nature preserves. (www.peninsulagolfclub.com) Kiva Dunes, a creation of former PGA player Jerry Pate, is filled with large bunkers, water and wetlands and an exceptional course for quality and challenge. (www.kivadunes.com) Rock Creek Golf Club, a tough test overlooking Mobile Bay and part of Honours Golf (www.honoursgolf.com), a company which owns or manages several courses throughout the Southeast. (www. rockcreekgolf.com)

No. 17 is a tough Par 3 heading home. The 209-yard hole is guarded by water and marshland to a large sloping green.

There is a bailout area to the left but with a side hill lie and sand traps.

Lakewood has been a favourite over the years for many personalities including luminaries like ex United States President Gerald Ford and the late Bob Hope who have enjoyed playing the two courses.

A real good feature of the courses is that even though they are long from the tips, there are five sets of tees to accommodate any level of play. The Azalea can be played from as little as 4,725 yards and the Dogwood 4,522.

There are over 300 golf courses in Alabama so a trip would not be complete without pitting your skills against some of the many available great designs. Not far from Lakewood in the Mobile, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach areas are a number of well-maintained and challenging courses to boot.

To stay within the RTJ Trail system, Falls and Crossings at Magnolia Grove in Mobile are both designed by Jones.

Crossings, named after an old railroad crossing that cuts through the property, plays host to the Avenet LPGA Classic. The course was an amateur’s nightmare with tight fairways and all kinds of trouble until a major renovation made it a friendlier and happier place to play. Falls course

lEFT PAGE: The Peninsula Golf.

THIS PAGE, FROM TOP: cypress Bend Golf course; The wharf Golf course.

has a parkland feel but with lots of water, wetlands and marshes.

Most of the golf resorts offer stay and play packages and so it would be worthwhile to build an itinerary that allows some exploring of the state between rounds of golf.

Being located on the Gulf of Mexico, there are plenty of opportunities to go deep-sea fishing or enjoy miles and miles of white sand beaches. There still persists stories of oily beaches caused by last year’s oil spill but that is simply not the case. The beaches and water are clean and clear and ready to be enjoyed by all and sundry.

Mobile is also a historic region with connections to the American Civil War so there are lots of museums and artifacts that relate to that topic. Of course, Southern cooking is internationally known. Seafood is popular in the South as is barbequed food. A trip takes you down to a part of old America that one can only imagine and see in the movies, but now, there is also a panoply of splendid golf to enjoy. www.rtjgolf.com For further information on golf and other activities in Alabama, see www.alabamatravel.com or email: info@tourism.alabama.gov

My Top Ten

1DOONBEG

• I have always been passionate about links golf and was really excited to have the opportunity to design the (IrElaND) course at Doonbeg, which may be one of the last true links courses to be built in either Ireland or Britain.

The site at Doonbeg sits along 2.4 kilometres of crescentshaped beach and dunes. I made more than 23 visits to the site and flagged every bunker and green and the ocean is visible from the green, fairway or tee on 16 of the 18 holes.

The sensitivity of this piece of property required a total hands-on approach. You do not get too many opportunities to work on a piece of land like this one. This is a course I want to be identified with. One that I say with pride everywhere I go: ‘I did this one!’

It’s Ireland. It’s Irish golf. It’s links golf: sand dunes like you’ll never see again because golfing land like this is preciously finite. The ball is round and is designed to roll as well as fly. The golfer is required to make his ball do both at Doonbeg. The last thing I wanted to do was Americanise this golf course. I love links golf and Irish links golf is among the best. I wanted to keep it as natural as possible.

One of the most influential figures in world golf for more than 30 years, Greg Norman won 88 professional tournaments in a glittering playing career. As a much soughtafter designer, the Shark has now opened some 74 courses worldwide with 35 projects in development. In an exclusive article for Golf Vacations, he lists his top ten courses.

2 EllErstON

• At Ellerston we were able to create a course that a golfer of my calibre would love to play every (NEW sOUtH day for the rest of his life.

WalEs, This project was very unique aUstralIa) as we were given the directive to build Australia’s toughest and most spectacular golf course by the late Kerry Packer. Kerry showed us 28,000 hectares and said pick the best acreage for the golf course. Something like that may never happen again.

We settled on a track of land that featured Pages Creek which became a central feature of our golf routing. The creek was incorporated into no less than nine holes of the golf course and offers stunning views and good challenging golf.

3 tHE NatIONal

MOONaH COUrsE (VICtOrIa, aUstralIa)

• Wit h b r e a t h - t a k i ng coastal dune land, this course was another amazing piece of property that had nat u ra l golf holes just waiting to be mowed. The biggest challenge on the project was to find as many of these spectacular holes as we could.

4 COrNErstONE

(COlOraDO, Usa)

• When we first looked at this property, it was during the winter of 2004 and I was on a snowmobile.

Even in the snow, we could see that this was going to be a fantastic golf course.

We knew that the developers were going to spare no expense on this course and we wanted to make sure we got it right the first time. If you spend time on the site, get to know it in all weather conditions — like the snow, like the summer when it can be 100 degrees, or the fall season and what the wind directions are — you get to know the golf course. So in the end product, you know that you’ve given it your best.

I walked this site too many times to count and I can make this comment right here and now... this is by far the best mountain golf course in the world. It’s easy to throw around the accolades and statements like that, but I’ve played a lot of great golf courses. And when you come and see the end result here at Cornerstone, it’s truly a dream come true.

It’s also no coincidence that this course was named the Best New Private course in the United States

by US Golf Magazine in 2009.

5 tPC saN

aNtONIO (tExas, Usa) • This was a challenging course to build as it was a very complex piece of property subsurface wise. In some areas we had rock just below the surface that presented some unique challenges when building the course.

That being said, it also had beautiful specimen oak trees and good terrain that you are looking for in a golf course site. Throw on top of that the fact that the developer allowed us to build the golf course to professional standards requiring high quality shot making in order to accommodate the PGA Tour event and you have one heck of a golf course.

It’s always fun to build a course when you know that it is going to be used for a PGA tournament and the best players in the world are going to play the course. At the same time we knew the course was going to get resort play throughout the year so it had to be playable for the average golfer from the shorter tees.

6 rED sKY

GOlf ClUB (COlOraDO, Usa) • For years my love of the Rockies, along with the natural beauty of the surrounds, has beckoned me to the Vail Valley. Red Sky Golf Club afforded me the chance to create one of the most natural and aesthetically beautiful golf courses in this region.

For all its engineering, the Red Sky course is a marvel. Where the rough ends, a thirsty desert begins, filled with spruce bushes and red, cracked clay.

• This place can move you; it is a very special place and I made at least 30 visits when we were working on this course. Some golf courses can really touch a part of you and make you feel energized or inspired. That’s how Augusta (National Golf Club) feels and I get the same sensation at Sugarloaf. There’s a similar beauty and awe about it.

The initial walk-through of the property told us we had something special. It’s a magnificent property... the undulations, streams, pines and the feel of the terrain reminded me very much of Augusta. The land flowed and the corridors were just there, which was probably the most important element to what we wanted to accomplish.

7 tPC at

sUGarlOaf (GEOrGIa, Usa)

8 BrOOKWatEr

GOlf ClUB (QUEENslaND, aUstralIa)

• This site was full of tall, mature gum trees and native vegetation that we strategically used to frame the golf holes. When you play the course, you will feel as though you are on a walk through the woods and each hole is isolated from the others.

The site offered a series of dramatic ridges and we routed the golf holes to take advantage of these ridges and the dramatic elevation changes.

We tried to carve the holes out of these vegetation stands and into several valleys on the course. The scenery here is just fantastic.

9 El CaMalEON at

• This course has a lot of firsts.

It was my first course that featured a cenote (underground limestone cave) and my first tHE MaYaKOBa course to open in Mexico. It is rEsOrt (MExICO) also the first and only course in Mexico to host a PGA Tour event, the Mayakoba Golf Classic, that is now entering its fifth year.

This property was very environmentally sensitive and we really focused hard on a least disturbance approach during the design process.

The course layout is really quite unique. The routing meanders along limestone-edged canals and ventures through three distinctly different landscapes. On one hole you’re playing in the jungle, the next you’re surrounded by mangrove swamp forests, and then you’re hitting toward the ocean on seaside dunes. It really is quite spectacular.

We designed the first hole with a cenote directly in the centre of the fairway. You may not see that on any other golf course in the world.

10 tHE NOrMaN

COUrsE at MIssION HIlls (CHINa) • The Mission Hills project is really quite an amazing undertaking. It’s the world’s largest golf facility with 12, 18-hole golf courses each designed by a different architect.

We were commissioned to design the course in the second phase of the project, so they already had several courses open for play. At the time, David Chu’s mandate was for my team to design the hardest of all 12 courses on the property.

Any time there are multiple courses on a property, there is usually going to be one that is of a higher difficulty than the others. We certainly achieved this goal and created China’s most challenging test of golf.

The interesting thing about it is that our course gets more rounds of golf than any other course on the property. The visitors want to play the hardest course to see where their game stacks up.

For more information, visit www.shark.com

The 19th

Our first ever comprehensive guide to the latest golf equipment available in our market.

CObra KInG F6 IrOnS besides their drivers, woods and utilities, CObra Golf also launched irons in their King F6 line of equipment. Designed to provide golfers with the ultimate distance, control and forgiveness, CObra Golf’s newest F6 progressive irons are here to wow you off your buggy. The construction of iron sets has been reinvented with the brand’s newest technology: TECFLO system.

The 2016 PGA Show in Orlando ended late January. Coined ‘The Greatest Golf Show on Earth’, the showcase hosted close to 1,000 exhibitors of all shapes and sizes with the largest demo day in the world. Golf brands across the globe gather once a year to celebrate and trade in this extravaganza and you’ve just seen our reportage of the latest innovations. Here, we present the finest golf equipment from this year’s show that you can find in retail islandwide starting with the Cobra King F6 Irons.

On a move towards providing golfers with technologies and features that better focus on various aspects of the game, TECFLOW, which stands for ‘Technology Enhance Cavity Feel Launch Optimisation’, is a combination of multiple technologies and advanced constructions.

What this actually is, is breaking the set into sections and constructing them differently to alter launch conditions.

This creates a progressive iron set that optimises all the irons in the bag. breaking it up into four segments, the F6 iron set consists of: long irons which feature a full hollow construction that helps to maximise distance and forgiveness, mid irons with halfhollow construction to offer distance and control, the short irons which are equipped with a deep undercut cavityback design for control and spin around the greens, and last but most importantly, the wedges (GW to SW) that features a special muscle-back shape and tour contoured sole.

all this combine for the most forgiving and ultimately, most accurate workmen clubs you’ll ever need.

Marrying CObra’s proprietary T.O.P technology with the new TECFLO construction, significant amount of weight was removed from above the hitting zone and rechanneled to lower the Centre of Gravity, resulting in improved feel and performance. as for the wedges, the Centre of Gravity was raised to aid trajectory control. a Speed Channel is strategically positioned on the sole near the leading edge, to deliver higher ball speed and increase trajectory.

The KING F6 irons are equipped with 100 percent milled faces and grooves as well as the Progressive Spin Technology (PST) which are V grooves on the long-irons and U grooves on the mid irons, short irons and wedges. PST grooves, set to deliver maximum distance, tighter dispersion and controlled trajectories aim to optimise performance.

The mid and long irons in the set also feature CObra engineered Flighted Technology in the shafts to promote greater carry and maximum distance without compromising on precision and control on the shorter irons and wedges in the bag.

This eight-piece progression iron is available at all authorised Cobra outlets in both dexterities at $799 for steel shafts, while the combo sets, which include two KInG F6 adjustable hybrids and six irons are retailing at $899 for steel shafts and $999 for graphite shafts.

TayLOrMaDE M2 $529

built with a forgiving head that’s more stable than the M1, the carbon-composition crown saves weight and strategically placed at the back of the club to ensure mishits aren’t as greatly affected. a deep, narrow channel in the sole enlarges the sweet spot for ball speeds for centre shots and mishits. Loft is adjustable up or down two-degrees.

Two lofts (9.5°, 10.5°) with TM1-216 Mitsubishi Rayon graphite shafts (S, SR, R flexes).

Available at Taylormade-Adidas The Cathay and all authorized dealers

CObra KInG F6 aND F6+ $629, $799

Dual position front-to-back CarbonTrac CG adjustability system with 10 and 3 grams flip weights deliver forgiveness and optimal launch angles for maximum ball speeds. The weights are removable and changeable to suit each players needs. MyFly8 loft adjustability available.

The F6+ offers a sliding weight on the CarbonTrac system with five front-to-back, low CG positions for those looking for more customization.

F6 is available in black, white, orange and grey. Comes in only Asian specs, with a COBRA Fujikura Speeder shaft (S, SR, R flexes) and MyFly8 Loft Range.

F6+ is available in black, blue and grey and five lofts (9°, 9.5°, 10.5°, 11.5°, 12°) and three draw settings (9.5°D, 10.5°D and 11.5°D) with COBRA UST Maniya ATTAS graphite shaft (S, R flexes).

Available at all authorized Cobra Golf outlets

CaLLaWay Xr16 aND XrPrO $780, $995

aerodynamic head shape and re-engineered angle ridges Speed Step on crown helps to lower drag. new generation r.MOTO Face allows for faster ball speed and higher MOI along with a lower CG design makes it extremely forgiving. Lofts can be adjusted one degree up or down along with a draw setting.

Two lofts (9°, 10.5°) with XR (S, SR, R flexes), Tour AD GP-6 (S flex), Tour AD GP-5 (S flex) and Fujikura Speeder 569 EVOLUTION II (S flex).

Available at all authorized Callaway retailers

PING G STaNDarD, LS TEC aND SF TEC $830

Creating an intricate and stable exoskeleton while utilizing angled ridges on the crown, weight saved is repositioned to aid in maximizing distance and forgiveness. a Vortec Technology is incorporated on the back of the club to increase club head speed for distance gains. Loft angle can be adjusted with five settings for fine tuning.

Two lofts (9째, 10.5째) in standard and LS Tec heads, two lofts (10째, 12째) in SF Tec heads, with PING Alta J50 (X, S, SR, R flexes).

Available at Bukit Timah Golf Complex, 60 Fairways Drive and Bukit Batok Golf Range

MIzUnO JPX Ez $709

a 10-gram weight that can be positioned in one of two intuitive locations aids in eliminating a slice or hook, while a third central location provides golfers with a more neutral ball flight.

Designed with a larger head, it aims to inspire confidence while providing a more stable MOI especially on mishits. Loft can be adjusted between eight lie and loft setting, with a Fujikura Orochi shaft (r flex).

Available at Golf House Paragon

nIKE VaPOr FLy aND VaPOr FLy PrO $725, $880

Flightweight Crown features a 30 percent reduction in crown weight, a thinned HyperFlight Face for extreme ball speed and a reenginnered Compression Channel for better results off mishits.

FlexLoft 2.0 technology offers five lofts at three face angles for a total of 15 different settings and optimal flight, more distance as well as enhanced workability. The Vapor Fly Pro utilizes the smaller 460c pear shape head for more piercing ball flights with lower spin.

Comes with Mitsubishi rayon (r flex).

Available at all authorized Nike Golf outlets

TayLOrMaDE M2 $350

CObra KInG F6 $429

Featuring an adjustable front-toback weighting, it can be shifted to two positions to maximize distance and ball speed. Their proprietary Speed Channel Technology enables mishits to achieve faster ball speed than before while the MyFly8 with SmartPad offers loft positions for fine-tuning.

Featuring the new Hyper Speed Forged Face Cup which increases ball speed and maximized distance, it also has a larger footprint and thin crown technology to give confidence.

Lower CG and higher MOI produces optimal launch and straighter shots.

Five lofts (15°, 16.5°, 18°, 21°, 24°) with TM1-216 Mitsubishi Rayon graphite shaft (S, SR, R flexes).

Available in three colours: black, white and orange in 3-4F and 5-6F with COBRA Fujikura Speeder shaft (S, SR, R flexes).

Available from 3-wood to 11-wood with XR graphite shaft (S, SR, R flexes), Tour AD GO-6 (S flex)

Available at Taylormade-Adidas The Cathay and all authorized dealers

Available at all authorized Cobra Golf outlets

Available at all authorized Callaway retailers

a trait in all the M series woods, it features a multi-material carbon crown that saves 5-grams to allow a lower CG while the shallow head design delivers versatile playability from tee to fairway. a redesigned Speed Pocket gives players a higher ball speed for shot struck on the low end of the club face.

CaLLaWay Xr16 $450

PING G STaNDarD/SF TEC/STrETCh $550

Lowering the leading edge and utilizing a thinner, precisionmachined, variable-thickness face, it creates a higher face impact that performs well off any turf conditions.

The cascading sole design engages more of the structure in face flexing, resulting in faster ball speeds and higher launch. an adjustable hosel allows for players to fine tune as necessary.

Three lofts (14.5°, 17.5°, 20.5°) in standard head, two lofts (16°, 19°) in SF Tec head and one loft (13°) in Stretch 3 with PING Alta J50 (X, S, SR, R flexes).

Available at Bukit Timah Golf Complex, 60 Fairways Drive and Bukit Batok Golf Range

MIzUnO JPX Ez $351.20

The Shock Wave Sole enables the club head to contract and expand at impact, delivering additional power to shots. With the Shock Wave extending around the club head it aids lowering the CG for forgiveness. Quick Switch adjustable hosel gives players the customization.

One loft (18°) with Fujikura Orochi (R flex).

Available at Golf House Paragon

nIKE VaPOr FLy $525 Thin and light crown enables weight to be shifted lower for higher launch and less spin.

Covert Cavity back design distributes weight to heel and toe for maximum forgiveness, while the Flybeam structure is used to create a stable body and flexible face.

Two lofts (15°, 19°) with Mitsubishi Rayon Shaft (R flex).

Available at all authorized Nike Golf outlets

TITLEIST 816h1 aND h2 $399.20

Utilising their active recoil Channel and Ultra Thin Face technology in the 816 hybrids, it generates high speed and low spin for longer distance. a high MOI design increases speed across the face for more forgiveness on off-centre hits, while the optimized centre of gravity increase launch and trajectory for more shot-shaping control.

Five lofts (19°, 21°, 23°, 25°, 27°) with Diamana D+ White 90 HY (S flex), Diamana S+ Blue 70 HY (R, S flexes), Diamana M+ Red 60 HY (S, R, A flexes) for 816 H1 and Motore Speeder HB 8.8 Tour Spec (S flex) for both.

Available at all authorized Titleist outlets

TayLOrMaDE M2 $300

Constructed to provide effortless launch and maximum distance from anywhere on the course, it features the redesigned open channel Speed Pocket for a larger sweet spot and more consistent shots.

Fluted hosel and internal acoustics engineering manages vibrations and products a sold crisp sound.

Four lofts (19°, 22°, 25°, 28°) with TM5-216 Mitsubishi Rayon graphite shaft (S, R flexes).

Available at Taylormade Concept Stores, Level 2 The Cathay and all authorized dealers

CaLLaWay Xr OS $400

new Forged Hyper Speed Face Cup increases ball speeds across the face to maximize distances.

Higher MOI and lower CG provides more forgiveness and a redesigned, wider head shape allows for a higher launch.

Five lofts (19°, 22°, 25°, 28°, 31°) with Mitsubishi Fubuki AT 50/55/60 graphite shaft (S, R , L flexes) Available at all authorized Callaway retailers

CObra KInG F6 $389

MIzUnO JPX Ez $295.20

nIKE VaPOr FLy $425

orange in 3-4H and 4-5H with COBRA Fujikura Speeder shaft.

Four lofts (19째) with Fujikura Orochi shaft (R flex).

Three lofts (20째, 23째, 26째) with Mitsubishi Rayon shaft (R flex).

Available at all authorized Cobra Golf outlets

Available at Golf House Paragon

Available at all authorized Nike Golf outlets

With fixed weight on the back, changeable weights to get the optimal trajectory. Equipped with the Speed Channel Technology which aids maximizing distance and ball speed, the proprietary MyFly8 with SmartPad delivers eight loft positions for fine tuning. available in three colours: black, white,

Shock Wave Sole Technology along with a low CG helps expands the COr area to deliver increased ball speeds on the entire clubface as well as utmost forgiveness. a visibly larger footprint than most hybrids in the market, the head size has been increased from their previous models to inspire confidence.

Shifting five grams from the top to the low perimeter, the low CG promotes higher-launch and better playability on various turf conditions. Mishits are protected by a thinner edge around the face while the cavity-back design boosts head stability. adjustable hosel allows for fine tuning.

irons

TITLEIST 716 aP1 $1,204 (Steel) $1,388.80

This is 360° undercut cavity design paired with a large, thin, unsupported face for extreme speed, launch and distance. High-density tungsten weighting provides maximum forgiveness. High MOI design maximises heel and toe stability to provide more consistency on offcentre hits. a new leading edge with cambered sole reduces digging and allows a smoother entry and release from turf.

From 3-iron through PW plus SW (47°) with Nippon 950GH or Mitsubishi Kuro Kage TiNi 65 shaft.

Available at all authorized Titleist outlets

TITLEIST aP2 $1,612

High-density tungsten placed low and out using an advanced co-forging process creates a low CG that is perfectly aligned at impact to increase speed and distance. Forgiving high MOI design results in higher ball speeds across the face for consistent distance. Features a fractionally wider sole than the previous model.

From 4-iron through PW with True Temper Dynamic Gold AMT or Nippon 950GH shaft.

Available at all authorized Titleist outlets

TayLOrMaDE M2 IrOnS $999 (steel), $1,099 (graphite)

These game improvement irons features a proprietary fluted hosel, 360° undercut and the Speed Pocket amongst many other cool technologies.

Unnecessary weight was relocated down to the sole to ensure a lower CG. This meant that ball speeds will be fast, launch angles will be optimal and spin rate at its preferred to give players the best distance and consistency.

Available at Taylormade-Adidas The Cathay and all authorized dealers

TayLOrMaDE M2 LIMITED $1199 (steel), $1299 (global)

The M2 Limited is made slightly more compact shape for players looking for distance with added workability, the M2 Limited features many similar technologies as the M2 irons. Toeing the line between a distance iron and a players iron, these irons are an ideal blend of distance and playability in a more compact package.

The M2 is available from 4-iron through PW, AW and SW, with TM7216 Mitsubishi Rayon graphite shaft (S, R flexes) or TM REAX 90 steel shaft (S, R flexes) The M2 Limited is available from 4-iron through PW with the N.S Pro930GH (S, R flexes) or TM7-216 Mitsubishi Rayon graphite shaft (S, R

flexes)

Available at Taylormade-Adidas The Cathay and all authorized dealers

MIzUnO JPX 850 $1,248

Made using the Grain Flow forging process that enhance look and feel. a higher COr was accomplished by maximizing the use of discretionary weight from the milling process.

Weight was taken from the face and pocket cavity and redistributed to the perimeter of the iron.

From 5-iron through PW with N.S Pro 950 steel shaft or Fujikura Orochi graphite shaft (R flex).

Available at Golf House Paragon

CaLLaWay Xr OS $1210

nIKE VaPOr FLy $1,245

WILSON D200 $950

From 5-iron through PW with N.S Pro 960GH (S flex) or N.S Pro 850GH (R flex)

From 5-iron through PW with N.S Pro MODUS3 (S FLEX).

From 5-iron through SW with True Temper SL 85 steel shaft (S, R flexes).

Available at all authorized Nike Golf outlets

Available at Golf House Paragon

an improved 360 Face Cup that helps to increase ball speed, it also features a wide sole and trailing edge bevel to make it easy to launch on all turf conditions and exceptionally forgiving.

Lower and deeper CG ensures a higher trajectory and greater carry distance on all shots.

Available at all authorized Callaway retailers

The CG is placed in the centre of the face to optimize stability and consistency while rzn material is added in the club head to enable more mass to be distributed lower and deeper for higher ball flight. Nike’s proprietary Flybeam-reinforced chassis delivers increased ball speed on centre and mishits.

Featuring a thin face-to-sole transition that expands the sweet spot to lower in the face, it also has a right Light Technology to allow players to swing even faster with the same effort. Weight pods are also incorporated in the heel and toe to create a larger sweet spot.

48 • G o l f V a c a t i o n s • JUl-aUG 2016

The permutations are endless. To some, living life to the fullest could mean scouring the globe to witness some of the greatest wonders of the world. To others, it could mean embarking on an endless chase for more wealth and power. For the discerning golf vacationer, however, it is about accumulating as many unforgettable experiences as possibly can.

While that may mean chalking up a bucket list from St. Andrews to Pebble Beach, a good trip does not always have to entail traversing halfway around the world. And so, while Scotland’s Kingdom of Fife and the Californian coast may beckon, teeing off at such gems as Karambunai, Sutera Harbour Golf Club and Dalit Bay Golf and Country Club can extort the same kind of excitable adjectives as well.

Best of all, the three do share a commonality.

They are all sited in proximity to that vibrant Borneo Malaysian city of Kota Kinabalu, whose millions of years old natural rainforest landscape lends much

Destination Focus

Pleasurable business OPENING PICTURE: Aerial view of Nexus Resort and Spa.

BELOW - INSET: Mardan Mamat won the Sabah Masters in January at Sutera Harbour Golf Club.

With Kota Kinabalu’s array of golfing and accommodation options, it’s easy to mix business with leisure.

By M i c h e l l e ye e

of its organic glory to the experience. The city spans a sumptuous area of 351 km2, giving it ample space to house several golf courses, resorts, hotels, tourist attractions and more.

Over the past decade, the city has hosted several prestigious golf events, with the most recent being the Sabah Masters in January, further solidifying Kota Kinabalu’s status as a premium golfing destination.

Singapore’s top golfer Mardan Mamat won the US$100,000 ASEAN PGA Tour event after prevailing over a field that contains Malaysian heroes such as Danny Chia, Arie Irawan and Ben Leong, with four strokes to spare.

That the event was held at Sutera Harbour Golf Club should come as no surprise as the resort combines the finest combination of location, facilities and excellent championship golf. Set on the beachfront with a magnificent view of the South China Sea, Sutera Harbour Resort makes a great escape from city life but never far from the bright lights. With a wide spectrum of water sports, recreational activities, spa treatments, and gastronomical exploits, there are plenty of ways to while the time away here.

50 • G o l f V a c a t i o n s • JUl-aUG 2016

TOP IMAGES - COUNTER CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Sutera Harbour Marina Golf & Country Club; Heritage Course at Sutera Harbour Marina Golf & Country Club; Sutera Harbour Marina Golf & Country Club, Hole 24; Aerial view of Nexus Resort and Spa. BOTTOM IMAGES ON THE RIGHT PAGE - CLOCWISE FROM TOP: Nexus Resort and Spa front facade; The view from balcony at the Ocean Wing; Nexus Resort and Spa swimming pool.

Consisting of the Magellan Sutera Resort, Pacific Sutera Hotel, Sutera Habour Golf and Country Club, Sutera Harbour Marina and Country Club, all housed within the same named compound, Sutera Harbour Resort has altogether 16 dining outlets located within the resort, giving guests varied dining options.

Guests can enjoy an integrated resort experience, meaning anyone can easily access the facilities provided by the four denominations of Sutera Harbour Resort.

They can enjoy and experience various activities such as sailing, golfing, swimming, and many others, thereby adding different colours to their experience in Sutera Harbour Resort.

Apart from a bevy of recreational options, Sutera Harbour Resort is also renowned for its five-star business class hotel and impeccable presentation for corporate events.

Held at Pacific Sutera Hotel’s multi-purpose and multisized meeting rooms, or even Magellan Sutera Resort’s overwhelming pillarless grand ballroom, the Sutera conference planners and M.I.C.E (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) staff are experienced and dedicated in creating an event for everyone to remember,

especially against a backdrop so beautiful and countless of activities to refresh bodies, minds and spirits.

And since the Sutera Harbour Golf and Country Club is integrated into the resort, golf aficionados can easily access the golf course whenever they desire. The renowned golf course has won numerous accolades over the years, and has widely been considered the best golf resort in Malaysia. Within the clubhouse, there is a restaurant, sauna, proshop, several meeting rooms and locker rooms.

Designed by Graham Marsh, the 27-hole course is layered with Bermuda grass and divided into three 9s the Lake Course, the Garden Course, and the Heritage Course. Each has its own distinct characteristics and presents differing landscapes, hazards, and difficulty levels for golfers to enjoy. You can choose to tee off from any of the three courses, or even opt for on-course or driving range lessons with British PGA professionals at the club’s Golf Academy Borneo setup.

Sutera Harbour also prides itself as the only golf club in East Malaysia that offers night golfing. Instead of the regular 18 holes, there are 20 well-lit holes – nine from the Lake Course, nine from the Garden Course, and the

finishing two holes of the Heritage Course. Certainly an experience not to be missed!

For another golfing getaway that is somewhat different from the glamour of Sutera Harbour, whisk away to Nexus Resort and Spa for a quieter, more sublime stay.

The resort is only 28km from the city, and is surrounded by 3,335 acres of lush greenery. Doubled with 6km of Karambunai beach’s white sands, the view and atmosphere in Nexus Resort and Spa is to die for. The management prides itself for having eight restaurants and bars scattered around the vicinity, providing guests a truly varied gastronomical experience. Because it is so close to nature and the watery divide, outdoor recreational as well as seaside activities are plentiful, which bodes well for the corporate or incentive traveller.

Feeding both body and souls are of prime importance here at Nexus Resort. Dining options abound with The Penyu offering all day dining and the main location for breakfasts and buffets, and for lovers for local Malaysian fare, The Kingfisher serves up scrumptious portions of Nasi Lemak and Roti Canai, as well as seafood buffets, all the while being serenaded by strolling musicians.

The Chinese cuisine in Malaysia, and especially Sabah, where there is a large population, is particularly exquisite and Noble House aims to bring you the best of Szechuan and Cantonese cooking with its signature Dim Sum specialties especially delectable.

52 • G o l f V a c a t i o n s • JUl-aUG 2016

TOP PICTURES CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort; Dalit Bay Golf and Country Club; Orang utan.

For those with a Mediterranean palate, Olives ranks as one of Malaysia’s finest fine dining establishments that combines the freshest of ingredients with superb wine selection in a distinctive white room and quiet, lounge music soothingly playing in the background. A beachside bar and grill, a pool bar, a nightclub with its own resident DJ and, for those with a sweet tooth, a patisserie complete the extensive offering.

There are eight meeting rooms in addition to the luxurious Buntunggan Grand Ballroom. Nexus’s meeting packages come with function room rental, registration tables, refreshments, buffet meals, projection system, and just about anything necessary for a corporate Pow-wow.

Their dedicated team of meetings experts will ensure that each and every detail of the itinerary will be fulfilled.

Back outdoors and across the fairways of Karambunai, one can find a luscious golf course with plenty of challenges. Water hazards inundate the sprawling layout with complex bunkering in between 130-million year old foliage that beckons every stray ball to join it in antiquity.

With the South China Sea on one side and Mount Kinabalu in the distance, this Par 72, 6,220-metre tract is worth every minute spent on it. Ronald Fream, at his peak, also designed Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong course, site of the previous European Tour’s Barclays Singapore Open and now hosts the LPGA’s HSBC Women’s Champions. Fream has brought his design principles,

CiTy HOTeLS Le MeRiDien KOTA KinABALU

Currently ranked as one of the top hotels in Malaysia, Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu offers guests a multitude of specialised services to cater to their every need. Located in the central business district and providing first class business facilities, Le Meridien is without doubt, an excellent choice for the corporate traveller.

Levels two and three of the hotel have been dedicated for holding business activities, conferences and events. Whether it is a cocktail party or a private meeting, Le Meridien’s wide range of highly versatile rooms, including seven function rooms and a grand ballroom makes it pliable for any business needs from small, private seminars to larger conferences. For example, Le Meridien’s grand ballroom can be divided into three separate function rooms for multi-functional uses. Also, to complement any corporate event, Le Meridien provides a business centre on level three, fully furnished

with state-of-the-art equipment.

With their Meeting Suites @6, Le Meridien also caters to those opting for a more luxurious experience. Adding a contemporary twist to the traditional corporate rooms, the new and innovative meeting suites on the sixth floor feature premium room standards and high-tech facilities for comfort and ease. Corporate guests in these suites will definitely feel comfortable and pampered. What’s more, guests of Meeting Suites @6 can enjoy a breathtaking view of the South China Sea’s majestic horizon across the bustling Kota Kinabalu cityscape, ensuring that deals are brokered in a serene and calming environment.

There are five room categories in this 306-room hotel, including 31 suites facing either the city or the sea, enough for a large company function. Guests with a penchant for spa treatments can also visit the award winning Solace Spa with it sown Anti-Oxidant Rejuvenation Centre to improve their immune system, lower cholesterol and relieve muscle

together with many nuances and subtleties to ensure that golfers playing at Karambunai walk into the first and away from the 18th with a smile of their faces.

And finally, for those with a penchant for international branded resorts, they don’t come any more premium than Shangri-La. Named after a heavenly nirvana that evokes an out-of-this-world experience, Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort about 45 minutes out of the city is also one of the group’s few 18-hole golfing projects. Voted as Malaysia’s best golf hotel, Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria is a must-visit for golf aficionados. Their Dalit Bay Golf and Country Club boasts a breathtaking landscape, offering golfers with an unrivalled playing experience.

Also flanking Mount Kinabalu in the background and the Mekabong and Tambalang rivers along its sides, the 18-hole championship golf course designed by Ted Parslow showcases the best of Sabah’s geographical beauty as it winds its way in and out of both rivers. Tricky hillside greens that break the opposite way, teeshots across water and an island green are just some of the interesting bits and pieces to be encountered along the way.

Apart from being a premier golfing destination, the Rasa Ria Resort’s Garden and Ocean wings combine to almost 500 rooms to host even the biggest of events and conferences. The resort comprises eight function rooms as well as a grand ballroom, all fully furnished with

aches and pains; Certainly an aspect to look forward to for city slickers constantly on the go. www.lemeridienkotakinabalu.com

HyATT ReGenCy KinABALU

Another business hotel that combines luxurious trappings with state-of-the-art facilities, the Hyatt Regency Kinabalu was originally known as the Kinabalu international Hotel, until the Hyatt group took over. Recently it has undergone a massive refurbishments and facelifts so that all guest rooms now features soft textiles and calming, neutral colours to pamper guests with a comfortable touch.

Conveniently located just 15 minutes from Kota Kinabalu international Airport and close to tourist attractions such as the KK Waterfront esplanade, the jetty to the nearby islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, the local market and major shopping centres, this luxury hotel offers 288 guest rooms and suites with

access to the Regency club lounge for even more privacy that business travellers appreciate.

There are also three restaurants here with a newly renovated Tanjung Ria Kitchen with private dining rooms for business luncheons.

Their halal certified kitchens presents the best of local and western cuisine in a contemporary setting and the open kitchens take centrestage as the chefs prepare all orders à la minute upon request.

Hyatt Regency Kinabalu’s Business Centre caters to travelling businessmen. They offer a full range of office equipment, and even a personal secretarial service. Also, there are many function rooms ready to be used. Hyatt Regency Kinabalu boasts of specialising in catering to all kinds of corporate events ranging from private meetings to large seminars, ensuring that each participant’s experience in the hotel will be unrivalled and truly one-ofa-kind. www.kinabalu.regency.hyatt.com

sophisticated audio and visual equipment, but like the other two, the draw is in the outdoors. Apart from golf, Rasa Ria Resort’s Pantai Beach is easily among the finest in Borneo.

Attendees can take part in all manner of beach activities, or take a more adventurous ride with an AllTerrain-Vehicle (ATV). The most interesting aspect of the resort however, is an Orang Utan rehabilitation centre just a few minutes walk away, housing some of the most adorable young primates who had been separated from their families via illegal hunting and logging practices.

While there, spare thought for these chimps and donate generously. One may even adopt them and help them grow into full functioning adults.

There is a reason for meetings and conferences to be done in a relaxing atmosphere as it promotes a sense of calm, serenity and perhaps even camaraderie, which often leads to even better business decisions. Here in Kota Kinabalu, are some of the most welcoming spots one can ever find in a 130-million-year-old haven that is simply out of this world.

www.suteraharbour.com www.nexusresort.com www.karambunaigolf.com www.shangri-la.com/kota kinabalu/rasariaresort www.dalitbaygolf.com.my

OPENING PAGE: Saxon Woods, Scarsdale.

Choice Resorts

For a relatively small footprint of about 450 square miles, New York State’s Westchester County north of Manhattan has about 56 golf courses a dozen of which welcome visitors. The wealthy county with an unparalleled lifestyle is positioning itself as New York’s Intellectual Capital.

BY SUN A AN D RUSI K A N G A

“Westchester County has a rich golf history.

Within 15 to 20 miles are some of the best-designed courses not only here, but arguably in the whole world.

This is because what happens with golf courses is very much like art. Who has designed the course is very important,” says Scott, an investment banker who is weighing the privileges of membership of a private club as against the more reasonable option of fine public courses near his Dobbs Ferry home.

Westchester County, within New York State, is about a 35-minute commute to Manhattan. When people think “Westchester”, they think fancy country clubs, suburban homes owned by wealthy retirees and successful professionals with young families, upscale restaurants, boating on the Hudson River and golfing on rolling courses. Westchester ranks number two, after Manhattan, as the wealthiest county in New York State and seventh wealthiest nationally.

The county combines 300 years of history with breathtaking scenic features that stretch from the shining Hudson River to shining sea of the Long Island Sound.

Within 450 square miles there are 56 manicured golf courses of which 12 are public. Six of the public courses are located within 30,000 acres of glorious parkland.

Beyond golf and an affluent lifestyle, Westchester is now positioning itself as New York’s Intellectual Capital. The county boasts a wealth of talent and is home to some of the nation’s leading companies in life sciences, finance and computer technology. Based here are 17 biotechnology firms with a workforce of about 8,000. The diverse population lives in 45 municipalities covering cities, towns, villages and hamlets.

Scarsdale, where our daughter has recently relocated, is a charming town that combines rural character with urban sophistication. It was founded in 1701 by an English aristocrat who named it after his Derbyshire estate in the UK. Like neighbouring towns and villages such as Dobbs Ferry, Larchmont, Pelham, Sleepy Hollow, Rye Brook and Port Chester, it offers proximity to Manhattan, scenic beauty, rich cultural history and boasts some of the country’s best schools.

When we arrive in Westchester County, the foliage is ablaze with autumn colours and an air of gracious living pervades the region. The hour’s drive from the international JFK airport ends along a winding road that skirts a wondrous golf course where sunlight streams through trees dripping gold, red and yellow hues. Perched on a distant hill are Tudor-style homes overlooking a sprawling golf course. We arrive at a gated, hilltop community and realize that St. Andrew’s Golf Club is at our doorstep! Alas, it is a private world - closed to visitors unless introduced by a member – a sylvan valley to be admired from afar.

Westchester county A WeAlth of Golf

THE CRADLE OF GOLF IN AMERICA

As the oldest continuously existing golf club in the U.S., St Andrew’s takes pride in being guardedly genteel.

Golfing here began after Scotsman John Reid, a New York resident who missed his native game, requested his friend Robert Lockhart to purchase golfing equipment from Scotland. The package that arrived included six handmade clubs and two dozen gutta-percha balls. A game was set up for a sixsome in a hilly pasture in Yonkers. A year later, in 1888, St Andrew’s was born. Today, Westchester is considered to be the golf capital of America.

“This is what we call the cradle of golf in America,” says Gene Westmoreland, special consultant to the Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA) of New York State. “Westchester golf was really growing in the 1800s and St Andrew’s, also called the Hastings, was one of the first.” Historic clubs include private clubs such as the Ardsley Country Club which hosted the first women’s amateur championship, the Apawamis Club in Rye, the venue for the early US Amateurs, Westchester Country Club, Rye, a PGA tour site and the famous Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck which has hosted 11 US Open golf tournaments.

ABOVE: Scenic course at Sprain Lake, Yonkers.

RIGHT PAGE, TOP: Endless water views at Sprain Lake Golf Course, Yonkers.

RIGHT PAGE, BOTTOM: A picturesque audience at Sprain Lake Golf Course, Yonkers.

The century-old MGA is one of the oldest and largest golf associations in the US. From a fledging group of 26 member clubs that ran competitions in the New York metropolitan area, it has evolved into one of the nation’s busiest and most active golf groups, representing over 400 clubs. Some outstanding players such as Walter Travis, Jerry Travers, Gene Sarazen, George Zahringer, Bobby Jones and Jack Nicklaus have been a part of its history.

The MGA website offers a quick fix to visitors looking for a suitable course. For a public course experience, Pound Ridge Golf Course is relatively pricy but offers an experience both upscale and challenging. This intriguing Pete Dye course owned by Ken Wang, brother of fashion designer Vera Wang, is open to visitors who can book a game through partner hotels such as the Mandarin Oriental in Manhattan.

Hudson Hills is yet another course that avid golfers enjoy. Further north are the Centennial Golf Club in Carmel, a 27-hole championship layout, and the Richter Park Golf Course in Danbury, one of America’s top public courses located slightly further in Connecticut.

Visiting Westchester

Westchester County is a good vacation option for those who love New York City and want to play golf in a suburban setting.

The three lines of Metro-North trains (www.mta.info) offer an easy, 35-45 minute ride to various towns and villages where the golf courses are located. Westchester County Airport serves private jets and two million commuters. The county boasts expensive stores, museums, art galleries, breweries, wineries and top restaurants. White Plains, the county seat, is a big suburban city with large malls housing fine stores such as Neiman Marcus and Tiffany.

Four-star chef Peter Kelly (Iron Chef multiple award-winner) owns X20 Xaviars on the Hudson in Yonkers while Mario Batali has restaurants Tarry Lodge and Eataly in Port Chester. Places to stay in Westchester include the luxurious Doral Arrowwood resort in Rye Brook, the Ritz-Carlton in White Plains and the charming Castle in Tarrytown where Equus restaurant presents fine cuisine.

Empire City Casino in Yonkers Raceway is a popular destination offering 5,300 gaming machines, live harness racing and live entertainment. Westchester celebrities include Hillary and Bill Clinton who have a home in Chappaqua and Barbara Bush who grew up in Rye.

“The county combines 300 years of history with breathtaking scenic features that stretch from the shining Hudson River to shining sea of the Long Island Sound. Within 450 square miles there are 56 manicured golf courses of which 12 are public.�

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: A rolling course at Saxon Woods, Scarsdale; Mohansic Golf Course, one of the most challenging in the Westchester; Muscoot Farmers Market in affluent Westchester county.

BOTTOM IMAGES: Sailing on the Long Island Sound, Westchester; Westchester is one of the premier places to live in the US.

PARK COURSES AT WESTCHESTER COUNTY There are 56 golf courses in Westchester County, private, semi-private and public. The following are the six public courses within parks which are open from early spring to late autumn, weather permitting.

DUNWOODIE, Yonkers.

Eighteen holes, 5,778 yards, par 70, pro shop, driving range and restaurant.

Dramatic topography and steep slopes make this a challenging course with a layout mix of narrow fairways and wide landscapes. 1-914-231-3490.

HUDSON HILLS, Ossining.

Eighteen holes, 6,800 yards, par 72, pro shop and restaurant. The course offers vistas of the countryside and demands strategic play and use of every club in the bag. 1-914-864-3000 MAPLE MOOR, White Plains.

Eighteen holes, 6,275 yards, par 71, pro shop, snack bar and restaurant. The course designed by Tom Winton was once the Griffen family farmland (1879). 1-914-995-9200.

MOHANSIC, Yorktown Heights.

Eighteen holes, 6,385 yards, par 70, driving range, pro shop and restaurant.

Set in a beautiful country setting, this year-round course with moderately steep slopes and holes that are, possibly, the most challenging in the county. 1-914-862-5283.

SAXON WOODS, Scarsdale.

Eighteen holes, 6,354 yards, par 71, driving range, pro shop and restaurant.

This rolling course with character, designed by Tom Winton, has renovated tees and greens. 1-914-231-3461.

SPRAIN LAKE, Yonkers.

Eighteen holes, 6,026 yards, par 70. Driving range, pro shop and restaurant.

Architect Tom Winton’s scenic and linear course hugs the lake which provides endless water hazards that attract seasonal migrating geese.

The reservoir comes into play from virtually every hole. 1-914-231-3481.

“In Westchester, golf and business work well together thanks to the proximity of the Big Apple.”

GOLF AND BUSINESS

While golf is a strong selling point for Westchester, says Laurence P. Gottlieb, the director of economic development at the Office of the County Executive, “it is the quality of the workforce - our intellectual capital along with Westchester’s unparalleled lifestyle that draws biotech start-ups and IT and financial giants.”

Within this region of smart-people-smart-money, 45 percent of residents over age 25 hold a bachelor’s or higher degree while the national average is 27 percent.

Large global brands like PepsiCo and MasterCard have their corporate offices along ‘the platinum mile’ in Harrison and IBM has its world headquarters in Armonk.

Companies like Coca Cola, Fuji, Heineken, Nokia and Regeneron are also located here.

“We want to create a new sense of excitement about Westchester County within the country’s business community, something that’s been missing in recent years with the downturn in the economy,” Gottlieb says.

In Westchester, golf and business work well together thanks to the proximity of the Big Apple. “Because we are so close to Manhattan, you will frequently find some of the most influential business leaders on courses here. Certainly Donald Trump (he owns the Jim Faziodesigned Trump National Golf Club in the heart of Westchester) and individuals from leading firms play for the networking. That is what separates our golf courses from others in the country,” adds Gottlieb.

GOING PUBLIC

The downturn in the economy and the availability of fine public courses have affected membership at the pricy clubs. “People who belonged to private clubs are now coming out to our courses,” observes Peter Tartaglia, spokesman for the Westchester County Parks’ six golf courses.

“All the public courses have had capital improvements and are in excellent shape. In Yonkers, we have Dunwoodie, a compact course along many hills and the Sprain Lake course on beautiful terrain along a reservoir.

Saxon Woods in Scarsdale has been totally renovated with new sand traps and a couple of holes have been rebuilt. Maple Moor in White Plain is famous and has high usage. Hudson Hills (Ossining) is a little different – it is extremely hilly and the only course we require you to have a golf cart. Golfers love Mohansic and compare it to a private course. You cannot go wrong playing any of these courses,” Tartaglia continues.

Rock croppings are a major unique feature at the new Pound Ridge Golf Club where players can pay day fees. “We have 1,400 yards of boulders which we use to line edges of ponds and to set up tees. It is a hilly, more modern, challenging course. Legendary architect Pete Dye believes if you play the correct tee, it is for every type of golfer,” notes sales and marketing manager Jason Ekaireb.

At Sprain Lake, we meet professional Anthony Avezzano who has been with the club since its inception 50 years ago. He and his son run the operation.

“Westchester County is very golf oriented and there are few flat courses like Sprain Lake. The scenic lake wraps around the entire golf course. About 65-70 percent of the players belong to an active community of retirees. We have over 50,000 rounds per year,” he says. At twilight, we see several Asian groups playing the course where flocks of migrating geese form an inquisitive audience.

Regulars here include businessman Johnny Chan and his wife Summe from Hong Kong, Westchester residents for 20 years. “We moved here for the education of our daughters. Westchester has some of the best schools – and also the highest property tax in the nation!

We started playing at the public courses with friends about three years ago. In golf, like mahjong, you need a foursome. During the season, we play two or three times a week, until it starts snowing. Residents get first crack at tee times so it is better for visitors to play later in the day,” he says.

“As residents, we pay $45 for a golf card that entitles us to discounts at 55 golf courses. The beauty of playing here is it is inexpensive, close by and the weather is good.

The difference is, in Asia, a player is treated like a king.

He has a caddy and cart and after golf he can have a foot or body massage,” he adds. Fees at public courses are $49 for residents and $59 for non-residents.

Wherever one plays the game, as Greg Midland, editor of The Met Golfer points out, golf exemplifies the positive traits of fairness, health and fitness, an appreciation of nature and camaraderie. In Westchester, local character and rural flavour are added rewards.

http://golf.westchestergov.com http://tourism.westchestergov.com http://thinkingWestchester.com

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Choice Resorts

A golfing oasis in the heart of Bangkok.

By Da r ryl W e e

When I decided it was time to play at the Rajpruek Club, I realized how difficult it was to get a slot. In Bangkok there are many exclusive golf clubs that tout themselves as members only but in reality you can get a game in most of these. Someone would know someone who could get you on. But in the case of Rajpruek, we could never find that special someone.

In fact I was looking for him for over a year.

So, it was with much excitement when I found out that the club had accepted my request to visit the course for a game as part of my research to identify the best courses in Bangkok. I also wanted to encourage any golfer who is ever offered an opportunity to play the course not to turn it down, because you might think this is like any other golf course in Bangkok. It is not.

Situated over 355 rai of land on Vibhavadee Rangsit Road in the North Park Real Estate Company’s “City in the Park” project, the Rajpruek Club consists of an international standard 18 hole golf course, a sports complex with comprehensive facilities for both indoor and outdoor sports, and a full range of recreational facilities, as well as clubhouse for golfers and sports members.

OPENING PICTURE: The morning mist at Rajpruek Club.

“One of the favourite things I like about this club is its proximity to town. Normally to get to some of the better courses in Bangkok, you would need to drive for at least an hour.

However, we were pleasantly surprised to find ourselves at the club within 30 minutes from the main shopping belt.”

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CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: An aerial perspective that showcases its proximity within the city; The snaking and narrow Hole 4; Teeing off at the 13th.

One of the favourite things I like about this club is its proximity to town. Normally to get to some of the better courses in Bangkok, you would need to drive for at least an hour. However, we were pleasantly surprised to find ourselves at the club within 30 minutes from the main shopping belt. The drive to the clubhouse takes you into the private estate and you will get your first glimpse. For the more observant, you will immediately notice how the maintenance is different from many other Thai courses and it shows off the course. Looking at the fairways and some of the tee boxes, I could immediately sense that we were about to play at some place special.

From the outside, the clubhouse looks old. Entering however, we found a newly renovated interior with tastefully modern finishing. The size of the clubhouse

is not ostentatious, and upon entry you immediately know that you are in a private club, however unlike some private clubs that make guests feel like intruders, this club is very welcoming and the staff are all very well trained with attendants at your beck and call seemingly whenever you need them. In fact I would not hesitate to say that the service here is second to none, and with the added warmth of Thai hospitality, there are few places I can compare with.

When we got all the details sorted out at registration, we were escorted to the changing rooms. The entrance was a modest affair, but it opened up beautifully to modern facilities decorated in tropical Thai style with large glass windows that opens to a private courtyard with water feature outside. Once again, there were

attendants who escorted me to my locker ensuring that I don’t get lost in this natural wonderland.

We had an opportunity to have a light meal at the Golf Dining Room before we teed off. The menu was extensive with both local and international dishes and the service attentive without being intrusive. For those of you who like wine, I must make mention of a relatively large wine cellar and a very long wine list.

Our host for the game was the club’s general manager, Thalerngchai Suwannamai. Interestingly, his claim to fame, as we were to find out during light lunch conversation, was not his golfing powers but that he was a professional tennis player and coach. Speaking in fluent English, he regaled of years spent in the US coaching at the world-renowned Bollettieri Tennis Academy. Being the sportsman that he is, we do not doubt his golfing ability and we were to find out first hand later as well, which brings us to the much anticipated golf course.

The Rajpruek Club’s par 72 course is set in natural parkland and hilly shaped landscape, which can be played from 4,980 to 6,565 yards depending on the selected tee box. The course designed by J. Michael Poellot provides a challenging but fair round of golf with careful thought given to progression and flow, and here’s why.

The first two holes on the course are great to warm up with, followed by my favourite hole on the front nine.

Hole 3 is a 361-yard par 4, which is index 9 on the scorecard.

Immediately, one difference here is that of an elevated tee, which is very rare in mostly flat central Bangkok courses. The 3rd also happens to be Khun Suwannamai’s favourite, as he explains how he enjoys the perspective from the teebox and the shape of the hole, which has a lake all along the left side of the fairway and strategically placed bunkers dotting the right. It takes a confident tee shot and an uncanny ability to hit straight to challenge this one.

Lunch may not have been far back but if you have time and some stomach, it is recommended to stop over at the rest hut between the 3rd green and 4th tee, which we did.

Resembling a little grotto, it is set under an umbrella of beautifully grown old trees adjacent the lake that had earlier threatened to swallow up your golf ball. Serene and peaceful, you couldn’t stay too long or else, you’d forget about the golf altogether.

The 4th is also one of many signatures here at Rajpruek. A 214-yard par 3 that plays on the other side of the lake and requires an uphill shot, it is arduously long but nevertheless reachable. Watch out for the undulations when you putt. There are also very deep bunkers protecting the green if your shot is short, so I would suggest a little more club rather than less although I can imagine fewer clubs longer than a driver for most.

Moving on, a fine example of a risk-reward hole is the 548-yard dogleg left par 5 seventh, which happens to also be the Index 1 spot. For longer hitters, you can try to go for it with two very long and accurate shots. If you can even manage a 300-yard drive to cut the dogleg, you will then have a sight of the green. Otherwise, just play 64 • G o l f V a c a t i o n s • JUl-aUG 2016

for three instead. The key to this hole is the second shot with water all along the right narrowing the landing area and mature trees on the left. Pick your favourite distance for the third shot and use your second shot to get you there. The green complex is framed beautifully by one of a few tall buildings you will see around here as well as a waterfall on the right.

Before long, we’ve completed the front half and staring at the 421-yard par 4 10th, and realizing it is a little brutal. This long par 4 is a slight dogleg left and the most difficult hole on the back. There is nothing tricky here however, apart from requiring two superb shots to get onto the green. Making a birdie is a bonus, a par, jubilation.

But my favourite hole on the back nine is the 17th, a 551-yard par 5 with fairways that are so generous, you could hit a drive blind and still be safe. The critical shot, like the 7th, is the second, with a green that is protected by water in front and on the left. There is also a large sand bunker that narrows the landing area for your 3rd

Above And below: The 9th at Rajpruek Club; Posing with club general manager Thalerngchai Suwannamai.

shot. It is possible to reach the green in two, even with water in play. Just aim slightly right and if you miss the green, the bunkers will still hold up, which was what happened to me.

And then, like the end of a good story, the finishing hole, to me, summarizes the entire experience. Here at Rajpruek, you will need accuracy off the tee and be smart on approaches. So yes, there is water in play here on the 18th all along the right and then three sides of the green.

It calls for good golf, even thinking golf and whoever tees it up here cannot be distracted by the vicissitudes of the world outside. Achieve that and good scores are readily available.

I have added Rajpruek to my must-play list in Bangkok and been recommending it to anyone who cares to listen. If you do get an invitation to play, take your time and enjoy the day. It will be one you will not easily forget.

For booking and information, visit www. rajpruek.com

Resort Golf Academy

Desert Courses Our resident celebrity instructor shows us a new way to play the sandy belt.

By A n n A Be l R o l l e y

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Getting bored of playing tree lined golf courses?

Tiring of the mundane parkland holes? If so, it’s time to really spice things up and get yourself to a desert golf course. I’ve played many in the United States – places such as Las Vegas and Scottsdale provide the ultimate desert golf experience, however, don’t go unprepared as you will encounter a vastly different golf experience that requires some savvy course management and implementation of very specific technique – and don’t forget your ‘rock club.’ What’s that? I’ll explain soon.

In 2010, I spent the year honing my skills and taking in the vistas of the majestic mountains in Scottsdale, Arizona. Many golf professionals base themselves in this modern desert city often referred to as ‘Hollywood of the desert.’

Scottsdale offers warm weather year round lending perfect conditions that are conducive for the best in the business to work on their game. It is also a hub for affluent Americans that have homes in the Mid and North West and retreat to Scottsdale when the weather turns icy. The city is clean and new and has some great bars and restaurants. Life is easy in Scottsdale and provides 360-degree views of mountains that are not just good to look at, but wonderful to hike as well.

But back to the golf. Desert courses have specific features, like narrow fairways, which exist because water is scarce and watering a narrow strip of grass down the centre lowers the cost of the water bill. Most desert courses play much like a links course in the UK. If the course has not

been watered, it will be dry and play fast and hard with hazards on both sides of the fairway. Waste areas are rife and can be visually intimidating for golfers from the tee box demanding supreme concentration to pick the correct target lines.

If your ball does venture wayward of the fairway, be prepared to hit off the hard ground and rocks - this is where your ‘rock club’ is put to use. A rock club is an extra club in the bag (provided you keep to a maximum of 14) that you are willing to get damaged in the process of getting back on the fairway.

This particular club is quite often a 7 or 8 iron. Alternatively, you can take a penalty and apply the ‘Desert Rule,’ which means playing the ball as a lateral hazard and taking a one-stroke penalty.

Beware the natural vegetation of the desert. Stray from the fairway and you may encounter a prickly situation.

Cacti are abundant and if your ball finds one of these plants it may not deflect, meaning a one-stroke penalty will apply should you take your ball out of the cacti like you would an unplayable lie.

But take great caution when doing so or walking around cactus – it can pierce straight through clothes and shoes. Do wear leather shoes for greater protection.

While searching for your ball in the rough, be wary of interesting desert creatures that inhabit the environment.

Native desert animals include bobcats, rattlesnakes, coyotes, scorpions, road runners, gila monsters (lizards) and javelinas (wild pigs). Spot any of these species and you will discover how quickly you can get on top of your golf cart. These somewhat unattractive critters get the adrenaline going in golfers from time to time.

Whether you are playing in Scottsdale, Vegas or the Middle East, desert golf is a lot of fun and a fantastic way to experience golf in a dramatically different setting. Desert courses are unique and playing them can be a very special treat. I reflect so fondly on my time in Scottsdale and I hope you can find a way to get to a desert golf area.

Resort Golf Academy

ShotS you need playing deSert courSeS

1) Bump and run Desert courses do not have lush grass surrounding the greens. Rather, the grass is firm and you need to run the ball towards the dance floor.

- Weight on lead side with 60/40 distribution - Use a 7 or 8 iron - Use a putting action with minimal wrist work - Straight back, straight through, with minimal club face rotation - Encourage a weak grip to keep loft on face - Ball travels 1/3 in air and 2/3 roll out

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2) low shot It can get windy in the desert as there aren’t any trees protecting and sheltering the course. It’s important to keep the ball low in these conditions.

- Knock down 3-wood to keep the ball low and out of the desert wind - Weight on lead side - More forward shaft lean at set up - 3/4 backswing helps to stay on lead side throughout swing - Hood the club slightly - Deloft clubface at impact by covering the ball with your chest at impact - Chase upper body low through the ball and into finish position

3) Using yoUr ‘rock clUb’ You must hit down on the ball steeply when the ball is on hard or rocky surfaces. If your angle of attack is too shallow, you risk bottoming out and the club bouncing from the hard ground into the ball resulting in a bladed shot.

- Use your designated rock club; an old 7 or 8 iron - More weight on your lead side - Wide stance for stability; it’s easy to lose your footing on rocks and pebbles - Imagine a “V” shaped swing - Pick the club up steeply - Hit down on the ball - Match the steep swing on the through swing

4) Dress for Desert golf: Either end of the day in the desert can get chilly quickly.

The temperature drops dramatically when the sun goes down so remember to bring suitable layers and outerwear. Shorts, skirts and shirt should be appropriate during the day.

On Her BUrBerrY POrSUM Trench Coat Dress with Patent Leather Waist Belt and Patent Leather Handbag MArC JACOBS Lace Up Heels On HiM ALFreD DUnHiL Hooded Coat and Striped Cotton Shirt BUrBerrY POrSUM net Tank Top, Olive Pants, Strap Leather Sandles and Duffel Bag

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Style Vacation

Rekindling an ORiental acquaintance

Travel fashion reTurns To iTs BriTish indian rooTs aBoard an orienT express Train. phoTographer: Joel low sTylisT: Jerome awasThi

On Her AnTePrIMA White Asymmetric Dress and Yellow Strappy Heels Chunky Bangle (Stylist Own) On HIM BUrBerrY POrSUM Black Wool Blazer and Leather Strap Sandles eTrO Printed Long Sleeve Polo Shirt and Striped Bermudas Flower Garland (Stylist Own)

On Him ETRO Yellow Sports Jacket, Floral Printed Shirt RAOUL Skinny Belt mARC by mARC JACOBS Cream Cotton Pants BURBERRY PORSUm Strap Leather Sandles On HER DKnY Embroidered Kaftan Dress AnTEPRimA Laced Clogs ALLDRESSEDUP Cognac Clutch Bag

On Her AnTePrIMA White Asymmetric Dress and Yellow Strappy Heels On HIM eTrO Yellow Blazer, Printed Long Sleeve Polo Shirt BUrBerrY POrSUM Slim Fitted Track Pants and Leather Strap Sandles

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On Him BURBERRY PORSUm Ruched Leather Biker Jacket, net Tank Top, Olive Pants On HER ALLDRESSEDUP Sleeveless Blouse with necklace Attached and Khaki Cargo Pants DKnY Chain Handle Handbag RAOUL Platform Wedge

On Her MArC JACOBS Orange Jump Suit with Gold Pendant, Straw Wide Brim Hat Bangles (Stylist Own) On HiM MArC by MArC JACOBS Cream Cotton Suit, Cream Cotton Pants and Orange Printed Shirt

StyliSt: Jerome Awasthi www.jeromeawasthi.com PhotogrAPher: Joel low, Joel low Photography MAkeuP: Beno lim, M.A.C Pro Artiste hAir: Annie tey, hair Philosophy using redken ModelS: Sahib A (Ave), Marianna A (Mannequin)

collection Time

centrix open heart

Rado unveils its latest collection “Centrix Open Heart” perfectly combining timeless beauty with horological world.

RADO, Swiss watchmaker known as "The Master of Materials", is gladdening the hearts of fashion and watch aficionados alike with the unveiling of its latest collection “Centrix Open Heart” which perfectly combines timeless beauty with horological world. A collection of decorative diamond-studded ladies’ models now follows on the heels of the open heart gents’ Centrix pieces that debuted late last year.

The ladies' collection features the upside-down crescent-shaped mother of pearl dial at the bottom half of the timepiece, leaving the mechanics completed exposed and revealing the intricate sunray guilloche pattern of the decorated Swiss movement below. A stylized keyhole at noon further reveals the beating heart of the automatic movement, adding depth and mystery to the look.

The craftsmanship truly reflects its love in fashion bridging to horological world.

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Three standout pieces from the ladies’ Centrix Open Heart collection merit a closer look. Two of the watches feature polished high-tech ceramic middle links in white or brown – perfect for a boho chic look – while those aiming for more understatement may opt for the model with a classic brown leather strap. The striking 33 mm dial studded with 12 Top Wesselton diamonds is enclosed in a rose gold coloured PVD coated polished stainless steel case, with sapphire crystal case back.

It is 30 meters water-resistant and 80 hours power reserved. However, as the name suggests, the real star of this watch is its pulsating open heart. The price is at 83,800 Baht for rose-gold coloured case with white ceramic strap, 82,000 Baht for rose-gold coloured case with brown ceramic strap and 71,300 baht for brown leather strap.

For gents, the Rado Centrix family offers two equally legendary open heart models –one with chocolate brown high-

tech ceramic middle links, and the other with a sumptuous chocolate-coloured leather bracelet.

Turning exquisite engineering and craftsmanship into works of prêt-à-porter art, the gents’ Centrix models feature cut-out dials in sleek 38 mm case that strategically reveal key elements of the pulsating Swiss movement inside, together with polished stainless steel case and sapphire crystal case back. The collection is available in brown dial decorated with rhodium coloured applied indexes, and silver coloured dial with rose-gold coloured applied indexes for your own favourite taste. It is 30 meters water-resistant and 80 hours power reserved. The price is at 67,800 baht for brown ceramic strap and 60,700 baht for brown leather strap.

collection Time

vintage BR aeRonavale

Bell & Ross presents a new collection with a delicate touch of retro aviation.

Right from its inception, Bell & Ross

has been passionate about the history and values of the military. To progress as far as possible in its quest for excellence, Bell & Ross has made aeronautical instrumentation one of its primary sources of inspiration, both in terms of design and technology. This is why its watches meet the functional and ergonomic criteria required by pilots and all users of professional horological instruments.

Featuring the colour codes and rich detail of the naval officer's uniform, the Vintage BR Aéronavale symbolises military excellence and tradition.

In the cockpit of a Rafale, a naval air force pilot wears a flight suit covered in pockets, for practicality and comfort.

During official ceremonies, his attire changes to display military prestige. The blue of the uniform evokes the sea. The gold of the wings, trim and buttons conveys

poise, nobility and victory. The blue/gold combination is also found on Vintage BR Aéronavale models, which feature all the symbols and motifs that appear on naval uniforms.

Two new models have been added to the Vintage BR Aéronavale collection: a chronograph and three-hand small seconds.

The 43 mm diameter polished steel case exudes retro chic. On both versions, the gilt skeletonised hour and minute hands stand out starkly against the navy blue sunray dial. The contrast between the two colours offers a refined air and excellent legibility. Designed for pilots, the Vintage BR Aéronavale Chronograph is a time measuring instrument that marries functionality and elegance. It has two additional counters with snailed guilloché decoration and a 60-minute graduated bezel in blue anodised aluminium. The ultra-curved sapphire crystal underlines

both the classic style of the watch and its strength. Made in Switzerland and renowned for their reliability and accuracy, the mechanical movements with automatic winding that drive these two versions are visible through a transparent case-back.

The watch comes with either a distressed blue calfskin strap with cinnamon stitching, or a midnight blue alligator strap with a pin buckle clasp. The shiny alligator strap of the Vintage BR Aéronavale exudes classic sophistication, while the satin-like texture of the calfskin, with distressed effect and overstitching in contrasting colours, makes for a very sharp, on-trend look.

Reflecting the prestige of the ceremonial uniform worn by naval officers, the Vintage BR Aéronavale models will seduce fans of timepieces rich in both colour and values.

collection Time

HIGH JEWELLERY 2016 THE MAGNIFICENT INSPIRATIONS Master of gemstones, Bulgari is a multifaceted jeweller, sparkling with Italian glamour and the elegance of Rome. Bulgari designs shine with colours and collections that are immediately recognisable, and always exquisite. The Maison’s distinctive style is expressed with vivid gemstones, audacious volumes and touchable jewel juxtapositions, each fashioned by a rich Italian creativity that is entirely without equivalent. Bulgari designs with the art and architecture of its homeland. From formal to daring, from sensual to extravagant, the multiple facets of its High Jewellery design shine with a common Roman spirit, despite Bulgari’s brilliant jewellery diversity.

Bulgari’s wearable jewellery masterpieces and high-end watches engage all five senses at once. A woman often will play with her jewels, for their supple feel and even the sound they can make. Every time a woman tries on the magnificent creation that was chosen just for her, she falls in love with it again.

For 2016, Bulgari High Jewellery savours its very Italian personality – the blues of the Mediterranean, the pinks of Roman sunset, the golds of an ancient age – as it captures the colours, light, and expressivity of its homeland into three facets of inspiration: daring Italian Extravaganza, romantic Mediterranean Eden, and mythical Roman Heritage.

ITALIAN EXTRAVAGANZA The Italian lifestyle is joyful, expressive and charismatic – captured in Bulgari’s Italian Extravaganza. Rich with colour, exuberance and glamour, Italy is entirely unique. Personalities, succulent food, utopian landscapes, and exquisite women draw people from all corners of the world – to visit, or to dream of visiting.

In its jewellery design, Bulgari is quintessentially Italian – glamorous, sophisticated, passionate-in love with life. the inspirations behind Bulgari’s Italian Extravaganza jewels are feminine, spirited and intense.

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Shaped into artistic forms by the genius of the Roman jeweller, Bulgari’s Mediterranean Eden inspirations are sculpted with legendary skill, and perfected with modern design.

SERPENTI Coiled around the history of humanity, the seductive serpent dates back to ancient Greek and Roman mythology.

The snake has charmed exotic beauties from Cleopatra to the Bulgari woman, and empowered them with its magnetism. With a hypnotic brilliance of colour and a lithe wearability, the Serpenti woman embodies a sensual elegance: she is the modern-day queen of the Nile.

The magnetic power of the eyes is the focus of the Serpenti Seduttori necklace in white gold with brilliant sapphires, rubies and diamond baguettes. With a prominent sapphire to crown its royal head, the hypnotic animal proves as bold as it is precious. Patterning the snake’s gemstone head is the hexagonal modular motif unique to Bulgari, recalling the tactile scales of a serpent.

MEDITERRANEAN EDEN Dancing with light and natural beauty, Bulgari’s Mediterranean Eden designs are vivaciously alive. The vibrancy of nature has been a long-time Bulgari inspiration, since the Maison’s inception over 130 years ago.

PARENTESI From the eternity of Rome’s architecture was born the design of Parentesi. Their shape, being inspired by the travertine stones that pave the roads that used to lead to the Eternal City, the Parentesi (“parentheses” in Italian) pattern has today become a day-to-night jewellery staple for the modern woman. Drawing on the past, Parentesi jewels celebrate the future, with an emblematic play of geometries that render them into modern-day Roman masterpieces.

Bold and beautiful, the Parentesi necklace and bracelet shine with feminine resplendence, in pink gold and diamonds.

Iconic to Bulgari, the links of the original 1980s Parentesi could be rigid in their audacity; today the design has evolved into softened, wearable creations of elegance.

collection Time

HAUTLENCE STEPS ON THE GAS On the evening of 7 July 2016, HAUTLENCE organized an event to mark the launch of its HAUTLENCE INVICTUS Vida Loca Choppers chronograph. Friends of the brand, bloggers, journalist and Vida Loca Choppers customers had the opportunity to admire this new model.

Limited to just 28 pieces. The event had quirky ambiance tinged with a rebellious streak, imbued with the atmosphere of the Montreux Jazz Festival as its soundtrack: HAUTLENCE continues to rewrite the rules to the great delight of its fans.

With its mocking sneer, the stylised skull - the Vida Loca Choppers logo – appears to float weightlessly on top of the base dial. Its crown shows its colours. It is clear who is the King! The skull reigns supreme in the centre of the dial, framed by two honeycomb inserts on the black

and green background. At the heart of the titanium case, measuring 42x49x14 mm, throbs an automatic chronograph movement, beating at 28,000 vibrations/ hours. Perfected to the very last detail, the timepieces is paired with the black “hornback “crocodile leather strap with green topstitching.

This rock’n roll project arose out of the meeting between Joachim Besomi (master watchmaker at HAUTLENCE) and passionate bikers. The partnership between HAUTLENCE and Vida Loca Choppers was an immediate and obvious connection, based on shared values: both brands want to break the rules, push the boundaries and create something unique; both have a passion for fine mechanics and design; both have a rebellious streak and a quirky style.

It creates exquisite playthings for the most exacting gentlemen: "With HAUTLENCE, it is easy to let loose, go further, faster. We love their philosophy and our customers identify with it."

collection Move

Mercedes-Benz Style Edition Garia Golf Car

A StAr on the golf courSe Vehicles with Mercedes-Benz design are already to be seen on water, on land and in the air. Now they will also be seen on golf courses. As a "real sports car", the Mercedes-Benz Style Edition Garia Golf Car authentically transfers the unmistakable Mercedes-Benz automobile design idiom of sensual purity to a premium-class golf cart. The showcar is the result of cooperation between Mercedes-Benz designers, Daimler's Think & Act Tank Business Innovation and the well-known golf cart manufacturer Garia.

The Mercedes-Benz Style Edition Garia Golf Car defines a new class of transport for the golf course. Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at Daimler AG: "We have reinvented the world of the golf cart with our Mercedes-Benz Golf Car. Mercedes-Benz stands for modern luxury, and golf is an authentic part of that theme.

Transferring our automotive design idiom to the Golf Car is therefore something quite natural, and in doing so we have created a product that is both sensual and pure."

Dr. Jens Thiemer, Vice President Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars: "With the Mercedes-Benz Style Edition Garia Golf Car we are offering a high-end golf cart which is absolutely unique and was specifically developed for sporting golfers and the sport they enjoy." Our communication bears the lighthearted slogan "a real sports car".

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Perfectly networked from tee to green An integrated onboard touchpad with a screen diagonal of 10.1 inches and a high resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels shows graphically enhanced vehicle information in the smaller, upper area – for example the remaining range, vehicle speed, current power consumption or parking brake status. Many functions can be controlled at the touch of a finger, e.g. driving mode 'sport' or 'eco', the headlamps, windscreen heater, wipers and many more.

Hotel

Ramada menam RiveRside A nice city getaway on the river.

The luxurious Ramada Plaza Bangkok

Menam Riverside is located on the eastern bank of the city’s legendary Chao Phraya River. This delightful property sits on an expansive 3.5 acre plot of land with an impressive 220 meters of exclusive river frontage, offering magnificent panoramic views of the river and the Bangkok city skyline by day and night.

Situated on a short stroll from Asiatique, the region’s largest night bazaar, is just a leisurely five minute away but guests may also take advantage of the hotel’s complimentary Tuk-Tuk shuttle service.

Having been around for over 5 years as General Manger of the hotel, Mr. Klaus Sennik who first came to Thailand to join the Siam InterContinental Hotel in 1982 and had five very interesting years at this iconic and much-loved property and again returned to Bangkok in 2010 after working in markets as diverse as Indonesia, Australia, Kenya, Hong Kong, Dubai and Malaysia. Gentle but sharp, the general manager has contributed to so many changes for the hotel.

Situated close to Bangkok’s Central Business District (CBD) the hotel enjoys easy access to all business, entertainment and shopping zones by BTS

SkyTrain, Chao Phraya Express Boat and inner city Bangkok Expressway.

The hotel provides frequent, complimentary shuttle boat services to the nearby Saphan Taksin SkyTrain station and it is just five stops to Siam interchange which sits adjacent to major shopping malls such as Siam Paragon, CentralWorld Central Embassy and MBK. The 525 well-appointed Thai-deco inspired guest rooms and spacious suites are furnished tastefully and equipped to meet the needs of today’s business and leisure travelers. Choose from a broad selection of luxury room types - from comfortable Deluxe Rooms, Grand Deluxe Rooms and Plaza Suites to spacious Terrace Suites.

For a memorable culinary experience, guests may choose from one of the hotel’s four outstanding, individual restaurants.

Lighter snacks and refreshments are available by the outdoor pool and in the lobby lounge.

Featuring a wide buffet medley of Thai, Chinese, Indian, Japanese and Western cuisines with daily fresh offerings of seafood, meats, homemade desserts and salads, served buffet-style from openkitchens, Terrace@72 is the place to be especially for famous seafood buffer with great varieties and discounted with various promotions.

The Ramada Plaza Bangkok Menam Riverside is one of the city’s most popular MICE venues for business and social gatherings with 22 fully-equipped function rooms and the two spacious ballrooms together which can accommodate up to 1,000 guests in banquet style. The standalone Menam Seminar & Convention Hall, which seats up to 600 guests theatre-style, is also a popular choice for social and business events.

The hotel’s ongoing commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, energy management and environmental conservation has been recognized locally and internationally with many awards.

Hotel

Le Meridien Chiang Mai Where contemporary art and cultures harmonized.

Situated at the centre of Chiang Mai’s

vibrant Night Bazaar, Le Meridien Chiang Mai brings new perspectives on traditional Lanna culture and immerse creative travellers in unique experiences found only here in Northern Thailand.

With stunning views of the Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai’s famous natural landmark, the suites offer spectacular view of the sunset against the horizon. The city’s renowned night market, restaurants, bars, and stylish boutiques are just a few steps away.

Recently official hotel for two largest travel shows in Thailand - Asia Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC 2016) and Thai Travel Mart (TTM 2016), the hotel ensures venue readiness with immaculate and various sizes of meeting and function rooms.

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Dine

Make sure to visit FAVOLA located just on the second floor of the hotel, regarded as the best Italian restaurant in the city of Chiang Mai offering unique, contemporary and vibrant Italian cuisine.

Savour oven baked pizzas, homemade pastas served family style in copper pans and special recommendations, as well as gourmet seasonal menus. All secrets are revealed by the open kitchen, where a counter displays fresh herbs to be infused in dishes cooked à la minute.

Interactive gastronomy continues with a highly knowledgeable wine pairing service, courtesy of the showpiece glass walk-in cellar which houses a progressive repertoire of over 1,000 bottles, along with the largest grappa selection in town.

Executive Chef serves riveting food for thought with irresistible Italian charm and a personal touch. Contemporary, upbeat

dining experiences attract hotel guests, discerning travellers and local residents alike. Genuine rustic recipes and signature original creations are expertly crafted from the freshest local and imported ingredients, including Royal Project organic produce.

Stay

Le Meridien Chiang Mai offers a great selection of rooms. The Executive Suites - these impressive corner suites redefine urban space and luxury. A pillar dividing the bedroom and lounge houses two 40” flat screen TVs and DVD players, providing entertainment and relaxation from different perspectives. The bathtub for two edges, a corner window so that you can soak up the spectacle of Suthep mountain and Chiang Mai’s charming street life. A host of upgraded amenities includes a Bose sound system and Lavazza espresso machine, enticing you to sip gourmet coffee while listening to impeccable acoustics.

Hotel

The Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel

Overlooking the spectacular Victoria

Harbour, the Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel is located along Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, at the heart of the city’s busiest commercial, shopping and business hub.

The Star Ferry and Hong Kong’s cruise terminal are at your footstep, while shopping is right next door with the hotel forming part of Harbour City – Hong Kong’s largest shopping complex.

The hotel offers 665 guestrooms and suites with complimentary Wi-Fi internet service, and the complimentary handy smartphone which helps keep you totally connected while exploring the city.

All room are equipped with in-house movies, extensive selection of TV channels, mini-bar/refrigerator, IDD telephone, personal voice mail, complimentary handy smartphone and Wi-Fi with deluxe amenities including hairdryers, tea and coffee making facilities and in-room safe.

Additional features in some suites are private bathroom with separate shower, walk-in closet, inter-connecting rooms for

two-bedroom suites. Long-stay facilities are available.

The COnTinenTal Club

Situated on the top floors, the Continental Club offers the ultimate in personalised service for traveling executives. Business facilities include a luxurious private lounge and well-equipped boardroom.

ReCReaTiOn

Guests can enjoy facilities such as a beauty salon and spa, gym, Canton Lounge and a neighbouring shopping complex in the heart of Kowloon, during their stay. Tour activities can be arranged through the Tour Information Desk.

ResTauRanTs and baRs Cucina

Showcasing pure Italian cuisine, Cucina offers a contemporary lifestyle venue for an exquisite culinary experience against a backdrop of the spectacular Victoria Harbour.

Café Marco

Where food meets fashion. Its stylish environment, innovative buffet, and sumptuous a la carte selections are perfect for after-shopping dining pleasure.

MeeTing and COnfeRenCe faCiliTies

Fourteen ideal rooms for different scales of events, featuring spacious foyers and stateof-the-art amenities, can accommodate up to 350 guests. The dedicated banquet team can assist in planning your event from start to finish.

Collection drink

Joseph phelps Vineyards

2013 CHARDONNAY, FREESTONE VINEYARDS Blend and Grape Source: 100 % estategrown Chardonnay from Freestone Vineyards.

Applellations: Sonoma Coast Harvest Dates: September 9 – October 2, 2013 Winemaking Data: The hillside vineyards of our Freestone estate were picked under lights to preserve fruit quality before whole cluster pressing cold directly to barrel for fermentation.

The wine was aged 13 months in 35% new and 65% two-to three-year-old French oak puncheons and barrels before bottling in November 2014.

Winemaker Notes: Bursting with aromatic floral and citrus notes, the 2013 Chardonnay envelopes the senses with honeysuckle, ripe pear, lemon zest and sweet honey,giving way to early bud break and veraison. The wine produced from the 2013 vintage are balanced and concentrated with classic fruit structure.

2007 PINOT NOIR, FREESTONE VINEYARDS Blend and Grape Sources: 100 % estate-grown Pinot Noir from Freestone Vineyards.

Harvest Dates: September 6 – October 4, 2007 Winemaker Notes: The 2007 growing season was long and dry, yielding small berries with tremendous flavor and concentration. The Wine exudes layers of sandalwood, anise, cassis and dried tea leaves. Its density lingers on the palate and offers flavors from plum, bing cherries, black tea and tobacco, while the finish provides the spicy and earthy characteristics that are typical of freestone wines. After an unusually dry winter, the onset of bud break appeared early. The overall growing season was moderate and relatively even with a few heat spikes in early summer at berry set.

Harvest got off to an early start when warmer weather arrived in mid-August, and Chardonnay suddenly caught up. Pinot Noir harvest began on September 6th and then unseasonably cool weather followed

in mid-September which slowed the season tremendously, creating a second harvest of sorts. The growing season was already extended due to early bud break in the spring and with the cooler weather, hang time continued for the Pinot Nior and some Chardonnay.

2013 PINOT NOIR, FREESTONE VINEYARDS Blend and Grape Sources: 100% estate-grown Pinot Noir from Freestone Vineyards (51% Quarter Moon vinevard and 49% Pastorale Vineyard).

Appellations: Sonoma Coast Harvest Dates: August 29 – October 3, 2013 Winemaker Data: To preserve fruit conditions, grapes were picked early each morning under lights followed by handsorting before being gravity-fed to tank for a long natural fermentation using an overall average of 20% whole clusters in the final blend. Regular punch downs produced a wine of great complexity with fruit and mineral characteristics distinct to the Freestone region of the western

Sonoma Coast. Aged 13 months in 33% new and 67% two-to three-year-old French oak barrels before bottling.

Winemaker Notes: The 2013 Pinot Noir opens with aromatic red cherry and Raspberry along with savory spices, fresh cut herbs and floral notes. Expressive red plum currants and cranberries dominate the palate followed by white pepper and lasting Freestone spice elements.

Beaufifully textured with balanced acid and tannin leading to a long sweet vanilla finish.

2009 CABERNET SAUVIGNON Blend and Grape Sources: 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot from 100% estate vineyards.

Harvest Dates: September 19 – October 28, 2009 Winemaker Notes: This is the first estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon bottling from Joseph Phelps. The blend contains five of our seven estate vineyards: the Home Ranch in St. Helena, Suscol in South Napa, Yountville in the Oak Knoll District, Banca Dorada in Rutherford

and Las Rocas in the Stags Leap District.

This is a classic Cabernet Sauvignon with aromatics of blackberry, plum and black cherries intertwined with characteristics of chocolate covered espresso beans and licorice.

2006 INSIGNIA Blend and Grape Sources: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot from 100% estate-owned Napa Valley vineyards which break down as follows South Napa 33% (Suscol Vineyard)* Stags Leap District 29 %(Barboza Vineyard 17% Las Rocas Vineyard 12%)* Rutherford 20% (Banca Dorada Vineyard)* St.Helena 10% (Spring Valley Ranch Vineyards)* Oak Knoll District 8% (Yountville Vineyard).

Winemaker Notes: The opaque inky color of the 2006 insignia is followed by concentrated aromatics of lush black fruit, graphite, coffee, dark cocoa powder, licorice and cola syrup. The dense flavors and balanced tannins integrate beautifully for a long layered finish.

2007 INSIGNIA Blend and Grape Sources: 88 % Cabernet Sauvignon 8% Merlot and 4 % Petit Verdot from 100% estate-owned Napa Valley Vineyards which break down as follows* South Napa 39% (Suscol Vineyard)* Stags Leap Distric 30% (15% Barboza Vineyard and 15 % Las Rocas Vineyard)* Oak Knoll District 16% (Yountville Vineyard)* Rutherford 11% (Banca Dorada Vineyard)* St.Helena 4% (Spring Valley Ranch Vineyards).

Winemaker Notes: The darkly pigmented 2007 insignia is a perfect example of the amazing color this vintage produced. Rich aromatics of mineral, baking spices, dark chocolate, graphite and opulent plum and blackberry lead to the concentrated and balanced mouthfeel. Silky well structured tannins, core black fruit and sweet oak notes from our estate vineyards create length and weight that will allow this beautiful wine to age as well as remain approachable in its youth.

Moments

Big hitting

Scott Hend overcame a twoshot deficit to win the Queen's Cup in Thailand.

Won by a stroke on Sunday for his ninth title on the Asian Tour, the big hitter Australian Scott Hend won the Queen's Cup Bangkok Airways-SAT Samui Golf Tournament 2016 at Santiburi Samui Country Club by the score of 269 – 69-69-64-67 followed by Gunn Charoenkul (THA) who came close at 270 – 67-69-68-66.

The win might push Hend closer to qualification for the Olympics in Rio, where golf will return for the first time after 1904.

"There are three more weeks for the Olympic qualifying," said Hend, currently ranked 87th in the world. "I'm 43 this year, who knows how much longer I can play although I'm getting better with age."

Bangkok Airways Director in charge of the tournament, Songkrot Palakawong Na Ayudhya was also pleased with the outcome and will now have plan to make the event even bigger next year with Sport Authority of Thailand (SAT) as partner.

Santiburi Samui Country Club General Manager, Sarawut Wannapintu said the course has been in superb condition in preparation for the event for over a month and will maintain this condition for a while.

The course hosted the Asian Tour in 2005-2008 and became the venue for the Queen’s Cup from 2009 to commemorate Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s royal trophy.

Santiburi is the only championship course on the island stretching along the hills of northern coastline, offering some of the most spectacular views from all tee off and putting green areas with some elevations at almost 200 meters above sea level.

Fast greens are from popular Tifeagle grass while Bermuda is used alongside on tee and fairways with panoramic views of the nearby Koh Phangan Island. The clubhouse restaurant is always popular among golfers and visitors.

There are plenty of accommodation types to suit all budgets but one here was recently and fully renovated - Amari Koh Samui (www.amari.com/koh-samui). Set on the white sands of Koh Samui’s popular Chaweng Beach, overlooking the glittering waters of the Gulf of Thailand, Amari Koh Samui boasts rooms and suites that are elegantly designed, offering ample space for couples, families and friends to unwind. Whether lounging on the sun-soaked beaches, savoring the innovative cuisine or 88 • G o l f V a c a t i o n s • JUl-aUG 2016

weaving through stunning coral reef, this laid-back resort offers an island experience that will immerse guests in the brilliance of tropical Thailand. With 193 rooms on three wings, Thai Village, Garden and Beach, each guest room is designed with contemporary Thai décor in earth tones.

Among Amari's diverse dining options, the signature restaurant, Amaya Food Gallery offers a full array of Asian and international cuisines. Taking inspiration from Asian street foods, the all-day dining outlet features open cooking stations creating a unique atmosphere where guests can take a journey of gourmet discovery along serving the best prime cuts and the freshest local seafood.

Prego Italian Restaurant (www.prego-samui.com) continues to provide casual yet refined Italian favorites, from wood-fired pizzas to handmade pastas. Prego prides itself on its authentic Italian specialties, including wood-fired pizzas, a variety of homemade pastas and zesty seafood creations, as well as an excellent wine list consisting of both local and import brands.

The restaurant features an open-air pizza oven complimented by its al fresco-style dining setting,

Opened in June 2014, OZO Chaweng Samui's in-house contemporary diner 'Stacked' (www.stacked-samui.com) has become one of the hottest and most talked about places on Koh Samui on all top travel sites and blogs. Brought to life with the creative touches that only the chefs at OZO Chaweng Samui can provide, their take on modern comfort food stacks you up for an adventurous evening out or relaxed night in.

A quick chAt With the Winner q1. how do you feel winning the recent queen's cup 2016 at the challenging Santiburi Samui? You played well on the last day and ended up winning. this is your second win in thailand this year!

It was a great feeling to win around this golf course as it is a very tough golf course for me to play well at. It punishes off-target shots heavily, I am a long hitter, not a short straight hitter. q2. right now many big name players are pulling out of the rio Olympics, will you still go to represent Australia?

I am 110% committed to represent my country and I can't wait to do it.

q3. You play well in Asia especially thailand. What is it that makes you play well here?

I feel relaxed in Asia and I have a very good circle of friends that help me along the way. I also love the food in Asia which helps.

Q4. Name your top 5 most difficult courses in the world.

1) Moonah Course at the National GC, Cape Schanck, Melbourne, Australia 2) TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA 3) Quail Hollow in Charlotte, NC, USA 4) Blue Monster at Trump National Doral, Miami, Florida, USA 5) Le Golf National, Paris, France q5. if you could play a four-ball with anyone in the world, please name 3 people and the reason.

Tiger Woods, Gary Heslop (my brother in-law), Greg Norman.

I pick these 3 people because I know we all love the game and would have a great little challenge on our hands for who buys dinner or the drinks.

By George Somapa

Moments

titLE hOLDER thAWORn AnD MAJOR WinnER iMMELMAn, hEADLinE King S CUP Bangkok, June 14: Defending champion Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand and Major winner Trevor Immelman of South Africa will be among the top stars headlining the US$750,000 King’s Cup next month.

Thaworn won the 2014 King’s Cup for a record 18th Asian Tour title and will defend the prestigious trophy against a strong line-up which includes the 2008 Masters Tournament champion Immelman.

For the first time in the history of the King’s Cup, the tournament will be sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Pattaya from July 28 to 31, 2016.

At the age of 49, the evergreen Thaworn continues to shine on the Asian Tour where he has won the Order of Merit crown twice and notched 18 victories, a record on the region’s premier Tour.

With His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej celebrating his 70th year as the King of Thailand, Thaworn is eager to keep the revered trophy on home soil.

Immelman, a four-time European Tour winner, will make a welcome return to Thailand for the first time since 2004.

The King’s Cup, supported by the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), will receive global coverage on the Asian Tour’s extensive television platform which has a potential reach of over 180 nations and territories and 740 million homes.

Sakon Wannapong, Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand stated: “The Sports Authority of Thailand is pleased and honoured to support the King’s Cup Golf Thailand 2016.

This tournament is very dignified for Thai golf and we believe the King’s Cup will support and develop the game in our nation and also help gain more engagement and interest among fans from Thailand and around the region. This tournament will also promote Thailand as a leading tourism destination through the global television exposure that will be generated during the tournament week.”

The Royal Thai Army Radio and Television (Channel 5) will broadcast the event live on Saturday and Sunday for local golf fans.

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“Channel 5 is pleased to be part of this international golf tournament. With our nationwide network and high definition broadcasting system, the Thai golf fans can enjoy watching the exciting golf tournament at home,” said Col. Thanathip Sawangsang, Program Director of Royal Thai Army Radio and Television.

The field for the King’s Cup will comprise of 90 players from the Asian Tour, 25 from The European Tour, 25 from Thailand PGA and 16 invite spots. Prize money earned from the tournament will count towards the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit and also on the Race to Dubai ranking on The European Tour.

Past champions: 2009 – Chan Yih-shin (TPE) 2010 – Udorn Duangdecha (THA) 2012 – Arnond Vongvanij (THA) 2013 – Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 2014 – Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) About the Asian tour As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia.

Moments

nEgROni WEEK LAUnCh PARty independent Wine & Spirit (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and The House on Sathorn at W Hotel presented "Negroni Week Launch Party" on 6 June 2016, the celebration of one of the world's great cocktails and an effort to raise money for a charity. IWS has raised THB 64,000, in which all the proceeds from ticket sales go to Operation Smile Foundation Thailand.

ABOut negrOni Week Negroni Week is a week-long charity initiative first created in May 2013 by Imbibe magazine (US) with the goal of celebrating one of the world's greatest cocktails, whilst raising money for charity.

Since 2014, Imbibe has teamed up with Campari to present Negroni Week on a global scale. In 2016, Campari will act as the Presenting Sponsor as it did for the past two years, and it has again committed to donating $10,000 to the charity chosen by the bar/ restaurant that raised the most money during Negroni Week. From 6-12 June 2016, bars around the world will be mixing Negroni and donating a portion of proceeds from each one sold to a charity of their choice.

ABOut cAmPAri Campari is a contemporary and charismatic classic. The recipe, which has remained unchanged, originated in Novara in 1860 and is the base for some of the most famous cocktails around the world.

Campari is an alcoholic spirit obtained from the infusion of bitter herbs, aromatic plants and fruit in alcohol and water. With its vibrant red colour, intense aroma and inspiring flavour, Campari has always been a symbol of intrigue and pleasure, which unfurls itself into a captivating drinking experience.

These are the values that have made the Campari brand famous throughout the world as an icon of passionate Italian style and excellence.

Moments

ROyAL OAK OFFShORE DiVER ChROnOgRAPh LAUnCh PARty Dive into the fun with the new collection from Audemars Piguet.

Swiss haute horlogerie brand Audemars Piguet, together with Krist Chatikaratana, Executive Director of Cortina Watch (Thailand), hosted a funky underwater cocktail party to celebrate the launch of the limited edition "Royal Oak Offshore Diver Chronograph", the latest collection from Audemars Piguet presented at the SIHH 2016 for watch connoisseurs and diving enthusiasts.

The exclusive summer party was graced by Southeast Asia General manager, Antonio Seward, along with many distinguished guests, namely, Jay Spencer, Kittipol - Porntiwa Pramoj Na Ayudhya, Suree Ratanahirunya, Varavut Laohapongchana, Chanadda Chirathivat, Vachira Jitsakdanont, Onchuma Durongdej, M.L.Kathathong Thongyai, Parva Nakasai, Dan Hetrakul, Molchaya Techapaibul, Prima Wanglee on Friday 27 May 2016 at Central Embassy.

The New Royal Oak Offshore Diver Chronograph, exclusively available in Audemars Piguet boutiques, features bright funky colors – deep blue, tangerine orange, and bright yellow. With its unique signature octagonal sports design, daring colors and new design elements, this diving-into-fun masterpiece comes in a 42 mm stainless steel case with sapphire crystal caseback, together with the selfwinding in-house manufacture calibre 3124/3841. The dial features the traditional “Méga Tapisserie” pattern with double indexes at 12 o’clock and luminescent coating for better visibility deep under water. This limited edition is an encounter between two masterstrokes: the diver and the chronograph. Water-resistant up to 300 meters, the timepiece features an internal rotating bezel color-blocked with diving scale and zone, small seconds and 30-minute counters, 92 • G o l f V a c a t i o n s • JUl-aUG 2016

with a power reserve of 50 hours.

Blackened white gold hands and hourmarkers stand out against bright, highcontrast and edgy colors of tangerine, lime, citron and blue dials. The rubber strap, coordinated with the color of the dial, ensures a perfect fit on the wrist.

A deep blue Royal Oak Offshore with a splash of yellow boasts fresh design and fun features, a limited edition of 400 pieces. A vibrant orange and a summery bright yellow, each comes in a limited number of 375 pieces. These 3 bold timepieces are available exclusively at Audemars Piguet Boutique Central Embassy, at a price of THB 976,000.

Moments

gOLFERS BRAnDEn gRACE & PAUL DUnnE BECOME AUDEMARS PigUEt AMBASSADORS the Audemars Piguet family is expanding with the addition of two golf professionals, Branden Grace and Paul Dunne.

The AP logo now adorns the right sleeve of their polo shirts, like it does for the other members of the Manufacture’s “Dream Team” of golf ambassadors.

Branden Grace was born in South Africa in 1998 but his golfing birth was recorded in 2012, the year he secured his first 4 European Tour titles, all in one season. In 2015, Branden played for the win in two Majors and illustrated himself as a formidable team player during the Presidents Cup scoring 5 points out of 5. Branden plays on both sides of the Atlantic and claimed his first PGA Tour victory in April 2016, to comfortably sit at the 11th place in the world ranking and earn his spot to represent his country at the Rio Olympics.

A 23 years old from Ireland, Paul Dunne is widely viewed as one of the most exciting young golfers of the upcoming generation. He has captured the hearts and imagination of the golfing world, most notably thanks to his performance last year at the 144th Open Championship in St Andrews where he led after 54 holes. He is the youngest amateur in 88 years to do so. Paul previously played for the University of Alabama in Birmingham, twice earning NCAA All American honours, and was named the 2014 Conference USA Golfer of the year. He turned pro last October with a promising future ahead of him.

Bearing witness to its unfailing attachment to golf, Audemars Piguet has chosen to focus on this passion by effectively building one of the world’s finest team of golfers, Byeong Hun An, Keegan Bradley, Darren Clarke, Victor Dubuisson, Emiliano Grillo, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Renato Paratore, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson, Peter Uihlein, Lee Westwood, Bernd Wiesberger and the recently crowned Major Champion Danny Willett, all join Audemars Piguet in welcoming Branden Grace and Paul Dunne to the Audemars Piguet Dream Team.

Moments

MOntBLAnC 110th AnniVERSARy Maison revisits its early pioneering spirit with the Montblanc Heritage Collection, Rouge & Noir, Special Edition and Limited Edition 1906. in celebration of its 110th Anniversary, inspired to establish Montblanc on their return, the Maison returned to its early beginnings and to Siam Paragon to celebrate its anniversary, and the pioneering spirit that has guided the Montblanc since 1906. For 23 June 2016, the exclusive night was transformed into an immersive experience, Khun Cattleya Chaitamtipongse, Senior Brand Manager Montblanc Thailand and DKSH Managment together with Khun Mayuree Chaipromprasith – Senior Executive Vice President Marketing Promotion Siam Paragon Development Co., Ltd. as well as Ms. Kleddao Panichsamai, M.L. Auradis Snidvongse, Ms. Pimpreecha Deesawadi, M.R. Chantaraladda Yukol, Ms. Boonpai Rosarpitak, Ms. Sumalin Hoontrakul, Ms. Nutanij Chotisorayudha, Mr. Nattaporn Runghajornklin and Loukkade Jirada Yohara and over 110 selected guests discovered for the first time the new Montblanc Heritage Collection Rouge & Noir inspired by the original “Rouge et Noir“ fountain pen, the Maison’s first product series introduced in 1909. The guests wrote to celebrate Montblanc Anniversary on Samsung Galaxy Tab A and enjoyed calligraphy activity at the event.

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Moments

2016 ROLEX BASELWORLD COLLECtiOn At CORtinA WAtCh cortina Watch (Thailand) Co., Ltd., the leading distributor of world renowned watch brands, in cooperation with Rolex, a world leading sophisticated timepiece, recently invited VIP guests to preview the latest 2016 Baselworld collection at Cortina Watch Espace, The Erawan Bangkok.

The event began with an opening speech by Krist Chatikaratana, Executive Director of Cortina Watch and was followed through with a pampering session of delicious canapĂŠ and wine. Seven new models from the 2016 Rolex Baselworld were displayed during that night. Some of the highlight pieces were Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona in 904L steel, with a Monobloc Cerachrom bezel in black ceramic. The new Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King with a 40 mm case, black dial with a combination of large 3, 6 and 9 numerals marking the hours and a prominent minute scale for navigational time readings.

And for ladies, the new Rolex Oyster Perpetual Lady-Datejust 28 yellow and Everose Rolesor, a combination of 904L steel and 18 ct gold in redesigned 28 mm case.

Moments

2016 CEntARA WORLD MAStERS The best amateur golf event in Thailand. the Centara World Masters was co-hosted by Australian-based Go Golfing and Golfasian who look after more golfers in Thailand than any other tour operator. The seamless co-ordination of flights, accommodation, transfers and event logistics for over 400 plus golfers was among the event’s notable achievements. In addition to Centara Hotels and Resorts, reputable companies including TaylorMade, Coca-Cola, Chang and the Tourism Authority of Thailand proudly contributed to the success of the tournament.

Golfers were quick to rate the third annual Centara World Masters Golf Championship hosted in Hua Hin as the best ever.

The Centara World Masters Golf Championship was a weeklong celebration of golf, social and entertainment events in the popular seaside resort town of Hua Hin in Thailand. The event was open to all male and female golfers over the age of 35.

Hua Hin, about 2.5 hours south of Bangkok, was awarded Asia’s Best Golf Destination in 2014 and serves up a winning combination for tournament participants. Drought conditions in Thailand required organisers to change the host courses and reduce the field from 650 golfers to a capacity of just 430 this year.

Centara Hotels & Resorts was the major sponsor and had confirmed their involvement through to 2019. Most golfers stayed at the ideally located Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin. Established in the 1920’s, the resort has modern luxuries while retaining its bygone age of elegance. Taking full advantage of Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin’s beachfront location, the opening night welcome dinner and gala presentation dinners were hosted around the resort pool with the beach and ocean as a stunning backdrop. Golfers gathered each night during the tournament for 19th Hole festivities where tempting Thai cuisine and Chang beer flows and daily golf winners were celebrated.

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There’s more than US$30,000 in golf prizes and lucky prize draws won. Big winners were Eric Butler from Australia who won a return trip to the 2017 Centara Masters and Irene Goh from Malaysia who won a trip to the Ladbrokes World Masters on the Gold Coast in Australia. Irene was also the champion for the ladies 60+ A grade.

There were 2 holes-in-one at the tournament, both by Australians. Richard Mittra from Beaconhills scored a hole-in-one on the 17th at Banyan, while Mark McDougall aced the 11th hole at Black Mountain. Sponsored by TaylorMade, Mark also received a bonus of a 30,000 Baht set of golf clubs.

The Tournament was played in 15 divisions based on age and handicap. Golfers played each day with competitors of a similar age and handicap. Tournament champions came from Australia, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Philippines, China, Ireland, Thailand and the United States. Visit www. thailandworldmasters.com to view the official results.

The Last Putt

A dAy with the iron lAdy Golfer

George Somapa, Editor of Golf Vacations Thailand recently had a quick chat with Chanya Swangchitr right before The King's Cup Thailand 2016 at her golf course.

Q1. Soon after acquiring Phoenix Golf Club, you have announced major renovations and investment to the course and turned it into Phoenix Gold Golf & Country Club. How is it going so far?

Initially, we have renovated fairways on the Mountain and Ocean courses. We have also just completed the renovation and redesign of the Lake Course. At present, we are renovating tee-off and green area on the Ocean course. Next month we will start renovation of the Mountain course's tee-off and green area which would mark a complete upgrade of Phoenix Gold Golf to become one of Thailand's leading golf courses. We have also built the new member lounge for our member as well.

Q2. Your club has been chosen to host the prestigious King’s Cup for 2016. Please tell us more about it. Is it ready for the big game like the King’s Cup?

We are proud to have been selected to host the King's Cup tournament on July 28-31, 2016. The tournament is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the European Tour. There will be 150 leading tour professionals from Europe, Asia as well as Thailand participating in this honorary tournament. The tournament will be hosted at Phoenix Gold Golf for at least the next 3 years. Moreover, this year commemorates His Majesty the King's 70th anniversary of accession to the throne. We are deeply proud to be part of such an honorary event. We are all working hard toward a successful tournament. We have received tremendous cooperation from all parties concerned.

Q3. Your main business is heavy steel industry. Is it much different to run a golf course?

Yes, my businesses are based in construction material industry. My interest in golf comes from my passion in the game. However, I also view these two as having common characteristics, it is a game of integrity and honesty.

Q4. How often do you have time to play golf and please name some courses in the world that you want to play.

Four times a month. I would have liked to play 5 times. Rajpruek Golf Club is the course I play in Bangkok due to its quality and location.

When I travel abroad, normally I would focus more toward business.

By George Somapa 98 • G o l f V a c a t i o n s • JUl-aUG 2016

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