Property Golf Today June 2013 by Hua Hin Today

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e Luong Minh, the new ASEAN SecretaryGeneral took office in January. His five-year tenure will include the birth of the ASEAN Economic Community. This is a summary of an interview in which he gives a progress report on tourism integration in Southeast Asia 1. How important is the role of tourism in ASEAN’s developmentplans? Comprehensive regional integration where tourism has been identified as one of the twelve priority sectors. A significant potential to become a major socioeconomic driver for growth and a tool for development. Tourism plays an important role as an instrument for the alleviation of poverty, improvement of people’s quality of life and contributing greatly to economic and social development in ASEAN. 2. ASEAN is making progress on cross-border road transport cooperation. What would you like to see happen to further improve cross-border road transport within ASEAN? The ASEAN Framework Agreement on Cross Border Transport of Passengers (CBTP)is to facilitate cross border road transport of people between and among ASEAN member statesthrough the simplification and harmonisation of such transport procedures and requirements. We would expect much more seamless land travel. The quality of roads within the region is important. 3. How important it is for each ASEAN country to promote simplified visa procedures to facilitate travel by non-ASEAN visitors? Recognising that a single tourist visa could substantially benefit travel facilitation and tourism. In December 2012 Thailand and Cambodia agreed to implement a single visa agreement. Similar arrangements between Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam are also enjoying support. A common visa for non-ASEAN nationals is being discussed to provide recommendations. 4. How confident are you that the Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Tourism Professionals will start to deliver results? The signing of the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) on Tourism Professionals by

Thailand on 9thNovember 2012 in Bangkok is an excellent indication on how we will progress. This will facilitate the mobility of tourism professionals, and at the same time, improve the quality of services. The ASEAN Tourism Ministers supported the recommendation to establish a Regional Secretariat for ASEAN Tourism Professionals, and agreed to select Indonesia as the host of the Secretariat. 5. To ensure the quality of tourism in ASEAN, what policies and initiatives are ASEAN implementing? A set of ASEAN Tourism Standards for ASEAN Green Hotels, Spa Services, Homestays, Clean Tourist Cities and ASEAN Public Toiletshave been developed since 2011. We’re seeking completion and implementation by 2015. To promote the sustainability of the tourism industry, ASEAN Green Hotel Awards are granted bi-annually to hotels and resorts. The criteria includes environmental policies and actions for hotel operations, use of green products, and collaboration with the local community including human resource development, air quality management, solid waste management, and energy and water efficiency. 6. ASEAN countries are making regulations on green hotels, spa services, homestaysand even public toilets. Is it ASEAN’s initiatives or national governments’? ASEAN is developing Standards for Green Hotels, Spa Services, Public Toilets and Homestays to enhance the quality of these tourism establishments. These standards are ASEAN initiatives. 7. What measures are being taken to ensure visitors’ safety and security within ASEAN? An initiative on ASEAN Tourism Safety and Security is currently in place. An online resource centre, which provides guidelines, best practice examples and background papers is being completed. It is expected to be launched next year. 8. Are there any regulatory, investment or policy changes you would like to see to enhance air connectivity within ASEAN and between ASEAN and other regions? ASEAN ‘open skies’ agreements and protocols are in place. These agreements and protocols would allow

airlines of a member state to provide air services from any city with international airports. These initiatives will definitely enhance air connectivity within the region. We look forward to the ratification by all ASEAN member states of these agreements and protocols. Engagements with other countries, particularly with ASEAN dialogue partners, such as China, India and Korea, have started. With China, the main agreements have been signed and are now in force. I would hope that these engagements with dialogue partners could be concluded by 2015. 9. When you look at realising tourism potential in ASEAN, how much has been done, and how much can the region achieve? Numerous joint activities, which focus on tourism marketing promotions, enhancing the quality of tourism, capacity building and identifying tourism products and experiences have been implemented in a timely fashion. One of the key ASEAN tourism initiatives is the full implementation of the MRA on Tourism Professionals. This will facilitate the free movement and employment of qualified and certified tourism personnel between and among ASEAN member states.

10. What kind of tourism product does ASEAN need to develop more? There is a need to further develop tourism products that would involve and benefit the local community. Homestay is one of the good examples on how tourism could provide trickling down effects to the community. 11. Apart from Viet Nam, what memorable travelling and dining experiences have you had in ASEAN? Having served my home country as a diplomat for decades and now being the Secretary General of ASEAN, I have had the luxury of visiting all member states of the Association often. The experiences give me even more comfort when I remember that ASEAN is endowed with ample tourism resources -- human, natural, historical and cultural. On dining, I have observed just how much foreign tourists enjoy local food in ASEAN countries. I admit, however, that wherever I go, Vietnamese food always follows me. Further information Visit www.asean-tourism.com ASEAN Tourism Marketing Working Group: atmcwg@gmail.com ASEAN Secretariat: contact: eddy@asean.org

Golf News

follow the signs to Black Mountain from any main Road and you won’t miss it. About a 20minute drive from Hua Hin or 40 minutes from Cha - Am. The scorecard at this Course is a golfer’s dream. It’s really a Course guide with details of not only all the distances you will ever need but details of the Greens showing dominant breaks and slopes to consider. It’s well worth checking all this information before playing It’s not a good idea to play the Tee shot. your ball into the sleepers as this may result in a very The Black Mountain Par three (9 Hole) Some Challenging Greens Course was designed by Australian Golf Architect Phil The Greens are BIG. For example, Hole Number 3 painful ricochet! Ryan and opened in December 2011. Ironically the day has a Green which is 70 yards from front to back. It’s Facilities Hua Hin and Cha – Am Today went to check out this even in the shape (we think) of Sweden! If the pin is set For Black Mountain you Course we were invited to join a group of Australian forward or back this can mean a very big putt if your club could say the facilities are golfers on their ‘day off’ from the rigours of regular selection was out! If you are Swedish all the way from limited. However this tournament competition. In fact the following day the Haparada to Ystad? would be to disregard the five star amenities just up the group were tackling the main 18 Hole Black Mountain Hole 8 may also provide an interesting challenge. This road at the main club house. Here you can buy a drink Course (also designed by Phil Ryan). Green (60 yards in length) has a bunker about 20 yards and a snack at the simple kiosk but if you want more it’s only a very short drive away. Our thanks to Khun Nat This Course is the only Par Three Course in the Region. wide in the centre of the for her hospitality on the day! There are other Par Three Golf Courses in Thailand Green. If your ball is however they are typically of the ‘pitch and putt’ variety on the other side of the and mainly used as an introduction to the game by start – bunker to the pin you out golfers. Not in the same class as this Course or close won’t be putting at the to the standard set at Black Mountain. In the opinion flag and chipping on of many internationally travelled golfers (including the Green is absolutely professionals) this Course is as good as it gets worldwide forbidden! for this version of the game. The shape of the Green on Hole number 9 is akin to an It’s unfortunate that many golfers regard Par Three ‘hour glass’ so you may be forced to putt through the Courses as just novelty value, not really a test of golf apron of the Green if you need to negotiate the narrow or as Aussies may say just ‘mucking around’. However ‘neck’ to get to the pin. Insert photo 3 when a number of top professionals in the game talk about the value of the Course in such glowing terms it’s Big Greens may mean big putts and with many worth sitting up and taking notice. For them it offers a undulations three putts (or more) are hard to avoid if chance to sharpen up their short game (including bunker accuracy is a problem. We witnessed one player in the Novelty Value shots) and putting skills in an environment that beats the Aussie group who won the ‘Nearest To Pin’ award on a Steps up to the kiosk roof lead to an artificial grass tee chipping range or practice putting greens anyday. The hole. However his first putt was a little too strong and area and an opportunity to take on the Course from this Course features deep and plentiful bunkering, water on managed to leave the Green and find the water, I’ve platform. We were not almost every hole, Greens protected by steep banks, never seen that before! We were told he was really from sure what the protocol and undulations everywhere to make the Course a far New Zealand so that seemed to explain it all, at least to is for selecting a Green (many to choose from) cry from the pitch-and-putt image of par-3 courses, a the rest of them! and ‘having a lash’ but challenge even for tour pros. Having the same grass Index One this is may be another [paspalum fairways and tiff eagle greens] as other top Holes 6, 8 and 9 rate as the opportunity to test courses in Asia is also important. Course’s toughest holes. At your ability. Maybe For the less talented golfers the Course offers what could Index 1, Hole Number 6 is a check with the caddies be called serious fun. It’s serious because you need to good example of the many first and needless to think about every shot played (or enter many hazards) challenges to negotiate on say safety concerns for and fun because it can be enjoyed with others for a very the Course. Apart from those below must be enjoyable day out. This Course is NOT for the learner being the longest Hole for addressed. But if there golfer but can be a great golfing experience for any men (Back Tee 182 yds., is no one in range it golfer who can count on getting the ball into the air and Men’s Tee 152 yds.) it’s also looks like fun! cope with very challenging sand traps and Greens. the ‘sandiest’ with bunkers About The Aussies all around the Green and SOME BRIEF FACTS Prestige Golf Tours (www.prestigegolftours.com.au) water right and long. is based in Melbourne Australia and organises golfing Where is it? The Course is wedged between the main Black Mountain The bunkers feature steep banks with wooden railway packages for Australians from every State and to all the Golf Course and the associated Water Park. You can sleepers on the face. The depth of the bunkers has even Thailand golfing Regions. Director Michael Patterson see both of these venues from parts of the Course. Just required some wooden steps to allow for entry (and exit). (‘Patto’ to his mates) is always part of the group offering

his experience with local conditions and personally catering to the individual needs of the golfers. Many are regular golf tourists and speak very highly of the Company services. One regular is Lesley Walmsley who is also the Secretary of the Peninsula Golf Club Inc. based in Maylands Western Australia. Apart from being a ‘calming influence’ on the boys, she speaks and reads Thai well so this helps to sort out the odd ‘misunderstanding’ (especially after hours), clearly a valued team member! These golfers were certainly very impressed by the Course and as our ‘hosts’ proved to be very entertaining. Our thanks for the warm welcome and good humour! Aussies tend to look for a challenge and this Course was no disappointment. Maybe they will spread the word ‘down under’. Australian golf tourists may be one answer to the issue of managing the low season for many Regional businesses including hotels and entertainment venues, apart from the Golf Courses themselves. Come over Aussie!

The Final Word

If you are a real golfer looking for something different, not willing to compromise your golfing integrity and are looking for the best golfing conditions this may be it. Whether for the short game tune up, a competitive day amongst friends (9 nearest to the pins?), no time for the full version of the game or just real golf with a challenge the Black Mountain Par Three Course has it all. One idea for the perfect family day out; non-golfers (maybe the ‘other half’ and kids) can spend a few hours at the nearby Water Park while golfers take a Round at the Course followed by a cooling dip. Everyone will have a great day out! Two small suggestions……………………………..…. Perhaps a few more trees around the Course and maybe a Hole Number Sign on each hole?

Billed as Hua Hin’s BIGGEST amateur Golf Tournament, the 2013 Kvik Masters

illed as Hua Hin’s BIGGEST amateur Golf Tournament, the 2013 Kvik Masters lived up to that promise with a full field of 120 golfers enjoying the hospitality and great Course conditions for two days of competition at the Majestic Creek Country Club.

Hua Hin & Cha – AM Today was invited by the Event Manager, Mårten Norragård to join him on the second day as he performed his duties ‘on Course’ then later at the dinner and prize presentations. Mårten has vast experience in the business of golf including Course design, event management and promotion. He remains a PGA Pro Golfer although now not so actively involved at that level of the game. His rapport with the competitors was very evident and he seemed to understand the personalities and nuances of each and every player. Friendly and humorous banter between the players but also with Mårten was a feature of the day. It is very difficult to remind golfers who may be falling behind to speed up play in a way which does not create a little discomfort but Mårten showed us how it can be done.

to wait a long time for the final groups to complete the Round. However this format needs the cooperation of the Golf Course management, in this case cheerfully provided by the crew from Majestic Creek.

competitors bearing the motto ‘Kvik………. Smart in Danish’. This was a smart event. Smart in concept, smart organisation and a smart result!

However it seems destined that this will not be the biggest or best Kvik Masters. The Event Manager, Mårten Norragård promises that within three years this now Annual Event on the Regional Golfing Calendar will become the biggest and best in Thailand. Judging from his gregarious nature, enthusiasm and the success of the inaugural Masters you’d be brave to bet against Amongst the golfers was the CEO and President of Kvik that prospect! The Event Manager, Mårten Norragård (left) providing Asia Ltd. Carsten B Andersen. As reported in Hua Hin Winners some advice; always with a smile! Today in March 2011, the Danish Designer Kitchen 1. Joel Feldman & Russel Beard 52 points Company Kvik celebrated the official opening of their 2. Thomas Pagden & Rob Prudon 51 points showroom in Hua Hin on Wednesday 16 February 2011. 3. Kenneth Hovmöller & Tommy H Krogh 50 points Carsten relocated to Thailand in 2012 as it was his idea 4. Michiel Van Doornewaard & Lars Hultqvist 50 points As the second day progressed Mårten made sure that players were aware of how close they were to the leaders which added to the competitive nature of the Event. Mårten really enjoyed injecting that ‘positive tension’ to the final stages of the Event and admits that he likes to see golfers under pressure!

to establish the company in the growing market in Asia and natural that he moved to Thailand to spearhead the push ahead. The ‘Sociable Kitchen’ is a Kvik Trademark and key design feature. Carsten has obviously adopted the ‘sociable’ aspect of this mantra in his own personal The Event Format was ‘Two Ball Better Ball Stableford approach to business and to golf. – 2 Day Eclectic’. For those are unfamiliar with this relatively unusual form of the game this is how it works: Kvik was the major sponsor of the Event and the prizes presented by Carsten were very generous and Golfers complete in teams of two over two days. appreciated by the winning teams. Incidentally we have Each player scores Stableford points on each hole seen a photo of Mårten, the Event Manager at the Kvik with the highest number of points scored on each hole showroom opening. He may have been planning this between the two as the team score. sponsorship for some time! On the second day the aim is to better the number of points scored for each hole from the previous day which A co-sponsor SIEMENS the German appliance then becomes the score. If the team had a bad hole on manufacturer also contributed in a significant way. A day one they have a chance to make good on the second nearest to the pin prize on one Par 3 hole was a Siemens washing machine, that’s a good prize for one golf shot! day. The final team score is a total of the highest number Another co-sponsor was FENIX Golf, providing custom made golfing apparel. of points for each of the 18 holes. The good news about this format is that the teams Khun Thanachai the Majestic Creek Country Club score can only improve on the second day. Coming owner joined in the presentations and personally from behind is a common occurrence. contributed in no small way to the success of the Event. Another feature of the Event was a ‘shotgun start’. Majestic Creek has become a favourite with many local This means that groups start at different holes so that and visiting golfers, now taking its place as one of the everyone starts and finishes at almost the same time. A Region’s premier golf courses. great way of avoiding the need for early starters to have The Kvik Company also provided T shirts for all the

Nearest the Pin 1. Allen Carney 2. Lugi Sperrandio 3. Tommy Björnsson 4. Dean Gultula

Another winner was Hua Hi Charity ‘Connect 3e’ receiving a donation of 175,000 THB from Kvik.

Kvik CEO Carsten Andersen (left) and his group of Khun Thanachai (left) with the winning team (centre) happy golfers and caddies! and Carsten Andersen (right)

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