Property Golf Today October 2013

15

&

Volume 10 issue 12 October 2013

Volume 10 Issue 12 October 2013

M

ost small businesses are opened with a dream and a prayer, a perceived “great idea” with limited resources. However before big companies make large investments in their “great idea” a tremendous amount of research is done.

Firms filled with highly intelligent people are contracted to study the viability of the investment, its probability of success and its projected rate of return. With all of the facts in presented the project is either given the green light or it’s not.

Major new developments are now being announced for Hua Hin on an almost monthly basis, with the latest being a THB4 billion (US$124.63 million) investment by Proud Real Estate. The firm is set to spend more than THB1 billion on a condominium project, THB2 billion on an 400-room hotel and THB800 million on a state-of-the-art waterpark to be constructed by leading theme park design firm White Water West.

“Ongoing infrastructure improvement programs, including plans for a highspeed train from Bangkok, the Southern Motorway and arrival of international flights at Hua Hin International Airport, will see tourism continue to grow significantly,” said Proudputh Liptapanlop, Managing Director of Proud Real Estate.

Proud Real Estate’s parent company, Proud Group, in partnership with the Mall Group — owners of Siam Paragon — is also behind Hua Hin’s latest shopping mall, the THB4 billion Blu Port, located on 25 rai (40,000 sqm), directly across the street from another Proud Real Estate property, the Hua Hin InterContinental Hotel — recently voted the

Best Hotel in Thailand.

Bangkok’s Pace Development is also participating with its highly-anticipated THB2.7 billion project MahaSamutr. This ultra-luxury development, set on 120 rai, has an entry level price of THB35 million and comprises 90 villas constructed around a manmade lagoon. This will be Crystal Lagoon Corporation’s first Asia-based project. A country club and beach club will also feature prominently in this luxury development. Pace is investing THB500 million in the country club, set to include a restaurant headed by Michelin three star Chef Vincent Thierry and a range of sports activities supervised by highquality coaches, one of which is an Olympic And finally, no article about property development in Hua Hin would be complete gold medallist. without mentioning Sansiri, the ‘granddaddy’ “MahaSamutr fills a gap in the property of all Hua Hin property developers. market in Hua Hin for a high-end resort villa development,” CEO of Pace Development “Sansiri first entered the Hua Hin market in Sorapoj Techakraisri said. “We are 1988 with their project Baan Kaimuk,” confident on the robustness of high-end according to Peerakit Kasemthanapong, property demand as well as demand for senior property consultant at Hua Hin’s top quality property from AEC buyers.” Plus Property office. “Since then they have Pace Development is currently constructing developed more than 20 condominium Bangkok’s tallest building, a stunning projects in Hua Hin, Cha Am and Khao Tao 77-storey pixelated tower that will become and are currently selling units in five projects a landmark structure in the capital upon which cover all market segments.” completed in 2015.

It appears Thailand’s major developers have Other notable developments which have done their research and that research has substantially raised Hua Hin’s luxury told them Hua Hin is certainly the place to be. residential profile of late include Venezia, a ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Venetian-themed THB1.5 billion shopping Russ Downing, Managing Director of Exotiq mall, SC Asset’s condominium project The Property and Member of the national judging Crest Santora and Baan Ratchaprasong’s panel of the Thailand Property Awards. mind-boggling 6,000 unit condominium The Property Report – www.property-report. development The Energy Hua Hin. com

16

Volume 10 issue 12 October 2013

Volume 10 issue 12 October 2013

Dusit Masters it ... what would you expect?

D

It’s par for the course!

usit Thani Masters, the first of four Dusit Thani Hua Hin-sponsored events during the 11th season of the Saga Tailor golf tour, tees off on Monday, 18th November at Springfield Royal Country Club, Cha-am from 11.00A.M.

So on, the the

successful was the club that just a year the first major sponsor came knocking in form of local Saga Tailor. They topped up previously modest purses for the pros and

Moving a ball in play, has this happened to you?

O

n September 13th Tiger Woods was penalised two strokes after his 2013 BMW Championship second round because officials ruled that his ball moved as he moved nearby loose impediments before his third shot on Conway Farms’ first hole.

The Saga Tailor Tour, founded and organised by respected local PGA golf pro, Jorgen Persson, has the mission ‘To provide regular tournaments for golf professionals and lowhandicap amateurs whereby with further support from local hotels, like Dusit giving amateurs the chance to play with Thani Hua Hin, attractive prizes lured more and professionals.’ more amateurs.

Explaining his brainchild, Jorgen said that The Dusit Thani Masters is open to all, with all he brought the idea from his native Sweden golfers playing off scratch from various tees. where a dozen times a year many of the Registration starts an hour before the first local professionals would meet up for a midday tee-off time. In addition to the Baht 800 monthly tournament. As the event grew so annual Saga Tailor Tour membership, including did sponsorship and prize money. An Order a shirt, the entry fee for the Dusit Thani Masters of Merit added to the competition with a place is Baht 1,000 for under 50s and Baht 1300 for in an inter-region match, played in Ryder Cup over 50s. This is all funnelled back as prize format, the carrot for the top dozen at the end money for the top performers on the day. Dusit of the season.

Thani Hua Hin will be providing further support Upon moving to Thailand at the end of the last millennium, Jorgen yearned for the tournament play that would keep the competitive edge to his game and so started the Hua Hin Golf Players Club in 2003.

RULES OF GOLF

17

Woods hit an approach over the green and into brush on that 360-yard hole. He chipped short, chipped on and missed a putt, making what he thought was a double bogey. But Slugger White, PGA Tour vice president of rules and competitions, informed Woods in the scoring trailer after the round that video review showed that the world No. 1 player’s ball moved as “But this video was at the site, and the ball did, Woods moved a stick before that first chip. in fact, move,” White said of the footage, which After White and Woods reviewed the video can be viewed on the Tour’s website. together in the scoring trailer behind the 18th green, Woods remained adamant that his ball Because of the two-stroke penalty for violating oscillated in the same spot rather than moved, Rule 18-2a, Woods made 8 instead of 6 on the opening hole and shot 72 instead of 70. The White said. penalty dropped him from a tie for fourth and five shots off the midway lead to a tie for 13th and seven back.

for the amateur ranks through vouchers for accommodation and dinner at the hotel, as well as branded clothing and accessories.

If you would like to join the Saga Tailor Tour and enter the Dusit Thani Masters or subsequent Dusit-sponsored events on the 2013/14 tour, contact Dusit reception staff. Further details can also be found on the tour’s website www. sagatailortour.com .

Had Woods moved the ball back to its original spot, he would have been penalised one stroke, White said. Because he didn’t, he received two.

If you ball moves as a result of you moving a stick, leave, stone or whatever there is a penalty.

There may not be video evidence but one of the most important tenants of playing golf is your honesty in applying the Rules. In this situation ‘fess up’ and take the penalty. You will win the respect of your playing partners, much more important than an added stroke!

SUANSON PRADIPAT : SEA PINES : NEW ARMY COURSE Different Names; Same Golf Great Course

T

he Royal Thai Army Sports Centre, Suanson Pradipat (The Eagle Milford and Royal Hua Hin are somewhat closer to (Sea Pines Golf Course) is the official name of this facility. the ocean) and although there may be ocean glimpses, the Regional golfers may refer to all of these names when seascape is not really prominent. talking about the Course which does make it a little confusing.

Sea Pines is different because its location is right on the ocean The land was originally under the responsibility of the Royal and the prominent vista is the nearby promontory of Kao Takiab.

Forest Department then subsequently transferred to Army In fact the last three holes are played alongside the beach; a control. It was then referred to as the Army convalescence and very different golfing experience from most. relaxation area and renamed as the Royal Thai Army Sports The fairways are only mildly undulating with frequent doglegs Centre, Suanson Pradipat later. The main focus of the facility and a network of waterways meanders through the course. The was the relaxation and welfare of army and other officials. It is lack of heavy and obvious dangers between fairways may lead not surprising then that the golf course was designed by Major to a sense of false security as the low growth vegetation may General Weerayudth Phetbuasak. The course was completed provide a severe penalty when fairways are missed. There is in 2010 so perhaps still a little immature with many young trees, a real variety of challenges and decisions to be made. Risk/ but every year it has improved and should not be missed by the reward shots are there to be taken and decisions about taking visiting golfer. on a water carry crucial. Wind direction and strength may also Around Thailand there are a number of Army controlled Golf play a part as with an ocean frontage there is little protection Courses. In most Western countries the suggestion that the from the elements.

Army would own or manage a golf course would bring a wry Signature Holes smile to the face of golfers and more than raised eyebrows from Holes sixteen through to eighteen are probably the courses politicians. However in Thailand this is an accepted part of Army most memorable holes and they provide the best examples of ‘business’ and doesn’t seem to be the least bit controversial. why this course is so highly rated.

For golfers it is of little concern who has that control just as long as the golf course provides what they expect; a true test of golf Hole 16 is a dogleg par 5 (529 yards from the white tees) which with course conditions and lay out to match. However we did is protected by fairway bunkers and a water hazard on the right hear of one story that a group of golfers would be delayed half an side. There is also a small bunker towards the centre of the hour as a General and his entourage had arrived unannounced fairway requiring a decision to be made about the choice of club for a round and would always have priority. You’d be rather for the second shot. In front of the green there is a huge lake to unlucky to encounter that inconvenience! cross and just behind it the ocean. The difficulty is that the green is not deep so you must get the distance right!

What’s Different About Sea Pine?

There is a theme about our Regional Golf Courses that is one Hole 17 is a par 3 (146 yards from the white tee) with water for of their real attractions. Typically these Courses are set within almost the length of the hole and a deep bunker in front and a valley or a foothills setting with a backdrop of mountains or behind the green. The green is wide and undulating though not hillsides alongside the fairways. They are almost always inland very deep. Club selection for distance is the most important aspect of achieving your par.

Facilities: The modern contemporary clubhouse allows you to take full advantage of the ocean views and has a full range of food and drinks. Be aware that the driving range at Suanson is not actually on the golf course but a few minutes’ drive away.

Some Other Comments: Motorised Golf Carts (600 THB) may not be shared on this course. However this course is not a hard walk and we would suggest going around on foot is you are considering the options.

An ‘escort’ (500 THB) is available if you need some extra assistance, although for most the caddie does this job. We found the caddie’s knowledgeable and very friendly.

There are four tee box locations at each hole which makes it possible to ‘adjust’ the length of the course to suit the capabilities of the players. Many golfers who’s length of the tee is not quite as long as their memories of the ‘good old days’ may enjoy being able to reach the green in regulation again from the yellow markers although the more proficient will probably Hole 18 is the most representative of the courses design and choose a longer option. In competition mode this need to be a memorable finishing hole. As the closest hole to the ocean, considered before commencement. wind conditions almost always come into play. The first decision is about the tee shot as a canal crosses the fairway at about the 220 yard mark. To clear this hazard the drive must not only be long but straight as there is water to the right and for the really big hitters a bunker just before the beach also may come into play. This bunker continues to separate the fairway from the beach for the duration of the hole. The final challenge is a narrow entry to the green. This is a very difficult hole which can make or break any round.

Location: Sea Pines is about 7 kilometres South of Hua Hin heading towards Pranburi. The entrance is off Petchakasim Road through the entry to the other Army facilities. Swing left after the entry and it’s easy to find.

Volume 10 issue 12 October 2013

19

20

Volume 10 issue 12 October 2013

“Now it’s time to find your ideal property”

Sale / Rent / Mortgage / Sell on Consignment Properties Work Permit & Visa Service Car & Motorbike Rental Airline Ticket & Golf Booking Please find contact us at www.star-property-huahin.com or Call us at : tel +66 (0) 81 8593118, 66 (0) 32 530 123 e-mail : info@star-property-huahin.com