Issue 10 The Pattaya Golfer - December 2016 by Pattaya Golfer

December/January 2016/2017

NUMBER ONE Ariya Jutanugarn

COURSE REPORTS Burapha & Silky Oaks

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW David Leadbetter

AWAY days Bangkok

DESTINATIONS

Malaysia & South Africa

Issue 10

"Discounted rates, as we are members of the Pattaya Sports Club" " Golf beginners are most welcome and we guarantee for a lot of fun" "Book your rooms please in advance, if needed" "Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays Golf Excursions" "Contact Paul 092-3774-276" Soi Honey Inn / Second Road WWW.RETOXGAMEON.COM INFO@RETOXGAMEON.COM

From the

December/January 2016/2017

Issue 10

Publishers desk Once again the King unifies Thailand. His image has been a daily part of every Thai's life for decades and the outpouring of grief here in Thailand, across all walks of life, is an amazing testament to the work and achievements of the beloved late King. As a first time visitor in 1990, many things I experienced in Thailand amazed me, my three week holiday took me to, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Bangkok. it was December 5th when I left the Royal Hotel near the Grand Palace in Bangkok for the airport, I saw all the streets and buildings illuminated with beautiful lighting displays and portraits of the King. I asked my driver what was this about, he said it was the Kings Birthday, he proudly told me of his great Kings love for his people and his love for the King. Coming from England where the Monarchy was much disrespected at the time, it was refreshing and even enchanting to experience this deep love and devotion the Thai people had for the King. Now after 26 years in Thailand I understand and share this devotion very well, so much so I felt it deeply too. We've just endured the circus was the US election and all the ridiculous and vulgar antics of the country's proposed leaders, its even more apparent to me, how important respect and dignity is and how it means so much.

By Charlie Warner

CEO & Advertising Charlie Warner. T.086 088 8744 charlie@thepattayagolfer.com Managing Editor Mike Bridge, T.083 198 6700 mike@thepattayagolfer.com Production Supervisor Kanyapat “Aof” Kohmanee. aof@silvermover.com Graphic Design Silvermover Co.,Ltd

Our new address Silvermover Co., Ltd. 46/131 Moo 4, Soi Chaiyapruek 2, Huay-Yai, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150 Thailand T. 083 113 8712 www.thepattayagolfer.com

The Pattaya Golfer is distributed  via the member clubs of the EGA. You can also purchase in most good news stands and book shops. If you would like to take out a subscription and have the magazine mailed to your door see page 96 for details

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CONTENTS

Exclusive Interview David Leadbetter in Thailand

Bangkok City of Golf

Course Report : Beautiful Burapha Golf Club & Silky Oaks

See Page 14 - 16

See Page 17 - 20

See Page 26 - 29, 36 - 39

Discover : Kuala Lumpur

See Page 30 - 34

8 14 17 22 6

News Interview: David Leadbetter Away Days : Bangkok Where to Stay

24 26 30 36 38 40 42 44 49 50 52 54 56 58

New Japanese Spa Course Report: Burapha Destination: KL Course Report: Silky Oaks Course Report: Greenwood EGA Mega Party New Course in Pattaya Destination: South Africa Financial Local Golfer Caddies Top Property Furniture Ideas Where to Dine

Overseas Destination: South Africa

See Page 44 - 48

News Ariya Jutanugarn Wins US$1Million Not only did Ariya Jutanugarn from Bangkok clinch the 2016 Rolex Player of the Year Award, she also finished T4 finish (-14) at the CME Group Tour Championship last month in Florida, and won US$1 Million taking Race to the CME Globe title. Jutanugarnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 268 points put her 20 points clear of second place Lydia Ko, who needed to win the Tour Championship in order to capture Rolex Player of the Year honors for a second consecutive season. Her stats are incredible: 2016 Winnings US$2,550,928. Career Earnings to date US$3,033,455 No 1 on the LPGA 2016 Money List. No 1 LPGA Birdies in 2016 with an incredible 469 birdies. And not forgetting her big sister Moriya who came 4th on the LPGA Putting Average list. What a talented Thai family. You will be able to see her and the top 50 LPGA players at Siam Country Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Old Course when they host the Honda LPGA Thailand there in late February.

er v r o rs o t f yea s E 10

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038 - 422669 / 089 831 1581 Open: Mon - Sat 9am - 5pm www.europvc.co.th

News October Was a Sad Month For Thai Golfers With the passing of the King of Thailand the country was in mourning having lost the Father of the Nation.

Thai golfers also paid their respect when they held a minutes silence at the Venetian Macau Open on the Asian Tour. Young Thai player , Pavit Tangkamolprasert went onto win the tournament and dedicated his f irst Asian Tour victory at the Venetian Macao Open to the late king of Thailand, King Bhumibol, after prevailing over Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Anirban Lahiri in a playoff on Sunday. The 27-year-old Thai and reigning Asian Tour number one Lahiri put on an exhibition of golf by shooting a seven-under-par 64 and 65 respectively in the f inal round to tie at 16-under-par 268 at the Macau Golf and Country Club. Pavit now has a two year excemption on tour as well! In the States after a long season , a pair of Thai golfers, Wichanee Meechai and Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong, earned their 2017 LPGA Tour Cards through the Symetra Tour.

They will now join the likes of Pornanong Phatlum and the Jutanuagarn sisters adding to the power of Thai females on this lucrative tour. The King who was a keen sportsman, would have been proud of these young golfers.

News

Outback Bar Tour After their successful trip to South Africa, we have decided in this issue to feature this tour organised by the Outback Bar in Pattaya.

If you are interested they will be returning to South Africa in 2018, however early in 2017 you can join them on January 17th-19th with a trip to Lotus Valley and Royal Hills and on March 12th-16th they are off for their annual visit to Hua Hin. They are also planning a trip to Danang , known as the Golf Coast of Vietnam. For full details check out their website www.outbackgolfbar.asia . Spaces are limited.

News Asia’s Newest Golf Club Unveiled

Bukit Pandawa Golf & Country Club is an 18hole, par-three layout, sculpted by Bob Moore, situated on a limestone cliff-top overlooking the world-famous surf breaks of Bali’s Bukit Peninsula. Playing to a par of 54, the Bukit Pandawa course weaves its way from elevated ridges to ocean cliff edges and features 10 holes with ocean views. A club spokesman said: “With 18 championshipcalibre par-three holes routed through dramatic rock outcroppings, around terraced rice paddies and across a limestone clifftop overlooking spectacular white-sand beaches and the Indian Ocean, Bukit Pandawa Golf & Country Club is the first golf course of its kind on Bali, if not all of Southeast Asia.” From the Black Tees the course measures 2,767 metres; from the Gold Tees it plays to 2,425 metres; from the Blue Tees it stretches to 2,060 metres and from the Purple Tees it’s 1,301 metres. The longest hole is the second at 223 metres, while the shortest is the 12th which plays to 107 metres from the Black Tees.

As the first players to test the course discovered at the weekend, the par-54 layout is a time-saver, with a typical round lasting just 90 minutes.

The club is the centerpiece of an ambitious development that will eventually include several five-star hotels, including a Waldorf Astoria, Mandarin Oriental, Raff les and Swissotel.

Exclusive Interview David Leadbetter in Thailand By Mike Bridge

We all know the Woods, Stensons, MCILroy and Days, but golf also has some great non playing stars and Leadbetter has to be one name that all golfers would know instantly.

David with Lydia Ko

orn 27 June 1952, David Leadbetter is a leading golf instructor, originally from Worthing in England. He began his career on the European and Southern African tours, but had little success as a player. Having an interest in the techniques, mechanics and psychology of the sport he soon moved into instruction and came to wide notice in the 1980s when he rebuilt the swing of Sir Nick Faldo, who then went on to win six major championships. David now runs an international chain of golf academies headquartered at the ChampionsGate Golf Club in Davenport, Florida, U.S. which has 36 holes designed by Greg Norman. There are also branches elsewhere in North America and in Europe and Asia. David himself concentrates on teaching tour professionals and on instructing other coaches in his methods, who then teach his ideas at his academies. Apart from Faldo his students include Nick Price, Charles Howell III, Michelle Wie, World No.1 Lydia Ko and Byeong Hun An.

Pros who formerly worked with Leadbetter included: Nick Faldo (1984–1998), Greg Norman (1997), and Ernie Els (1990–2008). He was ranked second to Butch Harmon on the 2005-2006 edition of Golf Digest’s list of the “50 Greatest Teachers” in the United States. He has published several books and produced numerous instructional videos and DVDs. His latest book is The A Swing, The Alternative Approach to Great Golf. He and his wife, Kelly (an LPGA Tour professional), their sons Andy and James and their daughter Hally, live in Sarasota, Florida.

He is also an endorser/spokesman forSAP, Epson, Callaway, JoS. A. Bank Clothiers, Rolex, and Golf Pride grips. We caught up with this busy man when he flew in to open his first Academy in Thailand. He kindly gave us this exclusive interview. Why did you decide to open your Academy here in Thailand? David Leadbetter: In fact we used to have a place here before at Thana City many years ago when IMG ran them. Now I run my own Academy’s and we have a lot of Thai kids coming over to our US facility and their parents said ‘Why don’t you open in Bangkok?’ Obviously coaching outside in this region is too humid, so when this opportunity of an indoor facility came up we jumped at it. Its central on soi 24 off Sukhumvit at the Marriot Executive Apartments. They also had an excellent number of trainers here which we have now retrained to carry on my own teaching philosophy. Are you Happy with the facilities here? D L: Very much so, we have all the top equipment and you can even go up stairs and practice in our pot bunker too. It’s a very good set up and I am very impressed with the staff here and they have teachers from Thailand, Japan and England, and they are all very enthusiastic in promoting the game. How do you think we can encourage more people and particularly youngsters to take up the game, when you hear that the number of regular golfers is declining?

DL: They have to get kids involved and so I have now set up Leadbetter Kids. This is a programme we are developing really for 4 -8 yr olds which includes a little bit of golf instruction, a bit of fun , a fitness aspect even covering etiquette too. Stats show that if you can capture them at a very young age them many will become fanatics. Thailand and Korea are two Asian Countries doing well on the circuit. DL; Yes, well I think the Thai girls may have at least ten players on the main LPGA tour for 2017 and are now 3rd in the world after the States and South Korea. China is also doing well and there the government are looking at ways of training kids. The fact that a Chinese player won a medal in Rio helped too. If say a government came to me, I would be delighted to help. Here in Thailand golf is part of the fabric of the country and tourists come here for golf too. n.b. Thai LPGA and Thai PGA take note! Do you think these young stars have the ability to stay at the top for the next 5-10 years. Can they cope with the pressure? DL: That’s a 64,000 dollar question. I used to coach Lydia Ko, the World NO 1, who has been playing golf for a longtime already. One of the problems she faces, along with the Jutanugarn sisters is they started playing professionally since the age of twelve or fourteen, so there is a burn out factor. I also coached Se-Ri Park who won two majors at the age of 20. She was with me and Lydia at the 2016 US Open and I asked her what she would have done differently over the past twenty years. She said ‘I would make sure I had

New Bangkok Academy balance in my life’. These youngsters can’t keep playing at this pace mentally or physically. In fact Lydia’s goal is to retire at 30! We actually see Lydia quite a lot as she lives near are Academy in Florida. Everyone has noticed how Ariya Jutanugarn smiles every time before she putts. Have you ever suggested similar tricks to some of your players? DL: Well she is a very happy girl anyway, but yes if you are happy and relaxed your game will improve too. Playing golf with your kids especially at weekends is almost a no-no in England when you started playing. Is that the same elsewhere? DL: Well America is one of the worst, and for junior golfers it’s also very expensive to play. There are very few golf clubs there that even offer a junior membership, so kids cannot come off the street and join unless they join under a parents membership. It is a very antiquated system! Golf as we know is decreasing in the States and in Europe

and so the ruling bodies know this and are trying to work on new schemes. You take Woburn in the UK, where Ian Poulter is involved. They now have over 150 junior golf members and half of them are under 5 handicap. Do you think the equipment manufacturers have a role to play here? DL: It really needs to come from government level. We know golf is an expensive sport as is sking. The USGA in the States are a very wealthy organisation and I don’t think they do enough to promote the game. Having said that all the main parties in the golf industry will be meeting at the end of 2016 to work out how to move forward. Are you in favour of the new style of golf courses such as Nikanti’s 6-6-6 Courses? DL. Well Jack Nicklaus has been a big fan of 6-6-6 layouts and in fact in France they are building 50 six hole golf courses. It’s a good idea.

18 holes can take five hours where 6 holes you can finish within a hour. Land is expensive, so even 6 holes with maybe two tee boxes allowing for rounds of 12 holes is good for the game. As a purist you don’t want the game to change too much but to keep it fresh they need to move things around a bit.

Editors Note : The Leadbetter

Academy in Bangkok, has twelve certified instructors and instruction can be given in English, Thai and Japanese. The academy has twelve golf simulator indoor hitting bays equipped with the latest teaching and training technologies such as Trackman, GC2s, Sam PuttLab, BodiTrack and video replay for every swing. The academy property also includes a state of the art fitness center, outdoor short-game area, and a corporate event zone. www.lga-bangkok.com

Riverdale From the Clubhouse

Bangkok City of Golf

For a city built on fairly flat wetlands, Bangkok actually offers golfers a very varied range of excellent golf courses all within easy reach of the capital.

f course with about 40 clubs around the capital, some tracks are not exceptional or memorable however we have listed a few of our personal favorites. In fact all four courses are located on the East of the capital so it would be feasible to drive there and back in a day from Pattaya. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth noting that some courses especially on holidays and weekends do get busy, so booking ahead is the key. Also depending on the traffic and time of day it can take anything up to 70 minutes to reach some of the cities outlying tracks. But worth it in the end.

Riverdale. Perhaps one of the best newer 18 holes is the Riverdale Golf and Country Club, located north of Impact Arena about 40 minutes from the city centre. Designed by the same team responsible for Phuketâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Red Mountain, they have dug down 18 metres and created similar mounds so the course has it all. According to Golf Digest USA, they think this is a top layout and especially challenging from the back tees.

down into a valley with a long bunker to avoid then all uphill to a raised green surrounded by more deep bunkers. Here they also have a choice of two greens on the par 3 8th. Either uphill to a green surrounded by a pot bunker or a small island green. The facilities are also very chic and their restaurant was excellent and overlooks most of this exciting course.

My favorite par five in Thailand Can be busy so best book ahead. is their 6th hole, with a raised tee www.mbkgolf.com/riverdale

Thai Country Club (2) Thai Country Club. Famous for the likes of Ernie and Tiger who competed here in the 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Thai Country Club really feels like you are entering a real old country club. Technically it is a members club however they do accept non members who book in advance. Owned by the Peninsula Hotel this 18 hole course at 7,157 yards was designed by Denis Griffiths in 1996. It is fairly flat but golfers of all standards always enjoy their 4-5 hours around the course. Their signature hole is the par 3 6th a long 222 yards from the back tee beside a lake. Always in excellent condition, however beware if it is windy some of the bunkers and water hazards come into play.

Not only is the clubhouse restaurant possibly the best of any golf club in the region, but their caddies are very well trained and are also great fun. Great changing facilities too with Jacuzzi and rest area. A class act! www. thaicountryclub.com

Lam Luk Ka East Course Lam Luk Ka Country Club. Perhaps one of the longer trips from the centre, being North East of the city, Lam Luk Kaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two 18 hole courses East and West really bring you straight into a real country style layout with mature trees, a few raised greens, loads of immaculate bunkers and wildlife everywhere. Every time we have played here everyone goes away have experienced

a top quality golfing challenge. Both courses are great fun, however the East course having hosted the 2002 Thailand PGA Championship places a premium on driving the ball long and straight. Its back nine is considered one of the best in Thailand, ending with a dramatic riskreward Par 5. The West Course is relatively short, but water comes into play on 15 holes making course management a key factor in scoring. Every hole provides several

Muang Kaew

Muang Kaew Tricky hole No3

options, so longer hitters can still hit driver although itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not necessary on most holes. The West Course is a favorite of tourists and recreational golfers, and is home to a plethora of native birds and wildlife. Their club house restaurant overlooks the course and offers top class Thai cuisine at very reasonable prices. A firm favorite and well worth the 65 minutes to get there. www.lamlukkacc.com Muang Kaew Golf Course. Redesigned by Lee Schmidt in 2003, Muang Kaew features 18 subtlety guarded green complexes most of which are elevated, great golf course conditions and excellent management from a mixture of Western expat and Thai golf service professionals. As with most of Lee Schmidtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work, the bunkering provides both visual and golfing effect and balances the risk and reward aspect of great golf course design. Here the fairways are generous to give the golfer space to circumvent the bunkering and challenging greens.

Two Greens at Riverdale

Conditioning is always top quality, established by the joint Western and Thai Managers to USGA standard. The greens of the latest Tiff-Eagle variety give smooth and fast putting surfaces. Normal green speed is 10.5 to 11.5 feet on the stimpmeter. This course which is close by Suvarnabhumi Airport is popular with Thais and Expats alike so depending on the time and day you could be following a few groups. The short game practice facilities feature two tiff eagle putting greens, chipping area and practice bunker. The course operates a small warmup practice tee in the mornings and afternoons. The same owner runs the successful Chiang Mai Highlands course. www.muangkaewgolf.com

Thai Country Club from the Air

Weekend Golf Breaks in Pattaya Stay 2 nights and play 2 rounds at Pattaya’s top courses. Packages from 8,500 baht per person including 4 star hotel, green fee, caddy and golf cart. Participating hotels are Amari Pattaya, Royal Cliff, Woodlands Resort, Tara Court and Centara Grand Phratamnak. Play 2 rounds at Laem Chabang, Siam Country Club, Burapha, St Andrews 2000 or Khao Kheow. Special packages for golf societies and groups including event management, functions and scoring.

New for 2016 – golf trips to Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Macau and China All inclusive golf holidays to top golf destinations. Flights from Pattaya and Bangkok



 

Where Stay

New Kid on the Block in BKK.

If you are looking for a really cool, modern hotel right in the heart of the city, look no further than the new Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20. 22

Editors Note: Couple of great bonuses here is the incredible breakfast covering a multitude of dishes and their roof top bar which has cool music and stunning views. Great place to chill out after a hard day on the golf course.

pened in April 2016 this 244 room Accor group hotel has style and space for you to unwind after a few rounds of golf in Bangkok. The rooms are large ranging from 3045m2 and have all the amenities, a large shower and bathroom and a massive TV with Overseas channels. One of the newest hotels in Bangkok, this Novotel has a large car park and is located in the heart of Sukhumvit area near Asok BTS and Sukhumvit MRT. Opposite is the well known restaurant and bar called Koi. You are also in walking distance of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous shopping centres such as Terminal 21, Emporium and Emquartier along with many dining and entertainment options to provide you with a city break experience. Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 offers all the facilities perfect for a city getaway. For relaxation within the hotel, guests can stay connected with free Wi-Fi service; enjoy the infinity pool and fitness centre while the children can spend their time in the Kids Club. Food Exchange, GourmetBar and Pool Bar offer a variety of dining options along with 24 hours room service is available. The hotel provides shuttle transportation to and from Asok BTS

station where guests can hop on the BTS and explore Bangkok with only a few minutes ride. They are offering a City Break promotion available for bookings from now â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 31st October 2017, with a minimum of 2 nights booking, and then you receive free buffet

breakfast and late check out included during your stay! *Terms & Conditions apply. Visit www.novotelbangkoksukhumvit20. com or www.novotel.com to make a reservation and find out more. To contact the hotel directly please call 02 009 4999 or email h9343-re@accor.com

New Japanese Spa in Town Thailand is famous for its tropical weather, wonderful cuisine, great beaches and its spas.

ere in Pattaya the city has recently welcomed a very unique Japanese style spa called Yunomori Onsen & Spa Pattaya. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect a small shop with a couple of staff working off the high street here. No here you will discover that Yunomori Onsen & Spa Pattaya, has over 4,500m2 of relaxing areas to pamper you. We met the owner Petch Kongsaengchai who told us that this was in fact their third venture, having successfully opened firstly in Bangkok four years ago, and more recently this June also in Singapore. Their Pattaya venture is the biggest to date and has cost over THB150 Million to create and open! Located between soi 9 and 11 on the Theprasit Road, this massive four level building has been beautifully designed to whisk you away from the hub-bub of the city.

Apart from many treatments on offer from Korean Scrubs to Herbal Compress or Aroma Massage to Body Mask, you can also just take in their incredible Yunomori spa facilities. They have separate areas for men and women and they include Jacuzzi baths at different temperatures, a sleeping jet bath, sauna and steam rooms, a silk bath, a cold bath and even a mineral bath. From the simple and traditional to the modern and technological, each bath provides a relaxing and therapeutic experience, ideal to get rid of those aches and pains after a hard round of golf. They also provide spa guests with a relax room and there is also an excellent Yunomori Cafe offering authentic Thai dishes to a variety of international meals. Treatments start from THB390 for a 60 minute foot massage up to THB2,250 for a 60 minute Body Scrub and a 90 minute

Aroma Massage and of course full use of all the facilities. A nice touch is they also offer use of the spa only from THB450 and Seniors over 65 years old at just THB250. They also offer membership packages, so for full information visit www.yunomorionsen. com/2015/pattaya or call them on 038 197 038. They are open daily from 09.0024.00hrs. A great addition to the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spa facilities!

Course Report

Beautiful Burapha Golf Club By Mike Bridge

Burapha Golf Club has been a firm favorite with locals, expats and golf vacationers for many years. Apart from hosting numerous tournaments including the Singha Pattaya Open, the Pattaya Golf Festival and the Singha Amazing Thailand Caddie Championship, this 36 hole resort style course combines charm, beauty and challenge. There can be few better views in Asia than the vista from the high point on D course across to the Gulf of Siam. 26

ocated only 30km north of Pattaya, this course was designed by course architect Gary Panks and tour professional David Graham, who have cleverly incorporated the hilly countryside to create four sets of challenging nine holes. The local Pattaya Sports Club have also added silver tees just behind the Red Tees for their older players, who did not want the idea of playing off the ladies tees, but need that extra few yards to give them a chance of a good score. The course plays as two 18 hole layouts. Both start with front nines

that are relatively flat before climbing the hill on their back nine. When the course is set up for the Pattaya Open, the two back nines are combined to set up a tough 7,200 yard challenge and the rough is allowed to grow around the bunkers. Woe betide the wayward shot that hits the top of a Burapha bunker. A good golf course flows naturally from one hole to the next. Burapha scores highly on this count with no long journeys from leaving the green to reaching the next tee. The natural mounds and lakes create a sense of solitude separating the fairways so that the course never seems crowded. The black and white swans that

inhabit the lakes are third generation Burapha residents. It is difficult to choose my favourite Burapha hole so I will take the liberty of choosing a few. A 6 is a tricky par 3 with water ahead and right. It plays around 180 yards off the blue tee position and the tee shot must be straight. B 4 is the signature hole with an elevated tee presenting a clear view to a green surrounded by a bunker and water. C 9 requires a straight drive over water then a dangerous second to the elevated green guarded by a nasty bunker. The two level green rejects any ball that is hit too hard if

the approach has gone over the back. The short par 4 D 7 is reachable by the big hitters and so are the bunkers surrounding it. The green is only a few paces wide so the approach has to be perfect. I have seen many grown men cry after taking a triple bogey here! Burapha caddies are, in my opinion, one of the best trained in Pattaya. The caddy master puts new recruits through a rigorous induction programme which rejects any that cannot reach the required standard. A number of the caddies are also decent golfers (see our article on Playing Caddies in this issue) and the General Manager encourages them to play golf with the customers. So, Burapha ticks all the boxes for a great day out. A challenging course that is very playable by golfers of all

abilities, beautiful scenery, excellent course preparation and caddies that are professional and great fun. Their rates are very fair and I am sure you will want to return there again and again. There is a well-equipped driving range and putting greens plus male and female locker rooms, a pro shop and club restaurant too. www.buraphagolfthailand.com

Discover

Kuala Lumpur By Mike Bridge

Maybe not perhaps on the top of most golfers bucket list, KL however has a lot going for it as far as delivering a great golfing experience.

Destination

Bali Kuala Lumpur

Hole-5,-West-Course KLGCC

ithin easy reach of the city are a wide selection of courses, but here we look at our top three for fun, convenience and quality. Saujana, Royal Selangor and the Kular Lumpur Golf and Country Club.

The newer East course is the venue for the women’s LPGA tour , while the more well known West Course used to provide many dramas as the venue for the Asian’s tours Maybank Malaysia Open and now is the home for the only PGA tour event held in Asia.

Possibly the top Asian golf club. The beautiful fairways of Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC) lie in the unspoilt landscape of Bukit Kiara, just 8km away from the heart of the city of Kuala Lumpur.

Although a test for the top professionals, with numerous tee boxes, the course is also fair for all levels. The West Course has a lot of raised tees and very well maintained undulating fairways, allowing for some fairly long drives. A lot of the holes offer risk and reward opportunities, and water comes into play on 50% of the holes. The greens are quite large, but relying on the male caddies to read them is vital.

Currently hosting the Sime Darby LPGA Championships and the PGA’s CIMB Classic , the country club’s 36-hole courses greets over 100,000 golfing rounds a year. Originally designed by the professional architecture team of Robin Nelson and Rodney Wright, KLGCC first opened its doors in 1991. Today, it has become a landmark as the most luxurious golf resort development in Malaysia.

The owners Sime Darby have spent a fortune on upgrading the course, and even with some torrential downpours, the drainage is excellent, and play can resume within 20 minutes. Another feature at the KLGCC is the feeling of being away deep in the

country, when the city centre is only 20 minutes away. The abundance of the different varieties of trees, plants and flowers gives the feeling of playing at Augusta! All very relaxing. We played the West course and our favorites holes would be the second, a par four downhill with a green surrounded by bunkers and water on the left. Hole 5 downhill with a lake to cross with a large green in the background, is a possible birdie opportunity for long hitters. Hole 10 kicks off the back nine, with a drive off a raised tee down to a valley with a lake on the right to be avoided. Second shot uphill is likely to leave you still with a third blind shot onto a fairly tricky green. The view from the 14th is spectacular, and most players can make the green here in two. The most difficult hole though is left for the end, the long par 5 on the 18th. Even long hitters struggle to make the green here and there are

Hole-7,-East-Course KLGCC numerous bunkers to avoid that guard the undulating green ahead. A great finishing hole to end your round. The facilities here are incredible with a state of the art driving range with fake lakes and bunkers. The clubhouse is vast and it has an indoor bowling alley, five restaurants, excellent lockers with credit card keys and even a line dancing club! Well worth a visit. For more information visit www.klgcc.com Although the KLGCC is a tough act to follow, it is also worth grabbing a taxi and checking out Royal Selangor Golf Club (RSGC) now home to the Maybank Championship Malaysia which Marcus Fraser from Australia won last January RSGC is a members only golf club, however you maybe able to get a tee time if you know a member or possibly if you book through a local golf tour operator. The RSGC offers two 18-hole championship courses and a short 9-hole option. Their historic Old Course at 6,742 yards has been the venue for many international tournaments. The New Course at 6,605 yards, is another fine 18-holes with undulating greens and generous fairway. While the 45 holes are accessible on foot, each hole offers a different play

Hole-15,-West-Course KLGCC

Destination

Kuala Lumpur

experience and challenges to test oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s golfing approach. Multiple tees ensures that golfers of varying skill levels will enjoy their game. www.thersgc.com Finally another great club to visit would be Saujana Golf & Country Club. Back in 1985 they created on four hundred acres of freehold plantation land two 18hole golf courses, a clubhouse and hotel. Designed by the California-based golf architect Ronald Fream they opened the Palm Course carved out of an oil palm plantation consisting of a rugged terrain with slopes which drop to steep ravines, followed by the Bunga Raya Course, with a wide expanse of water and undulating greenery. www.saujana.com.my

Editors Note: For us living in Pattaya it is now very affordable and easy to travel there as Air Asia fly direct from U Tapao airport for times a week. When we last checked you could stay in a four star hotel for four nights with return airfare all for under THB10,000. Or a shorter two nights all in for just THB4,819. Enjoy following the stars of the LPGA and PGA tours when you play both courses at the KLGCC, but remember to book early at all these great courses as they are very popular.

West Couse 18th set up for a Championship Event

Course Report Silky Oaks by Callum Mackie Silky Oaks Golf Club is the latest addition to the St. Andrews/Green Valley golf complex. The course originally opened with a number of the fairways shared. The course has now been upgraded to a full 18-hole course with no shared fairways.

esigned and constructed by the St Andrews management, it measures 6,774 yards off the blue tees but don’t be fooled into thinking this course plays short. Unusually, the course comprises 5 par 3’s, 5 par 5’s and 8 par 4’s. With 4 of the par 3’s measuring under 150 yards, the course feels much longer than the yardage. Silky Oaks features generous fairways and large greens making it playable by golfers of all abilities. However, there are many trees and natural hazards on the course that require you to bring a good short game with you. The short par 3’s are tricky – particularly the 14th that is a blind shot uphill to an elevated green. Wind can play a big factor so club selection is crucial. Go short and the ball will roll back down. Go long and you will be over the back rolling downhill away from the green. The course shares a clubhouse with St Andrews/Green Valley and it is a

5-minute buggy ride to the first tee. Construction is underway on a new clubhouse and course extension with the aim of elevating Silky Oaks to a premium course that will rival St Andrews 2000. The opening hole and the 10th hole both require carries of more than 150 yards over water so choose your tee box carefully. We played off yellow tees that were challenging enough for high handicappers. I like the variety of holes at Silky Oaks due to the natural, undulating terrain and the clever placement of water hazards. The drinks stations at the highest points on the course offer great views of the whole golf complex. It is difficult to choose one favourite hole. The par 4 fourth has a blind drive with a dog leg right to a downhill fairway. The par 5 fifth is an interesting layout with water coming into play on your drive and second shot. The 9th and 10th holes are both par 5’s requiring accuracy and length so they could be considered Amen corner. The

Silky Oaks

2 reens

15th is a cunning design where you drive over the water to a rather narrow fairway. The key to playing the hole is finding the right landing area for your drive. The closing 18th is another par 5 with water bisecting the fairway so a long drive is essential or else you must lay up on your second shot. Carts are compulsory (one player per cart) and the caddies are shared with St Andrews and Green Valley. The clubhouse has several outlets that are run as franchises. We enjoyed the German beer bar serving draught beer and excellent German fare. There is a large function room that will cater for large groups and tournaments. In summary, Silky Oaks is a fun, challenging course and a great day out. Callum Mackie is the Chairman of Solar Golf Travel. www.solargolf.com

New Kiosk

Mega Final Party in Pattaya The East Coast Golf Course Management Association hosted a massive party at Non Nooch Garden, attended by over 800 competitors and guests to celebrate all the four tournaments that took place on Monday September 26th.

he finals of Thailand Golf Festival, The Pattaya Golf Festival and an international challenge were hosted at Laem Chabang, Burapha and Waterside along with the grand final of the Singha Amazing Caddie Championship at Siam Country Club’s Old Course. Since May qualifying rounds were held around the country with over 800 Thai female caddies competing for 120 places in the Grand final. They were then joined by caddies from China, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam, who all played on the Old Course, the exact same course used by the Honda LPGA Thailand professionals. The caddies were supported by the Siam Country Club’s regular caddies who were able to pass on their course knowledge to the playing caddies. The standard of play was very high with several caddies driving over 260 yards, and the eventual top three Thai winners came from Laem Chabang, Siam Plantation, Plutaluang Navy Course all scoring in the low 80’s. In the international groupings the eventual winner with a score of eighty was Somkuan Kulpa from Thailand followed by caddies from Japan and China.

To be honest all the caddies were winners and this popular event helps to provide them with a better understanding of the game. It also goes a long way to improve the service they give to the many golf vacationers who come to Thailand to enjoy the countries 240 golf courses. A win win situation for everyone!

IMG ANNOUNCES A New Golf Course in Pattaya IMG the global leader in sports, events, media and fashion has signed an agreement with Chartered Square Holding Company Limited, one of Thailandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading corporations to manage The Master Golf Resort, located in the vibrant golf market of Pattaya, Thailand.

Chan Buddha that has been laser cut into the cliff-side of an adjoining mountain, and will be visible from every hole on the golf course.

Currently under construction, the 18 hole, Par 72 layout is set on a stunning 100 ha site overlooking the Khao Chee

Designed by Golfplan the course is being built to championship specifications and will be capable of hosting International sanctioned tournaments. The property will also feature a stunning full service clubhouse that will provide panoramic

estined to become one of Thailandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier golf clubs, The Master Golf Resort, located in Silverlake, is only a short 30-minute drive from downtown Pattaya and is projected to open for play in late December 2017.

views of the golf course. The course will be turfed with Zoysia on the fairways and rough with greens likely to be Tif Eagle. The layout will have attractive elevation changes with water hazards in play on 11 of the 18 holes. The course is located next to the Silverlake Winery and leisure park which will offer golfers a great day out. Silverlake host winery tours, tasting and dinners for

The Masters Underconstruction visitors, so a round of golf at the Masters can be combined with and afternoon and evening at Silverlake Winery. “We are delighted to partner with Chartered Square Holding whose vision for this stunning property has led to IMG being engaged to provide our world class management services” said Paul Burley, IMG Senior Vice President and Global Head of Golf Course Services. Narit Chia-apar, Chairman of Chartered Square Holding added “We are proud to have secured such a unique site and working with IMG will enable our vision of creating a quality international golf experience to soon come to fruition. We have great expectations for The Master Golf Resort and are excited to have IMG involved in our golf course, as we know they have an unparalleled track record in Asia of establishing and managing successful high end clubs”. IMG has designed many award-winning golf courses and currently manages over 25 world class clubs across the globe.

The Master Masterplan

Discover

South Africa By Andre Coetzee

I wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be able to write nearly all the experiences we had in this report; it was a jam packed tour, fitting in a monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth of experiences in just eleven days.

uffice to say that the tour has been a great success, everything went like clockwork (albeit a bit rushed at times), and the only thing that did not play its part was an unseasonal cold front with somewhat rainy and windy weather which isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t supposed to happen at this time of year. We will for sure be back, first with a tour in Feb 2018 to the Northern part of the country, and then back again to the Western Cape in Feb 2019.

Our tour started off in Cape Town with a scenic drive and trip up Table Mountain and a fabulous seafood dinner at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Next day, we played the unbelievable Pearl Valley Golf Course where several Sunshine tour events and South African championships have been held before. Some guys said was the most beautiful course they played (only to rescind it days later in exchange for even more

spectacular courses). This course is nestled in the Hottentots Mountains from virtually all sides, and no matter which hole you play, it has a picturesque landscape backdrop. We regarded this day as a warm up match for various reasons, with the next four rounds counting as our competition rounds. Day 3, and we took the group to enjoy some great Western Cape experiences, starting with an early morning visit to

Table Mountain Victoria and Alfred waterfront South Africa

See our tourgroup scampering to get the furthest South?

De s t i nat ion

South Africa

a strawberry farm where you can pluck and eat as many strawberries as you like. For the guys reading this, it does sound corny until you actually do it, and then you find out how much fun it actually is. Afterwards, we visited a typical Sunday farm fair with unbelievably good homemade food and snacks, a fun atmosphere with shows, events etc. Hard to put in words until you experienced one of these in the Western Cape. Then we went to Kanonkop wine farm where we had a wine tasting session with some great wines which cost next to nothing when you buy it on the farm. My favorite was the 2013 Merlot which sold for Thb 200 a bottle and would easily be as good as a Thb 6,000 bottle of red wine you will find in a restaurant in Thailand! Pity one cannot bring a few case loads of these wines back with you! The lunch we had on the farm was a traditional South African Sunday roast which consisted mostly of the best meat (roast, pork, lamb, chicken) you can ever lay your hands on. Vegetables and Salads were perfect, but being South African, the emphasis is definitely on the meat. Even the Thai ladies developed a taste for great meat and equally enjoyed it!

Day 4 was golf at Clovelly Country Club, a suburban golf course with a high population of member golfers. It was a great course by any standards, but probably the least spectacular of the courses on this tour. Steve Mann clearly enjoyed this course most with a stunning 40 points, followed by Steve Plant and Ed Turner who had 36 points. After golf, Tawan brought all the ladies to the golf club from where we went to visit Boulder Beach, home to 100’s of Penguins and a sight to be seen as they get on with their daily business. Day 5 started by checking out of our hotels at the Waterfront, and a drive up the coast through some spectacular Cape town suburbs, culminating with a drive through Chapman’s Peak and a photo stop at the top for an incredible view over Houtbaai. (See Pictures). Then it was off to Arabella, the number 1 rated course in the Western cape and the 4th rated course in South Africa where we played a round in the afternoon and stayed overnight. In hindsight, we should have stayed here for two nights and played two rounds, it’s that good. It is a truly challenging course

with spectacular holes capturing the imagination (in my case I unfortunately keep hitting them where I imagine not to!) A tough course with the winner being Keith Etherington on 32 points, followed by David Davies on 31 and Barry Copestake on 29. Day 6 took us to the Southernmost part of Africa, Cape Aghullas, an almost 2 hour drive through some spectacular hillside scenes of endlessly flowing wheat farms. We had lunch at the Southern most restaurant in Africa with some very hospitable hosts. After the usual pictures marking our arrival at the place where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans are divided around the African continent, we set of for our final accommodation spot at a privately held game farm near the town of Mossel Bay. Dinner was a big surprise with exotic meats like Crocodile, Ostrich, Blue Wildebeest, Gemsbok, Kudu etc. and the most friendly and accommodating staff you could wish for. Staying in pitch black luxury tents amongst all the wild animals may seem scary, but our tour group quickly settled in to enjoy the beauty and luxury. Even showering

The spectacular Peal Valley Course - Keith Etherington Putting away outside in rather chilly weather didn’t put a damper on things and literally no one complained (or some just skipped showering altogether perhaps)! Day 7 and having some pretty bad, rainy weather with a chilly wind that blows right through the skimpy clothes we brought along, we were brave (or foolish) enough to think we could tackle the most beautiful and spectacular course I ever played, Pinnacle Point. We didn’t get past hole 8 when driving rain and a howling wind made us give up on the day. Luckily, they were kind enough to give us a raincheck for the Sunday which was our off day, and we would return again to this fabulous course a few days later. In the meantime, the ladies enjoyed the luxuries of the spa, horse riding and game drives. Day 8 and we’re off through the Mountain pass towards Oudtshoorn, where we spend a couple of hours at an Ostrich farm learning all about these strange animals. The highlight was the bravery of Ann, Phil’s girllfriend who decided to ride an Ostrich. We all rolled laughing as she held on for dear life

around the short pen. On the way back we drove another route through George where we passed Fancourt, Ernie Els’ signature course and in the afternoon we all went for a game drive in some more freezing weather to learn about the habits of the magnificant animals in the farm. After that we had a fabulous dinner set out with some more great wine and braaivleis, the South African version of a barbecue. Day 9 early and some of the folks were off to go visit the lions and walk with them. Most people regard this as the most extraordinary experience of the trip. These are not sedated, caged lions - they are the real thing and although they live in the wild, they have grown up from kitten size with humans around them so they know exactly what to do and they view the wardens as part of their extended family (and a source for easy food if they behave)! After a lot of talking about do and dont’s, off into the field we go with the lions, us being closely guarded by 5 wardens on the journey, just in case the lions develop an appetite for one of us outsiders. These lions often hunt

animals getting into the enclosed farm, and they live unrestricted in the reserve so no sense in starting to behave silly with these powerful creatures as you cannot outrun them, cannot climb a tree better than them and definately cannot fight them! Great pictures with them though! Afterwards, we were off to the Ernie Els course in Oubaai, not as difficult and spectacular as Pinnacle point, but still a tough and sizable challenge. After golf, the thorny subject of rugby came up and we decided to stay in the bar to watch the match between England and South Africa. I was unfortunate enough to be amongst a crowd of poms taking delight in the Springboks getting pummeled once again. On the golfing side, Keith Etherington continued his good form and once again beat the rest of us with his solid 33 points. Steve Plant got 2nd place with 31 points and Andre Coetzee came 3rd with 30 points. Day 10, and our last day before heading back to Cape town the next day, and we went to play our rain checked round at Pinnacle Point where we played the 2nd forward tee box out of 4 available to

De s t i nat ion

South Africa

A lovely day at Clovelly Country Club men (6,200 yards). It is definitely not the best golf course in anyone’s books, simply because it is too difficult from the tee’s for especially the higher handicappers and due to the fact that you get sidetracked by the unbelievable scenery on just about every hole. There is honestly not any course in Thailand that even comes close from an aesthetics and scenery perspective, and I would argue that it is more scenic than even the likes of Pebble Beach, but the difficulty level with shear cliffs of a 100m down to a raging and furious ocean below is hard to find anywhere else. A 20knot wind and fairly cold weather definitely did not help, and it is clear by looking at the scores, with no one being able to beat Keith Etherington’s 28 points and 2nd and third places each having only 26 points from Andre Coetzee and Barry Copestake respectively.

The lowest score was from George Scott, who just couldn’t get away from the tee box and scored a miserable 8 points on the day. It begs the question: Would anyone love to play it again? The unanimous answer: Absolutely! Twice! Just get a bit warmer weather next time please! So, on our last evening, with the sounds of drums playing around a campsite fire, another great meal and more wine, we did the

Clovelly-Rated as one of the most popular member’s courses in South Africa prize presentation which overwhelmingly went to Keith Etherington, playing the most consistent golf amongst us. Steve Plant held things together well enough for a 2nd place, and Andre outpaced Steve Mann on the last day to get to 3rd place overall. Day 11, and everyone checked out and started the long and arduous journey back

to George airport for flights to Cape Town, whilst some of the group deciding to extend their fabulous holiday by another few days or weeks. Thank you for everyone joining, we certainly enjoyed it and by the looks and sound of things, so did those who joined us! For details of future tours visit www.outbackgolfbar.com

CASHING IN: WHERE TO GO IN FLAT MARKETS

enerally speaking, most investors will have shares or funds within their portfolio. However, if these investments don’t perform well, those investors may be left with disappointing returns, and a deflated wallet. The opinion on how well equity markets will perform in the future varies depending on who you ask. But, for those who are of the opinion that the markets will trade flat, or even decline, what are the options?

Fixed Return Funds Fixed return funds (technically named structured products) are an attractive solution for those who are uncertain about the future of the markets. They can be linked to the performance of underlying market indices, but are not identical to them. They can offer fixed rates of return over fixed investment periods, with an element of capital protection built in. One of the most popular types of is the Quarterly Income Note, and it is designed to do just that… pay an income to the investor…every quarter.

By Rob Rose Quarterly Income Note Let’s say, for example, you want to invest $50,000 into a QIN and it is linked to the performance of 3 indices (such as the F TSE 100, EURO STOXX 50 and HSCEI). On the start date of the QIN the value of each index would be jotted down on a piece of paper. This could simply be stuck to your fridge and for the duration of the QIN these 3 numbers would be the only reference points that you need. Very easy to monitor! Each quarter you would then look at the value of each index and, provided that none indices have fallen by a selected percentage range (normally around 30%), you would be paid a f ixed income payment. These payments are often around 1.75% per quarter, meaning that over the course of the year the return could be around 7% per annum. Whilst a 7% return isn’t going to make you fall off your chair with excitement, it is a substantially higher return than leaving your

cash in a current account. Many people leave their lump sum cash assets sitting idle, losing value and not generating income. With the QIN, the projected return beats inf lation, is f ixed and is a great way of boosting your income. As always, make your cash work hard, so you don’t have to. These can be a great option for those who are cautious of the market or looking to generate an income from your cash without taking huge risks.

Important Note - This article

contains general information only and is not intended to be taken as specific financial, investment, or tax advice. A personal analysis should always be obtained. If you need help or advice on any of the issues raised in the article or in any other area of your personal finances Rob can be reached as follows: Mobile: +66 852129792 Email:rob@bankingonbangkok.com Web: www.bankingonbangkok.com

We talk to a local golfer Callum Mackie Callum Mackie is a very friendly Scot who loves to follow Partick Thistle, his beloved Scottish football team, while running Solar Golf Travel with his son Stuart. 50

Ryder Cup 2016

allum told us that he originally played golf as a teenager, but because of business and travel commitments, he did not start playing golf regularly until he was 44yrs old back in the UK. He played at Badgemoor Golf Club in Henley. Later, he was travelling on business to Beijing and came over to Thailand on the way back for a short break. Someone invited him to join them at Laem Chabang and he thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Back in the UK he then saw an advert in a newspaper looking for a self-employed salesman to sell golfing holidays. He got the job, ended up going into partnership with them and started marketing golf holidays from the UK to Thailand. Eventually he took over the golf operations and eleven years ago moved to Thailand permanently, setting up here in Pattaya. Apart from handling 3,000 rounds of golf from up to 600 inbound golfers a year, Callum is also a great host and will often take his clients to the course and join them for a few rounds. He runs a family business and many of his clients count him and his son Stuart as friends first and as tour operators second. Callum has the golfer’s white feet, as he loves his golf and on average plays at least twice a week around Pattaya. He also inspects and plays on many courses

in Thailand and overseas when he is planning future golf destinations. So, what would Callum’s suggestions be when selecting where to play? ‘As most of his clients will arrive on a long-haul flight, they naturally want to play the best courses in the region. That means the Siam Country Clubs three courses, St Andrews 2000, Leam Chabang and Burapha’, said Callum. If you live here and are looking for value then he suggests The Emerald, Silky Oaks or Eastern Star which are also very good golf courses. All the courses Solar Golf uses here are not more than an hour’s drive away, in fact generally between 30-40 minutes.

trousers around his ankles. He apparently took a practice swing and knocked the ball off the tee. His partners allowed him to re take the shot on the basis that it had not passed the ladies tee, but he could only replay the shot with his trousers down. He took an eight iron and it rolled into the hole. Did he then buy everyone a drink? ‘ No, being a Scotsman, I never buy any rounds of Drinks”.

Hole in one

One question his clients always ask is how much should they tip their caddies. Callum suggests THB400, however he normally gives them THB500 and perhaps another THB100 for any birdies on the card. At certain courses like Burapha, Solar Golfhave a pool of caddies that they can recommend and will pre -book them for their own clients. His handicap was 18 but has slipped currently to 25 and his favorite club would be his utility club. His son pipes up saying he thought his favorite club was his umbrella!!! Finally, Callum has the unique distinction of being the only golfer in Thailand to get his hole in one with his

Playing Caddies You may have already experienced a round of golf here in Pattaya, and will know how helpful it is to have an experienced Thai caddie on your bag, who really knows her course back to back.

ell over the past five years the East Coast Golf Course Management Association (EGA) have been encouraging caddies to improve their knowledge of the sport by actually letting them play golf themselves on their own course. It has been so successful, that the EGA now organise the Singha Amazing Thailand Caddie Championship every year, with over 800 Thai female caddies entering from all over the country. One golf course , Burapha Golf Club, has taken this a step further, and some of their top players are now avaible to play a competitive round of golf with guests and members. At Burapha near Pattaya, they have several caddies who are fast becoming popular as good players and are being regularly booked to play with members and visitors.

entered the Caddie Championship in 2015 and 2016 when she managed to qualify for the Grand Final at the Siam Country Club’s Old Course.

fell about laughing as the one golfer they picked had lots of R’s in his name which Thais in particular have difficulty pronouncing!

On average she caddies four times a week but in high season she can sometimes caddie twice in one day. Hong said that once a Japanese golfer she was caddying for made a hole in one and he was so happy he gave her a THB6,000 tip!

Mike Mesommonta the GM at Burapha actively encourages those caddies who wish to play golf to use the course on quite days, and the club even helps by providing free golf clubs and even some coaching.

Both caddies said by playing the game it gave them a much better understanding of the game. Both would love to play fulltime like the Thai LPGA players.

Both Nong and Hong do get booked a lot now, as the word is spreading about their golfing talents. So if you would like to book either of them we suggest you call the club well in advance.

Finally I asked them to name their favorite player and both told me they liked a certain Lory McIloy. We all

Don’t be surprised if they beat you....but it is all done with a big smile....well it is the Land of the Smiles remember!

Normally you will pay a caddie fee at the clubhouse and then after your round you will tip your caddie. If you wish to book a “ playing caddie”, then you still pay her caddie fee and a reasonable tip at the end of 18 holes, however she will also need her own caddie which you will be asked to pay for as well. We recently booked two playing caddies Khun Nong caddie 205 and Khun Hong caddie 170. They both turned up with their clubs and immediately looked very impressive, both paring the first hole. Hong we later found out was the actual winner of the 2015 Caddie Championship, and she and Ning had made it into the final of this year’s Championship. When Hong won, she received a new golf bag, THB5,000, plus a golf trip up to Chiang Rai. 23 year old Hong is naturally a very talented player, and is driving at around 220 yards, and both her short game and putting were very good too. She has in fact made it to the final of the championship on all four years! She told us she has many regular golfers who book her to caddie for them, and both she and Ning also told me they played full rounds with around nine members and visitors to Burapha last year. Ning who is only 21 yrs old, had already worked at the club for eight years, starting partime when she was still at school. She told me she started playing golf when she was 15 yrs old and had

Riviera Wins Big Award This year, the 11th Thailand Property Awards was held at The Royal Meridien hotel Plaza Athenee in Bangkok.

ver 600 guests saw leading Pattaya Property Developers ‘The Riviera Group’ pick up the Eastern Seaboards most prestigious award, ‘The Best Luxury Condominium 2016’. The Riviera Group owner Winston Gale said “I am delighted we won with The Riviera Wongamat Beach, but it’s great for everyone in the team too who have worked tirelessly for the project. It’s a good pat on the back for everyone involved.” The Riviera is a two tower project with a 45 and 42 level luxury High-Rise condominium development located in Wongamat, North Pattaya. The 3.8b THB project is 85% sold and is set to become a highly sought-after prestigious address when complete in late 2017.

DECORUM FURNITURE

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Visit, www.decorum-thailand.com 57

Where to DINE

Every day is a beautiful day !

Ruffino Restaurant & Lounge located on rooftop of Centara Grand Phratamna Pattaya caters to those relaxing poolside or enjoing a sea view and serve comfort food and a choice of dishes inspired by Italian flavour. In Bangkok they love there roof top dinning and here in Pattaya there are a few lofty restaurants and bars to enjoy that alfresco moment. One venue which may appeal is Ruffinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s restaurant and

bar sitting on top of the Centara Grand Pratamnak with exceptional views towards Koh Larn. Serves Italian coastal cuisine along with the wines of world class award winning Italian wine house Ruffino.

The restaurant also serves succulent comfort food to guests relaxing poolside and with its laid-back setting and ocean views, Ruffino is a pleasant dining venue at any time of the day or night. Along with the extensive selection of

world class Ruffino wines, there is a wide choice of other wines from around the world which has been recognized by Wine Spectator with their certificate of excellence over the past 2 years, along with awards from Thailand Tatler for one of the best restaurants in Thailand and recognition from La Chaine Des Rotisseurs for holding several flawless dinners. Reward yourself and your loved ones to a most spectacular Sunset across the most beautiful panoramic ocean view of the Thai gulf second to none. Ruffino Sunset Chill out stress featuring great deals daily 17.00 – 19.00 hrs. Try our authentic wood fired home made pizzas to take away every day with prices starting from 220 THB which are available from 12.00 – 22.30 hrs. One cannot think well , love well , sleep well and golf well the next day if one has not dined well Ruffino Restaurant & Lounge , Great rooftop Italian Restaurant with a beautiful views across the gulf serving A la carte , Pizza , Pasta and splendid signature dishes. You may find Italian everywhere in Pattaya but there’s only one Ruffino in South east Asia and it is just us … Ruffino at Centara Grand Phratamnak Pattaya.

Visit us at https://www.facebook.com/ RuffinoPattaya/?fref=ts

Ruffino is unique in its design, atmosphere and 5 star service. We are sure your experience at Ruffino Restaurant and Lounge will be a memorable one.

Ruffino Bubbles Promotion Buy 1 Bottle of Lombard Champagne Get another 1 Bottle of Lombard Champagne FREE

Ruffino Special Wine Promotion Buy 1 Bottle Get 1 Bottle FREE Every Monday – Wednesday – Friday from 18.00 – 21.00 hrs.

Every day from 12.00 – 23.00 hrs. Opening Hours : Ruffino Lounge 08.00 – 23.00 hrs. Pool 06.30 – 20.00 hrs. Restaurant 18.00 -22.30 hrs. For more information , please contact Supparatch Piyawatcharapun ( Amy ) Public Relations Manager Centara Grand Phratamnak Pattaya M : ( 081 ) 261-1022 E : supparatchpi@chr.co.th

TO BANGKOK

TO CHACHOENGSAO

314 7 34 315

3 AMATA SPRING C.C.

CHONBURI

315

349

3 331

344

8 3138 MOUNTAIN SHADOW G.C. 1 BANGPRA G.C. 22 PLEASANT VALLEY G.C.C. 7 KHAO KHEOW C.C.

CRYTAL BAY G.C.

BAN BUNG

SIRACHA

WANGJUNTR G.P.

344

GREEN WOOD G.C. 5

3241

TREASURE 18 HILL G.C.C.

AO UDOM

PATTAVIA CENTURY G.C.

LAEM CHABANG

331 PATTANA

BURAPHA G.C.

SPORT CLUB & RESORT

3138

9 LAEM CHABANG G.C.

3245

MINI SIAM

SIAM C.C. WATERSIDE

PATTAYA

SIAM C.C. 14 OLD COURSE

ASIA PATTAYA HOTEL

Siam Royal View

26 21

PARICHAT INTERNATIONAL GOLF LINKS PATTAYA C.C.

SIAM C.C. PLANTATION

3376

16 11

RAYONG GREEN VALLEY C.C.

PHOENIX GOLD GOLF 23 & C.C. PATTAYA ST. ANDREWS 2000 G.C.

331

3376

332 ROYAL THAI NAVY PLUTALUANG G.C. SATTAHIP

3375

15 U TAPAO AIRPORT

THE EMERALD G.C.

3191

SILKY OAK C.C.

BAN CHANG

EASTERN STAR G.C.

TO RAYONG

Golf Course Directory 1. Bangpra Golf Club 2. Crytal Bay Golf Club 3. Burapha Golf Club 4. The Emerald Golf Club 5. Green Wood Golf Club 6. Eastern Star Country Club 7. Khao Kheow Country Club 8. Mountain Shadow Golf Club 9. Leam Chabang Golf Club

10. Pattana Golf Club & Resort 11. Phoenix Gold Golf & Country Club Pattaya 12. Pattavia Century Golf Club 13. Silky Oak Country Club 14. Siam Country Club Old Course 15. Plutaluang Navy Golf Course 16. Rayong Green Valley Country Club 17. Siam Country Club Waterside

18. Treasure Hill Golf & Country Club 29. Asia Pattaya Hotel 20. Siam Country Club Plantation 21. Pattaya Country Club 22. Pleasant Valley Golf & Country Club 23. St Andrews 2000 24. Wangjuntr Golf Park 25. Amata Spring Country Club 26. Parichat International Golf Links

COURSE DIRECTORY

website: www.bangpragolf.co.th Email: tiwa@bangpragolf.co.th Tel: +66 (0) 38 341149-50

Tel: +66 (0) 38 349 370-4

Bangpra Golf Club is the one of the oldest golf courses in Thailand.

Birdies: A longish course but with some birdie opportunities.

Constructed on a total area of 550 rai, it celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2007. Originally Bangpra Golf occupied only 9 golf holes, however they added another 9 holes, and further improvements were assigned by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Bogeys: The course has some of the most difficult greens to putt in Thailand

Crystal Bay Golf Resort This 27-hole Golf Resort course was designed by Japanese designed Thai Takenaka and opened for play in 1988. It is located near Sriracha some 45 minutes from Pattaya and 1.5 hours from Bangkok. Described as a Hawaiian style course with palm tree lined holes, Crystal Bay has good tee boxes, lush fairways and fair greens.

Watch out forâ&#x20AC;Ś.Tourists in particular will enjoy playing alongside monkeys who frequent a couple of the holes here!

Birdies: The rates charged make this a popular stop for locals and expats, and it does provide a fun round of golf close to the sea. Watch out for: Several birdie able holes and some potential holes in one here. Bogeys: The rates charged make this a popular stop for locals and expats, and it does provide a fun round of golf close to the sea.

COURSE DIRECTORY

Birdies: Perhaps one of the most spectacular holes Golf on courseClub B is the 4th a Burapha 403 yard par 4 off a raised tee down across a small lake onto a large landing area. Also the last 4 holes on D course are good fun with plenty of birdie opportunities. Watch Out Forâ&#x20AC;Ś. Course D takes in the highest part of the course with spectacular views across the valley to its neighbor Laem Chabang Golf Club.

Bogeys: Locker room is a bit old fashion, but is clean and has adequate showers etc. Summing Up: Overall if you want a number of challenges at a fair price then Burapha ticks all the boxes. There is a wellequipped driving range and putting greens plus male and female locker rooms, a pro shop and club restaurant. www.buraphagolfthailand.com

A well maintained 36 hole golf club located only 30km north of Pattaya makes Burapha Golf Club in Chonburi Thailand a popular stop for locals and tourists all year round. Designed by course architect Gary Panks and tour professional David Graham, they have cleverly incorporated the hilly countryside to create four sets of challenging nine holes. The West course is 7,100 yards and the East is 7,300 yards The club has hosted several championships including the Singha Pattaya Open which uses course B and D.

www.buraphagolfthailand.com Tel: +66 (0) 38-372-700-2

The local Pattaya Sports Club have also added silver tees just behind the Red Tees for their older players, who did not want the idea of playing off the ladies tees, but need that extra few yards to give them a chance of a good score. This course is very well maintained and the greens play quite fast as well. The caddies are very knowledgeable and many also play golf.

COURSE DIRECTORY

www.theemeraldgolf.com Tel: +66 38 941 111

The Emerald Located approximately 40 minutes’ drive east of Pattaya just past Bang Chang, this modest 18 hole course was supposedly designed way back by Sir Nick Faldo. A genuine country course with several single track holes, giving you the feel of playing in a peaceful ‘Hobbit’ style forest. The course which is actually carved through a pristine rain forest with mature trees, has it good and bad days but is always busy as their pricing is reasonable. Birdies: A very pleasant golfing

3 is across a valley up to a very steep green is a challenge. Well done if you make birdie here.

Watch out for: Some very fast and undulating greens especially on the par 3’s. A very friendly golf outing. Feels like you are playing in a green forest….very peaceful setting.

Bogeys : The locker rooms are very small and old fashioned with have padlocks instead of keys. The club house restaurant is open air so can be humid after a rain storm, but the beers are cool!!!

experience, with not so many bunkers but lots of mature trees lining the fairways plus a lot of grassy undulating raised greens. Their first par

www.gwgolfclub.com Tel: +66 38 263 158-9

Greenwood Golf Club Located around 40 minutes north of Pattaya , this country style 27 hole course (A,B and C nine holes) opened in 2007 was designed by the legendary Peter Thompson 5 times British Open Champion. There are three nine hole courses, styled as a Links, British and American Woodland style courses with Bermuda Dwarf on the greens and fairways Bermuda 419 for you technical golfers. Birdies: The fairways on course A seemed lusher and greener and most of the tees offered some ‘WOW’ factors. A good country outing!

Bogeys : Staff in pro shop spoke a little English which can be tiresome, but they are friendly. The locker rooms and showers were clean, and although the restaurant was a bit basic, the menu was extensive. Watch Out For...we especially liked the third and eight holes on Course A where you are driving downhill with a second shot over a valley with a small stream up to a raised green surrounded by bunkers.

COURSE DIRECTORY

Birdie: A great starting hole with a sloping green down to a lake.

Watch Out For: The topiary is everywhere including elephants and even what looks like the FA Cup on the dogleg at hole number two. Also yardage markers are quaint bird huts on long poles. Bogeys : Can be a bit slow at the weekends, as it is a popular course.

www.easternstargolfcourse.com Tel: +66 38 630 410

a true links course, it is only slightly above sea level in altitude. Eastern Star Country Club This links-style course located near the Gulf of Thailand, is one of only five courses in Thailand designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. Set on 530 acres of land the course features wide fairways and hundreds of coconut palm trees. The gently undulating fairways and greens feature 65 bunkers, 11 lakes and more than 2,200 coconut palm trees. The golf resort is conveniently just past Utupao Airport and is situated just 2 kilometers from the sea ensuring a constant cooling breeze. Like

Eastern Star has been the venue for local and regional golf tournaments. With open fairways this course will suit beginners and experienced golfers alike. There is a good practice area and driving range in addition to a basic clubhouse providing a wide range of facilities such as an Olympic sized beach pool, tennis courts and locker rooms.

COURSE DIRECTORY

Khao Kheow Country Club If you are a Pete Dye fan you will warm to this 27-hole championship course roughly 45 minutes along the Pattaya to Bangkok expressway. Dye has come up with some challenges for golf enthusiasts of every level. While offering exciting golf, these courses also provide the most spectacular and serene mountain vistas and climate.

www.khaokheowgolf.com Email: info@khaokheowgolf.com Tel: +66 (0) 2630391-3

Birdies: Dye has created a course that definitely takes you into the countryside, with lakes, fairly generous fairways, hilly fairways and undulating greens. Bogeys : Can be busy at weekends and attracts a few local golf society tournaments so book ahead. Watch out for: Being out near the mountains the course also has its fair share of winds too, making for a very pleasant round of golf.

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Mountain Shadow Golf Club Address : 159/1 Moo 2 Saensuk Rd. Muang Chonburi 20130 Tel : +66 38 393 019

Mountain Shadow Golf Club formerly the Natural Park Hill Golf Club, re-opened 2004 after a complete renovation. Crystal halfway Bay Golf ResortBangkok and Located between This 27-hole GolfFream Resort course18was Pattaya, this Ronald designed holes is by Japanese designed Thai adesigned par 72 running at 6,722 yards. Takenaka and formango play inplantation 1988. It was crafted outopened of a former with beautiful flowers and trees providing a It is located near Sriracha some 45 backdrop to each hole. minutesand from Pattaya andin 1.5 hours from Fairways greens are kept reasonably Bangkok. Described as a Hawaiian style good condition. Utilizing water hazards, doglegs course lined holes, and four with islandpalm greenstree to good effect, theCrystal Bay has short good18-hole tee boxes, fairways relatively courselush is well suited for and fair golfers of greens. all levels.

Birdies: A very pretty course and an enjoyable round of golf is guaranteed. Watch out for: Greens are fast and generally have large undulations. Bogeys: The narrow palm tree lined fairways make it a challenge to recover from errant tee shots. Adding to the difficulty is also the relative long distance between the tees and the fairways. Shorter tee shots often wind up in the difficult to hit out of semi rough.

COURSE DIRECTORY

Birdie: Their Valley course is perhaps the most exciting nine holes in the region. Jack really asks you to think about your strategy here on every hole. Watch Out For: Pattaya’s only night course as their Lakes nine holes are flood lite allowing for play up to midnight. They have also renovated their large clubhouse which serves excellent buffets with live music in the evenings too! No need to rush back after your round

here. Leam Chabang also has a hotel, golf lodge, a large pro shop and swimming pool. Bogeys: A popular course, so expect some delays especially on the tee boxes at the weekends.

The name “Jack Nicklaus” is very well known for the golfers all over the world, and this is one of his best designers anywhere, which he likes to recommend... It is now has been 20 years old since the course opened, and it still preserves a very good layout. The course itself has been improved using Paspalum on the fairways which are same as tee boxes, and the greens with 9.0 speed Tiff Eagle. The golf course has 27 holes, separated into course A, B and C. Each course has its own outstanding characteristics and each is named by geography.

www.laemchabanggolf.com Email: info@laemchabanggolf.com Tel: +6682 2223031-3

Course A (Mountain) according to the landscape of the course, the player has to cross over several hills with sloping fairways. Course B (Lake) has 9 holes with water hazards instead of the forest bunkers on the A Course. The outstanding hole here is hole 6 B, where players have to play down through the hill with the big lake between the fairways and green. The course C (Valley) 9 holes are different from course A and B, which are integrated into the mountain and lake. Since the fairways are slightly narrower, and there are a lot of water hazards this course C offers the most difficult challenge.

COURSE DIRECTORY

www.pattana.co.th Email: Marketing@pattana.co.th Tel: 038-318-999 Golf Reservation: 038-263-378-9 3-storey Clubhouse with all the supporting services and amenities including locker rooms, pro shop, spa, international restaurants, and function rooms. We welcome all guests with great ambiance and full services to ensure that each golfing experience is an unforgettable one.

The Pattana Driving Range is the best place to shape and hone golf skills. With well marked distance signage, chipping green, real grass option, on-site snack bar and automatic ball dispensers, there is no limit to your drive for perfection.

ISO 9001 : 2008 10

Pattana Golf Club & Resort is an all encompassing recreational sports resort destination dedicated to individuals, families, and groups with a healthy inspired way of living. Located a mere 90 minutes from Bangkok, and neighboring the coastal areas

of Bangsaen, Pattaya, and Rayong, the 400-acre resort property boasts a 27-hole championship golf course, full range of premium accommodations, amenities, meeting and event facilities, and a quality stadium with a 7,000-person capacity.

COURSE DIRECTORY

Birdie: Signature hole is the par 3 hole 7 on the Ocean course. Be careful of the winds so club selection is vitalâ&#x20AC;Ś.listen to your caddie.

Bogeys : Mountain course is currently closed so players are using the new Ocean and Lakes courses. Still a very popular set up and close to the city too.

Watch Out For: Some holes have magnificent views of the ocean and Silverlake in the distance. Being mainly on high ground there are welcome breezes most of the year to keep you cool.

www.phoenixgoldgolf.com Email: reservation@phoenixgoldgolf.com Tel: +66 (0) 38 239 400 Mobile +66 (0) 84 873 5363

Phoenix Gold Golf & Country Club Pattaya Perhaps the nearest golf course to central Pattaya, Phoenix Gold is only 25 minutes away.

Piraporn has worked his magic on the Ocean and Mountain courses and the Lakes course has just re opened as well. The yardage is Mountain at 3,449 yards, Lake at 3,261 yards and Ocean at 3,363 yards.

Originally designed by Denis Griffiths in 1993, this 27 hole course has recently been upgraded on instructions of the new owners by Piraporn Nimatra, who designed Banyan in Hua Hin.

Facilities include a driving range, restaurant, Pro-shop, several meeting rooms and separate male and female locker rooms.

COURSE DIRECTORY

www.pattaviagolf.com Tel: +66 (0) 81-304 1545

www.standrews2000golf.com Email : golfing@standrews2000golf.com Tel : 081-940818, 038-030660-2

Pattavia Century Golf Club. Recently Bay Crystal takenGolf overResort by Chang the This Golf this Resort course was major27-hole Thai brewery, 18 hole country designed by Japanese Thai course originally opened in designed 1993 has had the Takenaka and opened forminimalistic play in 1988. course up graded and a new clubhouse built between the 1st and 18th Itholes. is located near Sriracha some 45 minutes from Pattaya andcourse, 1.5 hours Although not a championship the from Bangkok. Describedthe asfairways a Hawaiian layout was interesting, werestyle OK course with palm lined holes,Maybe Crystal and the greens were tree in good condition. Bay has good boxes, back lush so fairways the rough could tee be trimmed you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t and greens. needfair a mine detector to find your errant ball!

Birdies: For value for money Pattavia is hard to equal, if you enjoy a leisurely stroll around a well maintained country golf course. Watch out for: We found the greens were quick so listen to the caddies, as their undulations are often extreme. Bogeys : Not easy to find, (they need a few road signs!!!) it is around a 50 minute drive from Pattaya along the 331 about 2 kms north of Treasure Hill. At the top of the hill there is currently a small sign Pattavia so turn right and drive for another 7kms.

Silky Oak Country Club Located near Rayong, about 40 minutes from Pattaya, Silky Oak shares the same Crystal Bayclubhouse Golf Resort location and with the St Andrews This Resort course 200027-hole Golf Club Golf and the Rayong Green was Valley designed by Japanese designed Thai Country Club. Takenaka andthis opened for par play72incourse 1988. Opened in 2010 7,135 yard gets its name after a native of Australian tree Itthat is located Sriracha 45 resemblesnear a pine and is thesome main tree minutes from Pattaya 1.5 hours from planted throughout the golfand course.

Birdies: Most holes on the course play to panoramic views of the surrounding hills. Least busy of the three courses so you should have no delays here.

Bangkok. Described as a Hawaiian style course with palm tree lined holes, Crystal Bay has good tee boxes, lush fairways and fair greens.

Watch out for: The half-way houses located on top of the hills have extra special breathtakingly scenery. Be sure to stop here between nines to really take in the magic of the area. Bogeys : Make sure you arrive early as it is a 10 minute drive by golf cart from the clubhouse to the first hole.

COURSE DIRECTORY

Birdies: The condition of the course is always immaculate and certainly the first hole driving down to some menacing bunkers and an undulating green will certainly test your nerves.

Watch out for: Everything works like clockwork here, as you are called onto the first tee and set off on your adventure, don’t be late!! Pattaya. Bogeys : Due to its popularity during high season it is vital to book well in advance, to avoid disappointment.

www.siamcountryclub.com Tel +66 (0)38 909700

The Old Course boosts an 18 hole Championship course, and has hosted many golfing events such as the Thailand Open four times, Asian Golf Circuits and the latest a world class tournament “Honda LPGA Thailand”. The Old Course was constructed back in September 1969, originally designed by I. Izumi, and has just been completely renovated with Mr. Lee Schmidt of Schmidt-Curley Design Inc. as a course architect.

Only 15 minutes from Pattaya and 75 minutes via motorway from Bangkok, the club is well worth a visit. You will need to book in advance and in the summer they are often closed on Monday’s. Siam Country Club also owns the adjacent 27 hole Siam Plantation course plus the latest offering the new Siam Waterside, making this the largest golf complex in Thailand.

A popular grass, Seashore Paspalum, was chosen for the fairways and Novotek for the greens. In addition, the 101 bunkers are there for beauty and challengers for all golfers alike.

COURSE DIRECTORY

www.plutaluangnavygolfcourse.com Telephone: +66 (0) 80 209 9175, +66 (0) 81 003 3811, +66(0) 33 679 932-3

www.standrews2000golf.com Tel: (+66 )38-030660-2

Plutaluang Navy Golf Course Not your normal course designer here as the course was actually designed by the Royal Thai Navy Committee. Primarily open to allow the large Navy base to have a course nearby, there are in fact there are 13,076 yards with 36 holes on offer here. Many locals play here as it offers great value. Located 33 kms east of Pattaya to set up includes a massive locker room with hot showers, Pro Shop, Driving Ranges, 2 Putting Greens, a large Restaurant, 150 new golf carts, and over 350 caddies.

Rayong Green Valley Country Club This 18 hole course is part of a Crystal Bay Resort mammoth golfGolf resort comprising of This 27-hole GolfStResort course wasSilky over 72 holes, with Andrews 2000 and designed Japanese Thai and Oaks also allby sharing a largedesigned joint club house Takenaka and opened for play in 1988. two onsite hotels.

ItRayong is located some 45 by Greennear ValleySriracha was designed in 1992 minutes fromtoPattaya and 1.5allhours from Peter Thomson accommodate levels of Bangkok. as a Hawaiian style players, andDescribed located between Rayong town course withthe palm tree holes, and Pattaya, course haslined a good layoutCrystal and Bay good tee boxes, lushfairways fairways offershas a solid challenge with wide up to and fair greens. relatively small undulating greens.

Birdies: Some raised tees add to the experience. Bogeys : Great prices so can be a bit slow if you are following a five ball. Watch out for: A full size Lighthouse on their par 3….photo opportunity here.

Birdies: Enjoy hole No 3. Although it has a fairly wide uphill fairway, Thompson has created some cleverly place bunkers around the raised green, so help from your caddie here is vital. But birdies are rewarded here. Watch out for: Some very well placed water hazards and bunkers with small tricky greens here…..but still one of the most enjoyable courses in the region. Bogeys : A very popular course with Scandinavian golf groups so best avoid those days when the tee off in large groups… can create a bottle neck.

COURSE DIRECTORY

Birdie: Holes 8 and 9 offer some wonderful challenges around the lake as does the finishing hole 18.

Watch Out For: Highlight of the Waterside apart from the course has to be their clubhouse with 180 degree view of the beauty of the course, lakes, creeks and landscape blending with natural surroundings. Good sized restauarant, pro shop and changing rooms all add to a five star service. Bogeys : Can be quite breezy here, however great in the hot summer.

www.siamcountryclub.com Tel : +66(0) 38 909 700

In May 2014 Siam Country Club launched it 3rd new golf course project in Thailand called Siam Country Club Pattaya Waterside. Now with 63 holes Siam Country Club has now become the biggest golfing resort in Thailand. The Waterside is an 18-hole, par 72, 7454 yards covering the area of 525 rai (200 acres) but holds the same championship qualities of the successes of the Old Course (18-hole) and Plantation (27-hole) on the property next door, which are already renowned golf courses among the best in Asia Pacific.The course was designed by IMG Golf Course Design,

one of the world renowned golf course architects and built by the same team who built Banyan in Hua Hin. Golfers will experience creation of design in harmony with nature. With many water-feature holes, including lakes and creeks in play, the course offers a great challenge from the back tees at the same time offering enjoyment for everyone from the regular tees.

COURSE DIRECTORY

www.treasurehill.co.th Tel : 038-420-766, 081-344-8002, 02-295-0856 Fax. 02. -295-0857

Treasure Hill Golf & Country Club Treasure Hill is a beautiful course with the natural environment where you can experience the serenity of the country side along with a good golf challenge with complex features at each hole. Opened over 20 years ago and designed by Mr.Yoshikazu Kato Treasure Hill who has paid meticulous attention to every hole on this par 72 course 7,241 yards course. A first sight the course may look simple. But when you start playing a round you understand that it will be a good challenge to play your handicap. Located around 40 minutesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; drive from Pattaya, Greenwood and Pattavia Century golf clubs are also nearby

Birdies: This course has some smallish occasional water hazards to negotiate and fewer than usual bunkers that are a bit larger than normal, and there are several dogleg holes demanding that you position your tee shots carefully. Bogeys : This golf course sits on foothill terrain that makes it quite challenging, with sloping fairways and greens. Even the avid golfer may find it challenging to play their normal shots on this course. Watch out for: Club house restaurant serving Thailand, China, Japan, and the local food, wine, beer, soft drinks, plus they have a Jacuzzi to get rid of those aches.

Tel : 038 250401-11 www.asiahotel.co.th/asia_pattaya.htm

Asia Pattaya Hotel Right in the heart of Pattaya on Pratamnak Crystal Golf Resort Road SoiBay 4 (between South Pattaya and This 27-hole Golf was Jomtien Beach) is aResort great parcourse 3 course nine designed byowned Japanese hole course by the designed Asia PattayaThai hotel. Takenaka and opened for play 1988. 968 yards from the back tees this isina handy par 27 course. ItConsidered is locatedanear some 45 good Sriracha course to improve your minutes from anddue 1.5 to hours from short game andPattaya rescue shots the fairly Bangkok. Described as a Hawaiian rough surface. Very conveniently locatedstyle course with holes, Crystal next to the seapalm at thetree end lined of Pratumnak Soi Bay hashire good tee boxes, lush 4, they clubs and balls, so tonefairways up your and fair greens. short game here before venturing out to conquer one of the 22 local courses.

Birdies: Great place to practice on some fairly tricky greens. Watch out for: Beginners may hold you up. Bogey : Not in tip top condition, but the greens are well maintained.

COURSE DIRECTORY

Birdie: Being on the side of a hill, all 27 holes get a fair breeze which is great in the hot months. They also have a good variety of snacks and cool drinks at the on course kiosks here.

Watch Out For: First class service all the way especially the very well trained caddies and they have one of the best club houses in the region. Popular with lots of corporate and local tournaments so best to book ahead. Bogeys : Some of the greens really are extremely difficult to read, and with 205 bunkers you will need youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a game here.

www.siamcountryclub.com Tel : +66 (0) 38 909 700

Opened in 2008 this monster 27 hole course was designed by Scmidt â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Curley Design and hosted the 2009 Honda LPGA Thailand and also the unique Singha Amazing Thailand Caddie Championship finals.

There are quite a lot of WOW factor holes here and to be honest whether you play the 3,736 yard Sugar Cane course, the 3,752 yard Tapioca course or the 3,645 yards Pineapple course they all offer some wonderful challenges.

There is a good driving range to allow players to warm up first, along with a large putting green and practice area near the first tees. Carts are compulsory and necessary here as it is quite hilly.

COURSE DIRECTORY

www.pattayacountryclub.com Tel : +66(0)81 654 5654

Pattaya Country Club Well located on the 331 and near to the Crystal Bay Golf 36 intersection this Resort course was recently This 27-hole Golfjust Resort was up graded and has openedcourse a magnificent designed by Japanese designed Thai new clubhouse. Takenaka andPattaya, openedthis for18play 1988. Only 18km from hole in course designed by Thai Lt General Weerayut ItPhedbeusasak is located near Sriracha some 45a is a fairly flat layout with minutes from Pattaya and 1.5ideal hours few lakes and well place bunkers, for from Bangkok. a Hawaiian style beginners orDescribed low scorersas alike. There is a 300 course withrange palm tree Crystal yard driving and the lined courseholes, occupying Bay tee aboxes, fairways over has 1,800good rai offers breezylush day out.

Birdies: Low handicappers can score low on this course. Watch out for: Possibly the most interestingly designed club house around. Bogeys: Popular at weekends as it is so close to Pattaya and the Eastern Seaboard Factories

and fair greens.

www.pleasantvalley-golf.com Tel: 081-4105522, 085-0454050

Pleasant Valley Golf & Country Club Pleasant Valley is located amongst then mountains north of the city of Pattaya, and is cooled by the breezes blowing across the golf course. The Khao Kheow national park with lakes and water-fall are located only a few minutesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; drive from the club house and Khao Kheow golf course is also nearby. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great day for relaxation not only for golfers, but also for family members who are seeking time in the natural beauty of our country. The course is surrounded by the mountains and offers a few water hazards and undulations, on a fairly small area of land. Same owners are now constructing a new course next to Pattaya Country Club which has now opening date yet.

Birdies: A relatively short course so opportunities for low scores here. Bogeys: Relatively cheap rates means this can be a very busy courses. Watch out for: They offer several promotional packages for both weekday and weekends so check out their website.

COURSE DIRECTORY

St Andrews 2000 This is an extremely long course playing at 7,700yards to par 74, as it features two massive par 6’s. It is part of a 72 holes resort sharing its clubhouse with Rayong Green Valley and Silky Oaks. English born golf course architect Desmond Muirhead has created one of Pattaya’s most spectacular golf courses, as St Andrews 2000 was built to replicate a Scottish links course. Located in Rayong, it is about 40 minutes from Pattaya.

Birdies: There is a certain thrill when you look down from a high tee box to a valley below with humps and hollows, knowing that you have to drive with a degree of accuracy. Risk and reward is the name of the game here! Bogeys: The facilities although perhaps a little old fashion, are quite adequate. Watch out for: There are two par 6’s, both over 800 yards, claimed to be the World’s longest par 6! Good luck if you par them!

Wangjuntr Golf Park Perhaps one of the most memorable golf courses in the region, Wangjuntr Crystal Resort Golf ParkBay nowGolf has three courses, This 27-hole Golf Resort was the Valley (18 holes), Highlandcourse (18 holes) and designed by Japanese Thai their new Jungle course (18designed holes). Park is Takenaka and opened in 1988. in fact the correct term as for theirplay signature course, the Highland’s 18 holes, is actually Itbuilt is located near Sriracha some around an animal sanctuary with45 deer, minutes 1.5 hours from ostrich andfrom cattlePattaya roamingand the spectacular Bangkok. a Hawaiian style countryside.Described Around 70 as minutes North East course with palm treein lined holes, Crystal of Pattaya need to book advance. Whacky Bay has good but great fun! tee boxes, lush fairways and fair greens. N.B. They are closed on Mondays and on other days somtime only open two of the three courses, so call them first before booking.

Birdies: Hole No 1 is a par 4 408 yard par 4 where if you want you can tee off on the roof of the drinks kiosk down into the valley below. (A Kodak moment perhaps!) However the signature hole has to be No14 on the Highland’s course…..tee box has to be 100Metres above the fairway. Watch out for: To offer golfers 36 holes, both Valley and Highland courses have two separate greens on each hole. When you arrive they give you a left hand or right hand score card so you know what to play on that round. Bogeys: The greens here offer an additional challenge as many have mounds, boulders or even a pond slap bang in the middle, so beware and ask your caddy for advice before taking your final approach shot.

www.standrews2000golf.com Tel: (+66 )38-030660-2

www.wangjuntrgolf.com

COURSE DIRECTORY

www.amataspring.co.th Tel : +66 (0) 38-468-888

Amata Spring Country Club is an exclusive private country club Crystal Golf featuringBay one of theResort most prestigious This Golfchampionship Resort course wasin and 27-hole recognizable courses designed by Japanese Asia. Located in Chonburidesigned 50 minutesThai from Takenaka and opened for playprovide in 1988. Pattaya , the course and facilities our members with the best private club Itexperience is locatedunmatched near Sriracha somein 45 anywhere the minutes fromits Pattaya 1.5 hours country. Since openingand the course has from Bangkok. Described Hawaiian style been privileged to host as theahighest profile golf course linedofholes, Crystal events with stagedpalm in thetree Kingdom Thailand.

Bay has good tee boxes, lush fairways and fair greens.

Parichat International Golf Links This is currently the newest 18 hole course in the Pattaya region. Next door to the Pattaya Country Club, this 7,201 yard course is currently on a soft opening with a temporary clubhouse. The course is called a Links although most of the holes offer wide fairways with small greens. It is already becoming popular with local golf societies, as its location on the 331 means you can get there from Central Pattaya in 25 minutes.

Birdies: Course is a true championship track always in immaculate condition. Watch out for: The 17th is the courseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature hole, featuring the one of the most famous island greens in the world. Get to it by boat. Bogeys: Avoid the rough here as the grass is long and difficult to get out of.

Birdie: There are some fun holes including hole 17 with a cliff guarding the raised green. Watch Out For: Some of the tee boxes are set back so suggest you play White tees if you cannot carry 175 yards to some fairways. Bogeys: The greens here are on the whole very small and are hard to get close to pin.

www.parichatgolf.com Email: sales@parichatgolf.com Tel: +66 (0) 90 3860001-3