Golf asia 2013 june

CONTENTS

22 16

FOREWORD

18

TEEBOX

• • •

McDowell Edges Thongchai For World Match-Play Title Woods Silences Sergio With Players Victory Masterful Wiesberger Wins Indonesian Masters

24

BUZZ

26 SCENE

• • • • • • • •

Golf Asia Challenge At Bintan Lagoon Resort SICC Take A Bow Descente On The Rise Pattana Survives Monsoon Bettinardi Signs Matt Kuchar Stacy Lewis Joins Omega Men-Only Clubs ‘Damage Golf’ 300 Million Balls A Year

20

48 GEARGUIDE

• • •

Flexibility & Stability Through Natural Movement Mizuno’s Tacky Cover Golf Ball Tiger’s New Shoes

52 PROFILE

•

2 GOLF ASIA

The Voice Of Asian Golf

36

CONTENTS

120 57

ESCAPE

• • •

Bali Tracks Get Wonderful Khao Yai, Thailand The Island Of Sky And Sea

88 DIRECTORY 93 LUXE LIFESTYLE

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Timepieces Animal Instincts Colour Control Scent Of Glory Number Playoff Gadgets Tokyo Auto Salon Singapore 2013 Posh Nosh Living Personal Touch Travel Literature Under The Sea Lamborghini Glamour In Case of Emergency Luxurious Timekeeper Engineering Time Travel in Style Red Carpet Elegance Inspiration

98

126

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C O NTR I B UTO R S JAMES SHARPE has been a contributor for Golf Asia since 2005.

When he’s not scouring Singapore for the latest restaurants and snazziest gadgets, he lectures writing at Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Film & Media Studies. When not working, James enjoys family life with his sons, the odd bit of Sailing and scooting about on his beloved Vespa.

NATASHA WONG started playing golf some 10 years ago and has developed a self-confessed love-hate relationship with the game. These days, she plays off a 9-handicap and encounters a daily battle to curb her over-swing. Aside from being an ardent supporter of women’s golf, Natasha is also passionate about golf travel and photography. Armed with her camera, this amateur photographer is constantly seeking the elusive perfect golf shot… no pun intended!

KEN LYE is a keen golfer and currently plays off a 4 handicap. He loves golf and pretty much all things related to golf.

He is a ‘quasi’ equipment junkie and especially loves travelling for golf! With a penchant for the rules of golf, Ken is also a qualified SGA Rules Official.

Since passing the R & A Rules Exam in 2005, Ken has refereed at professional golf events as well as certain major regional amateur events. Aside from his love of golf, Ken is a former investment banker who now runs his own business in finance and consulting.

PAUL MYERS Paul has spent almost his entire career in the media and communications industry in Australia, North America and Asia. Now based in Bangkok, he manages and part owns Asian Travel Media, the only dedicated golf tourism PR/media company in Asia/Pacific. ATM’s clients are located throughout the region and the company is recognised as a leader in effective consumer-oriented media communications.

JUSTINE MOSS is the principal consultant of Jay Jay Communications, an Asia Pacific communications and language consulting, training and coaching business based in Singapore. Justine has over 17 years’ experience in communications and media industries, having lived and worked in Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Justine regularly writes for print, audio and internet including voiceover, hosting and narration scripts, media releases, feature articles and website features.

8 GOLF ASIA

SHONA MCRAE is the Assistant Director of Rules for The R&A, which governs the game worldwide and jointly administers the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, Equipment Standards and World Amateur Golf Rankings with the United States Golf Association. Based in St Andrews, Scotland, Shona plays off a handicap of 6 and is a member of Ladybank Golf Club and St Regulus Ladies Golf Club.

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GOLFING

sensitivity and its importance to your fellow sportsmen B

esides being a major source of entertainment for the general public and having a huge number of individuals worldwide participating in its various forms, sports or sporting pursuits have always been deemed humanity’s great equaliser.

An activity, where competitors of all races, backgrounds and nationalities can compete on an equal footing, on a common set of rules and judged or emerge victorious based only on their performance with no prejudice or favour. Of course these are the ideals but unfortunately, we are not living in an ideal world.

The spat between Sergio Garcia and Tiger Woods reared its ugly head when an on-course disagreement over etiquette at the recent Players’ Championship at Sawgrass escalated into an unwarranted racist remark, of which Sergio has since apologised. And to add to the mix, George O’Grady, the chief executive of the European Tour, has also apologised unreservedly for telling a television interviewer that some of the Spaniard’s best friends are “coloured athletes” during a live interview.

With golf, like so many other sports, becoming international there are many competitors from all around the world from diverse ethnic groups, religions, races or sexual orientation. So it is vital for all participants, as well as those involved in administration roles, to be more sensitive in their remarks and comments, and extend such courtesy even to those they do not fancy having drinks with, after a round of golf.

BEN POON ben@regentmedia.sg

14 GOLF ASIA

GOLFING T E E B OX • S C E N E • G E A RG U I D E • I N S T RU C T I O N

GOLFING TEE BOX

McDowell Edges Thongchai For World Match-Play Title Moves in for the kill after the turn in hot and cloudless conditions

BY FATIHA BETSCHER

IMAGES © AFP

G

raeme McDowell again displayed the traits that have made him a feared Ryder Cup competitor in defeating Thongchai Jaidee 2 & 1 in the final of the Volvo World Match-Play Championship in Bulgaria.

McDowell had been 2 down after just four holes to Thongchai but sensed near the turn his 43-year- old rival was starting to tire in trying conditions on the Thracian Cliffs course. The Northern Irishman, who had beaten South African Branden Grace earlier in the day to reach the final, fought back to draw level with Thongchai at the 12th before going 2-Up in winning the 14th and 15th holes before sealing victory with a par at the 17th.

“It’s just unbelievable to win as it’s been a long week, and it could be said these events are tougher to win than stroke-play events,” said McDowell. “Somehow beating six guys head-to-head with the standard of golf required there is certainly an amount of feel good factor. However I thought when Thongchai went 2up after four holes that this wasn’t the script I had read. But then after winning the seventh and managing to halve nine and 10 I felt good. I felt like I was starting to get in control, and I sensed Thongchai was weakening and I 18 GOLF ASIA

just sensed an opening and I just seized on that.”

McDowell also becomes the first Irishborn winner of the tournament and 12 years after Padraig Harrington lost the 2001 final to Ian Woosnam. “To be the first Irish-born winner of the event is special as it to join some of the greats of the game who have won this trophy,” said McDowell.

“But I’m looking at the trophy and seeing

Montgomerie, Els, Westwood, Palmer, Player, Norman, Els. The history of this event is just fantastic. We talked a lot this week what Volvo have done with this event, what they have done with golf around the world and coming here to Bulgaria this week was a brave move. Anyone looking at TV pictures from this week and seeing just how spectacular Thracian Cliffs then I think it’s paid off.”

Victory has moved McDowell up one place to number seven in the world and also eight places to the head of the Race to Dubai money list.

Thongchai secured the biggest prize cheque of his European Tour career of 400,000 euros. The Thai golfer, who had defeated South African Thomas Aiken in the semi-final, has jumped 24 places to seventh on the Race to Dubai.

“I am very happy and had a very good week,” said Thongchai. “I made only one mistake in the final on the 14th hole after the a poor drive. But it was a good tournament for me. My game is very solid. I came here of course to win and to come second I am very proud and satisfied, as it is a good result for me. I did get very tired this afternoon but more importantly I enjoyed the tournament, and I enjoyed coming here for a first time in my career to Bulgaria.”

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GOLFING TEE BOX

Woods Silences Sergio With Players Victory Woods wins US PGA Tour Players Championship, setting another career milestone in the process

IMAGES © AFP

W

Tiger Woods & Lindsey Vonn at a gala event before the TPC.

20 GOLF ASIA

oods, who had a share of the lead with Sergio Garcia and David Lingmerth after completing the weather-disrupted third round, carded a final-round 70 for a 13-under par total of 275. That put him two strokes in front of Swedish PGA Tour rookie Lingmerth, Jeff Maggert and Kevin Streelman.

Garcia, tied for the lead at the 17th, finished with a quadruple bogey and a double bogey, giving Woods the last laugh after a couple of days of verbal sparring between the two. Woods won the US tour’s flagship event, worth US$9.5 million this year, for the second time, more than a decade after his victory in 2001. Since then he had posted only one top-10 finish at TPC Sawgrass.

Woods notched his fourth PGA Tour title of the year, and it’s the earliest in a single season he has ever won a fourth title.

“Each year I’m tying to get better,” Woods said, “So far this year, I’m off to a pretty good start.”

His 78th tour win came in his 300th start, he also won in his 100th and 200th starts.

Woods had built a two-stroke lead through 13 holes of the final round, but he found the water off the tee at 14 and ended up with a double-bogey that dropped him into a four-way tie for the lead with Maggert, Garcia and Lingmerth.

Garcia and Lingmerth, playing in the final group right behind Woods, had both just birdied 13.

“Just hit absolutely the worst shot I could possibly hit,” Woods said of his tee shot at 14. “But it was the only bad swing I made all day. I told myself I could still win the

More Marshals Back Tiger Over TPC Tale

T

he spat between Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia rumbled on as two marshals who worked at the Players Championship backed Woods’s version of the events that sparked the ap.

Woods won the event for the second time in his career, stretching his lead atop the world rankings and moving within four of matching Sam Snead’s career record of 82 US PGA Tour titles.

The Florida Times-Union, a newspaper in Jacksonville, Florida, quoted two tournament marshals who disputed a Sports Illustrated account earlier that week that suggested Woods lied about the third-round incident that miffed Garcia. “It is not true and deďŹ nitely unfair to Tiger,â€?

Brian Nedrich, who was a marshal at the second hole at TPC Sawgrass during the third round of the tournament on Saturday, told the newspaper.

Garcia said Woods pulled a club from his bag as the Spaniard was hitting his second shot at the hole, sparking a crowd reaction that distracted him during his swing. Woods, who was off the fairway and couldn’t see Garcia, said a marshal had told him the

Spaniard had already hit.

But Sports Illustrated quoted marshal Gary Anderson as saying Woods didn’t speak to them. “He didn’t ask us nothing and we didn’t say nothing,� Anderson said. “We’re told not to talk to the players.�

Nedrich told the Times-Union that he was the marshal who said Garcia had hit. Nedrich said Woods did pull his club before Garcia hit, television replays showed that occurred as Garcia stood over his ball but before his backswing. When fans behind Woods began to move about, marshal Lance Paczkowski asked for quiet telling them the other player hadn’t hit, the newspaper said. “That’s when I yelled back at Lance, ‘No ... he’s already hit,’� Nedrich said. “Tiger had already taken his club, but we did tell him that Sergio had hit.� Nedrich said he thought the whole incident was unfortunate, “And I don’t think either player is to blame.

It’s disingenuous to suggest that Tiger is a liar because he got a minor detail wrong,�

Nedrich told the newspaper. “Basically, he told the truth.�

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tournament.â€? He made no more mistakes from there, adding a birdie at the par-ďŹ ve 16th to get to 13-under and ďŹ nishing with back-to-back pars.

Garcia got to 13-under with a birdie at 16. Garcia said before the ďŹ nal round he was happy not to be playing in the same group with Woods. “I think it’s probably good for both of us,â€? said Garcia after the pair’s uneasy relationship took another hit on Saturday when the Spaniard complained that a move by Woods to remove a club from his bag just as Garcia was hitting a shot sparked distracting crowd noise. Woods said he thought Garcia had already hit when he pulled the club, adding it was “not real surprising that he’s complaining about somethingâ€?.

That brought a huffy response from the Spaniard. “At least I’m true to myself,� he

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said. “I know what I’m doing, and he can do whatever he wants.�

Playing with the little-known Lingmerth didn’t do Garcia any good when it came to the par-three 17th, TPC Sawgrass’ signature hole with its island green.

Garcia was in the water twice en route to a quadruple-bogey seven, then took a double-bogey at 18, where he was also in the water - to cap a four-over 76 that left

him tied for eighth on seven-under 281.

Garcia won the Players in 2008 in a playoff at the 17th against Paul Goydos. “That hole has been good to me for the most part,� Garcia said. “Today it wasn’t. That’s the way it is. That’s the kind of hole it is.

You’ve got to love it for what it is.�

Maggert fell back with a double-bogey at 17, closing with a two-under 70 for 11-under 277. Streelman carded a 67 to grab his share of second on 277.

Lingmerth was the last player with a chance to challenge Woods, but he was unable to convert his birdie attempt at 17 and pull level and he closed with a bogey for an even-par 72 for 277.

GOLF ASIA 21

GOLFING TEE BOX

Masterful Wiesberger Wins Indonesian Masters

IMAGES © THE ASIAN TOUR

Bernd Wiesberger seals a dramatic win at the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters with a five-under-par 67 to defeat a persistent Ernie Els by one-shot

22 GOLF ASIA

W

iesberger of Austria won his second title in Asia courtesy of some exquisite ball striking as he totalled 15-under-par 273 at the US$750,000 Asian Tour event which was staged at the majestic Royale Jakarta Golf Club.

South African Els, settled for second place after carding 68 while overnight leader Daisuke Kataoka of Japan claimed third place with a round of 70 to ďŹ nish on 275. Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand was a further three shots back in fourth after registering 69.

The towering Wiesberger, whose coach Philippe De Busschere is based in Indonesia, credited his acute iron play for his victory and dedicated the win to his grandfather who passed away a year ago. “I was struggling in the beginning after my birdie on one. But at the turn I got a bit of momentum going because I was conďŹ dent with my ball striking,â€? said Wiesberger, who ďŹ nished seventh last year and went on to win in Korea.

He made the turn in 34 but tightened his grip on the third edition of the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters with an eagle three on the 12th hole. “It was good to hole the eagle and it was nice that Ernie (also eagled the same hole) stayed in touch. He wouldn’t let go and that’s why he is such a great champion. It was a good time to do that and it got my round going,� he smiled.

Els, ranked 24th in the world, was oneover after ďŹ ve holes but put on a battling display with birdies on six and nine followed by an eagle three on 12 which he putted

from 30 feet from the fringe. He birdied the last to ďŹ nish sole second. “I played and fought hard. I wasn’t quite at my best but had a good time. I didn’t hit my iron shots close enough especially at the start. I was one over through ďŹ ve holes and had to battle back all the time,â€? said Els. “A win would have been unbelievable but second is not all that bad. This has given me something and it shows my game is going in the right direction. I’m starting to feel really good about my game.â€?

The South African tipped his hat to Wiesberger, who he played with in the opening two days and on the ďŹ nal round. “I think Bernd played better than all of us.

I played with him for three rounds and I think he deserves to win.�

Kataoka, who has never led in a tournament before, felt nervous on the ďŹ rst tee but managed to pull-off his best performance since turning professional in 2007. His third place result matched his career’s best on the Asian Tour at the 2011 Taiwan Masters. “I’m not disappointed with how I played this week. I played very well and hit a lot of good shots. When we teed off, I felt very nervous but I told myself not to be nervous and to try and concentrate on my game. I didn’t sleep very well last night!â€? he smiled.

He hopes the experience of playing with multiple Major champion Els will provide him with the impetus to lead him to a ďŹ rst victory on the region’s premier Tour which is celebrating its 10th season this year. “I had a good experience this week.

I led for the ďŹ rst time in a tournament

“I think Bernd played better than all of us. I played with him for three rounds and I think he deserves to win.�

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and it was fantastic to play with Bernd Wiesberger and Ernie Els. If I can continue to keep up with this consistency then I think my ďŹ rst win will come very soon,â&#x20AC;? said the 24-year-old.

Pak Arwin Rasyid, President Director of CIMB Niaga was delighted with the third staging of the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters as it has grown into Indonesiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most prestigious golďŹ ng event. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When CIMB Niaga became the title sponsor to the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters in 2012, we wanted to be part of an event that is the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most prestigious. I stand here today proudly to say, we have achieved our goal. Thanks to the support of the other event partners and of course, the golďŹ ng fans, we see the end of yet another fantastic edition of the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters. We have certainly seen golf at itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ďŹ nest over the past four days and congratulations to Wiesberger for his spectacular win.â&#x20AC;?

GOLF ASIA 23

GOLFING BUZZ

Akira ADR Vintage Driver Akira’s latest driver is a no-holds barred model featuring outstanding distance and playability, a culmination of the brand’s latest manufacturing technology. Although it is important for all manufacturers to maximize the driver’s distance within the COR limit, the new ADR Vintage driver is designed for recreational golfers who long for the maximum distance attainable. Therefore the ADR Vintage driver is strictly for use in practice and social rounds as it has a high COR and does not conform to the current COR limit regulation set by the R&A and USGA.

FootJoy M:Project FJ’s new M:Project gives players a new option of lightweight, ultra-flexible, minimally constructed footwear delivering maximum feel and real-time feedback. Mike Foley, Director of Marketing, Footwear said, “The M: Project is the perfect extension to FJ’s performance line-up. This new category targets players seeking lower profile, minimalist-type footwear. Not only does the player get a better sense of the ground beneath them, they also are more tuned-in to the movement of their lower half throughout the swing.” Dr Greg Rose of the Titleist Performance Institute added, “M:Project is designed for the golfer to increase the movement, to feel the ground and sense things underfoot they could not before.

With each step you take you start creating more mobility, which teaches you how to create more power in your golf swing. ” 24 GOLF ASIA

Ogio Cirrus Cart Bag The Ogio Cirrus Cart Bag is an ultralightweight golf bag that is nice for riding or push/pull cart use. The lightweight golf bag is equipped with a 14-way Diamond UltraLite Performance top with individual full-length dividers for club organization and 10-pockets for all your golf gear and only weighs a feathery 4.8 lbs.

Forged Callaway X For rged Irons Crafted by Callaway Chief Designer Roger Cleveland with direct input from Callaway’s Tour players, these irons provide the ultimate in feel and performance that can only be achieved through a pure forging. Utilising a Triple Net Forging process ensures extremely tight tolerances that allows for more aggressive grooves and extreme precision to create the feel, ball flight and turf interaction that the very best players prefer. The irons are in a bright chrome finish for a smooth appealing look at address. The clubface features a 20° closed and tightly spaced V grooves to promote more aggressive shot shaping. The irons are mated to Project X’s top-of-the-line PXi Shafts that are lighter and softer than standard PX shafts.

Aquascutum Golf Collection Spring Summer 2013 Aquascutum’s latest collection draws inspiration from island golf resorts and travel, and comprises of four collections that stay true to the spirit of Aquascutum in terms of technical innovation, luxury and style. The ‘Icon’ range comprises of the classic garment and a colour palette of red, oatmeal, navy and white that reflects Aquascutum’s heritage. The ‘Resort’ line channels a nautical influence with a combination of wide and fine stripes in faded neon’s to create vivid coral, alongside a core palette of navy, white and oatmeal to create a summer resort feel. The ‘Sport’ collection places an emphasis on modern, clean cuts and highly technical performance fabrics with the use of angular cut lines and colour blocking. The ‘Voyage’ series is all about luxury travel and Fun-ctionality with multi-coloured stripes and textures used in combination with a palette of turquoise blues, bubblegum pink and powder red alongside a tonal palette on white, grey and black.

GOLF A ASIA 25

GOLFING SCENE

Golf Asia Challenge At Bintan Lagoon Resort The sun, sand and excellent greens

26 GOLF ASIA

F

or many it was their first experience on Bintan Lagoon’s private ferry and it took them direct to the resort itself, and to add to the VIP treatment, the whole upper deck of the ferry was reserved for the participants of the Golf Asia Challenge. The brisk ferry ride took barely an hour and upon arrival, many were surprised to see that the ferry terminal was fully integrated into Bintan Resort itself. And to add to the VIP feel, all golfers were accorded express clearance for the immigration formalities, after which they were whisked away on the resort’s shuttles to the golf club to begin a day of golfing fun where each golfer went home with at least a prize.

GOLF ASIA 27

GOLFING SCENE

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GOLF ASIA 29

GOLFING SCENE

SICC Take A Bow The 42nd Singapore Island Country Club May Day Charity

BY NATASHA WONG PHOTOS © SINGAPORE ISLAND COUNTRY CLUB

CFO of Rolex Singapore, Ms Magdalene Foo receives a token of appreciation from the President of the Republic of Singapore, Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam.

M

ore than 500 golfers participated in the 42nd SICC May Day Charity 2013, held at the Singapore Island Country Club’s four championship courses over the course of May Day. The event headlines the club’s annual fund raising efforts in support of the less fortunate. This year, the club has raised S$764,653 to date.

Since 1972, Singapore’s first and oldest golf club has made a heartfelt impression on society with its annual May Day Charity campaign. Over the past 4 decades, SICC has purposefully raised more that S$17 million in support of more than

30 GOLF ASIA

80 charitable initiatives - ranging from under-privileged homes, rehabilitative and day care centres for the elderly and disabled, as well as financial support to underprivileged children. With this, the SICC has certainly earned its deserving reputation as “The Club with a Heart”.

“The Club has embraced and upheld this corporate social responsibility for over four decades and it is truly commendable to see members and staff working together to pay forward to the community,” said Mr Bernard Yeo, Organising Chairman of the SICC May Day Charity 2013.

The 42nd May Day Charity campaign came to a successful close with a gala dinner in the evening graced by the President of Singapore, His Excellency Dr. Tony Tan Keng Yam. In addition to a series of inspiring musical performances, the evening’s programme also included a charity auction, which garnered a total of S$24,500 from generous donors bidding on valuable items including such as a Rolex Datejust II, a complete set of the Yamaha Limited Edition Classic Gold golf clubs, a collection of Ikebana centrepiece arrangements and state-of-the-art electric wine cellars.

(left) CEO of Hai Leck Engineering Pte Ltd, Mr Cheng Yao Tong receives a token of appreciation from President Dr Tony Tan. (bottom) President Dr Tony Tan receiving a token of appreciation from SICC Club Chairman, Mr James Koh.

GOLF ASIA 31

GOLFING SCENE

Descente On The Rise Towards the end of 2010, Singapore Descente launched 3 premium golf apparel brands. We caught up with manager Becky Chen to ďŹ nd out more about the company and its directions for the coming year In the short span of a couple of years, Singapore Descente has certainly made its presence felt locally, opening a total of seven retail and satellite stores in hip and upmarket shopping belts, what are the plans moving forward?

Our business in Hong Kong has been running for a far longer time than in Singapore, since 2003 in fact, yet in just a short span of a couple of years, we have expanded to a total of seven retail and satellite stores in Singapore, with plans in the pipeline to expand and grow operations as well.

We concentrated our efforts to build the awareness for the brands over the last few years and now we can see a healthy demand for them not only in Singapore but in Indonesia and Malaysia as well. In those markets, we are working with established retailers to help grow the business and cements Singapore as the regional hub of our operations in South East Asia.

Sakura Yokomine, one of Le Coq Sportif Golf's brand ambassadors.

32 GOLF ASIA

Can you take us through the DNA of Munsingwear, Le Coq Sportif Golf & Calvin Klein Golf? Which type of golfers would each brand appeal to?

As you know each brand has its own unique selling point and each appeals to a slightly different kind of consumer.

For Munsingwear, it comes in at a much higher price point and the designs are more classical and traditional. It appeals to a slightly more matured clientele who not only wear it for golďŹ ng, but for after golf functions as well. For Calvin Klein Golf, it

has a high price point though not as high as Munsingwear and is positioned as an in-between of our two other brands. In terms of Le Coq Sportif, it features more vibrant colours and bold designs, and appeals to a younger audience or those young at heart!

Are there plans to launch in Singapore or anywhere in the region something similar to the Hong Kong Descente Cup for amateurs?

The Hong Kong Descente Cup is held annually since 2005 to express our sincere gratitude to the VIP members of Munsingwear, Le Coq Sportif Golf Collection and Calvin Klein Golf. And we are indeed making some plans for such an event in Singapore sometime towards the end of the year. Although a competition, the event is more for socialising amidst a totally friendly ambience and for our VIPs to indulge in an enjoyable day of golf. We are planning for a two-day event that will encompass golf, fashion shows, delicious cuisine and, well some delightful surprises as well. We will release more details at a later date.

For a company that deals in golf apparels, there is nothing more relevant than for us to organise an intimate golfing event for our valued customers. Not only will we have a chance to get to know them, they will be able to have a better understanding of Singapore Descente and the brands we represent as well. Although we are a retailer, we believe in building and fostering long-term friendships with our customers as well.

Descente Japan originated in February 1935 when Mr. Takeo Ishimoto began to dedicate his ambition towards the sporting industry by setting up a menswear retail shop Ishimoto Shoten. Renamed Descente Ltd, the exclusive license of Munsingwear Golf in Japan was awarded in 1964 and since then, Descente has played pivotal roles in providing total support for the athlete from shoes to every kind of technical wear-for both daily training and actual competition particularly so in key sporting industries like swimming and golf.

In 1990, the Arena and Le coq sportif trademarks were acquired for Japan and Asia. The ISO 14001 certification was awarded to Descente Apparel Ltd in 2002, proving its high quality standards. In November 2003, a Hong Kong office was set up. Since then, Descente sealed its presence in the golfing arena by launching the Hong Kong Descente Cup (dedicated to VIP members of Munsingwear), and the Le Coq Sportif Golf Championship in 2010 for professional golfers.

In September 2010, Singapore Descente was established in Singapore to manage the business across the South-East Asia region.

What are the aims and benefits to the company in organising such a tournament?

GOLF ASIA 33

GOLFING SCENE

Pattana Survives Monsoon A fine example of why good drainage systems are a must in the region TEXT & IMAGES © MIKE BRIDGE

J

ust as 24 VIP’s turned up to visit Pattana Golf Club last month, the region’s worst storm hit the course, knocking trees down and partly flooding the greens. The overseas golf tour operators, visiting for the 2013 Asian Golf Tourism Convention, were given luncheon while witnessing the monsoon, which

34 GOLF ASIA

devastated the region.

After 45 minutes the storm passed, so the club laid out a fleet of golf carts to drive the guests around one of their 9 hole courses. Then within 30 minutes all tour operators were out enjoying a round of golf despite having it reduced to nine holes. Many were very impressed with

the speed that the course drained and all agreed that it shows it really is possible to play golf even in the rainy season.

What could have turned out to be a PR disaster was saved by the quick and efficient work by the ground staff and the courses’ excellent drainage. Well-done Pattana Golf Club in Pattaya Thailand!

Bettinardi Signs Matt Kuchar Multi-year deal where Bettinardi will be the exclusive manufacturer of two new signature putters

B

ettinardi Golf is thrilled to announce its new alliance with professional golfer Matt Kuchar, a 5-time winner on the PGA Tour. With the ban of anchored putting strokes set to take effect in 2016, Kuchar’ s unique and legal arm-lock style of putting prompted renowned putter maker Bob Bettinardi to devise two different models that would be available to the general public for use. “With the recent belly putter ban, I strongly felt that the style of putting Matt uses would be the best alternative for players who struggle to putt the conventional way” said Bob Bettinardi.

The 400-gram Kuchar Model 1 is a 42-inch heel-toe weighted wide body blade that has 7 degrees of loft, 2.5 shaft offset, and features Bettinardi’s patented F.I.T. (Feel Impact Technology) Face.

The putter also comes in a 350-gram, conventional-length model that’s 35 inches,

has 3 degrees of loft; a 1 shaft offset and is identical to the 44.75-inch model Kuchar used to win the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.

Bettinardi also offers The Kuchar Model 2 as a soft, pear-shaped, face-balanced mallet that features the same specs as the Model 1 in Matt’s style, and conventional length. “We decided to offer two Kuchar Models for those that want exactly what Matt putts with, and golfers who like the look of a mallet in both Matt’s length, and conventional,” said Bettinardi.

“The reason I partnered with Bettinardi was because of my existing relationship with Bob having been to the factory, having seen how everything works, being so impressed with the craftsmanship and the ability to make changes,” said Kuchar.

“Bob nailed it, and I knew he was going to.

This is what I was looking for.”

GOLF ASIA 35

GOLFING SCENE

Stacy Lewis Joins Omega Partnership underscores brand’s continued commitment to the sport of golf

S

IMAGES © OMEGA SA

tacy Lewis, a top-ranking player on the LPGA, has joined Omega’s impressive roster of ambassadors.

Omega’s new relationship with Lewis – the winner of seven LPGA titles including one major – furthers the brand’s growing golf portfolio and highlights the Swiss watchmaker’s continued investment in the sport of golf.

In 2012, Lewis earned Player of the Year honours, becoming the first American to do so in 18 years, following a fourwin season. She posted 15 additional top-10 finishes, including three runnerup placements and led the LPGA in birdies, eagles and rounds in the 60s. The 28-year-old, who was born in Toledo, Ohio and grew up near Houston, Texas, was diagnosed with scoliosis at a young age and underwent a spinal fusion operation just before college and plays golf with a titanium rod and five screws in her back.

“I am honoured to join the Omega family,” said Lewis, “This is such an exciting time in my career and I am proud to represent a brand that showcases determination, elegance and power, all things that I value both on and off the course.”

Stacy is an extraordinary example of dedication and passion, her success on the golf course is inspirational and a testament to her hard work and competitive nature.

36 GOLF ASIA

GOLFING SCENE

Men-Only Clubs ‘Damage Golf’ As charged by chief executive of the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF), Sue Tibballs

G

olf clubs such as the hosts of this year’s British Open, Muirfield, and the game’s spiritual home St Andrews, are damaging the sport’s reputation by remaining men-only, a British charity that promotes women’s participation in physical activity said.

“While it may be lawful for private member clubs to remain men-only, it is clearly damaging to the sport’s reputation that these two iconic clubs don’t allow female members,” said the chief executive 38 GOLF ASIA

of the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF), Sue Tibballs. “Not only is it ridiculously outdated, it sends out completely the wrong message to women and girls thinking about taking up the sport. A number of golfing bodies are working very hard to break down the traditional perceptions of the sport and encourage a new generation of female participants, and these clubs do nothing to help that cause.”

Muirfield, a links course east of

Edinburgh, can trace its history back to 1744 and this year hosts the Open for the 16th time since 1892. St Andrews, up the coast north of the Scottish capital, has hosted the Open 28 times since 1873.

It is considered “the home of golf” and the game has been played there since the 15th century. The 144th edition of the championship will be played at St Andrews in two years’ time.

Gender equality has long been a thorny issue in golf and it was only last year that

the Augusta National Golf Club, which hosts the annual US Masters, admitted its first female members after pressure from campaigners.

“If the Augusta National Golf Club recognises the reputational damage that excluding women has, then it is time the Members of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St Andrews and the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers at Muirfield also joined the 21st century,” said Tibballs.

But golf’s governing body, the R&A, which is separate from the Royal and Ancient club said, it would not “bully” male-only private golf clubs into admitting women.

Three of the nine courses on the Open Championship rotation are maleonly - Muirfield, Sandwich in Kent, Southeast England, and Royal Troon, Western Scotland.

The chief executive of the R&A, Peter Dawson, said: “There are no golf courses I know about which are closed to either women or men. Access to these courses exists,” he added.

“Muirfield has hosted the (women’s) Curtis Cup twice; women have access as visitors or guests of members.

“There are about 3,000 courses in the UK and one per cent have a single-sex membership clause. Of that one per cent, slightly more than half are women-only.

They don’t want to change... To think the R&A might say to Muirfield you will not host the Open unless you change is a bullying position we would never take...

It’s not our role to attack clubs that are behaving legally.”

GOLF ASIA 39

GOLFING SCENE

80 years of experience, four manufacturing plants and 40,000 testers; just three of the things it takes for Titleist to produce...

300 Million Balls A Year

BY JON GREATHEAD • IMAGES © ACUSHNET COMPANY

GOLF ASIA 41 72'$<6* 2/) (5 &2 8 . [ ,668 (

GOLFING SCENE

T

he chances are if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a committed golfer, at some stage in your golďŹ ng life youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have put a Titleist ball into play. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been 13 years since the iconic Pro V1 range was launched, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 80 years since the company was founded. But had it not been for an X-ray machine in a dentistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surgery things could have worked out very differently, as Director of Titleist Golf Ball Product Management Michael Mahoney explained. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In 1932, avid golfer Phil Young was out playing in New Bedford and on the 18th hole he had a relatively short putt to win his match. He stroked it pure, but the ball missed outside the hole, even though he was convinced heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d put a good stroke on the ball â&#x20AC;&#x201C; if there was no way it could have been the golfer, it had to be the golf ball. He was given a hard time by his partners for that, but he was curious, so he asked a dentist friend if he could use his X-ray machine. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He X-rayed the ball he missed the putt with and found that the core wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t round â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it was off centre and the ball rolled impurely as a result of a product that wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t consistent. He felt he could do it better and he could make products better and more consistent and he spent three years working on that process.â&#x20AC;?

Titleist may have started out small, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grown to be the dominant ball brand in the market today. And while lots of things have changed in the 80 years since, Mahoney is adamant that certain values still remain. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Part of our identity has to do with how

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Titleist then... A â&#x20AC;&#x153;Golf Ball Demonstrationâ&#x20AC;? machine was taken on the road in 1936. They developed the ďŹ rst mechanical golfer to test the ďŹ&#x201A;ight of balls coming off the production line in 1935. The production line in 1958.

we havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t changed and what our core values are. We started out as a process company, we continue today to be a process company. When the company was set up it was really about looking at how to make a better, more consistent golf ball. To this day we spend so much time and attention on the process â&#x20AC;&#x201C; be that the process of development or the process of making golf balls. The

scale has obviously changed dramatically â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we make 25 million dozen golf balls a year now â&#x20AC;&#x201C;but the attention to detail has remained constant.â&#x20AC;?

Titleistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pursuit of excellence involves extensive testing, research and development, but in an age when the likes of Srixon, TaylorMade, Callaway and Nike all have their piece of the market, what sets Titleistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s processes aside from that of

Titleistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Milestones Since 1932

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12:

Titleist now... The company now has four ball plants â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this one is in Massachusetts, while IV opened in Thailand in 2010. All balls now undergo exhaustive testing with robots and thousands of real golfers.

The production line in 2013.

its rivals? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think the fact that we have our own proprietary technology that we have developed. There are certain elements to it that are common for any golf ball manufacturing, but to a large degree what you see was designed and built in our own manufacturing facilities by our associates, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s becoming more and more rare these days. So the fact that we control the processes is a signiďŹ cant advantage,â&#x20AC;?

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adds Mahoney. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our level of quality check that exists throughout the process is unprecedented â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and there are many, many steps in making a golf ball. We take samples from the very ďŹ rst stage and test it to make sure it meets our performance speciďŹ cations.

The testing criteria we set up for any product really happens throughout the process, whether it be core moulding

to adding the casing layer, putting the urethane cover on, to the paint process, to the stamping â&#x20AC;&#x201C; there are quality checks every step of the way and that results in a very consistent product coming off the line.â&#x20AC;? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been told that even a slightly lighter imprint on the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tâ&#x20AC;? in the logo is enough to reject a ball.

And itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just Titleist balls that get the testing treatment, either. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We run more tests on golf balls than any other manufacturer and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s probably more than all the others combined,â&#x20AC;? says Mahoney. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The companies that make the robot testing devices we use tell us we wear out parts that they wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see worn out in other places.â&#x20AC;?

On the production line, the material for the core begins as a slab of rubber which is fed into something resembling a pastamaker. The result is a long sheet, which is left to cool for up to ten hours before being sliced into long, thin strips. The strips are cut into smaller pieces, which are placed into a mould that shapes the core. The cover is then attached in two pieces, which are spot-welded together, before the whole thing is placed in a dimpled mould and turned into a sphere under heat and pressure. The ball is then buffed to erase a ridge left by the two

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GOLFING SCENE

halves before the logo and number are stamped on, and two spray guns apply a latex primer and finishing coat. All that, so anyone from an 18-handicapper or Luke Donald can trust their ball.

Titleist’s presence on Tour is, and always has been, impressive. In 2012, Pro V1s recorded 190 wins on worldwide tours, and as demand for the products grew in the brand’s formative years, Titleist hit on a novel way of making sure their reps were easy to spot. Mahoney told us: “Back when we started out on Tour, one of the things that was so important to our brand message – and this remains today – was that the ball you could buy in your golf shop was the same ball we were giving to 44 GOLF ASIA

pros, it was that good.

“We didn’t have a separate line we were making for tour players, so when an event would come into town we wanted to give players the opportunity to play that ball.

They received a ‘chit’ to go into the golf shop and get four dozen free balls, which we would then replace. As popularity grew, and more players wanted to get that chit, spotting the Titleist representative was really important so the rep would start wearing a white coat on the range.”

It’s clear that Titleist holds its heritage dear, as well as maintaining the core values that helped them develop into a market leader.

Today’s balls are a world away from

those that were played in 1932, but certain fundamentals remain. “It starts with the precision process in our founding,” says Mahoney, “and making every single ball consistently the same – cores that were centred, consistent dimple coverage.

Eighty years ago, balls had very simple constructions. I think the introduction of aerodynamic changes in the 1970s to give different trajectories, and the fact we offered players those different trajectories, and they put them in play and utilised them for different types of shot, really influenced the one-ball rule. So the understanding of aerodynamics would be one of the key moments.”

Then there was the shift to different

Clockwise from top left: The outer and inner cores of the Pro V1x are exposed on the production line; Acushnet has more than 900 active US golf ball patents; each ball goes through rigourous testing; a fine layer of paint is applied.

materials from a cover standpoint with the introduction of balata. “That generated a spin profile that would allow players to really improve their short game shots, which are ultimately the shots that help players to shoot better scores.

“That said, spin and those constructions meant a sacrifice on some distance so probably the most important golf ball innovation was the introduction of the Pro V1 in 2000, combining solid core construction which gives you outstanding distance with the urethane cover which allows you to generate the same sort of spin profile on short shots that you were getting on those balata constructions.”

The Pro V1 franchise has been one

of the most-successful in golf history, but developing this revolutionary new technology had its challenges.

“The biggest change was when we shifted from wound to solid core construction,” said Mahoney. “Taking those winding machines out of the plant and moving towards moving big batches of solid core materials – that is the most significant change that we made in the last 10 or 20 years.

“And in the last five to 10 years, one of the changes to the process is how broadly we test with golfers. We’ve always tested a lot with golfers and with our Tour staff, but we’ve got to the point now that in the years leading up to a Pro V1 launch we have tested product with everyone in our Tour staff. We’ve been testing with literally everyone who’s played the Pro V1 or the Pro V1x. Beyond that, just in the US, we supply over 40,000 golfers with prototype products to get feedback as we’re finalising the next generation of Titleist balls. We’ve done projects over several years where we’ve captured launch condition data throughout Asia, because we wanted to identify if there was anything different about an Asian golfer, or a Japanese golfer or a Korean golfer versus a European golfer, or an American golfer.

That’s a big competitive advantage.”

Titleist is dominant in balls, but Mahoney knows the only way to stay at the top is to keep innovating. “It’s hard in the sense that we feel the balls are so good, the process to improve them gets a little bit harder every two years. But, the great thing about having such a large Tour staff, and having so many people play our golf ball, is that we get great feedback as soon as we launch a new product. As much as we can deliver a product that does what we want it to do, we really start finding out about the products after players put them into play and hitting shots when it really matters – that’s when we get great feedback from them. In 80 years the technology has changed dramatically, and our size and scale has changed dramatically, but our values haven’t. We remain very committed to the processes, to quality and to innovation.”

How Tour Players’ Feedback Helps

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TOUR SEEDING A prototype Pro V1 appeared in November.

“We get different types of feedback from different players. We would hesitate to say one is better than another because all golfers are different and we need to meet the demands of all of those types of golfer. A guy like Jason Dufner, who is really knowledgeable about the technology inside the product, will give us a lot of very specific feedback related to feel and spin characteristics.

Adam Scott is another guy who is a feel-sensitive player. But then you go to a player like Rickie Fowler – he’s very flight-sensitive. He really has a great sense of trajectory, so he’s going to give you feedback related to the flight, as he’s not as feel sensitive. Zach Johnson is a guy we test with from an all-round standpoint – he’s got such a terrific short game, but really knows what his expectations are related to flight.”

GOLF ASIA 45

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WE ARE NOW ON

ANDROID!

CATALOG and Regent Media now offer mobile applications, the latest platforms for reaching readers 24/7 and on-the-go.

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GOLFING GEARGUIDE

Flexibility & Stability Through Natural Movement More Natural Motion Throughout The Swing

T

he new adicross tour footwear line from adidas Golf, is designed to allow for stability with flexibility, freedom of movement without sacrificing support and to provide lightweight comfort.

“With adicross tour, we created a lightweight golf shoe specifically-designed to allow the foot and body to work the way it was naturally intended to move, “ said Bill Price, Vice President of adidas Golf Footwear. “With this revolutionary new shoe, a golfer can freely flex and rotate from the ground up to the shoulders, resulting in a more efficient, natural swing.”

The adicross tour, created with anatomical-inspired performance

48 GOLF ASIA

through natural motion, features a new “Puremotion” construction TPU outsole for greater stability and “Plusflex” technology for greater flexibility and ground contact to promote more force and power. The seven-spike configuration with “Thintech” low-profile technology ensures optimal traction and added stability for every condition.

“The new adicross Tour has all the performance and support I need in a tour shoe plus a look that fits my style, “said Tour Staff Professional Dustin Johnson. “ The bold colours are great and I knew it was for me the moment I saw it.”

The adicross tour also comes with a one-year waterproof warranty.

GOLFING GEARGUIDE

Mizuno’s “Tacky Cover” Golf Ball The MP-S is Mizuno’s multi-piece tour level ball

F

eaturing a new ultra soft, tacky urethane cover for exceptional traction on short greenside shots and a combination of large inner core with a highly resilient inner cover for high initial ball speeds. These features all come together to make Mizuno’s new MP-S golf ball, with 318 large, shallow dimples, a mid trajectory and stable, efficient ball.

“Mizuno launched balls into Japan in 2005 – with a plan to hold back from the western market until there was a product that met the tour’s expectations. What we liked about the MP-S is that it stops as quickly as it takes off. We could tell from the first touch of the tacky cover, that it would be incredibly responsive around the greens,” Andy Kikidas, Tour Operations Manager.

Though the MP-S offers a distinctive balance of touch and control that will predominantly appeal to skilled players, golfers playing with firm and fast conditions will appreciate its ability to stick to the green.

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50 GOLF ASIA

Tiger’s New Shoes Increased flexibility and range of athletic motion enables more power through the swing

N

ike Athlete Tiger Woods debuted the new Nike shoe in a dramatic fashion with his 78th PGA Tour career victory at The Players Championship. The original Nike TW’13 was created through insights from the athlete himself, who stated, “I train with Nike Free technology all the time… I love training in it, running in it, lifting in it. So I asked, why can’t I play golf in it?” With that, Nike designers set to work creating a Nike Free-inspired golf shoe tailored to maximize Woods’ game.

The natural motion engineered outsole of the Nike TW’14 is designed to mimic and conform to the natural motion of the foot, and still deliver all the protection and traction of a lightweight performance golf shoe. This innovative outsole allows the athlete to keep contact with the ground longer, better harnessing the energy of the foot to the shoe and, therefore, the shoe to the ground.

“These shoes provide freedom of movement and allow me to release more

power through my swing,” said Woods.

“With this shoe, we worked diligently to take every detail to a new level,” said Tobie Hatfield, Athlete Projects Innovator in Nike’s Innovation Kitchen. “Tiger’s relentless focus on getting better makes us better. His insights force us to never stop innovating and delivering technology

that will enhance a golfer’s performance.

In the TW ’14, he wanted more stability with mobility and we’ve accomplished that by using Nike’s Dynamic Flywire technology, which moves with him, but stabilizes his foot when he swings. We also increased breathability of the shoe by using a full mesh tongue.”

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GOLFING PROFILE

The Voice Of Asian Golf

TEXT AND IMAGES © THE ASIAN TOUR

Hong Kong’s Dom Boulet may not have achieved his goal of winning on the Asian Tour but he is certainly now making a name for himself as a TV pundit so much so that he is now being called “The Voice of Asian Golf!” In this exclusive Q&A with Dom, he talks about a raft of things, including his playing days, how he got into broadcasting and why he thinks the Asian Tour, which is celebrating its milestone 10th season in 2013, will continue to grow 52 GOLF ASIA

How did this TV commentating job come about for you?

I basically gave up playing in 2002 and founded my own company Impact Golf later that year. I had a young family and I wasn’t playing so well. However, I never thought about going into broadcasting, as firstly, there weren’t too many live events.

How it came about was when Derek Fung (a fellow professional golfer from Hong Kong) was doing a few events and one day at the BMW Asian Open in 2005, he called me and said he was busy and couldn’t do it. He asked if I could fill in for him and I said yes and it kind of started from there. Back then, there were like half a dozen live events and later in September, they asked me to do the Singapore Open and it kind of snowballed from there.

It’s a bit of a switch from swinging clubs to talking about the game. Did it come naturally for you?

I never really prepare for it. I just sat there.

Alan Wilkins (fellow commentator) made my life very easy initially, he’s easy to work with and I just looked at the screen and talked about what came into my head.

It’s what I do till this day. Thinking back about it, I’m sure you’re the same, I’ve been commentating my whole life. We

commented to ourselves when we watch sports on TV like “why did he do that” etc.

I’ve been doing this since I was a kid. I’m sure everyone who watches sport does the same thing.

“I’m not afraid to say it’s a bad shot when it really is a bad shot...we praise the players too much, at times, and I’m guilty of it as well. I try to keep it balanced...”

How would you describe yourself as a golf commentator?

A lot of it depends on who you work with.

Who you work with brings out different personality traits. When I worked with Alan, it was kind of loose and we fooled around and joked around a little bit. He brought out that side of me. I don’t think I can label myself in one way. I know the players. Although I didn’t play the game at the highest level, I understand the game, understand the thought process, I have empathy for the players and I’m not afraid to criticize in a nice way. I understand how hard the game is and how hard it is to play for a living. But at the same time, I understand there are ways to make it easier. I’m not afraid to say it’s a bad shot when it really is a bad shot. When you watch other broadcasts, we praise

the players too much, at times, and I’m guilty of it as well. I try to keep it balanced, they’re not too brilliant and they’re not too bad. You’ve got to be honest about it.

Have you rubbed any player the wrong way with something you said on air?

No one has come up to say I was wrong.

Last year in India, watching Lam Chih Bing play, I said he didn’t look comfortable standing over his putts. Honestly, I don’t think he does. If you ask him, I think he’ll feel the same way. It was a morning record and it was aired in the afternoon and he heard the comment. He was missing putts all day. Someone came up later and told me Lam was a little upset with what I said.

I later saw him at the practice green and I said “Hey man, I am sorry if I had upset you but I’m just saying what I see. I see that

you don’t look that comfortable”. I think he agreed with me and I apologized. I’m doing my job and he’s doing his job. We have no problems. That’s the beauty of it. None of the guys here have big egos and I’m lucky I can say things and if they are upset, they can come up to me and say I’m wrong. But I still don’t feel like I’m bursting any egos as the guys out here are great. The guys from my generation know that I’m pretty much a straightforward guy.

Do you need to hold back on what you can say on air? Is it difficult to do?

Sometimes you have to temper what you say. Mike Crowe (Asian Tour Media Executive Producer) and I have a laugh. We ‘talk back’ to each other.

We have what we call the alternative commentary, which is what we like to say, GOLF ASIA 53

GOLFING PROFILE

guy who can become a world’s top-10 player. He can go all the way.

but sometimes we can’t say it on air because of political correctness and stuff like that.

We have a laugh. I’m sure every commentator would like to say how he feels but we’ll be out of a job by the end of the broadcast if that happened!

What’s been some of the nicest things you’ve been complimented for your TV work?

I was told a while ago that no matter how good a job you do, you’re not going to please everybody. There are brilliant commentators out there that I don’t like … I don’t like the way they deliver their lines or I don’t like their voice. I don’t mind criticism, as it’s human nature. I have gotten a lot of compliments and my biggest critics are my friends from back home who never ever say anything nice about me unless they genuinely had meant it. The culture I grew up in was that the more people like you, the more they take the mickey. If my friends are saying nice things about me, I know I’m on the right path.

The Asian Tour is celebrating its 10th season in 2013. How much have you seen the game grow on the Asian Tour from the time you played up till now?

Sometimes it hits me how big a difference the game has become over here. If you look at the scale of the tournaments now, it’s so much different.

When I was playing, we probably had two live TV events. Now we have like 15 or 16 live events a year. The scale of the events, the marquees, the hospitality, the prize money, it’s all grown. We never had a marquee those days. The prize money for most events has escalated to US$750,000, US1 million or US$2 million for our full field events, which is great.

Has anything changed with the players?

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Speaking of Kiradech, he is a big boy. Have you talked about it on air?

I was actually going to bring it up (during the Maybank Malaysian Open which Kiradech won). For the longevity of his career, I think it would be beneficial for him. But I also get the impression that if he lost a big amount of weight, he might lose his game too.

We’ve seen that in the past with the big players. It’s a dangerous one. It’s not ideal to carry the extra weight that he’s carrying.

Golf is mentally more tiring but it’s also physically draining when you’re playing a tough season, you’ve got the pro-am, practice rounds, week in week out. But he’s at a point now that he’s got the luxury to plan a better schedule.

The professionalism of the players is very different. We were kind of old school then, never went to the gym and didn’t work out. Now you see everyone going to the gym, which is reflective on all the tours. We used to hang out at the bars to chitchat. It was different. The good thing about the Asian Tour is that it’s still got the friendly camaraderie even though it’s become more professional. These guys are making more money and the level of professionalism has risen compared to 15 or 18 years ago.

Who amongst the new generation of Asian Tour players do you think will become better than the likes of Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant?

I think Kiradech Aphibarnrat is unbelievable. I think he really is a natural.

I think he can go really far in his career.

He can be top-20 in the world, top-10 in fact. Korea’s Noh Seung-yul, our 2010 Order of Merit champion, is also another

How about yourself, what held you back from winning on the old Asian circuit during your playing career?

I was a mental midget! I was terrible.

Korea’s Noh Seung-yul, our 2010 Order of Merit champion, is also another guy who can become a world’s top-10 player. He can go all the way.

I watch how the top players behave now and how I behaved then it was terrible. They are patient and I was very competitive. There is no way these guys are less competitive than I was but how they manage their emotions on the course where I absolutely had no control. It was pathetic.

What have been some of your worse moments?

Hundreds of things! Throwing clubs is one; I once finished with six clubs in my bag. I just threw them all into the lake.

At the time, I couldn’t control it. I felt bad for my playing partners. I must have been a distraction to them. You still see a few guys out here but they’ve been held back. It takes a huge amount of discipline. I’m a social golfer now but I still can’t control myself and I still throw clubs. It’s pathetic. I’m 47 years old! This game drives people to do silly things. Off the golf course, my personality is totally different. It’s bizarre.

Has extended TV coverage helped players to behave better?

You never saw the players through an extended period of time as telecasts those days were confined to the last six to seven holes. Even the Masters covered only the back nine until quite recently. So you never really saw how the players behaved throughout their rounds. Now, you don’t miss a Tiger Woods shot and you get to see Rory McIlroy throughout his round. And you get to see their reactions after a bad

shot; they just put their club back into the bag and continue walking. Because of the exposure, the guys learn a lot quicker. The young guys now have far more knowledge, swing, mental training, lifestyle, coaches and fitness. We learned the game after turning pro. We learned how to play after we turned pro.

Now, these kids are ready after they turn pro because they have all the support mechanisms. It’s a different game, a different era. I’m not necessarily saying it’s better.

What are your thoughts about the pace of play these days? Is it tough watching players switch clubs all the time?

The pace of the game is a worry. Golf shouldn’t take four and a half hours. It should take no more than four and a quarter but of course if the course is tough and the greens are tricky, it’ll take a little longer. It’s hard to watch when you see the guys take a minute or a minute and a half to hit a shot. When you watch the top players, they are reacting. They react to what they see, it’s an instinctive game, it’s a feel game. Of course you have the mechanics of the game to think about but it’s about what you see and how you react to it.

Many are now labelling you “The Voice of Asian golf. Is it complimentary?

It’s a flattering term but basically, I’m the only guy right now. Hopefully when we develop and have 30 to 35 tournaments in a few years’ time, we’ll add more to the

team. I can’t do it all. I’m looking forward to the day when we have a bigger team in our commentary.

You’ve worked with many top golf commentators now. How much have you enjoyed working with different commentators?

Everyone I’ve worked with has been fantastic. I’ve worked with Renton Laidlaw, Warren Humphrey, Julian Tutt, Richard Kaufman, Alan Wilkins, Dougie Donnelly and Peter Donegan; I’ve been very lucky. These are the guys I’ve looked up to. For me, I was star struck when I started working with them as I have watched them when I was playing and growing up. To actually work alongside them, it’s a big deal for me. But now, they’ve become friends. Everybody brings out a different side of me. They’ve all been easy to work with. There’s not been a guy that I’ve sat next to where he’s made me feel uncomfortable like he’s the man or he’s the star of the broadcast.

They’ve all treated me like a complete equal although at the beginning, I was a novice. I still feel I’m a rookie although I’ve done it for eight years now.

Any good advice from them?

They give me little tips. The one thing is to be yourself; they’ve all said it in their own way. Say what comes to your mind and be yourself. Don’t be someone different, as the audience will figure that out.

You get to watch and talk about all these great golfers on the Asian Tour and from around the world. Do you get the itch to try to get back out there to play competitively?

It’s never gone. I still love the game. Deep down, it’s still my passion. There’s some sense that there is some unfinished business that I should be better than what I am but it’s getting less and less.

You never know. I still play the occasional local stuff to keep the juices flowing. I think it’s important that I still play the game, understand the technology. It’s good to play with better players to see what the difference is.

GOLF ASIA 55

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ESCAPE BALI

Bali Tracks Get

Wonderful On Bali, golfers won’t find dozens of courses from which to choose. But that is the only imaginable drawback, as this island paradise has everything else a golfer might desire

BY HENRY CHOI

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B

ali has an abundance of riches when it comes to resorts, beaches, and spirituality of pure holidaymaking variety. Yes, there are only five golf courses but they form a compelling argument for quality over quantity. As it happens, that quality has never been more accessible. Bali’s top golf properties, some of the finest courses in all of Asia-Pacific, have recently committed en masse to the new golf travel cooperative, Golf Wonderful Indonesia.

Launched in August 2012, Golf Wonderful has gathered these partner courses, and hotels, in order to provide custom golf travel packages that leverage the country’s unique standing as a golf destination both exotic and affordable.

At the same time, Indonesia’s national airline, Garuda, instituted daily MelbourneDenpasar routes beginning April 1, to complement a slew of new routes to golf-hungry destinations in Australia, New Zealand and the UK, “Feels a bit like the stars are aligning,” said Harmony Thomas, president director

of PT Panorama Wisata Nusantara, the tour operator managing all in-bound traffic for Golf Wonderful Indonesia (www. golfwonderfulindonesia.com). Indeed.

I didn’t fly Garuda (there is certainly no shortage of flights to Denpasar from Singapore), but I did manage to sample three of Bali’s best tracks when I visited in February. Bali National Golf Resort in Nusa Dua was undergoing a renovation (to reopen later this year) or I’d have made it a foursome. Still, it’s hard to imagine a better grouping of golf courses anywhere in the Asia-Pacific.

NEW KUTA GOLF I started in the very southwest corner of the island and worked my way north.

Opened in 2008, New Kuta Golf made an immediate and lasting impression on the southern Bali golf scene, which has long attracted thousands of tourists but provided relatively few golfing options.

This 18-hole gem immediately provided a world-class course to serve the popular destinations of Jimbaran Bay and

Dreamland Beach. Indeed, the course was good enough to host the Asian Tour’s Indonesian Open in February 2009, less than 12 months after opening.

New Kuta Golf is located just down the road from the Uluwatu Temple, one the island’s most famous spiritual centres — and one of the most striking, set on a cliff top, high above the crashing surf. It may be blasphemous, but the golf nut in me reckoned a pretty spectacular golf course could be built along these cliffs. A few hours later I played New Kuta and realized one already had.

One wonders why it took so long to develop golf on a property so spectacularly suited to the task. The climate here is a bit different from much of Bali — it’s semi-arid in comparison, and the vegetation well complements the layout’s links-style design. The par-72, 6,812-yard layout accentuates this links feel with native grasses, vegetation and just a handful of trees bordering its seashore paspalum fairways, tees and roughs. The greens are planted with smooth-rolling GOLF ASIA 59

ESCAPE BALI

ultradwarf Bermudagrass.

Designed by Golfplan, the front nine plays away from the sea, into gentle uplands marked by ridges and rock outcroppings. The par-5 2nd hole is a roller-coaster ride of undulations, punctuated by a green that falls off steeply into a gulch. The back nine at New Kuta plays downhill to the Indian Ocean, where white limestone cliffs (some 60 meters high) separate golfers from the sunbathers and surfers on Balangan Beach. This

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tableau is a dead ringer for the setting at Uluwatu. Holes 14 to 16 — all of which play all along the cliff-edge — are among the most picturesque in world golf. Totally exposed to the ocean winds, they’re also among the most demanding.

NIRWANA BALI GOLF CLUB If Bali has a reputation for great golf, much of that credential stems from the opening of Nirwana Bali Golf Club in 1998. It has since elicited so much praise and earned so many awards, it’s frankly hard to keep track of it all.

According to the U.S. Forbes Travel Guide it lists among “Asia’s 10 Most Elite Golf Courses”. Laid out by the prolific and globetrotting Greg Norman, Nirwana Bali GC is considered by many to be the Australian’s finest design work anywhere.

While the quality of the golf at Nirwana Bali is widely hailed, it accounts for only

a portion of the extraordinary appeal here in Tabanan, an hour northwest of Kuta, Bali’s vibrant tourist district. There are, for example, not one, not two but 13 Hindu temples located out and about on this diverse routing, and just off the cliff-to-cliff, 185-yard par-3 7th sits the oftphotographed island temple at Tanah Lot. It’s right there, just offshore, perched on its own island outcropping, and the devout wade out at sunset in the hundreds amid a faintly orange, billowing cloud of incense.

There are four more seaside holes at Nirwana nearly as compelling as the vaunted 7th, plus a dozen strong inlandjungle holes on terrain riven by rushing streams and bounded by working rice paddies, which are elegantly tiered and, in several spots, fully integrated into golf holes as hazards. Then there’s the long and superb 4th, a par-4 that plays along a plateau that takes golfers to the highest

point on the property, with its long views down to the sea.

The clubhouse serving Nirwana Bali GC is another gem, then there’s the exquisite Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort, around which the golf course is routed, with its 278 5-star rooms, sumptuous restaurants, elegant public spaces, and full-service spa.

Did we mention this might be the home of Indonesia’s finest sunsets? Well, it is — which explains why the Pan Pacific is also one of the most sought-after wedding destinations in the South Pacific.

BALI HANDARA KOSAIDO COUNTRY CLUB If Nirwana solidified Bali’s standing as a golf destination, Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club was its foundation. Designed in 1973, Bali Handara was the island’s first course and it made an immediate, farreaching impression.

Few courses on Earth boast the exotic setting and pure golfing pedigree of Bali Handara. Situated in the island’s central highland region, Bali Handara takes up residence inside the crater of an extinct volcano, surrounded by the steep, lushly vegetated walls of the caldera and beside the crystal clear waters of Lake Buyan. At 1,142 meters above sea level, Bali Handara is highest golf course in all of Indonesia, a country blessed with dozens of tracks at significant altitude. There is simply no other golfing tableau quite like this one, anywhere.

Yet Bali Handara is more than mere eye candy. Opened in 1973 and designed by 5-time British Open Champions Peter Thomson, with his then partners Michael Wolveridge and Ron Fream, the 18 holes at Bali Handara were soon recognized

by GOLF Magazine as “One of the 50 Greatest Golf Courses in the World” — a designation it held through the mid-1980s.

Signature holes abound on this 7,024-yards, par-72 layout, thanks to backdrops of equatorial rain forest, in every direction, and long views across the lake and terraced rice paddies. Indeed, the elevation and resulting cool temperatures (14-24 C) allow for something completely anomalous to the tropics: the maintenance of fast-and-true bentgrass greens. The putting surfaces are a good metaphor for the challenge at Bali Handara: gorgeous but deceptively difficult.

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Located some two hours north of Bali’s international airport and an hour north of Tanah Lot, Bali Handara is a sort of golf destination within a golf destination. The country club offers a wide variety of villas and bungalows, all with superior views of the golf course and Lake Buyan; some even sport fireplaces (something one doesn’t typically need in Indonesia).

In between rounds, off site, Bali Handara serves up more top-shelf sightseeing and adventure opportunities than some small countries. A quick rundown of activities, all within 25 minute of the course, include: • Fishing, trekking, boating even strawberry picking on or around Lake Buyan.

• Promenading at Kebun Raya Eka Karya, one of Indonesia’s four official botanical gardens.

• Zip-lining at Bali Treetop Adventure Park.

• Meditating at Pura Ulun Danu Bratah, a

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• • • •

stunning, 380-year-old Hindu temple on the shores of Lake Bratan.

Parasailing, water-skiing, and boating on Lake Bratan.

Hiking to and ogling the spectacular waterfalls at Gitgit and Munduk.

Feeding the famously friendly Bedugul monkeys.

Or simply drinking in the serene, starting beauty of the rice paddies terraced in the shadow of Mount Batakaru.

This doesn’t include, on the way back to Denpasar, a visit to Ubud, one of the funkiest little resort towns you’ll ever come across. When I was planning this trip, I have to admit that three courses in 6 days seemed a bit paltry; I’m frankly accustomed to playing more golf in that sort of span. But Bali offers so much, on course and off, it proved more than enough.

Okay, I played Bali Nirwana twice. But you get the point.

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GOLF ASIA 63

ESCAPE KHAO YAI

Tuscany? France? Switzerland?

No, It's Khao Yai, Thailand!

BY KEN LYE • IMAGES © MOUNTAIN CREEK GOLF RESORT & RESIDENCE, KIRIMAYA GOLF RESORT SPA & RESIDENCES, RANCHO CHARNVEE RESORT & COUNTRY CLUB, THE BONANZA RESORT KHAO YAI, PANORAMA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, KHAO YAI GOLF CLUB, SIR JAMES COUNTRY CLUB

T

his month, we feature an interesting destination that is just under three hours’ drive from Bangkok and is a popular year-round getaway. Khao Yai, more specifically, the Nakhon Ratchasima district or province, known locally also as Korat which is about 400m above sea level Khao Yai, means “large mountain” in Thai and usually refers to an area in the Sankamphaeng mountain range, which is home to the Khao Yai National

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Park. Khao Yai is blessed with a lush, mountainous landscape, cascading valleys, pounding waterfalls and rich biodiversity. The Khao Yai region has lots to offer, from Wang Nam Kheo, known by some as the ‘Switzerland of Thailand’, where the highlights include endless fruit and vegetable orchards set amidst Swiss and European themed architecture to mountain-hugged vineyards, yes, you heard us right…vineyards… and not to forget, wonderful scenic golf courses.

This 5-star resort is fairly new and offers a total of 34 luxury African-styled villas, including 8 pool villas.

Visiting the Khao Yai National Park or the Palio Village for shopping is only a 30-minute hop away from the resort.

Mountain Creek Golf Resort & Residence

M

ountain Creek is the only course in Thailand designed by former World No.1, five-time Major winner and World Golf Hall of Fame member, the late Seve Ballesteros. Seve designed 27-holes set amidst thick forests, hilly terrain, undulating highlands and rolling valleys intermittently dotted with numerous creeks, large shade trees and peculiar but natural rock formations, some of which we were told are over 100 years old! Hence their suitably named Highland, Creek and Valley courses.

One will find the courses a real tough challenge and a strong test of one’s golfing prowess given the tree-lined layout, the many blind holes and tricky pin placements on big raised slick but true greens which have lots of swales.

The fairways here are quite firm and undulating. One can get some run on tee shots so you may find your ball running or bouncing thru the fairways into trouble on any errant shot. Hence, you might want to keep your driver in the bag more than usual. Borrowing fairways is not

even on the same planet for this course. It is somewhat puzzling to us that Seve had designed a course like this, given that he was not exactly the straightest driver of the golf ball off the tee but known more for his amazing short game recovery shots from trouble!

The championship course combination is the Highland/Creek course combo. The Creek course’s par 3 2nd is a memorable hole. One would have to take a short iron to a wedge to fly over tall trees to a severely elevated green flanked by water short and to the right of the green. But we have to say though, that we are not a big fan of par 5s where you automatically need to reach for a long / mid iron to lay up off the tee. We believe for a par 5 there must be some risk-reward element with a driver off the tee. The 4th hole at the Highland and the 1st hole at the Creek are two of these holes that don’t endear to us.

The closing hole on the Valley course is pretty massive, at a whopping 471yds from the black tees, uphill and aptly named the “Terminator!”

A: 99/9 Moo 12, Mittraphap Road, KM. 92, Tambol Ladbuakhao, Amphur Sikhio, Nakorn Ratchasima 30340 Thailand T: +66 44 756 100 to 105, F: +66 44 756 106 E: info@mountaincreekthailand.com W: www.mountaincreekthailand.com 27-holes – each par 36 Creek Course (North) Black-3,781yds, Blue-3,475yds, Yellow3,204yds, White-3,020yds, Red-2,808yds (Combination of Highland/Creek) Valley Course (East) Black-3,834yds, Blue-3,589yds, Yellow3,312yds, White-3,107yds, Red-2,857yds (Combination of Highland/Valley) Highland Course (South) Black-3,671yds, Blue-3,413yds, Yellow-3,189yds, White-2,929yds, Red-2,634yds (Combination of Creek/Valley) Green Fees for 18 holes: W/D – THB 2,500, W/E - THB 3,500 Caddy Fee: THB 350, Buggy Fee: THB 600

GOLF ASIA 65

ESCAPE KHAO YAI THAILAND

Kirimaya and its sister resort, Muthi Maya, are both high-end boutique luxury resorts that are a lovely nature retreat. Kirimaya has 56 tastefully decorated rooms, 4 suites and 4-tented villas that lends an Out of Africa feel. Muthi Maya on the other hand is set further into the land of the resort with 64 private pool villas with a forest theme bringing its guests back to nature complete with breathtaking vistas of the mountain ranges.

Kirimaya Golf Resort Spa & Residences / Muthi Maya Pool Villas

K

irimaya is home to a Jack Nicklaus design course. Good ol’Jack hardly disappoints us with his designs and this course is thoroughly enjoyable. Though generally a flat course, its good mix of wide and narrow fairways, doglegs and water hazards make the course a fair test of one’s golfing skills.

This course requires you to do some thinking off the tees. On most holes, you can take the big dog out for a walk but trouble awaits for those less than perfect shots. Take a driver over the dogleg, you could be laughing with a short iron or even a wedge into the green on some par 4s. But sometimes, it could end up better

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laying back with proper placement off the tee and taking a mid-iron in to avoid overhanging trees and unseen narrow landing areas over the dog-leg with trouble abound. If you like playing off the white tees, it can be real fun as there are some short drive-able par 4s like the 5th, 9th, 10th and 15th. Greens here are grainy so pay attention to the grain for speed and line, especially on some tricky pin positions.

A: 1/3 Moo 6 Thanarat Road, Moo-Si, Pakchong, Nakorn Ratchasima 30130, Thailand T: +66 44 426 000 F: +66 44 929 888

E: reservation@kirimaya.com / reservation@ muthimaya.com W: www.kirimaya.com / www.muthimaya. com Green Fees: W/D (Mon-Thurs) – THB 2,500 / In-house Guest – THB 1,250 W/E (Fri – Sun / Public Holidays) - THB 3,500 / In-house Guest – THB 1,750 Caddy Fee: THB 400 (inclusive of tips) Buggy Fee: THB 600 Par 72: Black - 7,170yds, Gold – 6,744yds, Blue – 6,371yds, White – 5,722yds, Red – 4,875yds

There are 62 rooms and 8 villas for stay and play packages.

Rancho Charnvee Resort & Country Club

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his beautiful immaculate cowboy themed golf resort is a far cry from some of the tight tree-lined courses we have played like Mountain Creek or Kirimaya. It’s almost bombs away on every hole here with the generally firm, wide and fairly open fairways with little trees. On a couple of par 5s (5th and 14th holes), you could almost get cheeky and borrow the next fairway for a shorter approach to the green in two!

The presence of pine needle trees coupled with some Swiss/European-like looking buildings and houses around the course makes one feel like playing golf in the Alpine region.

This Bob McFarland designed layout is good with multiple risk-reward options off the tee. The greens are true, smooth and fairly quick. Add big to this equation with many having a fair bit of undulation and tiers, good accurate iron play is needed to place your ball on the correct tier and below the hole for the best chance of making the birdie or par. False fronts to most greens make club selection tricky but thank goodness for laser rangefinders.

This fun challenging course has hosted the All Thailand Golf Tour’s Singha Classic in 2011 and will host the upcoming 6th Singha-SAT Thai LPGA Championship 2013 in July.

A: 333/2 Moo. 12 Khanongphra Pakchong, Nakorn Ratchasima 30130, Thailand T: +66 44 756 210 to 213 F: +66 44 249 411 E: ranchocharnvee@gmail.com W: www.ranchocharnvee.com Green Fees: W/D – THB 1,200; W/E – THB 2,400 Caddy Fee: THB 450 (inclusive of tips) Buggy Fee: THB 600 Par 72: Blue - 7,131yds, White – 6,559yds, Red – 5,936yds

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The Bonanza Resort Khao Yai - Bonanza Golf & Country Club / Police Golf Club

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his resort has another Bob McFarland design that gives another Swiss Alpine playing feel to it with the many architecturally Swiss/European styled houses and buildings picturesquely framed against lakes and the backdrop of the Khao Yai mountains. A long and windy course at 7,482yds off the black tees with firm fairways, the course presents a veritable number of challenges with its blend of really wide and narrow fairways, water carries and sharp doglegs. Classic risk-reward options are present like in the par 4 4th. Here one can choose to lay up on the right fairway or take a driver and blast it over the trees to the left fairway making the hole shorter and in the process taking out a water carry second shot into the green.

The majority of the greens here are fairly small and nicely contoured with slopes that can be used to funnel your ball towards the holes, like on the par 3 11th where

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you would have to hit to the left edge of the green to use the slope to get to a front pin. Anything targeted at the pin will likely bounce off to the right into the hazard.

A: 236 Mu 5, Thanarat Kanongpra Rd., Pak Chong, Nakorn Ratchasima 30130, Thailand T: +66 86 977 6658 / +66 89 071 1056 E: reservation@thebonanzakhaoyai.com W: www.thebonanzakhaoyai.com/en Par 72: Black - 7,482yds, Blue – 6,959yds, White – 6,498yds, Red – 5,932yds

Home to the Bonanza International Speedway, the longest in Thailand, speed enthusiasts can avail to a world standard race circuit to race around in. It has a tarmac racetrack for racecars and tracks with gravel and mud for rally cars and motocross. This resort has most activities for family with kids in tow as the resort offers horseback riding through the surrounding fields, streams, mountains and hills with free range cattle abound to give that authentic Wild Wild West cowboy feel. Its Bonanza Adventure Park offers rides, animal shows, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing, archery and more.

Panorama Golf & Country Club

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reviously known as Voyage Panorama Resort and Golf Club, Panorama is carved out of the surrounding forest and partly built on a bluff that offers panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys, hence its name. It closely follows the contours of the landscape where all but two holes are completely secluded and on their own.

Although a fairly old course of about 20 years old, it is still in good condition. The greens are often sloped or tiered, and can be very fast. The layout is good with the course designed to take full advantage of its striking natural surroundings. Offering relatively few hazards, this breezy course is nevertheless challenging and tough,

relying on the natural lay of the land rather than man-made obstacles. It requires thinking, precise strategic placement and shot shaping off the tee on many holes and on some holes, even on the second shot. The most striking, an example is the par 4 10th. Standing on the elevated tee box, especially on the black tee (380yds), one will shudder at the view that awaits you below, a very tight hole that has a very narrow landing area with a big tree in the middle. Flanked by a tree-lined hillside on the left and the road on the right – does one play a cut, or draw or straight shot over the big tree in the middle? Your guess is as good as ours.

A: 68 Moo 10 Tambon Nongyakhao, Sikhiu, Nakorn Ratchasima 30140, Thailand T: +66 44 436 298 E: info@panoramacountryclub.com W: www.panoramacountryclub.com Green Fees: Oct – Feb: W/D – THB 1,400, W/E – THB 1,800 Mar-Sept: W/D – THB 1,100, W/E – THB 1,500 Caddy Fee: THB 280 Buggy Fee: THB 600 Par 72: Black – 6,768yds, Blue – 6,197yds, White – 5,462yds, Red – 4,715yds

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Khao Yai Golf Club

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ormerly known as the Mission Hills Khao Yai, the Khao Yai Golf Club may be worth a visit for its Jack Nicklaus design course. The course is fairly decently maintained and the mildly undulating layout will give a pleasant playing experience as with most other Nicklaus designed courses. Fairways here are pretty generous in width with palm trees and accentuation from mounds dotting the landscape around the course.

Many of the approach shots into the greens can be seen to be designed to be more accommodating to a fade shot, Nicklaus’ favoured shot, to avoid the bunkers guarding many of the greens. The short par 5 2nd at 508yds from the blacks plays a little downhill and just tempts the risk-reward option to get as close as you

USEFUL INFO can to the water’s edge for just a little shorter second shot to the green for an eagle try.

A: 151 Moo 5 Moosi, Pakchong, Nakorn Ratchasima 30130, Thailand T: +66 44 297 258 / +66 81 977 1952 F: +66 44 297 260 E: info@khaoyaigolfclub.com W: www.khaoyaigolfclub.com Green Fees: Oct – Feb: W/D – THB 1,500, W/E – THB 2,500 Mar-Sept: W/D – THB 750, W/E – THB 1,250 Caddy Fee: THB 300, Buggy Fee: THB 700 Par 72: Black - 7,058yds, Gold – 6,659yds, Blue – 6,295yds, White – 5,765yds, Red – 5,031yds

Getting To Khao Yai You will need to fly into Bangkok and from there, take a van or bus to Khao Yai, which is just under a 3-hour drive.

There are no taxis, or tuk-tuks in Khao Yai so to get around, it is best that you arrange your trip thru travel agents who will be able to provide the land transport plus an English-speaking guide to bring you around the golf courses, sights and restaurants.

Climate Khao Yai has three main seasons, with an annual average temperature of 23ºC, though this varies greatly with the seasons.

Rainy Season – May to October. During this season most days have high rates of precipitation. The atmosphere is humid with average temperatures of 27ºC during the day dropping to 13ºC at night.

Cold season – November to February.

This is the peak season and it is the most popular time to visit Khao Yai, as clear, sunny and cool weather are ideal for hiking and nice sunsets are common.

Average temperature is 22ºC during the day and 10ºC at night.

Sir James Country Club

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amed after the owner’s grandfather, Sir James Richard Holt, KBE, the course is a hilly undulating one with fairly wide fairways and although tree-lined on some holes, getting into them is not as penal as if you were at say, Mountain Creek. You may be able to find a gap through the trees to get out of jail. For the erratic driver of the golf ball, you may be able to borrow a fairway or two and even make a comeback for par! A pleasant course to play where at almost every hole, you will be treated to views of the surrounding verdant mountain ranges. In 2012, Sir James hosted the Thai PGA’s SAT Classic.

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A: 195 Moo 3 Tumbol Mitraphab, Muaklek District, Saraburi, Thailand 18180 T: +66 36 343 200 F: +66 36 343 222 E: den_sing@hotmail.com / pichai@ sirjamesresort.com W: www.sirjamesresort.com Green Fees: W/D – THB 600, W/E – THB 800 (up to June 2013 only) Caddy Fee: THB 300 Buggy Fee: THB 500 Par 72: Pros - 7,160yds, Men – 6,560yds, Senior – 6,145yds, Ladies – 5,634yds

Hot Season – March to April. Even in the hot season, Khao Yai does not experience the kind of heat felt elsewhere in the country. Daytime temperatures reach between a high 20ºC to low 30ºC. During this season it is dry and often windy. At night it can drop to 17ºC.

SIGHTS, FOOD, VINEYARDS & SHOPPING Khao Yai National Park A UNESCO World Heritage site, Khao Yai is Thailand’s third largest national park. Its highest peak, at Khao Rom, is 1,351m above sea level. One can stay inside the national park, where you can explore its verdant landscape and scenic waterfalls on foot, or enjoy several encounters with wildlife and rare tropical birds.

Vineyards & Food The climate in Khao Yai is conducive to growing grapes with its drier and lower temperatures compared to the rest of Thailand. Have a stroll amongst endless fields of grapes or have a wine dinner at a vineyard here. Khao Yai is home to two well-known local vineyards, the GranMonte Estate Vineyard and the PB Khao Yai Valley Winery, the largest vineyard in Khao Yai. Visiting their vineyards would take you into the twilight zone as you feel like you were in Tuscany or Bordeaux’s sun-drenched vineyards set amidst expansive valleys.

The VinCotto restaurant in GranMonte Estate, we were told whips up delicious pastas, salads as well as hearty Italian main courses and desserts. Whilst over at PB Vineyard, their Great Hornbill Grill serves up western and Thai dishes accompanied by breathtaking views of the vineyard. Browse in their store and pick up perhaps a bottle or two of their very drinkable and tasty best selling wine, a 2010 PB Khao Yai Reserve PB Valley Shiraz.

For a true authentic taste of Thai food patronized by lots of locals, one must try Banmaichaynam Restaurant. Located in the town of Pak Chong, the restaurant is set along a creek, which is located about a long par 4 in from the main road, Mittraphap Road, but transport in the form of a tram is available from the restaurant. This restaurant has an amazingly impressive array of memorabilia and collectibles from all over the world! You will feel like you have taken a step back in time when you pass by as well as replicas of shops from the turn of the century. There is a bar above the dining area that offers a great view of the river below to toss back a few cold beers if you just want a cool place to hang out. Aside from the usual delicious Thai dishes you must try their minced fried catfish, which is amazingly tasty.

On the way back to Bangkok, stop by the National Corn & Sorghum Research Centre for a taste of wonderful fresh hot corn kernels from the cornfields just behind the centre. A must try is their chilled natural fresh corn juice which is their specialty and not available anywhere else.

Shopping On the shopping front, Khao Yai doesn’t have the big modern shopping malls but they do have contemporary lifestyle offerings. You will find these at the Outlet Village and conceptshopping venues like Palio Village Khao Yai that one shouldn’t miss. It is like a page out of Tuscany with its Tuscan-themed architecture complete with the colourful Mediterranean terracotta-toned buildings - home to an array of cafes and shops offering clothes, gifts, accessories, knick-knacks, gourmet snacks and live entertainment.

Golfing Many of the golf courses in Khao Yai are set in or around magnificent vistas of the surrounding mountain ranges of the Khao Yai National Park with some courses more hilly than others, having been carved out of the mountainside. Most are integrated resorts with accommodation coupled with a plethora of facilities and activities to offer their guests.

These range from food outlets, a racetrack for speed enthusiasts, cowboy-style horse riding, motocross, rappelling, archery, rock climbing, spas and the list goes on.

Khao Yai National Park A: Pamphur Pak Chong Nakhorn Ratchasima, Thailand 30130 T: +66 86 926 529 F: +66 03 735 6037 E: khaoyai_np@hotmail.com W: www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp/style1/ default.asp?npid=9&lg=2

Note: The best time to visit is October-February and guided wine tasting tours of the vineyard are available.

GranMonte Estate Vineyard & Wines A: 52 Moo 9 Phayayen, Pakchong, Nakorn Ratchasima 30320, Thailand T: +66 81 923 2007 E: marketing@granmonte.com W: www.granmonte.com Note: The best time to visit is October-February, and guided wine tasting tours of the vineyard are available.

Banmaichaynam Restaurant A: 21 Koh Kaew Village, off Mittraphap Road, Pak Chong, Nakorn Ratchasima 30130, Thailand T: +66 44 314 236/312 134 F: +66 44 316 609 E: banmaichaynamresort49@hotmail.com W: www.banmaichaynam.com Palio Village Khao Yai A: 146/1 Moo.4, Thanarath Road (km.17), Pak Chong, Thailand Outlet Village Khao Yai A: 888 Moo 7 Mittraphap Road, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand W: www.outletmallthailand.com/dt_khaoyai/ khaoyai_outlet.html National Corn and Sorghum Research Centre A: 298 Klangdong, Pakchong, Nakorn Ratchasima 30320, Thailand T: +66 44 361 7704 F: +66 44 361 108 E: iicrd@ku.ac.th W: www.iicrd.ku.ac.th/Eng/ncas_001_e1.htm

PB Valley Khao Yai Winery A: 102 Moo 5, Phaya Yen, Pak Chong, Nakorn Ratchasima 30320, Thailand T: +66 36 226 415 to 416 F: +66 36 226 417 E: dining@khaoyaiwinery.com (Resort, Dining & Wine Tour Reservation) W: www.khaoyaiwinery.com

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The Island Of

Sky And Sea Renowned for its natural beauty, Jeju is the largest island in Korea. Besides beautiful golf courses, this famous volcanic island has lots more to offer

IMAGES Š JEJU TOURISM ORGANIZATION / JEJU SPECIAL SELF-GOVERNING PROVINCE 72 GOLF ASIA

Seongsan Sunrise Peak

Mt. Hallasan

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t is no surprise that Jeju Island, the new 7 Wonders of Nature with its stunning scenery has been the backdrop for many Korean dramas and movies as well. And with over 30 golf courses spread over a total area of 1,848 square kilometres of volcanic land, golfers can expect to be enthralled and captivated by the islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dramatic landscapes, varying terrain and unique scenery that would add to the unforgettable golďŹ ng experience only Jeju can offer.

Sanji Lighthouse

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A Well Known Golf Course That Is One Of Korea’s Finest Lotte Sky Hill Jeju Country Club is a 36-hole Robert Trent Jones, Jr. design and no effort was spared in the planning stages to include the exotic views of Jeju’s landscape within the golf course. The Seogwipo Sea is spread out in the south, while Mt. Sanbang and Mt. Halla can be seen as well. The fairways and greens feature sturdy bent grass so that golfers may enjoy the golf course all year round.

For the first time in Korea, Lotte Sky Hill won the KS certification within the golf course service sector and was selected as one of Korea’s top 10 golf courses for 2 consecutive years, it is also known as the best golf course in Jeju Island, holding the KLPGA tournament twice every year.

The clubhouse is reminiscent of a magnificent palace and is designed by the same designers of the Lotte Hotel in Jeju.

Located in the middle of both the Sky and the Hill courses, the clubhouse allows guests to enjoy the stunning views presented by both courses. Other facilities include an outdoor lounge and terrace, lockers room personal safes and meeting rooms.

A: 100, Saekdal-dong, Seogwipo Si, Jeju-Do T: +82-64-731-2000 F: +82-64-731-2097 W: www.skyhill.co.kr

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A Golf Course Designed In Harmony With Nature Raon Golf Club is designed by celebrated golfer Colin Montgomerie and even earned a commendation by Tiger Woods. Located within a naturally formed basin landscape, the area blocks out winds so is least affected by storms or bad weather. Located at an altitude of 130m to 180m and with an annual average temperature of 18ºC to 20ºC, the area is blessed with fantastic golfing conditions all year round.

The three nine hole courses are all designed by Colin Montgomerie, who took the utmost care not to disrupt the natural environs yet using all the nuances the terrain has to offer. The result of such attention is strategic courses and layouts that require the use of all 14 golf clubs in the bag. Depending on their handicaps, golfers can choose to test their skills by combining two of the courses for a 7,100yard 18-hole layout, not unlike those on the PGA tour.

Other facilities include, the Raon Village that has 80 rooms located on the grounds of Raon Golf Club, a natural turf grass driving range, restaurants, a large 150 seat banquet hall, 3 small banquet halls and an interesting Stone Sculpture Park where the stones were actually formed naturally by lava.

A: 998, Yonggeumno, Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju Si, Jeju-Do T: +82-64-795-1000 F: +82-64-795-8001 W: www.raon.co.kr

A Golf Course That Prides Itself On Its Views & Playing Conditions Imagine golfing amongst a virgin forest and volcanic stones while taking in the magnificent views of Mt. Halla and enjoying the cool breeze blowing from the Pacific Ocean, welcome to the 27 hole Lake Hills Jeju Country Club. Playing from the Emerald course the magnificent Mt. Halla can be seen, while the Aquamarine course promises refreshing views of the Seogwipo sea, and the Topaz course presents a totally different view, that of a virgin forest. Lake Hills Jeju Country Club’s other facilities include a sauna, banquet hall, restaurants all within a modern 2-story building.

A: San 5, Jungmun-dong, Seogwipo Si, Jeju-Do T: +82-64-738-8858 F: +82-64-738-8852 W: lakehills.co.kr/network/cc_jeju/jeju_main.html

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Embracing Mt. Halla And The Blue Ocean Located within the land development project site of Sumang Tourism District, Seogwipo Si, Jeju-do area, the Booyoung Country Club is built on a sprawling area featuring a 27-hole golf course with a clubhouse that houses amenities such as a 74-room hotel, a large restaurant, banquet hall, sauna and a pro-shop.

The golf course was designed in tandem with the beautiful surrounding landscapes, with wide and long fairways, local exotic plants as well as interesting bunkering and water hazards. Booyoung CC also features views of the magnificent Mt. Halla and the crystal blue sea.

Believing that everyone can enjoy a game of golf, there are different tees on its 18hole course and a 9-hole course especially for beginners.

The Wonang course features excellent views and a challenge for golfers set amidst mountains and Jeju’s native

Experience The Warmth Of Spring Along With Magnificent Views 18-hole Spring Dale Country Club won five stars last year in “Korea’s Top 10 New Golf Courses” and ranked among the top 10. The awards are given every 2 years and the 49 judges commented, “Every hole has its own clear and remarkable features and is well-arranged.”

Located in the Wimi-ri, Namwon-eup area, Mt. Halla and the sea make for

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trees. Surrounded by the sea and using flame grass as design elements, this course requires golfers to focus on their game and not get distracted by the scenery. The major design elements of the Sarang course are Jeju’s natural stones and topography, coupled with an artificial lake connected by surrounding trees. Golfers will also have to contend with its many bunkers.

Booyoung CC has an onsite 74-room hotel and its best feature is where

an excellent backdrop. In particular, the topography of Mt. Halla embraces Spring Dale CC and blocks the northwestern wind, allowing for warmer temperatures in winter. In summer, it gets cool due to the breeze from the sea. Spring Dale CC boasts optimum natural conditions because it has the least days of closure due to snow, wind or fog.

Another interesting feature is its hotel or “Town House” with 146 rooms constructed out of eco-friendly materials

the golf course can be seen and the excellent views of thick forest in the Sumang Tourism District, Mt. Halla and the sea can be enjoyed from the rooms, completing the unforgettable experience at this course.

A: 960, Namjo-ro, Namwon-eup, Seogwipo Si, Jeju-Do T: +82-64-766-5500 F: +82-64-766-5519 W: www.booyoungcc.co.kr

such as sun trees, Jeju’s natural stones and red clay. Spring Dale CC has a stateof-the-art multimedia convention centre that can accommodate 500 people for weddings, banquets and meetings. Its outdoor gymnasium is also an ideal offseason training ground for professionals.

A: 459 Seoseong-ro, Namwon-eup, Seogwipo Si, Jeju-Do T: +82-64-800-8000 F: +82-2-6455-4781 W: www.springdale.co.kr/

ESCAPE JEJU

Another GolďŹ ng Gem In Jeju And Among Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best Elysian Jeju Country Club is a golf course that blends itself into the natural beauty of its environs. With 36 holes, wide fairways and PGAlevel turf grass care, it also features the superb Elsuite Jeju Golftel.

Suitable for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions) it is easy to transition from golf games to business seminars or vice versa, furthermore it is only 20 minutes away from the airport and the downtown Jungmun area. The club provides free shuttle buses that run every day between Jeju Airport and the club.

As with most others featured here, the course features excellent views of Mt. Halla and the sea.

Its wide fairways provide comfort for errant shots and its strategically designed 36 holes allow golfers to enjoy a round in full appreciation of the beautiful and natural surroundings to the fullest.

A: 3914 Eoeum-ri Aewol-eup, Jeju Si, Jeju-Do T: +82-64-798-7000 F: +82-64-799-7011 W: www.elysian.co.kr/golf/jeju/overview.asp

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A World-Class Golf Course That Represents Korea’s Golf Courses Rated as one of the world’s best golf courses, the 27-hole Pinx is a heady combination of traditional and modern golf course design. Placing emphasis on hole arrangement, proper balance of skill and ability, impressive shape and beauty that allows the use of all 14 clubs in the bag.

The grandeur of Mt. Halla and the refreshing sea can be seen from all courses. With the use of sturdy western turf grass Pinx is able to remain open for play even in winter! Its clubhouse was designed by Itami Jun, a world-famous architect whose works are considered to be the embodiment of architectural beauty harmonised with nature and art.

Other facilities include restaurants, a banquet hall, pro shop, snack bar, half way houses, driving range as well as a 26-room hotel.

A: San 62-3, Sangcheon-ri, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo Si, Jeju-Do T: +82-64-792-8000 W: www.thepinx.co.kr

Full Of Green Situated in New Jeju area, it only takes 15 minutes from Jeju Airport and 7-8 minutes from New Jeju to reach Ora Country Club.

It is easily accessible and is also open 24/7 throughout the year. With Mt. Halla as its backdrop and fantastic climate conditions the course offers one of the best golfing experiences in Jeju.

A: 289 Ora 2-dong, Jeju Si, Jeju-Do T: +82-64-747-5000 F: +82-64-747-4909 W; www.oracc.co.kr

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The Queen’s Land “La Reine” means “queen” in French and is also the name of this classy family golf resort that reflects the beauty and elegance of a queen. Located at the foot of Mt. Halla, La Reine Resort like many properties in Jeju, believe in co-existing in harmony with their natural surroundings.

This beautiful course enables visitors to enjoy the changing views of its surrounds as it passes through the different seasons of the year. Besides the sea, golfers will be 80 GOLF ASIA

able to catch sight of the airport control tower of Jeju Island and the 6th hole of the Ocean course is designed to look like the Backrokdam Crater of Mt. Halla. Other facilities of the club include restaurants, a banquet hall, a swimming pool, gym, billiard hall and a spa therapy centre.

Asia’s First PGA Tour Golf Course Jungmun Golf Club was constructed according to international standards by the Korean Tourist Service to attract tourists to the area. The 18-hole layout opened in May 1989 and it is blessed with breath taking natural scenery and turfed with sturdy bent grass for all-season playability. The course layout features views of Mt. Halla and boasts Korea’s only coastal course with views of the Pacific Ocean, a combination that has garnered praise from around the world. Other facilities include a restaurant & grill, pro shop and driving range.

A: 60, #72 street Jungmung wangwang-ro, Seogwipo Si, Jeju-Do

A: 237-5 Bonggae-dong, Jeju Si, Jeju-Do

T: +82-64-738-1202

T: +82-64-729-7777

F: +82-64-738-7359

F: +82-64-729-7778

W: jungmungolf.visitkorea.or.kr

W: www.lareine.co.kr

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ESCAPE JEJU

JEJU'S UNIQUE CUISINE Jeju Island has a unique culture of food, clothing, and housing due to the geographic characteristics of the island and its unusual natural environment. Even today, citizens of Jeju Island maintain this unique, traditional flavour reflecting the island’s nature in their houses, tools, and clothing.

Black Pork Many tourists, on their first visit to Jeju, wonder where’s the best place to try the island’s delicious black pork. Sometimes, if you go

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by travel book recommendations it feels that something is missing and if you go to a totally unknown restaurant, you cannot be assured of the taste. In this situation, the answer would be to “just go anywhere.” Wherever you go in Jeju, you can find delicious black pork restaurants. The meat is even more delicious if you eat it with Mel-jeot, which is a salted anchovy that reduces the pork’s oiliness and makes it tastier.

Pheasant Cuisine Since there are many pheasants on

Jeju Island, there are many different dishes made using the bird. In the fall, pheasant is regarded as a real treat and can be eaten raw or dried as jerky. Kkwongtoryeom is a delicacy of thinly sliced pheasant breast meat that is eaten hot-pot style. Kkwong-memil guksu, (pheasant buckwheat noodles) delicately blends Jeju’s buckwheat and pheasant meat.

The buckwheat noodles are light and more digestible than other foods made with wheat. Pheasant dumpling soup is not greasy and its taste is sure to please.

Horse Cuisine Dishes made using horse were the finest served to the King in ancient times. Horse is used in a variety of dishes, including raw horsemeat, horse sushi, tangsuyuk (sweet and sour meat), galbijjim (rib stew), gui (roast meat) and bulgogi (sliced and seasoned barbequed meat).

Horsemeat tastes lighter than beef and each part and organ, such as the liver, has its own unique flavour.

Dom-hoe The most abundant fish in Jeju is the hwang-dom. It is cheap and

has an excellent taste but is hard to find on the mainland so don’t miss it while you are there. If you are looking for a fancier raw fish choice, gat-dom, also known as dol-dom, is also available.

Mul-hoe (Water Raw Fish) A favourite delicacy of summer on Jeju is mul-hoe. It is called mul-hoe as it is prepared by pouring water and spices over fresh raw fish.

There are many varieties such as jari-mul-hoe, sea cucumber mulhoe, turban shell mul-hoe and mitra squid mul-hoe. All the ingredients are fresh so just pick the one that you like best. After eating all the seafood, adding rice to the leftover soup makes another delicacy.

Galchi (Hairtail) Cuisine How best to eat Jeju’s chubby and tasty galchi? The first choice is to eat it fresh as hoe (raw fish). Some people think that galchi-hoe has a fishy smell, but that is not true. It is tasty and famous for its aroma.

Another delight is boiled galchi in soy sauce or eating boiled galchi spiced with hot Jeju chilli powder.

Godeungeo (Mackerel) Godeungeo, along with galchi, is one of the most loved fish types in the country. The full- fleshed fish makes your mouth water in anticipation. Godeungeo is inexpensive, full of nutrients and has an especially aromatic taste.

After the breeding season finishes in summer, the fish gains more

flesh and oil, thus autumn is the best time to eat it.

Obunjagi Ttukbaegi (Seafood Soup) The best seafood delight on Jeju Island is Obunjagi Seafood Soup.

Obunjagi is a mollusc and a close relative of the abalone family. It lives clinging to rocks about 20 meters

under the water. Around 70 percent of the total obunjagi found in Korea is from Jeju. The meat is full of calcium, iron and vitamin B. It can be roasted or put in doenjang soup or porridge, but the most highly recommended option is Obunjagi Seafood Soup. If you include obunjagi with other seafood in doenjang soup, the taste will

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double. After eating, you can take the shells home for decoration.

Jeon-bok (Abalone) Jeon-bok (abalone) is so nutritious that it is also known as the wild ginseng of the sea. Many abalones are gathered from Jeju waters and it can be found in many delicacies.

It is usually added to jeon-bokhoe, juk (porridge), ttukbaegi, samgyetang (chicken soup with ginseng), and various other stews. Due to its quality and taste,

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abalone was offered to kings in the old days. Chajeon-bok is readily available on Jeju, as is obunjagi, which is another kind of Jeon-bok.

Sora (Turban shell) Another common delicacy in seafood-rich Jeju is the sora (turban shell or conch). Therefore Jeju’s sora is also known as the Tangerine of the Sea. Small hwalsora, which are also known as Gujeng- ki in Jeju, are hard and firm and the texture is like chewing

Jeon-bok. Broiled sora roasted with its shell, sora-mul-hoe, jeot-kal and porridge made of sora are full of nutrients. The most common way to eat sora is to simply rinse it with seawater, cut it into thin slices and eat it with red pepper-pepper paste and vinegar.

Bingddeok (Bing rice cake) Bingddeok is named after the shape of the ddeok after it is rolled.

Fine buckwheat powder is made into dough, which is fried in a

thin round shape. Then radishes, carrots, green onions, salt, sesame power, sesame oil and other ingredients are used to make a filling, which is placed on the fried pancake and rolled up.

For more information, please visit www.jeju.go.kr or www.ijto.or.kr.

COPYRIGHT(C) JEJU TOURISM ORGANIZATION

MERCHANT LISTING

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PRIVATE AFFAIRS KITCHEN & BAR

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HERTZ CAR RENTAL Terms & conditions: s 6ALID ON SELF DRIVE RENTALS FOR VEHICLE pick up at participating locations in USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia. s $ISCOUNT IS SUBJECT TO A MINIMUM day rental. s 2ESERVATION MUST BE MADE AT LEAST hours prior to departure (48 hours for rentals in Asia). s 1UOTE #$0 DURING RESERVATION s $ISCOUNT CANNOT BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH other rates, discounts and promotions. s "LACKOUT DATES AND STANDARD (%24: rental terms and conditions apply.

For enquiries and bookings, please book online at www.hertz.com or contact your nearest HERTZ Reservation Centre: s (ONG +ONG 4EL

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GOLF ASIA 91

LUXE T I M E P I E C E S • S T Y L E • G RO O M I N G • G A D G E T S • AU TO S

LUXE TIMEPIECES PATEK PHILIPPE The new men’s Nautilus chronograph sports a trendy bicolour (stainless steel/rose gold) with a new blue-black dial with Nautilus horizontal embossed pattern and gold finish framed date aperture display. It boasts a reference 5980/1 Calibre CH 28-520C with mechanical self-winding movement. On display is a chronograph with 60-minute and 12-hour monocounter at 6 o’clock, as well as a sweep seconds hand.

BLANCPAIN Tourbillon Carrousel is a fascinating combination of tourbillon and carrousel, displaying a flying tourbillon at 12 o’clock, a flying carrousel at 6 o’clock, and a date display at 3 o’clock. The two independent carriages are linked by different gear system, transmitting a diffe average rate of both regulators to the av time display. The equal winding the tim both complications are guaranteed of bot by an external winding crown that enables both barrels to be wound enabl simultaneously. simult

PIAGET Piaget Emperador Coussin Ultra-Thin Minute Repeater’s 9.4mm slenderness of its case is a force to be reckoned with. Handcrafted in-house, the Calibre 1290P testifies to the exceptional mastery cultivated by one of the rare fully integrated Haute Horlogerie manufacturers. The complication developed by Piaget enriches the movement with an automatic winding mechanism, endowing it with an exceptional sound, and offers the thinnest calibre in its category along with the thinnest case.

94 *2/) $6,$

HARRY WINSTON The Premier Feathers Collection creates a statement with its exciting colours and interesting details, which embody aesthetics and art. Nelly Saunier, a gifted master feather artist, created the models with feathers of a bird belonging to an authorised species and specifically bred for this purpose. Each dial composes a nocturnal motif in shades of sky blue, turquoise or sapphire blue, and all with a touch of white or deep purple. The pieces are framed with a 36mm 18-karat white gold case set with 66 brilliant-cut diamonds.

ULYSEE NARDIN A little unorthodox but equally interesting, Ulysse Nardin, together with The Hour Glass presents a unique anniversary timepiece commemorating one of horology’s most significant icons – the Freak. The Freak indicates the time by the rotation of the movement, with the arrow decorating the main spring barrel indicating the hour, while the upper bridge, fitted with the balance wheel assembly and its Dual Ulysse Escapement, revolves once every hour indicating the minutes. The Dual Ulysse Escapement has two wheels, allowing natural force transmission. During its 60-minute rotation, the upper bridge lays bare the mechanics of time. The centre axis pivots in the sapphire crystal of the watchcase. In other Tourbillons, the balance wheel assembly moves once every minute in a cage. In the Freak the whole movement, including the balance wheel assembly rotates once an hour inside the watchcase.

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN The Portuguese Tourbillon Hand-Wound collection features a tourbillon revolving beautifully on the axis at 9 o’clock of the dial, and once every 60 seconds to counteract the pull of gravity on any disequilibrium in the balance wheel. The watch’s slatecoloured dial complements the white gold version, while silver-plating is made for the model in 18-karat red gold. Powered

by IWC-manufactured 98900-calibre movement decorated with nickel-silver three-quarter bridge, it beats at a balance frequency of 28,800 beats per hour.

BREGUET Breguet Classique Chronometrie 7727 in rose or white gold is fitted with the new hand-wound calibre 574DR, which delivers impressive rating results. It has a power reserve of 60 hours and uses a magnetic pivot to improve the pivoting, rotation and stability of the balance staff. The dial shows an off-centre chapter of hours and minutes, small seconds at 12 o’clock, a power reserve indicator at 5 o’clock and tenthof-a-second indicator at 1 o’clock. *2/) $6,$ 95

LUXE TIMEPIECES GREUBEL FORSEY The Double Tourbillon Technique Black is the first black model in the collection and also the first to feature a titanium case and a rubber strap for this brand. It has a three-dimensional chef d’oeuvre with more casual aesthetics than the classic gold and platinum models. Featuring an openwork movement with clear micro-mechanics, there is the Double Tourbillon 30º mechanism (Greubel Forsey’s first fundamental invention in 2004) at 6 o’clock. Its hours and minutes are displayed by luminous, openwork signature Greubel Forsey hands against a transparent sapphire crystal ring.

HABRING Habring² offers a classic date display, power reserve display, second time zone, moon phase display and a calendar. Running on the power of calibres A09S and A09MS, the watch sports a new black dial with its characteristically illuminated numbers coupled with a fully satinised stainless steel case reminiscent of the pilot’s watches of the 40s and 50s.

ROGER DUBUIS Paying homage to power and design, the Excalibur 42 Chronograph collection is equipped with two original movements – RD640 and RD681 – as well as a 42mm case and a skeleton tourbillon calibre, RD505SQ. What stands out are the elongated Roman numerals, beautifully displayed on the different coloured dials (black, ivory, blue or chocolate), and the small seconds at 9 o’clock and 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock.

All three movements have been designed, developed and assembled in-house.

96 *2/) $6,$

OMEGA In honour of astronaut Wally Schirra, who wore the Omega Speedmaster during his Mercury Atlas 8 mission into space in 1962, Omega created the Speedmaster “First Omega in Space” to commemorate the historic moments.

This timepiece has a 39.70mm polished and brushed stainless steel case and houses the manual-winding calibre 1861. The 30-minute and 12-hour counters are located at 3 and 6 o’clock respectively, and there is also a small sub-dial at 9 o’clock. The screw-in stainless steel case back is embossed with Omega’s original seahorse emblem with the words “The First Omega In Space” and “October 3, 1962” (the date of the Mercury Atlas 8 mission).

TUDOR A modern version of the emblematic 1957 alarm watch, the Advisor is equipped with a mechanical alarm clock module, exclusively developed by Tudor. This timepiece conserves the original shape and proportions of the middle case, lugs, and bezel, the familiar Dauphine hands and bevelled hour markers, as well as the characteristically shaped red alarm hand. The alarm power reserve can be seen at 3 o’clock, while the alarm function can be activated by a pusher at 8 o’clock. It has an on/off indicator in a dial aperture at 9 o’clock, and the date display is seen at 6 o’clock.

MONTBLANC Montblanc’s TimeWalker Hemisphere is able to show the time difference in all 24 of the world’s time zone. The hands show the local time in the zone where the wearer is currently sojourning, while the flange around the dial bears the name of the 24 cities, each representing one of the 24 time zones around the world. To tell the time of a city, simply match it the city’s name with the 24-hour disc that rotates at the centre of the dial. TimeWalker Hemisphere is available in two versions – the northern and southern versions. One version shows the ring of place names on the northern hemisphere, while the southern counterpart bears only the names of places situated south of the Equator.

*2/) $6,$ 97

LUXE TIMEPIECES

ANIMAL INSTINCTS Never underestimate the power of simplicity and subtlety PHOTOGRAPHY CHING STYLING ESTHER FAITH LEW

ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA WITH CROCO BLACK STRAP 98 *2/) $6,$

A.LANGE & SOHNE SAXONIA THIN WITH CROCODILE STRAP *2/) $6,$ 99

LUXE TIMEPIECES

PATEK PHILIPPE PERPETUAL CALENDAR REF. 5140R WITH ALLIGATOR STRAP

100 *2/) $6,$

BLANCPAIN VILLERET ULTRA-PLATE WITH ALLIGATOR STRAP LINED WITH ALZAVEL

*2/) $6,$ 101

LUXE TIMEPIECES

OMEGA DE VILLE CO-AXIAL CHRONOGRAPH WITH LEATHER STRAP

102 *2/) $6,$

CHRONOSWISS REGULATEUR 30 WITH BLACK LEATHER STRAP SPECIAL THANKS TO BACCARAT FOR THE FINE CRYSTALS *2/) $6,$ 103

LUXE STYLE

Colour Control Light up your summer with a fresh splash of colours

CANALI Spring/Summer ‘13

LOUIS VUITTON Brazza wallet

TUDOR Heritage Chrono Blue

BALLY Verbier-Vivoli weekender bag

TOD’S belt

BOSS Green Victoire La leather trainer

GUCCI sunglasses (Ref. GG1044S) 104 *2/) $6,$

LUXE GROOMING

Scent of Glory

A man’s scent of choice should reflect his personality, these choices are a powerful blend of chic and class

GIORGIO ARMANI Like a well-pressed tuxedo suit, Armani’s latest scent, Eau de Nuit takes inspiration from the beauty of the fleeting moment when daylight turns to darkness. Rich notes of intense bergamot and pink pepper is softened by cardamom, the rich scent eventually settling into a sensuous mix of musky wood and powdery iris, suited for men seeking elegance transiting from day through night.

DAVIDOFF Insinuating that confidence is the name of the game, wearers of Davidoff’s latest scent – The Game EDT spray – can expect a unique blend of aromatic gin fizz and elegant iris that eventually warms off to sensuous blackwood for a vibrant contrast. The bottle itself is a bold statement of heavy black glass with satin-finish silver lines, the cap reminiscent of stacked poker chips. Also available in an after-shave balm, hand & body shampoo, and deodorant stick.

RALPH LAUREN The brand’s Big Pony collection is probably no new face to the fragrances scene, Ralph Lauren is now pushing out a set of 200ml body sprays in line with the original scents, a perfect companion for men on-the-go. Perfect for a mid-day freshen up at work or a quick spritz after a long game, the Ralph Lauren Big Pony Deodorizing Body Spray is lighter and a complement to any man’s favourite Big Pony EDT fragrance. Available in four scents: 1, a sporty citrus blend of lime and grapefruit; 2, a seductive oriental mix of dark chocolate and musk; 3, mint and ginger root triggering adventure lovers; and 4, the booster scent a mix of mandarin and kyarawood for the stylish man.

*2/) $6,$ 105

LUXE GROOMING

Numbers Playoff When it comes to sunscreen, how much protection do we really need? Natalie Joy Lee ranks in on the SPF game

I

t’s easy to forget about summer skin care – and especially sunscreen – while you’re out egolfing, hiking up a trail or even just bumming by the beach. Still, it’s no secret that the harsh rays from the sun can be extremely damaging to your skin, with the US government officially identifying ultraviolet radiation (UVR) – whether from the sun or tanning machine – as a certified cause for skin cancer.

Put into numbers, the American Cancer

106 *2/) $6,$

Society estimates as many as 8,100 Americans die of melanoma (a type of skin cancer), of which 65 per cent of the cancer is caused by sun damage. Closer to home, the Singapore Cancer Registry tracked cancer trends across 2002 to 2006, where statistics showed that skin cancer was the eighth most commonly occurring cancer in Singaporean women, and seventh for men.

“Prolonged sun exposure causes photo-ageing, which is the main cause of skin reactions such as DNA mutation.

Photo-ageing can result in changes in skin texture and blood vessels, and cause pigmentation and abnormal growths,” explains Dr Pang Shiu Ming, Senior Consultant and Director, Department of Dermatology, Singapore General Hospital. Photo-ageing, while not life threatening, can affect one’s quality of life – in the form of premature wrinkles, sagging skin and hyper-pigmentation (ageing spots), all caused by excessive unprotected time in the sun.

Of course, sun exposure is not the sole risk factor for melanoma, though *Dr

Anthony Quinn puts it across best.

“Just as someone who never smoked can get lung cancer, so somebody who didn’t get much sun exposure can get malignant melanoma. But the sun is the most important environmental risk factor identified to date for both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers”.

In a landmark Australian study by the University of Queensland, 1,600 white Australian adults between the ages of 25 and 65 were monitored over a decade, divided into two study groups.

Results showed that daily application of sunscreen with SPF 16 onto the head, arms, neck and hands drastically reduced the risk of melanoma by half.

Prevention is key, and sunscreen is a fantastic way to help prevent these UVR-induced harm on the human body, alongside avoiding excessive exposure to the sun, UVR-blocking sunglasses, and going under the shade when the sun is at its brightest, typically between 10am to 4pm. In the words of **Professor Irene Leigh, “…[we] should follow the example of the Australians, with their “Slip, Slap, Slop” campaign: slip on a T-shirt, slap on a hat and slop on some sun screen”.

* Dr Anthony Quinn: Imperial Cancer Research Fund senior lecturer and consultant dermatologist at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry.

SO, WHAT IS SPF? It stands for Sun Protection Factor, indicating “the degree to which your chosen sun protector product protects the skin from the sun’s damaging rays,” explains Willie Tan, education executive at Lab Series.

To figure how long you can stay in the sun without being at risk of sunburn, follow this equation: Minutes to burn without sunscreen X SPF Number = Maximum sun exposure time.

Simply put, if you burn after 10 minutes of sun exposure, a suncare product of SPF 50 will allow you time in the sun for up to 500 minutes. Also, SPF protects only against UVB rays, while sun protection does not necessarily increase in proportion to SPF levels. For instance, SPF 30 blocks roughly 97 per cent of the sun’s rays, while SPF 50 blocks about 98 per cent – just an insignificant one percent more. Though the numbers go higher, the increase in protection becomes negligible – the recommended SPF level for the average user is 30.

** Professor Irene Leigh Director of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund Skin Tumour Laboratory and head of the Centre for Cutaneous Research at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry.

QUESTIONS: 1) Sunscreen is necessary even on a cloudy and seemingly ‘sunless’ day.

[T/F] 2) Other body parts like our ears, neck and chest don’t require sunscreen.

[T/F] 3) Wearing an adequate amount of sunscreen during peak hours is enough for protection against the sun.

[T/F] 4) It is alright to apply just before going out under the sun, little dabs around the face. [T/F] 5) Applying a SPF value of 30 in the day, and re-application of SPF 20 again later on will give me a combined value of SPF 50. [T/F]

ANSWERS: 1) True: Sun’s damaging rays are omnipresent, even on a cloudy day.

UV rays can also penetrate glass, car, airplanes, windows to damage the skin.

– Janis

HOW ABOUT UVA & UVB? Experts term sunlight into UVA and UVB rays, Dr Quinn sharing that the easiest way of remembering “what they do is that UVB causes burning – UVBurn – and UVA may be linked with ageing – UVAgeing”.

The latter are long rays which penetrate deep into the skin and contributes to ageing, while the former are short rays that causes skin to redden and burn. It is thus important to have prevention against both kinds of rays.

Those working indoors will work well with sunscreens of SPF15.

However, sunscreen of at least SPF 30 and above is a basic requirement especially for golfers, since they spend potentially high amounts of time under the sun (anything above four hours). Turn to the next two pages for our lowdown on the various sunscreens available on the market – labels, textures and SPF values decoded.

2) False: The skin on the ears, neck and chest are very delicate and fragile.

It needs to be protected from photo damage. – Cecilia 3) False: Although SPF50 can provide eight to 12 hours of protection, it should be reapplied after physical activities that cause you to perspire and potentially wipe off your sunscreen during the day.

– Janis

4) False: Apply and let the sunscreen settle on skin at least 20 minutes before leaving the house. – Cecilia 5) False: The number indicated on the bottle is the duration you will be protected under the sun. In this case, your duration of sun protection will be based on the higher value, which is SPF 30. – Cecilia Answers by Cecilia Tay, education manager for Clinique; and Janis Teo, education manager for Kiehl’s.

*2/) $6,$ 107

LUXE GROOMING

SUN SAVERS Look for products that say ‘broad-spectrum’, meaning UVA-UVB protection

LAB SERIES POWER PROTECTOR SPF 50 PA +++ Lightweight and doubling up as a moisturiser, the non-greasy formula also evens up skin tone and reduces the appearance of dark spots and dullness.

LA MER SPF30 UV PROTECTING FLUID PA++ More than a mere sunscreen, the lightweight fluid also hydrates and soothes with a special mixture of Smart Seaweed Ferment, while its transparent formula also means there’ll be no unsightly white streaks after.

HOW MUCH TO APPLY? As a rule of thumb, about a teaspoon for the face, and about a shot glass-full for the body.

Reapply every two hours if under direct sunlight.

108 *2/) $6,$

BIOTHERM HOMME UV DEFENSE SPF 50/PA +++ Extremely lightweight texture that immediately penetrates skin, with mineral and organic filters that block UVA and UVB rays while ensuring no unsightly white marks after. Helps even out skin tone, leaving face matte without shine.

LA ROCHE-POSAY ANTHELIOS XL DRY TOUCH GEL-CREAM SPF 50+ Suited for sensitive skin, goes on without any greasy stains or white streaks. Its dry-touch innovation means the broad spectrum sunscreen is absorbed almost immediately, anti-shine powders ensuring a dry and matte finish.

THE FULL WORKS Suncare should not be limited just to your face, these products offer excellent protection for your body and postsun care as well.

Clinique After-Sun Rescue Balm with Aloe Suitable for face and body, the oil-free, post-sun repair minimises peeling, soothing aloe also gently moisturising and calming sun-exposed skin. Can be used multiple times daily, applied liberally onto clean, dry skin.

KIEHL’S FACIAL FUEL UV GUARD SPF50/PA+++ Water-resistant, lightweight and fragrance-free. As men tend to have oilier skin, the fastabsorbing formula also provides hydration without shine, leaving a matte finish.

Kiehl’s Activated Sun Protector SPF 50 The oil-free, lightweight fluid formula is suitable for sensitive skin, offering broad spectrum protection. Goji berry and Vitamin E was also added, these antioxidants helping to neutralise skin-damaging free radicals (leading to premature ageing) caused by repeated sun exposure.

Heliocare Oral Heliocare is the first brand to offer such protection, clinically researched at Harvard Medical School, also classified by Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority as a certified health supplement. The oral sunscreen fights premature aging and hyper-pigmentation caused by sun’s rays, the bottle of 60 capsules recommended to be taken daily twice a day (once in the morning, again at mid-day), half an hour before sun exposure.

For more information on sunscreen, log on to www. healthxchange.com.sg/healthyliving/SkinBeauty/Pages/ Safe-from-the-sun.aspx.

*2/) $6,$ 109

LUXE GADGETS

FOR THE ELITES Do not allow its sleek styling to deceive you; HP’s new ElitePad 900 is an ultrathin, lightweight tablet that has military-grade durability and resistance to drops, vibration, dust, temperature extremes and high altitude. Boasting a 10.1-inch diagonal display, the tablet is powered by next-generation Intel mobile processors, and supports touch, pen and voice-based inputs. It also comes with a front-facing video camera and 8-megapixel rear camera with an LED flash.

PERFECT FIT To help with the increasingly fast-depleting battery life of mobile devices, Hybrid launches PowerSkin Hybrid, an attachable external battery charger that latches onto Smartphones. The lightweight 2000mAh pop-on battery charger can extend the battery life of mobile devices by up to 70% and features small, flexible suction cups that attach to the rear of the devices and charges the batteries via an interchangeable micro-USB tip or Apple Lightning connector.

110 *2/) $6,$

3D PLEASURES Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Metz pushes boundaries and presents the new Metz Aurus – a sleek television powered with 3D LED technology. A handy built-in 750GB hard disk recorder and USB recording provides 150 hours of HD-quality recording or 750 hours in conventional SD-TV quality. What’s so brilliant about this 3D home entertainment system is the stunning visual colour display and sharp HDTV images, as well as the lightweight passive 3D glasses for viewing of 3D movies. Viewers are also treated to superior sound reproduction with its built-in 2-way bass reflex speaker system that emits powerful bass, clean mids and clear highs.

DUAL CHARGE Packed with a massive 10,000mAh capacity within a slim and lightweight (16.5mm thick and 260g light) aluminium body, Sonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CP-F10L USB Portable charger allows users to recharge their devices up to four times on a single charge. Rechargeable for approximately 1,000 times, it is capable of retaining 90 percent of its capacity even after that. Charging two devices at the same time is also made possible thanks to its dual USB ports and the high output of 3.6A.

SOUND POWER With so many portable speakers in the market, it is getting increasingly tough to select the best. With Philips Fidelio, the choice is clear. The portable wireless speaker produces clear and dynamic sounds that make it perfect for use at home or on the go. It is compact with solid and deep bass, and is combined with a high-power full-range woofer. Connection to devices is done via Bluetooth and the speaker also comes with a pouch for protection.

BUSINESS ACCESSORIES In addition to the recent news of Rimowaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new store opening at Mandarin Gallery, this German travel accessories brand also introduces a new range of business accessories such as iPad and iPhone cases, writing cases in A4 and A5 formats (in red, brown, white grey and other colours) made from durable and smooth leather. An alternative to a business briefcase is Rimowa Salsa Business Multiwheel with extra storage space, which is perfect for businessmen who are always on the go.

*2/) $6,$ 111

LUXE AUTOS

RIP Laguna Niguel Covette ZR1

RE Amemiya Super NA7

Tokyo Auto Salon Singapore 2013 An integral part of Tokyo Auto Salon Singapore 2013 was the draw of actually seeing the latest tuner cars fresh out of Japan. These included the showstoppers of the earlier actual TAS in Japan, which had set the whole industry talking

BY JACKSON TOH â&#x20AC;˘ IMAGES CHERYL TAY, VICTOR TOH

112 *2/) $6,$

KRC Modified RX-7

Power House Amuse S2000 GT1

B

ut it wasn’t just the cars that stole the show, Tokyo Auto Salon Singapore 2013 also featured performances by Japan’s hottest all-girl band, AKB48.

And to add a touch of glitz and glamour, the J-Girls were flown in from the land of the rising sun to be the official racequeens of the auto event. Elsewhere, the auto salon showcased 40 radically styled cars that hail from all around the region competing in an Autostyling Competition very much alike the ones held back in Japan.

On display were the hottest Japanese cars that were earlier showcased at the actual Tokyo Auto Salon held in January 2013. Visitors were treated to cars like the Top Secret Toyota 86, Top Fuel S2000, Veilside Toyota Supra 4509GTR, Tommy Kaira LS, Damd Toyota 86, Job Design LS460, Mugen Honda Civic RR Concept, Spoon Honda NSX, RE Amemiya Super NA7, RIP Laguna Niguel Covette ZR1, Power House Amuse S2000 GT1, Saitama Institute of Automotive Technology Nissan March, Scuderia Ciociaro Corse Fiat 500, Car Sense Toyota Crown and the KRC Modified RX-7.

Veilside Toyota Supra 4509GTR *2/) $6,$ 113

LUXE POSH NOSH LIME The flagship restaurant of Singapore’s latest offering in the hotel scene, Parkroyal on Pickering, Lime features a diverse selection of local and Asian favourites, mixed with international flavours. Favourites include chicken with curry leaves, Peking duck salad and tender beef cheek with red wine that’s been slow braised for five hours. At the seafood bar/sushi counter, selections of mussels, scallops and tiger prawns were delectably fresh, where Executive Chef Vijayakant also deliberately omitted salmon sashimi in favour of tuna ceviche for a twist on tradition. Other hot items we liked include the red grouper that was cooked to tender perfection and doused in creamy gravy, while guests who like their duck and beef rib eye welldone can request chefs to fire it up a while more – since the meats are mostly done medium-rare.

Other than boasting three open kitchens to allow for an interactive dining experience, the all-day-dining destination also houses the Lime Bar where mixologists are on hand to spin out personalised creations, classic cocktails, specialty wines and tapas-style snacks.

3 Upper Pickering Street, Singapore 058289. Tel: 65 6809 8888

114 *2/) $6,$

LUXE LIVING

FREDERICIA An interpretation of the rocking chair with a futuristic twist, designer Thomas Pederson created this piece of modern, dynamic furniture that is built for comfort and accommodates a variety of sitting positions. The Stingray Rocking Chair has its name derived from the Danish word for stingray, which is ‘rokke’, a sound close to part of the word ‘rock’ in rocking chair. Its shell resembles a giant stingray moving across the seabed. Having won the Interior Innovation Award (Cologne, Germany) and the Red Dot Design Award in 2008, Pederson’s Stingray Rocker is aesthetically pleasing and its functionalities impeccable. Created as a striking addition to any modern home, this chair is one that lets you sink happily into any time of the day.

*2/) $6,$ 115

LUXE SCENE

Personal Touch M

ontblanc now delivers a quintessential bespoke service by allowing clients to customise and design their own, individual Montblanc writing instruments made by the craftsmen of Montblanc’s Artisan Atelier in Hamburg, Montblanc’s watch workshops in Villeret, Montblanc’s leather manufacture in Florence and Montblanc’s jewellery home at Rue de la Paix in Paris.

The bespoke experience starts with a client brief, conceptualising of the design and also including any exceptional materials (optional) of special personal meaning. As for its jewellery line, clients are also able to customise their pieces according to their own design and materials, as long as the iconic Montblanc star diamond is incorporated in the design. The brand’s leather goods collection can also be requested for customisation.

The offer of bespoke watches is not news to Montblanc. For many years the brand has been fulfilling clients’ personal wish in design and the choice of materials. Montblanc also helps to find the right components for the watch-project, choosing from a wide range of metals, colours, finishes, making the timepiece truly one-of-a-kind.

116 *2/) $6,$

Montblanc offers bespoke service for its writing instruments and jewellery

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LUXE SCENE

Travel Literature

Louis Vuitton “Travel Book” reflects the brand’s luxurious take on travel

H

eirs of the Louis Vuitton “Carnets de Voyage” collection, the new “Travel Book” collection is the brand’s latest print collection with only 50 copies numbered and signed by the artists of the books.

Featuring works of renowned artists and promising young talents, the collection shows illustrations of cities and countries the different artists visited. Depicting each location’s varied architecture and special lights, the book offers a contemporary vision of travel, ranging from remote wilderness to effervescent cities. Through their various modes of expression, this collection features Easter Island by American artist Daniel Arsham, London

by Japan-born Natsko Seki, Paris by the talented Cheri Samba from Democratic Republic of Congo, and New York by Parisian Jean-Philippe Delhomme.

118 *2/) $6,$

Under The Sea

Blancpain explores the underwater world with Laurent Ballesta

S

ince 1953, Blancpain has maintained a close relationship with diving and had developed the first modern diving watch, the Fifty Fathoms.

At present the collection remains a reference for the development of diving watches. The brand has not only taken part in the Pristine Seas Expeditions, organised

by National Geographic, it also collaborated with Laurent Ballesta, a marine biologist, scientific diver and a passionate underwater photographer, for an underwater expedition.

The search for Gombessa, a legendary bottom-dwelling sea

creature, which was thought to have become extinct 70 million years ago, has been a two-year scientific research and logistical preparation. The results were rewarding – the discovery of this primitive sea creature took place at Jesser Canyon caves, 120 metres below sea level.

While diving underwater, Laurent Ballesta wore Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms timepiece, which is selfwinding and equipped with three barrels granting a five-day power reserve. It also has a 55.65mm case made of satin-brushed titanium, and is water resistant up to 30-bar. *2/) $6,$ 119

LUXE SCENE

Lamborghini Glamour Lamborghini celebrates its 50th anniversary with designer Walter De Silva

120 *2/) $6,$

A

grand gala celebration held at Santâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Agata Bolognese marks the 50th anniversary of world-renowned automobile brand Lamborghini. Walter De Silva, head designer for the Volkswagen Group, emoted his passion on this brand. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am very attached to this Italian brand, being an Italian myself. I wanted to pay homage to and think up a vehicle to underline the fact that Lamborghinis have always been made with passion, and with the heart more than the head,â&#x20AC;? he said.

The new Lamborghini Egoista was also launched during the gala celebration. Powered by a 5.2 litre V10 engine supplying it with 600 horses, the supercar is inspired by the world of aviation, and in particular the Apache helicopter. Its interior features a racing seat with a four-point seatbelt, airbags and equipped with the bare minimum of instruments. The interesting part lies in the method to get out of the car, the driver has to remove the steering wheel and rest it on the dashboard, open the dome with an electronic command, swivel his legs 180 degrees from the inside of the cockpit to the outside of the vehicle, just like a pilot in a jet plane.

*2/) $6,$ 121

LUXE SCENE

Luxurious Timekeeper Chopard renews partnership with Grand Prix de Monaco

T

he biennial Grand Prix de Monaco Historique renewed its partnership with Genevabased Chopard, continuing its title as the official timekeeper for Monaco’s famous car race. Every two years, more than 200 drivers from 19 different countries compete with each other in exceptional Grand Prix racing cars made between 1947 and 1978.

Chopard has been an avid supporter of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique as its official timekeeper, and creates a limited edition of an eponymous watch, featuring an automobile-inspired timepiece.

122 *2/) $6,$

In Case of Emergency

T

ruly reflecting its name, Emergency II, Breitling’s new lifesaver is vital in crucial situations. The wristwatch has a built-in personal locator beacon and is equipped with a dual frequency transmitter compliant with CospasSarsat specifications and functions as an alert system and also serves as guide for search and rescue missions.

It is able to provide accurate and reliable distress signals and homing data and is intended for use by trekkers, aviators, navigators and explorers.

Breitling also developed a brand new rechargeable battery especially for this watch, so as to deliver more power than a standard battery. Besides a personal survival instrument, Emergency II features an electronic chronograph with 12/24-hour analogue and digital display, 1/100th second chronograph, alarm, timer, second time zone, multilingual calendar and battery level indication.

Breitling’s new wristwatch might just save the day

*2/) $6,$ 123

LUXE SCENE

Travel In Style German travel brand Rimowa opens its new store in Singapore

S

et in Singapore’s prime shopping district, the largest Rimowa flagship store in Southeast Asia opens at Mandarin Gallery and occupies 2,500 square feet. Besides its renowned suitcases, the space also sells small leather goods (Rimowa’s first) and offers an expansive selection of premium leather accessories for both men and women.

“Discerning customers of Rimowa can now indulge in a luxurious shopping experience along the iconic belt of Singapore with all their Rimowa favourites under one roof,” says President & CEO Dieter Morszeck.

Brightly lit with wide steel panels, whitewashed walls and a clean layout, the store offers an attractive view to shoppers within, as well as curious passersby outside.

Rimowa also launches the Rimowa Minis, tailored for young travellers and comes in both durable aluminium as well as impactresistant polycarbonates.

124 *2/) $6,$

Engineering Time Hublot pays tribute to Ferrari with a breathtaking masterpiece

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n exceptional piece by Hublot with a world record power reserve of 50 days is a tribute to the recently launched “LaFerrari”.

Designed entirely parallel with the sport car, alongside the Ferrari teams, this timepiece boasts 637 components for the movement and is equipped with a tourbillon. The shape of the watch reflects the exquisite design of Ferrari cars and features a complex sapphire crystal, as well as an open case-back, made from PVD titanium.

The movement has an original display, featuring the small seconds indicated by means of an aluminium cylinder fastened onto the suspended tourbillon cage. Its hour and minute are displayed on the right of the barrels. On its left is the power reserve indicator, and the small detail of white SuperLuminova on each cylinder makes reading time easier.

Luca di Montezemolo, Chairman of Ferrari with the watch.

*2/) $6,$ 125

LUXE SCENE

Zhang Lanxin

Miriam Yeung

Gigi Leung

Red Carpet Elegance Piaget shines along with the film and art industry

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Carina Lau with husband Tony Leung Chiu Wai

126 *2/) $6,$

he 32nd Hong Kong Film Awards Presentation Ceremony saw over 1,500 guests gracing its red carpet, including veterans Jacky Chan, Aaron Kwok, Tony Leung, Miriam Yeung and Sammi Cheng.

Held at the grand theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, this ceremony recognised the significant contributions of talented filmmakers in the industry and presented 21 awards to these deserving talents. This event also paid homage to film rolls, which might have receded into the background of the new era of movie production characterised by the progressive transition from film to digital production. A major sponsor of the event, Piaget, renowned Swiss watchmaker and jeweller, helped to add a little shine and glamour to many honourees, guests and presenters with its latest and most glamorous watch and jewellery creations.

Aaron Kwok

Tony Leung Ka Fai

Andy Lau with Sammi Cheng

Miriam Yeung with Tony Leung

The ďŹ lm, Cold War became the biggest winner at the awards.

Sammi Cheng with Sean Lau

Siwon Choi *2/) $6,$ 127

LUXE INSPIRATION

MUSICMACHINE REUGE BY MB&F Music box movements share many similarities with their horological counterparts, both technically and aesthetically. Energy derived from a coiled spring is transferred by a gear train and the unwinding speed is carefully regulated. High-end music box components are even finely finished similar to highend watch movements. MusicMachine is a music box that looks and sounds out of this world. It contains all the traditional, time-honoured elements of a superlative high-end music box, but designed and configured in a totally unconventional way.

MusicMachine is a limited edition of 66 pieces: 33 pieces in white and 33 pieces in black.

128 GOLF ASIA