Thai Golf News No.14 by Thai Golf News

Golf Course Reports

Chiang Mai, Bangkok and Pattaya Women in Golf

Ana Wongsing talks about Rasputin’s new golf tournament Behind the TV

Asian Tour’s Commentators Plus News, Tee Offers, Picture Reports & Lots More...

THAI GOLF / ISSUE Fourteen

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ISSUE 14

CONTENTS 32 35 Editorial

Senior Writers - Mark Hall info@thaigolf-news.com - Thamrong A. (Jack) jack@t haigolfnetwork.com

ART & Design and Layout: PRODUCTION Dew Piyaman dewangelo@gmail.com Tel: +66(0) 89 144 7837

6 EDITOR’S LETTER 7 GOLF NEWS... POWERPLAY ARRIVES IN PATTAYA 11

Destination report ROYAL LAKESIDE

Destination report: CHIANG MAI HIGHLANDS

19 HOLE IN ONE 20 ADVERTORIAL BLUE DIAMOND

Printing: Grand Prix International Co Ltd Tel: +66 (0) 2 522 1731-8 ADVERTISING Thailand: Thamrong A. (Jack) Mobile +66 819878201 jack@thaigolfnetwork.com International: Mike Bridge +66 (0) 831 986 700 editor@thaigolf-news.com Russia: Kim Waddoup kim@aigroup.ru

Pattaya news ROYAL GOLF PACKAGE

Phuket news Patong

Behind the TV Behind the TV Coverage…

30 TAT Advertorial 32 LPGA PICTURE REPORT 32

Editor Mike Bridge editor@thaigolf-news.com Tel: +66(0) 83 198 6700

Interview LPGA COMISSIONER MIKE WHAN

PUBLISHER Grand Prix International Co Ltd 4/299 Moo 5, Soi Ladplakhao 66 Ladplakhao Road Anusawari, Bangkhen Bangkok 10220 Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 2 522 1731 -8 Managing Editor

Thanyalak Padungmueang

Magazine Website

www.thaigolf-news.com

The Midst property project

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summer family fun

Come and stay with us at Evason & Six Senses Hua Hin this summer and the whole family will be in for a real treat. We can now accommodate 2 adults and 3 children in our villas at Six Senses Hua Hin and 2 adults 2 children at Evason Hua Hin at no additional charge! - What’s more, we’ll also throw in breakfast. Kids aged 4 – 11 inclusive will also be able to enjoy free access to their own swimming pool and playground at ‘Just Kids!’ where a whole range of other complimentary activities is available to be enjoyed with both child and parent. There’s also a daily 3pm fun activity, game or competition for all kids to join in. For additional value, kids will also be able to eat free of charge for lunch and dinner from the ‘Kids menu’ when accompanied by 2 full paying adults purchasing any main course. Finally, we also offer complimentary babysitting when parents both book the spa. This package is available exclusively online. Prices start at just THB 4,200 for 2 adults and 2 children valid all days from 16th April to 31st October 2012.

For reservations and inquiries: Six Senses Hua Hin: T: +66 (0) 32 618 200 E: salesco-huahin@sixsenses.com www.sixsenses.com Evason Hua Hin: T: +66 (0) 32 632 111 E: reso-huahin@evasonresorts.com www.evasonresorts.com

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EDITOR’S LETTER Editors letter….

Well it has been a few weeks since our last issue, but we have been very busy adding value to our magazine, which we hope you will enjoy We have also joined forces with Thai Golf Network, who organize many tournaments here in Thailand. They are helping us get more up to date by creating an ‘E’ magazine of Thai Golf which will shortly be launched in both English and Thai. We have also increased the size of the magazine to 44 pages, allowing us to cover more golf courses, and more editorial articles. One new addition is we are able to give you a different perspective on how to view your favorite golf course, by taking digital photos from the air. In the next few months we aim to bring you more spectacular photos of Thai golf courses. Great to see Louis Oosthuizen repeat a Rory, and win the Maybank, straight after his Master’s defeat in the play offs. Asia also seems to appeal to Lee Westwood who successfully defended his Indonesian Open title. He said on camera that he aims to return to Amata Springs in December to defend his Thailand Championship too. In this issue we caught up with Mike Whan, the LPGA commissioner, checked out four golf courses and met the guys who bring us the TV coverage for the European and Asian Tours. We are also adding more info about what’s happening here in Thailand, including events, entertainment and hospitality. Hope you guys also like our new ‘Women in Golf’ series.

Golf Course Reports

Chiang Mai, Bangkok and Pattaya Women in Golf

Now the rainy season approaches, the courses will be offering lower rates, but remember to take the waterproof covers.

ana Wongsing talks aBout RasPutin’s neW golf touRnaMent Behind the TV

asian touR’s CoMMentatoRs Plus News, Tee Offers, Picture Reports & Lots More...

THAI GOLF / ISSUE Fourteen

We at Thai Golf also have special offers on green fees and hotel accommodation plus news on local tournaments, to pass on to our readers. If you would like to receive our free newsletters just drop me an email to editor@thaigolf-news.com and mark it ‘newsletter’ and we will add you to our mailing list.

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COVER PICTURE SUPPLIED BY Thaigolfnetwork

Enjoy your golf. Mike Bridge.

REGULAR

FEATURES: • LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS • GOLF TOURISM • THAI COURSES • INTERVIEWS • GOLF JOKES • TEE OFFERS 6

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GOLF NEWS... Big Bunker!!! PowerPlay arrives in Pattaya. To celebrate their ‘Best Golf Destination Award’ for Asia voted by 400 International Golf Tour Operators, the Mayor of Pattaya hosted the first PowerPlay tournament at Laem Chabang Golf Club recently. PowerPlay is played over 9 holes with two flags on each green. Players opting for the black flag rather than the white flag get more points, but the position of the black flag is harder.

OK let’s get a shot of the World’s Number 1 Luke Donald chipping out of a bunker to promote the HSBC Abu Dubai Golf Championship. Their Championship kicked of this seasons European Tour, so some clever PR took poor old Luke and his trusty caddy out to the biggest sand bunker they could find…part of the empty quarter of the desert in the UAE. Hope they didn’t ask the caddy to pick up all the balls too!!!

Over 120 members of the media and local golf tour operators participated on the clubs floodlit nine holes, and everyone agreed that PowerPlay, which is launched by Colin Montgomerie and Paul Casey in the UK, was a fun way of competing over a short nine hole course. For details about future events to be held in Phuket, Bangkok and Pattaya visit www.asiangolfevents.com

This year’s desert swing part of the European Tour kicked off with moneybags Abu Dhabi grabbing Dubai favorite Tiger Woods to head a mega field of the World’s best including Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Rory McIroy. Asked why he decided to switch from playing in the Dubai Desert Classic, Tiger said, ‘US$1.5million appearance fee!’ Although all the top players cashed in their appearance fees, the eventual winner was an ex club pro from England, a certain Robert Rock. Let’s hope they didn’t ask Luke’s caddy to pick up all the balls too!!!

Royalty Plays Phuket’s Mountain

As we were covering Red Mountain for this month’s course report, we noticed that the marshals were keen for our party to move on as we neared the end of our round. Turned out that Royalty was on the course. In fact the Son of the King of Morocco and his pals were playing a round at Phuket’s top golf club. Eight golf carts, numerous caddies, body guards and police were everywhere. I understand that was his fifth visit to the course. Obviously he has good taste!

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GOLF NEWS... Siam Royal View Koh Chang Golf Course

Golf tourism in Thailand is expected to reach 60 billion baht in value for the first time in 2012. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), an estimated 600,000 international golf tourists will visit Thailand’s five major golf destinations, which include Bangkok, Phuket, Hua Hin, Pattaya and Chiang Mai, this year. Currently, 65% of Thailand’s golf tourists are from Europe and 15% are from Australia. The golf tourist spends approximately 100,000 baht on average, which is three times more than the typical tourist. Thailand is attracting golf tourists in their thousands, largely due to the fact that the cost of a golf vacation in Thailand is around half when compared with the popular golf destinations of Ireland, England, Scotland and the USA. Besides the cost, other major factor attracting golf tourists is the excellent year round weather, something that most of the other destinations cannot compete with.

Thailand has a new golf course on the island of Koh Chang. The Siam Royal View Pitch & Putt course has been imaginatively laid out on a series of lagoon islands which are connected by many bridge walkways. The landscaped fairways all have spectacular views and avoiding water hazards makes up a large part of the challenge of playing the course successfully. It is a 9 hole par 3 course, playable in both directions, making it possible to play 18 unique holes of the course in a day. Although not a full golf course, it offers some of the most attractive golfing experiences in Thailand, of course primarily challenging the short game skills. The course which was officially open recently by the Vice Governor of Trang, is open daily to the public and is certain to become one of Koh Chang’s most popular attractions. Since the course is set within a beach resort with long sandy beaches, a beach club and multiple restaurants, large swimming pools, a yacht marina and watersport facilities, it also offers abundant distraction for your non-golfing company. Siam Royal View Koh Chang

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Golf tourism from Korea and Japan is also on the rise and 2012 is expected to be a bumper season for golf resorts across the country. The fact that Thailand is being recommended as the preferred golf vacation destination by leading travel magazines like Travel & Leisure, U.S.A. and Conde Nast Traveler, UK, adds to its inviting allure. Phuket is being claimed as a leading golf destination and is among the top island destinations for a vacation. Winning international golf awards also adds to the allure of golfing vacations in Thailand. The International Association of Golf Tourism Operators has voted Pattaya as the ‘Best Golf Destination 2012 in Australasia and Asia. Thailand had won the prestigious award in 2010 too; The Siam Country Club, in Pattaya was awarded the most well maintained resort award in the region. Golf tourism in Thailand is on the rise and is expected to take a huge slice of the International Golf Tourism pie during 2012.Thailand is proving to be the perfect golf vacation destination.

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B o P hlo i, K a n c h a n a b u r i “This is my dream,

My family,

My friends” Dr.Prachin Eamlumnow

Grand Opening August 2012

actual picture: 2 march 2011

Blue Diamond Golf and Watersports Club Co.,Ltd.

4/299 Moo5 Ladplakhao 66, Anusawari, Bangkhen, Bangkok 10220 Fax (66-2)971-7342 Tel. (66-2)971-7340, (66-84)075-4709 Tel./Fax (66-34)603-858, (66-87)160-0140 www.bluedaimondgolf.com

GOLF NEWS... Black Mountain first Thai course in Top 100 outside the United States Just five years after opening, Black Mountain Golf Club near Hua Hin has become the first course in Thailand to be named among the top 100 golf courses outside the United States. In the latest rankings published in the May issue of US Golf Digest, Black Mountain was placed 98th best course outside America among an elite field of which only 14 are in Asia. Five of the Asian courses are in Japan, three are in South Korea, two in China and one each in Guam, Indonesia (Bali) and Thailand. Located just 10 minutes from Hua Hin, 200 kilometres south of Bangkok, a long-standing holiday destination of the Thai Royal family and favoured by European visitors, Black Mountain was designed by Phil Ryan of Pacific Coast Design in Melbourne, Australia.

There are 23 new entrants in the 2012 US Golf Digest list, which is compiled every three years. The top new entrant is Yas Links in Abu Dhabi, named at 24, followed by The Lost Farm, Australia at 28. Courses in Asia to break into the top are Naruo, Japan (64), Nirwana, Bali (66), Phoenix (67), Japan (66), Mangilao, Guam (79), Woo Jeong Hills, South Korea (81), Black Mountain (98) and Anyang, South Korea (99).

Black Mountain’s New Par 3 Course

“We are proud to be the first course in Thailand to make it into the Top 100,” said Harald Elisson, general manager of Black Mountain Golf Club. “The ranking is the third major award for the course in the past four months and will further strengthen Thailand’s position as the best golf destination in Asia.” The championship golf course has hosted two Asian Tour events as well as the 2010 Royal Trophy. In 2010, Asian tour players voted Black Mountain the best host venue of the year.

Black Mountain’s New Par 3 Course

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Royal Lakside With summer fast approaching it helps to find a golf course that can keep you cool. Royal Lakeside Golf Course, located at the mouth of the Bangpakong River, must be one of the best choices this summer. This course features some beautiful surroundings and being located nearby the sea, the breezes can keep you cool. An unusual feature of this golf course is that there is the private marina for yachts close by. Members can enter the golf course from the Yacht Club which makes it possible to reach the golf course by your private boat from Bangkok or even Pattaya. Opened in 1993 the club as redesigned and up graded in 2011. Designed by the Sumitomo Construction Company this par 72 18 hole course runs at 6,815 yards. The greens use Tif Eagle and the fairways and rough use Zoysia Grass. The owners have spent more than a hundred million baht to renovate the golf course, which has easy access and runs right along the Bangpakong river bank. The riverside setting which is close to the Gulf of Thailand, ensures for cool breezes throughout the day.

Mike Whan Interview

With the sea breezes blowing all the time, Royal Lakeside provides a link style feel. To get a low score here, you will need to be an expert in calculating the wind direction.

The club’s signature Hole is their 11th , a par 4 364 yard and watch out for their tricky 7th par 5.

From the white tees boxes Royal Lakeside gives the average handicap golfer the chance to make a few pars, especially on the par-three holes. The greens, are fast and true, many raised from the fairway, and have several obstacles with lakes each side of the hole, adding to the enjoyment and excitement.

This golf course provides a stunning new white clubhouse, with excellent and roomy locker rooms, a Pro Shop and two excellent Japanese and Thai restaurants, offering a great choice of fine dining after your round.

Besides your round of golf, if you visited the riverside at the 13th hole you shouldn’t miss taking a breather to add a bit of sightseeing from this view point, while enjoying a drink.

Open 1993 (Redesigned 2011) Designer Sumitomo Construction 18 holes par 72 (6815 Yards) Grass Type Greens - TifEagle Fairways - Zoysia Grass Roughs - Zoysia Grass Reservation call : +66(038) 573 275-8 Website: www.royallakeside.com Signature Hole : Hole 11 Par 4 364 yard How to go: If your are travelling from Bangkok to the course , you will need to cross over the Bangpakong Bridge on the right hand side. This coming from the Chonburi direction, the course will be on the left hand side before the Bridge. There will be a cross way to the course approximately 1 km.

Promotion

- Monday & Wednesday “SPORT DAY” Green Fee 800 THB. - Tuesday “BUFFET DAY” Green Fee 1,000 THB Unlimited round. - Thursday “LADIES’ DAY” Green Fee 800 THB for Lady golfers.

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Red Mountain Golf Course Only opened since 2008, this superb 18 hole golf course on the island of Phuket really is fast becoming a firm favourite with tourists, locals and expats alike. Designed by Jon Marrow, (he designed Bangkok’s Riverdale golf course as well) the course cleverly follows the contours and layout of an old disused tin mine. The rocks which are genuinely red, hid the next hole, making the trip around the 18 holes similar to your first visit to Disneyland…..a ‘wow’ at each tee box!!! After a fairly straight forward par four downhill, the fun starts on the second hole, a difficult par 5. You tee off over 160 yards of water onto a fairly wide fairway. Your second shot needs to get up to the dog leg, to avoid a blind shot over a large rock hiding the green, which is similar to a switchback train. A par here and you are on the way to a great round. Hole 8 has a spectacular view from a raised tee box with plenty of risk and reward options. Hole 10 should be a worthy signature hole, and also enjoy hole 12 a beautiful par 5 along with the 18th.

Open 2007 May Designer Jonathan Morrow 18 holes 72 Par and covers less than 7,000 yards Grass Type Fairway Grass- Seashore Paspalum Grass on Green- Bermuda Novotek Website: www.redmountainphuket.com Reservation call: +66 (076) 322 000-1 Signature Hole: Hole 17th Par3

The cameras will go crazy at their fun par 3, 17th, literally 140 yards down a mine shaft!! Red Mountain is one of the most expensive courses to play in Thailand, but for once you really do feel you get your monies worth. The tee boxes, fairways and green were in excellent condition, the caddies were very friendly and extremely well versed in the layout and especially reading the greens. The club house is very relaxing with an excellent restaurant overlooking the 18th hole. For once no need to worry about hiring clubs…..check out their selection of brand new clubs. Good driving range and two putting areas to get your eye in too. If you only have one reason to head to Phuket, please try Red Mountain.

Chiang Mai Golf Festival

The golf course participate the project in Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Lampang May-June 2012 Opening the season with golfing in the midst of the mountain, amazed with one price green fee 800 baht/person and join the competition for the whole season 900 baht/person Contact: (TAT) Chiang Mai Office Tel : +66(0) 5324 8604, +66(0) 5324 8607 • THAI GOLF •

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RI V ERDA LE G O LF AND COUNTRY CLUB

R I V E R D A L E G O L F A N D C O U N T R Y C L U B C O . , LT D . 1 2 3 / 5 M O O 1 , B A N G K A D I S U B - D I S T R I C T, M U A N G PAT H U M T H A N I , PAT H U M T H A N I 1 2 0 0 0 T E L : 0 2 - 5 0 1 - 2 7 8 9 FA X : 0 2 - 5 0 1 - 2 4 8 4

www.riverdalegolfc lub.co.th

Chiang Mai Highlands Chiangmai Highlands Golf and Spa Resort A place of happiness for the entire family

Golfing at Chiang Mai Highlands is a truly memorable experience with magnificent views and challenging golf. As the golf course matured, the owners added 19 Private Resort Villas to compliment the grand clubhouse and later The Spa at which features ten treatment rooms, a fitness center and swimming pool all over-looking the picturesque 18th fairway and valley beyond. Golfers can stay at the villas, enjoy the spa and eat in the clubs excellent restaurant, and play some superb golf….but at night it is very quiet so if you crave for action best stay in town. Contacts: www.chiangmaihighlands.com Email: sales@chiangmaihighlands.com Telephone: +66 (0) 5326 1354 to 9

Set in the foot-hills a 40 minute drive east of Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Highlands was designed by Schmidt-Curley Design giving golfers the distraction of magnificent views on every hole. The course which opened to the public in December 2005 has already been voted by several golf magazines as one of the top courses to play in Thailand, including the Top New Course in Asia by Asian Golf Monthly. The golf course and mountains that surround on all sides combined with lush playing conditions make Chiang Mai Highlands a golf paradise. Chiang Mai Highlands is exciting and challenging for golf enthusiasts of any level and offers five sets of tees making it playable for everyone. As you walk down the first fairway you will undoubtedly feel you are beginning a golfing adventure. The first few holes lead through the lower elevations of the property, while the back 9 wind through mountains and lakes before climbing to the dramatic finish of the signature par-5 18th hole. The Tiff-Eagle greens are large, smooth and undulating; usually rolling between 10 and 11 on the Stimp-Meter. One signature of Chiang Mai Highlands is the deep green side and fairway bunkers, which are stunning to see especially early in the morning and evening, but punishing to errant shots.

Chiang Mai Golf Festival

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TREASURE HILL GOLF

COUNTRY CLUB

Treasure Hill’s design includes some fascinating challenges including big trees in the fairway for the approach shot. Also some of the greens here are very tricky, being close to the mountain. Two putts here and you should still be smiling. Be careful at Hole 4 a sneaky par 4, and Holes 7, a par 5 and Hole 18 a par 4.

You need to be accurate off the fairways here and the greens run fast and have interesting lines. If you're around a 12 handicapper or better then you'll love this course. Caddies are friendly and really knew the course well.

Another fun hole is their 12th. Here you have two options, aim for the smaller narrower fairway on the right, but it gives you a shorter 2nd shot. Golfers have to make a decision whether they want to switch the plan from the narrow but closer or the wider but farther fairway. A good risk and reward par 5. Their signature hole is the charming 16th, a par 5. Here you need to aim your ball over the abyss between the fairways. You can get a few ounces here as well giving you a bit more distance. The clubhouse on the hill allows players a spectacular and impressive view of the course. The delightful well-run restaurant with sweeping views from the terrace is great for relaxing after your round. Facilities include a Jacuzzi in the locker rooms which also has views of the beautiful scenery.

Hole 16 Par 5 Hole 16 Par 5 Opened in 1993 this 18 hole par 72 golf course near Chonburi , was designed by Yashikasu Kato. Quite long at 7,241 yards Treasure Hill has fairly wide fairways and the mountains and many trees surrounding the course provide shade and cool breezes. Reservation Call: +66(038) 420 766 How to go: Treasure Hill is located approximately 40 km from Chonburi and it takes about 90 minutes from Bangkok by car.

Hole 12 Par 5 SPECIAL DISCOUNT Only special offers for Thai Golf readers 700 THB on weekday Weekday (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) only 750 THB Weekday Package (Green Fee+ Caddie+Golf Cart) only 1,300 THB Weekend 1,050 THB www.thaigolf-news.com

* Price valid until 30th July 2012 ISSUE ISSUE Fourteen NINE • THAI • THAI GOLF GOLF NEWS • 15•

HOLE HDC 1

HOW TO PLAY THIS HOLE ? Every course has a handicap system, and on your score card they give a handicap for each hole, with one usually being the hardest hole on that course. In match play competition, handicap strokes are assigned on a hole-by-hole basis, according to the handicap rating of each hole (which is provided by the course). The hardest holes on the course receive the most handicap strokes, with the easiest holes receiving the least handicap strokes. How can you plan to play it without adding to many plus numbers to your score card? Treasure Hill Golf Club here in Thailand has hole 16 par 5 as its handicap number 1. Here it is essential necessarily to start with a good drive off the tee, in order to position yourself for your second shot. From the tee box the players have to aim for the fairway which is close by and facing up to the mountain. On the left side is OB and right side is the forest. Tip advisor The green is raised and again close to the mountain so you have a blind shot. This hole is not only a true signature hole but also is their HC1. 16

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Luckily for us here in Thailand we can often get some great advice on how to play the HC1 from the ever smiling Thai Caddy. At Treasure Hill, Khun Pen is their caddy number 408. Not only has she worked there for 5 years, but she has also been playing golf for 2 years and was a recent champion with a 40-40 score on her course. Her handicap is 8, so with her friendly personality it is easy for her to get on with the players.

Sometimes she will observe the Professional golfers and they are happy to give us lessons too. Also it is great that the golf course manager allows us to play a free round occasionally. So next time you go to Treasure Hill, ask for Khun Pen, Caddie number 408, and let her advise you on how to birdie their 16th, the dreaded HC1.

The golf course is opening a chance to reserve the caddy at : +66(0) 3842 0766 Pen

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A very Central Golf Clubâ&#x20AC;Ś Many experts have said that a round of Golf can take up a lot of time compared with other sports. So finding a course that is nearby the centre of Bangkok is one way to reduce the time. Another idea is to play 9 and not the full 18 holes. Thana City Golf and Sports Club ticks all these boxes, as they offer a truly memorable golfing experience so close to Bangkok, that it is less than 30 minutes from downtown Bangkok and only 15 minutes from Airport. The course was designed by Greg Norman, who recently came over to play a Charity Golf Tournament there. Over the past couple of years, the Club has been spending some serious money upgrading the course and have also rebuilt their large club house, which now has some of the best facilities for golfers in the city. TC Promotions: Play 4 Pay 3: Every Tuesday ( Green fee, Golf cart ) Lady Day: Every Wednesday Green fee 1,000B Green coring: 28th -31st May Green fee 1,000B TC News: Newly renovated Thana City Golf Practice Centre The course is currently in excellent condition and is a fair challenge for beginners to those back tee professionals. www.thanacitygolf.com

Thaisky-Digital Tanate Duangpatra started Thaisky Digital as a hobby which has grown into a very lucrative business. He has combined his love for airplanes with his passion for photography by taking digital ariel photographs for commercial and artistic purposes. Tanate told us, “I have two storehouses at home which are full of RC airplanes and digital cameras. It makes me happy every time when I look at my storehouses and I am very proud of work over the past seven years that we have achieved at Thaisky Digital. ” He was practicing the RC airplane since he was young and fall in love with it. His father was crazy about taking pictures so Tanate learnt from his father to develop his photograph skill. “I started my work with a Japanese factory They liked my photo taken from the sky since, as not many people were doing this at the time. It surprised me when they decided to buy my photos, and that is how we started” said Tantate. Since then he has been working with the government sector in Thailand especially when they are planning for the infrastructure. He can also count other organizations such as PTT group, airlines and hotels as regular clients. Lately, I have worked for AirAsia covering the Flowers Festival at Chiangmai. They wanted us to take photos from the sky both in the day and night time, in order to make a festival more memorable for the tourists. ThaiskyDigital is now planning to work with TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand), taking photos and video of golf courses from the sky. Thai Golf would like to thank Tanate for allowing us to feature his ariel shot of the Santiburi Samui Golf Course on this month’s issue, and we look forward to publishing some more of his work with Thai golf course in the future. 18

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Birth of a Classic… Grand Prix Golf Club

Last week I was lucky enough to experience a true golfer’s paradise, as we were personally invited by the designer to a free round of golf on a top class course…..and we had the entire 18 holes all to ourselves.

A dream perhaps??? No it wasn’t, and the best part was that the course had not even opened its doors yet, so we were able to get a sneak preview as well. The Grand Prix Golf Club as readers of Thai Golf News will know, is the brainchild of Dr Prachin Eamlumnow, President of the Grand Prix Group and organizer of the successful Bangkok International Motor Show. Dr Prachin has put his own money into designing and creating a truly first class Championship golf course right in the peaceful countryside near Kanchanburi, just two hours’ drive West of Bangkok. The course in fact runs close to the Blue Sapphire Golf Club. Due to open in August, I decided to take along a Thai PGA Andrew Scaife to give it a test run. From my journalistic point of view, it certainly provides some spectacular and memorable holes and with a selection of tee boxes should prove popular with the average weekend or tourist golfer. 20

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Advertorial Feature

The front nine holes were actually completed a year ago, but the back nine were still getting the finishing touches, so we were one of the first to play those holes. The course is 7,111 yards from the black tees down to 5,337 yards from the red tees, so there are birdie opportunities on most holes, but course management will play a big part of any round. Water hazards, loads of bunkers, undulating greens and a number of elevated tees and greens add to the fun. They are still to announce the handicaps for every hole, and also what hole will deserve the title of their “Signature Hole!” My contenders would be the sixth, ninth, fifteen and eighteenth. Sixth is a relatively short par 4 at 378 yards from the black tees down to 273 yards from the red tees. First you need to decide whether to hit over the eight bunkers onto a small fairway. This will give you a short chip in to the green surrounded on three sides by a lake. The less adventurous will go for the larger fairway on the right, but then they will have a longer second shot onto the green. The ninth is a long par 4 with a relatively wide fairway leading up to a raised green again guarded by nine bunkers.

The fifteenth is a fun par 3, with an elevated tee down to a wide green with a huge bunker across its entire length plus three bunkers at the back. A bit like shooting straight at a dartboard. Perhaps the best is left to 18th with a massive 594 yards crossing two water hazards up to a raised undulating green again surrounded by bunks. They are halfway through constructing a state of the art clubhouse which sits at the highest point allowing amazing views of the entire course. I can’t wait to sit on the open air balcony watching the incredible sunsets with the mountain range in the background. For more information on their opening schedules check out the clubs website www.bluediamondgolf.com

Andrew Scaife, the Pro’s view As a professional I was extremely happy with what this course has to offer. It begins with a 360 degree eye view of what the course and area that surrounds the mountains and landscape has to offer. The first tee begins with a great drive down the hill and a calculated second shot onto a green that will make you test you’re putting for the rest of the round!! This course then deliverers a great front 9 holes, with a variety of directions, that should make any golfer choose his shots wisely!

Advertorial Feature

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The back nine has everything to keep you on your toes, as you need to think about what the next shot will be, choosing your drives and tee off shots accordingly!!!! It all depends on your skill, and hopefully if you make a putt or two, it will bring down your score to a very satisfactory and enjoyable day at the Grand Prix course. This course has been designed for many a memorable occasion, so when it opens I would highly recommend a visit for the challenge and also the golfing weekend that this beautiful gem has to offer.

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Where to Stay Cool retreat in the Mountains…

Many of you will have heard about Jack Nicklaus’s beautiful golf course called Kiri Maya, nestled in the mountains of the Khao Yai National Park. You can stay at the Kiri Maya hotel or try out their new Forest Pool Villa Resort called Muthi Maya. Just a five minute drive from Kiri Maya, they have created approximately 94 villas adjacent to the 9th and 10th holes, along with a couple of restaurants and a reception. The villas all come with their own 7m x 30m private pool and a massive lounge, kitchen and shower, Jacuzzi bathroom and master bedroom. They serve a great breakfast by the resorts own pool, and there is a first class restaurant, Myth, serving Japanese or Italian fusion cuisine. They also have personal Chefs on hand to prepare a barbecue in the privacy of your pool villa. It is a very relaxing place to unwind and being in the mountains, the temperatures are cooler than Bangkok. Great golf, great food and great fun! Info; www.muthimaya.com

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Where to Stay Anantara magic near Krabi… hammock shaded by pine trees, next to the hotel’s long beach. It’s the ideal destination to be as active or relaxed as your needs desire. With family friendly accommodation, restaurants, pools and the Dugong Kids’ Club, children are entertained while adults indulge in exotic treatments at Anantara Spa. After a fun packed day, one of the most sensational sunsets in the world is the perfect place to spoil someone special with a unique Dining by Design celebration. However if the addiction kicks in and you need a golf fix, the hotel is only around 40 minutes from the Packsai Country Club. An 18 hole country course owned by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). The older part (front nine) remains a challenge but the fairways are not all well maintained. The back nine, their new section is very good and very challenging but with much wider fairways. The greens front and back are very good but not very fast. However, overall a course one should try when in the Krabi area. We paid approx Baht800 for a round. Tel: 075) 611-984-5. Also check out the nine hole par 3 at the Sofitel Krabi, which was designed by Piraporn Namatra who also created the Banyan in Hua Hin. You would not normally associate Krabi for your golf getaway, but in fact there are actually several courses down there, if you hunt around.

Book your trip to Anantara Si Kao Resort just 21 days in advance for stays between May and end of October 2012 and receive a 20% discount on luxurious accommodation. www.sikao.anantara.com

We were invited to visit the Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa recently and found to our surprise that the golf down there is quite exciting. It is a great region to take the family on vacation with the superb natural wonders of the Andaman coast to while away the time. Now with daily Air Asia flights to nearby Trang airport, the magic of a Si Kao holiday is just an hour’s flight from Bangkok. This beautiful destination and idyllic waterfront resort is an inviting choice for families, leisure travellers and honeymooners, with over 139 rooms and pool suites. You can take the hotel’s speedboat to the powdery white sands of Koh Kradan, home to Anantara’s private beach club and reefs teeming with tropical fish. Or grab a novel and laze in a 24

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Pattaya News Royal Golf Package Luxury Pattaya Resort combines with leading golf tour operator to offer a Royal Golf Package The world-renowned 5 star hotel in Pattaya, Royal Wing Suites and Spa, have combined with Solar Golf – Pattaya’s leading golf tour operator, to launch a Royal Golf Package. The package combines a stay in a luxury suite with golf at the top golf courses in Pattaya including personal service from landing at the airport through to departure. Uniquely, the guests will be met at the aircraft door by a Royal Meet and Greet concierge who will fast track guests through immigration and collect the luggage then enjoy a private transfer to the Royal Wing. The Royal Golf Package offers a 7 night stay in a Royal Wing Suite with a host of special benefits including breakfast on the private balcony, reserved pool loungers, daily fruit platter, free internet, daily newspapers, sport and fitness specials and even a sunglass cleaning service by the poolside. Guests can select three rounds at Pattaya’s top courses – Siam Country Club – an annual LPGA venue, the Jack Nicklaus designed Laem Chabang, St Andrews 2000 with its 2 monster par 6’s and Burapha – home of the Pattaya Open. Solar Golf will meet guests at the Royal Wing and they are escorted to the first tee by a golf guide who organises everything. Private transfers, carts and even caddies are included in the Royal Golf Package. Solar Golf offer the option of golf lessons at the golf academy and playing lessons on the course. “Our resort is renowned for world class luxury and hospitality with a highly personal service,” suggests Klaus Hund, General Manager of Royal Wing Suites and Spa. “We are now enhancing our product range with a luxury golf holiday where the Royal service starts the moment the customer steps off the plane. We know that arriving guests get frustrated by delays at immigration control so we are overcoming this with the airport concierge and fast track service.” Callum Mackie, Managing Director of Solar Golf adds, “Pattaya was recently voted the number one golf destination in Asia and Australasia. We are launching this Royal programme to give top end golfers a unique combination of Championship golf courses, one of the world’s leading hotels and personal service all

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the way. The packages start from just over $2,000 per golfer for 7 nights and 3 golf rounds. This is great value when you consider everything that is included for the guests.” www.solargolf.com

Burapha to host 10th Pattaya Open Burapha Golf Club will host the 10th Pattaya Open which will be played on their B and D courses from 10th to 13th May 2012. This special anniversary event sanctioned by the Asian Tour will offer prize money of 3 million baht courtesy of sponsors Singha, Pattaya City Hall, Laem Chabang Port and Nong Nooch Gardens. This event will attract entries from many of Asia’s best players to compete against the top Thai professionals. The Pattaya Open is one of the top 5 tournaments on the All Thailand Tour and has been held at Burapha nine times. Burapha’s Marketing Director, Mr Mike Meesommont, has been preparing the course for the last 3 months. “We lengthened the tournament set up to nearly 7,200 yards in 2010 by adding a number of new tees at different elevations. Bunkers were created to toughen up some holes as a counter to the long drives of today’s professionals. The rough has been allowed to grow in order to increase the 2012 challenge.” The 2011 event was won by Prom Messawat with a gross of 268 for 4 rounds. The tournament has a tradition of close finishes and play offs so this year should offer a tense and exciting spectacle. Pattaya is the 2012 golf destination of the year for Asia and Australasia so visitors are encouraged to combine a day or two watching the Pattaya open with some rounds of golf at the selection of over 20 courses. Admission is free and there will be catering and trade stalls to welcome visitors.

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Phuket News So on to our next destination on Phuket and it is Patong. Some call it a rough diamond, some just think it is rough! From a golfers perspective it offers a special 19th Hole – The Watering Hole. With literally 100’s of bars and clubs, Patong offers a night out that few places on Earth can match. Make sure you drop in and see my friends at the Parrot bar and Honky Tonk bar – both on Soi Bangla! A beach that stretches for 2.5 kms Lined with beach bars, $1 noodle stands, along with every known water sport imaginable – jet ski’s, parasailing, wind surfing or just lazing around on one of the 1000’s of sun bed’s under a clear blue sky with golden white under your feet. Welcome to paradise! Patong has every type of room accommodation you can think of from $10 backpacker dorms to $1500 per night villa suites. Two hotels in Patong that really cater for golfers and golf trips are the Yorkshire Inn – run by former PGA professional Paul Gibson. Paul can be relied on to provide everything a golfer needs from local advice, lessons and/ or transport. There is also the 1 year old boutique hotel The Nap Patong Hotel. This fabulous new hotel is owned by the President of the Phuket Golf Association and the GM here is the secretary! What these warm and friendly gentlemen do not know about Phuket golf is simple not worth knowing. The hotel is located 150 meters from the beach and a ten minute walk to Patong’s hot nightlife. Patong also has top 5* names such as Novotel (brand new hotel 2012), Holiday Inn and Amari and there is no hotel better situated to make the most of Patong’s night life than Absolute Bangla Suites – I have been reliably informed by friend Andy Leadbetter (David’s eldest son) that the Penthouses are worth every baht!!! Foodies are really spoilt here with the Baan Rim Pa group ( Baan Rim Pa, Joes Down Stairs and Da Maurizio) on a cliff overlooking Patong serving Phuket’s best Royal Thai Food along with new world cuisine and great Italian food plus 9th floor and Aqua also constantly get top rankings on TripAdvisor. Patong Seafood on the beach road has been around for 20 years and still going strong so one has to assume they are getting something right! Golfers staying in Patong are spoilt with a fabulous 36 hole facility only 15 minutes away. Loch Palm, dubbed ‘Phuket’s most relaxing golf course’ and its sister course Red Mountain offer all you could want from golf. Loch Palm is a relatively short course at 6500 from the Blue Tee’s – but as you imagine with the Scottish word for Lake in the name, there is plenty of water hazards. Red Mountain has risen to be the real jewel in crown for Phuket golf in only 5 years since its opening. Tricky holes, lots of water, long with more undulations than a downhill mogul field, this course will challenge you at every shot. Patong is not for everybody, but for me it is like a car wreck, once you are there you find yourself gazing all around and unable to move away!! 26

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Behind the TV Coverage… With Golf being a global industry, most of us tend to spend hours glued to the TV watching all the great golf tournaments every week. We become friends with our hosts, the Browns, the Laidlaw’s and the great Alliss’s! All wonderful TV commentators and pundits, but we really see them apart from the odd interview with the happy winner.

around the course, wears headphones so he can hear the commentators and director back in the studio. Considering this broadcast was going all around the globe with over 800 million viewers, and they were on air for the four days, they seem to stay remarkable calm, while still keeping the viewers interested. I suppose it is because the all just love the game of golf.

So I went to check out the team covering the recent Thailand Golf Championships at Amata Springs. On this occasion they had a crew of 70 producers, directors, editors and technicians plus three leading commentators to beam the tournament around the World. Dominique Boulet has been the lead commentator for the Asian Tour and is well known for his knowledge of all the Asian players, old and up and coming. He also works for European Tour Co-sanction events and for the Golf Channel. ‘Dom’ has been golf professional since 1989. On this occasion Dom was joined in the commentary box by Richard Kaufmann who not only covers the European Tour but is a regular Soccer commentator on Sky TV. Out on the course was pundit and ex professional Jay Townsend, an American who works regularly for the European Tour plus for BBC’s Radio 5 Live radio. Their routine is normally to turn up on a Tuesday so they can check out the course, and more importantly chat with the players, their managers and find out how they are getting on, both on the course and behind the scenes. During the pro am the TV crews are busy catching the star players and filming interviews that can be used later on. During the four day tournament Richard, who acts as the Anchor or ‘the glue’ as he told me, prepares his script with up to date news around the world, as well as local news which he will use in the show. Dom likes to have a chat each day with the players as they practice on the driving range, to gauge their feeling for that days play. He also drives around the course in a golf cart checking on all that days pin placements. Sometimes they pre record the morning sessions and then go live to cover the final top groups. Jay who normally follows the leaders

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Jay Townsend Course Reporting

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The best Thailand (Vacation) Destinations Golf Festival Chonburi, Pattaya- Festival 2012 Eastern part of Thailand Golf Course, Chonburi Province 1st – 31st May 2555 Beginning the season with golf championship at Pattaya Golf Festival with an exclusive prize Contact: (TAT) Pattaya Office Tel: +66(0)3842 3990,+66(0)3842 8750

Top Of The Gulf Regatta International 2012

Takes place at Ocean Yacht Marina Club, Chonburi Province 4-8th May 2012 Beginning of the water festival with the top of the gulf regatta international, with various Thai and Worldwide yachtsmen taking part. Contact: (TAT) Pattaya Office Tel: +66(0)3842 3990,+66(0)3842 8750

Miss Tiffany’s Universe 2012

Takes place at the Tiffany Theatre in Pattaya, Chonburi Province May 2012 Don’t miss the world's biggest transvestite beauty Contest to see with the most beautiful and glamorous transgender ladies in Thailand Contact: Tiffany's Show Pattaya Co.,Ltd Tel: +66(0)3842 1700 1

Pattaya Marathon 2012 15th August 2012 Your chance to participate in the Marathon Pattaya King’s Cup championship, which is divided into marathon, half marathon and quarter marathon for student and wheel chair. Contact: Marathon Pattaya Tel: +66(0) 3825 3100

Thailand Grand Sale Arcades Tourist Attractions will join the activity all over Thailand June – August 2012 It's that time for shoppers who have been waiting for this annual 'Miracle Thailand' grand sale. The numerous traders who participate in discounting their products and services including retail, dining, leisure and hospitality, beauty and medical treatments and etc. www.thaigolf-news.com

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Ladies take over Pattaya… When the LPGA hits town you really do get almost all of the top players on the tour…the 2012 Honda LPGA held at the Old Course at Siam Country Club in Pattaya, boasted 48 of the top 50 players in the World. We caught up with them on the Pro Am day when they had time to relax.

Dad and Lexis Thompson working hard. Sandra Gal with fan!

Our Publisher Dr Prachin showing the tournament hosts Honda how to drive!

A master class with No 1 Yani this year’s worthy winner.

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To receive these Offers each month just email editor@thaigolf-news.com and ask for Tee OFFers.

Bars, Pubs, Restaurants… Lemongrass goes Live… After a good round of golf, it is great to enjoy a fun night out with your friends. The Banyan Resort in Hua Hin has gone that little bit further to guarantee a great night. They now run a Live Jazz night every Saturday, at their resort restaurant called Lemongrass. The new chef has done wonders in the kitchen. Try their Chicken, Avocado with mango for starters, it is excellent. If you want to sample something not often offered here in Thailand, then do check out their legendry Fondue Bourguigonne! The Swiss invented the fondue, and this one means you dip meat into a pot of boiling cheese with a bit of alcohol added. A very social main course! For more info tel: 03 253 888 or visit www.banyanthailand.com Lemongrass

Lemongrass

French Bistrot … Chez Papa is a relatively new addition to the Bangkok restaurant scene. Located nearby Cheap Charlie’s bar in the trendy Souk Soi 11 off Sukhumvit Soi 11, this bar and bistro has been painstakingly designed as a Parisian Bistro bang in the centre of Bangkok.

Chez Papa

The menu is extensive with slow cooked Duck, Rib Eye Beef and a Sea Plate of Prawns. Their Classique Crème Bruliere is hard to resist. Wonderful antiques are hanging everywhere and the waitresses even wear the French berries as well! Bon appetite! Booking Tel: 02 255 2492. Chez Papa

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Tee OFFers…

Send your club offers to: editor@thaigolf-news.com Bangpra Golf Club & Resort

Home on a Khao Yai Golf Course... The Midst property project offers new modern contemporary apartments at the stunning Royal Hills Golf Resort in Nakhon Nayok, only 90 minutes drive from Bangkok. The first phase offers five luxury one and two bed roomed apartments conveniently located in between a lake and a golf course, surrounded by the peaceful natural scenery of Khao Yai in Nakhon Nayok Province.

Up to the end of October Bangpra Golf Club & Resort are offering a special accommodation promotion for Thai Citizens. You can stay at their resort hotel overlooking the golf course for only Baht1,000 per night. Apart from enjoying a round or two at the beautiful 18 hole championship golf course, there are several local attractions nearby including Khao Kheow Open Zoo, Sriracha-Tiger zoo junction, Tiger God Shrine Ko Sichang, and Ang Sila Seafood Market. Bangpra is only 45 minutes by car from Bangkok. For more details contact the Resort on Tel: +66(0)81 295 6152 , +66(0)38 341 149 50 -300 or for all the promotions check it out at www. EGA Thailand.com You will need to book in advance before your arrival.

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This tranquil haven has been meticulously designed to bring comfort and luxury to the heart of your natural living. At the Midst, they offer you a private clubhouse, swimming pool and other hotel facilities for your relaxation and enjoyment. You will find here a peaceful retreat in the tranquility of the forest. Prices without furnishing start at just baht2.6 millions or fully furnished from only baht3.4 millions. The good news is that the resort will guarantee Midst owners income of Baht10k per month, and they will offer homeowners a FREE 10 year membership to the Royal Hills Golf Resort. For more information check out their website www.royalhillsresort.com or contact the resort on + 66 2722 7206-10. Just sit on your balcony and watch the golfers tackle the exciting par 3 adjacent to your apartment!

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Golf Classified

Weekday Baht2,500 Weekend Baht3,500 Located approx 2 hours outside Bangkok near Bangnamprieo Chachoengsao. Tel: +66(0)38 835-555 www.lotusvalley.co.th

Oskar is a bar, bistro and restaurant with live DJ, pizzas, salads, burgers, skewers, plus a large selection of superb wine and the best cocktails in town! Located nearby Bed Supper Club on Soi Sukhumvit 11. Tel: t:+66 2 255 3377 www.oskar-bistro.com

Play in Pattaya

0836 184449

www.solargolf.com

+66 (0) 26510807 or +66(0)26510730 27, Methawattana Building Sukhumvit soi 19

Mike Whan the commissioner for the LPGA

Mike Whan the commissioner for the LPGA is responsible for running this global ladies international golf tour. We caught up with him and asked him how he was coping after being the boss for his second hear in charge. TG: A lots happened in the past year, what do you think you have achieved? MW: Most people will focus on our expanding schedule and what a success it has been. We added six new purses for 2012, we also added a purse to the Founders Cup, and five brand new events too. Given the interesting economic times in the US and Europe we beat expectations. Also our viewership was up 30% across the globe and 40% up on North American events. We also added official sponsors across the board, and re renewed with ten of are marketing partners, so our fans will see we have more tournaments which is fine. www.thaigolf-news.com

TG: The European Tour has a lot of young players, maybe not as attractive as yours on the LPGA, but tell us about your young stars? MW: Well the stockpile of young talent on our tour is great and the great thing for us is that these players come from everywhere. Most tournaments you will see 28 or 29 flags flying, which is special. We are truly borderless in golf and nobody believed that ten years ago. Whether you support a Japanese, US, Korean or European player, there is someone playing for your region and that is exciting. TG: What about Lexis Thompson who has already won a major? MW: Well she is the youngest player in the LPGA’s history to win and she is the youngest player to ever play ISSUE Fourteen

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Lexis Thompson

on the tour too. We’ve typically had a policy of saying our members don’t become members until they’ve reach 18 years old. We have had some players go to Q school before they were 18 and earn their card but they generally turned 18 in the first month on tour. Jessica Korda for example earned her card when she was 17 but by the time she teed it up she was 18. She recently won in Australia as well TG: You are a commercial business; it makes sense to have these young stars. MW: Yes but there are lots of Mums and Dads out there who think their daughter is ready for the tour, but what I saw of Lexis when she was 15 years old was she was competitive almost every time she teed up. We then gave her the chance to go to Q school and earn her way on the LPGA. While she was going to Q school she won the Navistar Classic which had the top 30 players in the world. So there was really nothing she needed to go to Q school to prove she should get her card. She

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just turned 17 in February so she is our youngest member and the youngest winner on the LPGA tour. TG: Asia now plays a big part in your schedule, especially with all the Asian players doing well. It must be an important part of the LPGA’s future? MW: Lots of sports come to this region, but not all can deliver the number of top stars say we brought to Thailand. Here we have 58 of the top sixty players in the World. Six years ago there was nobody at Q school or on our Rookies tour for example from Thailand, now there were 5 players from Thailand. We aim to encourage youngsters to play golf. TG: We now have Power Play a new format, have you ever discussed a tournament with the top players from all the men’s and women’s tours, about creating a new format tournament? MW: I have talked it over a couple of times with the PGA and he is keen and the personalities of our stars make it interesting worldwide. The question is finding the right sponsor and the right time. We have a few more available dates than they do, but we both agreed to work on it. We have tried to come up with new concepts and ideas and in the next few months we will be coming up with some new ideas. TG: You play golf how about all you tour bosses playing together.? MW: I would love to play against Tim from the PGA or George from the European Tour. My handicap is currently 8, but I rarely get a chance to just have a quiet round. It is usually at a Pro Am with the Media.

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WOMAN IN GOLF New Tournament for Pattaya. Golf Life by Rasputin is the title of an exciting new golf tournament due to take place in Pattaya this May. The tournament is the brainchild of successful business woman Ms. Ana Wongsing (Brew) managing director of the Pattaya Dragon Company. Thai Golf caught up with Brew to find out a bit more about her successful business and her passion for golf. TGN: What is so special about Pattaya? BREW: Pattaya is one of the popular tourist attractions and entertainment city in Thailand. It is very well known for its fantastic natural attractions, entertainment area (night life), many hotels and of course its superb championship golf courses. TGN: You have created a very large company. What is the Pattaya Dragon Company? BREW: The Pattaya Dragon Company is a famous company and we have been in Pattaya for many years. We cover many areas including the Rasputin Spa & Massage, Space Pub & Restaurant, our Step up Disco, Nab Man Club, Daruma Japanese Restaurant, Model Show girl and the Selection Hotel Pattaya. Name: Ms. Ana Wongsing (Managing Director) Hometown: Ubon Ratchathani Type of business: Pattaya Dragon Entertainment Company

TGN: Apart from all these projects, I understand you are also a developer too? BREW: Yes, we currently have another huge investment project, a 1,000 million baht resort at Koh Larn.

TGN: Why did you decide to launch your latest project, your new golf tournament? BREW: To compare “golf and life” is actually so similar, and doing a business is also very practical. The entrepreneur has to attempt, planning and recovering problem at the same time, in many ways similar to playing a round of golf. TGN: Why “Golf life by Rasputin”? BREW: Because I love golf, as I do in everything I do with our company. It is a passion. Since working on what we love or are happy with, it all becomes part of our life. Running Pattaya Dragon is covered business such as pub, bar, restaurant, spa & massage, organizing parties or concerts. This is my normal routine. Organizing our own golf tournament is another extension to our empire, and an activity which I happen to enjoy too. TGN: What are your plans for your first tournament? BREW: The whole point is that we are planning a fun event and to bring a lot of happiness to people playing and watching. Golf Life by Rasputin will be very impressive and we plan to entertain everyone both during and after teeing off. TGN: How can people enter? BREW: have teamed up with Thai Golf Network who is well known for organizing Tip We advisor successful golf tournaments across the country. Our first tournament, is scheduled for this May at a top Pattaya golf course, so for full details please checks out www.thaigolfnetwork.com www.thaigolf-news.com

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We are going

Thai…

For all the latest local and international news, golf course reports, travel, hotel and entertainment information Thai Golf can now be downloaded in English and Thai free at www.thaigolfnetwork.com Also join are free newsletters giving advance info on playing in local golf tournament plus check out our green fee offers and special hotel packages.To register just email us at editor@thaigolf-news.com quoting ‘Newsletter.’ www.thaigolf-news.com

Thailand Golf

Khao yai / North-Eastern