Thai Golf News No.18 by Thai Golf News

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS…

Bubba Watson & Sergio Garcia COURSE REPORTS…

St Andrews 2000 & Royal GC PICTURE REPORT…

Thailand Golf Championship

THAI GOLF / ISSUE Eighteen

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CONTENTS

ISSUE 18

12 22 Editorial

6 EDITOR’S LETTER 10 GOLF NEWS... CHIANG MAI CLASSIC 12

Interview Bubba Watson

Destination report: Royal Golf Club

Destination report: St Andrews 2000

22 ADVERTORIAL The Grand Prix Golf Club 24

Interview Sergio Garcia

Pattaya news

Phuket news

Behind the Scenes Mida

33 Asia Pacific Amateur Championship report 39 Bangkok city of fun

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

THAI GOLF

ISSUE 18

EDITOR’S LETTER Editors letter….

It has been quite a busy time here with a mini Asian Swing. First we had the Asia Pacific Amateur Championships plus three Asian Tour Tournaments all in the space of a few weeks. You certainly get the feeling that the explosion of golf here in Asia, coupled with a genuine love for Thailand, has helped attract some of the giants of the golf industry to visit the land of smiles. Billy Payne the Chairman of Augusta National and Peter Dawson the Chief Executive at the R&A had the prefect PR finish to their Asia Pacific Amateur Championships, when Chinese sensation Guan Tianlang won and gains his place to play in next year’s Masters. At 14 years old, he will definitely be making headlines. Then in quick succession we had the Kings Cup won by Thai Around Vongvanij in his rookie season, Charl Schwartzel’s master class four rounds to win the 2nd Thailand Golf Championship and crowd favorite Sergio Garcia romping home to take the season ending Iskandar Johor Open in style. Thai golfers did not let the side down either, with veteran Thaworn Wiratchant winning both the Asian Tour Order of Merit plus the Players Player of the Year, young 20 year old Thitphun “Totem” Chayprakong taking 2nd spot at Amata playing alongside Schwartzel, and Prom Meesawat for gaining his European Tour Card. It was a shame that the Royal Trophy 2012 lacked the crowds at the Empire Golf Resort in Brunei, howeverat least Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat was part of the victorious Asian Team. Let’s hope in 2014 Thailand can re host this great tournament, and recreate the atmosphere that prevailed when Europe won back in 2011 at Black Mountain. We are now into the high season when you will need to book ahead if you wish to secure a reasonable tee time. We have been busy publishing the 2013 Bangkok Golf Guide, which you can pick up at your favorite golf club. We also have a number of discounted green fee vouchers available including some of the most sought after courses in Bangkok. Send me an email if you would like us to send you our regular newsletter. mikebridgeceo@gmail.com EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS…

BuBBa Watson & sergio garcia

Hope you enjoy our exclusive interviews with Bubba and Sergio plus our course reports, news and picture reports.

COURSE REPORTS…

st andreWs 2000 & royal gc PICTURE REPORT…

thailand golf championship

THAI GOLF / ISSUE Eighteen

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COVER PICTURE SUPPLIED by Mike Bridge

Enjoy your golf! Mike Bridge

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FEATURES: • LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS • GOLF TOURISM • THAI COURSES • INTERVIEWS • WHERE TO STAY • TEE OFFERS 6

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GOLF NEWS... Kingdom Property Supports Local Golf Tournaments.

CADDIE OF THE YEAR

Zack Rasego was crowned HSBC Caddie of the Year at the annual party laid on for the bagmen during last month’s recently at the WGC-HSBC Champions. Branden Grace, Rasego’s employer, could not have been more proud as his man was awarded the coveted trophy. All told, he and Grace won four European Tour titles and one Sunshine Tour event times this year, with the last of those victories the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. That week, they had a 60 over Kingsbarns which both felt could have been a 59. But it was on the last day that Rasego really came into his own when his master was beginning to struggle on the greens. Mayor attends Southpoint’s Golf Event

Southpoint the new THB2 billion project scheduled for completion in 2015, is Kingdom Property’s new 672 unit condominium located south of Bali Hai in Pattaya City. Last October they organized a Golf Life by Southpoint tournament involving over 700 golfers playing on the same day at three top local courses. The Mayor of Pattaya and CEO at Kingdom Property Nigel Cornick then hosted a major evening event with life entertainment for over 1,000 guests at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club. The developer’s interest in golf continued with their support as sponsors at the recent 3rd Beaver Invitational Charity Golf Tournament which took place at the Phoenix Golf Club in Pattaya. Kingdom Property Chief Executive Officer Nigel Cornick said: “We were delighted to support the Thai Canadian Chamber’s excellent efforts and also highlight golf in Pattaya – where there are a remarkable number of championship standard courses.” For more information about this exciting project please visit www.kingdomproperty.com 8

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“I told Zack, ‘Just jump in with reading the lines as I need a little clarification,’” said Grace. After that, they made birdies at the 12th, 13th and 14th to draw comfortably clear of the field. Before linking up with Grace, Rasego caddied for Louis Oosthuizen for seven years in a partnership which saw the pair win the 2010 Open Championship at St Andrews. Gary Player was the first to see Rasego’s potential as a caddie. Years ago, when he was designing the Gary Player course at Sun City, Player introduced a programme for the caddies at the club and gave Rasego his own Caddie of the Year award. Part of the prize was to carry Player’s bag during a stint on The European Tour. “Zack was a quick learner and someone who had a great eye for the job,” said Player. Rasego made the most of that early foray on The European Tour and was soon up there with the best of the bagmen. Scott Vale, Brandt Snedeker’s caddie, was the runner-up in the HSBC Caddie of the Year Awards. The latter is known as the “Million-dollar caddie” after he was given 10% of the $10 million Snedeker made by winning this year’s FedExCup.

www.thaigolf-news.com

GOLF NEWS... The World’s Richest Golf Tournament

Professional golfers seem to have a pretty cushy lifestyle these days….luxury limos, complimentary five star hotels, and free rounds of golf on some of the most stunning courses in the World. Plus they can win some mega amounts of Dollars….just look at the FedEx Cup or the Race to Dubai as examples. Well all this is nothing compared to the competitors taking part in The Boeing Thai Golf Classic Tour, an annual golf tournament currently held in Bangkok , where these guys are playing for much bigger stakes! Started over 15 years ago, this is a two day competition between executives from Boeing and Cathay Pacific. The 2012 Tour was organized by Chris Morgan, Senior Director of Sales for Boeing, their version of a Tim Fincham of the PGA assisted by Solar Golf Tours Thailand. These top execs forget they are handling hundreds of the world’s top airplanes, and for two days there was some fierce competitive golf played at two of Bangkok’s top courses, Royal Golf Club and the Riverdale Golf Club. On the opening day, twenty-six teams competed to win the Cathay Cup 2012, a two-man blind draw one-day scramble event at Riverdale. The winning team had their names etched onto the perpetual trophy which is displayed at Cathay Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong, and receives a big cheer from all their competitors. But the Cathay Cup has lately become the warmup round for the real competition that is played on www.thaigolf-news.com

the second day. In that fourball match-play competition, the Boeing team plays head on head against the Cathay Pacific team. When the last putt had dropped it was the Cathay team that had posted more winning matches. The Boeing team has returned to Seattle to lick their wounds. But they will return next year and compete again for that crystal trophy. Until then, the Cathay Pacific team retains bragging rights for having played the better golf on that Sunday afternoon at the Royal Golf Club in Bangkok. However the real winners in these competitions, of course, are the two companies themselves. Boeing, who over the past 15 years of hard fought competitions, have managed to secure from Cathay Pacific some very lucrative orders for more than 80 Boeing 747’s and 777’s worth billions of dollars. And Cathay Pacific, whose product and passenger service is repeatedly ranked as one of the world’s best, put these very efficient, reliable and comfortable Boeing jet aircraft through their paces for the benefit of their paying passengers 24-7-365.

Eat your heart out Rory, Yani and Tiger…..it’s the winners of The Cathay Cup you need to beat in the money stakes!

ISSUE Eighteen

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GOLF NEWS... Another Asian Tour Event for Thailand The inaugural Chiangmai Golf Classic will be launched in Thailand in March, 2013 in another positive development which underscores the strength of the Asian Tour as it expands professional golf in the Kingdom and across the region. The full-field Asian Tour event will be held at the magnificent Alpine Golf Resort-Chiangmai, in northern Thailand, from March 28-31 2013 and offers a total prize fund of US$750,000. , Designed by Ron M. Garl, the course is located in a valley between mountain ranges in the heart of the San Kampaeng. Organisers will assemble a collection of international stars along with the region’s elite players led by Thai heroes Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wiratchant to grace the Chiangmai Golf Classic. In conjunction with IMG, who is the event promoter, Asia’s newest showpiece will be broadcast live over four days on the Asian Tour’s global television platform which reaches over 200 countries and 650 million homes. The launch of Thailand’s newest tournament will raise the number of Asian Tour events in the country to four, which will boost Thai players’ aspirations to qualify for the Olympic Games in 2016 through the Official World Golf Ranking. Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said, “We are delighted to announce the inclusion of the Chiangmai Golf Classic on our 2013 Schedule. I would like to thank Alpine Golf Resort-Chiangmai and IMG for delivering a new and exciting tournament in Thailand, ” said Han. Alpine Golf Group’s Udomsak Ngowsiri said: “ We are delighted to partner the Chiangmai Golf Classic as the host venue. The tournament will extensively promote Thailand and Chiangmai as a leading golfing destination through the global live television broadcasts.” Thongchai, the only player to win three Asian Tour Order of Merit crowns, said: “The launch of the Chiangmai Golf Classic is a wonderful development for the game, and I am looking forward to playing in a new destination in Thailand, which will promote the game further afield in our country.” The Chiangmai Golf Classic will be a 72hole stroke play tournament showcasing 144 players with the leading 94 Asian Tour

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players featuring in the elite field alongside 10 players from the top-200 of the Official World Golf Ranking, 30 players from Thailand and 10 sponsor’s invitations.

Japan to Sanction Thai Tournament. The 2013 Thailand Open will be jointly sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour and OneAsia, according to officials. The annual US$1 million tournament has been part of OneAsia since 2010 and will be an event sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) for the first time next year. “The Thailand Open will be more competitive,” said Rangrid Luxitanonda, president of the Thailand Golf Association (TGA). “Our golfers will have a good opportunity to hone their skills against players from the Japan Golf Tour.” Rangsrid said that the JGTO had promised to bring its big names to the Thailand Open including triple Major winner Padraig Harrington of Ireland. The 2013 Thailand Open, which will take place from March 14-17, will be the OneAsia’s seasonopening event. However, it will not be held at Nakhon Pathom’s Suwan Golf Club which hosted the tournament in the past two years. It is likely to be held at Thana City and Sport Club, said Rangsrid. www.thaigolf-news.com

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Bubba Watson exclusive interview…

Left to right Andrew Fisher (trainer),Jens Beck (agent) and John Teddy Scott (caddie) with Bubba at Amata Spring Country Club

We caught up with Master’s Champion Bubba Watson, who had just flown all the way from California to play in the Thailand Golf Championship. Thai Golf: You started using your Pink Ping G20 earlier this year…tell us first how much input you had with Pink to develop this personal driver? Bubba Watson: Well Ping developed it; I just asked if they could do it pink to raise some charity dollars. My Dad pasted away with cancer, and with so many people are fitting cancer we thought this would be great way to get some cash for a good cause. 12

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TG: What type of shaft do you use, and what degree on the head? BW: Ping made 5,000 with whatever people wanted. I personally use a G20 8.2 degrees loft and the shaft is almost 2X’s stiff. TG: Your personal longest drive according to the PGA records is 422 yards in the 2004 Gila River Classic. Although Davis Love 111 has hit further. BW: Yes Davis did hit the longest single drive, however my average stats throughout the season are the longest at 315.55yds. TG: You now seem to be flying further and further to play your golf. Is this your first visit to Thailand?

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BW: Yes it is my first visit, and while I am here we are going to do some sightseeing, play some golf and take some trips around the city, to do some shopping and go to some restaurants. TG: Apart from Amata will you have time to play any other golf courses here. BW: Not really but I did play at the golf course here opposite the hotel around the horse track. We had just landed off the plane and I was a little tired but I wanted to see this place (The Royal Bangkok Golf Club) and I did not know how private it really was. It took some hard work to get on, but I eventually played 10 holes with my 7 iron. In fact when he arrived, the receptionist did not know who he was and when he said my name is Bubba Watson, she said “Bubba Who?’ Eventually after frantic calls between the GM at the St Regis and the club, the Chairman made an exception. We later caught up with Bubba again as he played the championship course at Amata during the pro-am. TG: How is your jet lag this morning? BW: Well I did not get to see the sights last night as I went to bed and had trouble sleeping. TG: Do you have similar hot conditions at American tournaments as we have in Thailand? BW: Yes quite similar and I can cope but it is never great to play in the heat. You just have to handle it and drink a lot of water. Generally Bubba and his caddie were getting their distance right for each fairway that day. A fan asked him if he hit his drive at maximum on the 18th hole, and Bubba said no. He then decided to let rip with a 100% effort and his ball just disappeared right out of bounds. Just a bit of fun of course, but he said to his caddie that maybe he should use his 4 iron off the tee next time. All the time fans were asking for photos with him and his autograph. He was actually pleased to see them and always happy to oblige. A great golfer, and a very nice individual. Bubba went on to end his 2012 hectic schedule with four rounds of 274 to finish tied 2nd with Thailand’s 20 year old Thitphun Chuayprakong, at his first competitive tournament in the Land of Smiles. His manager told me that they all got some suits made here, and they went everywhere in TUK TUK’s so perhaps Bubba who loves to collect old cars maybe importing his own TUK TUK perhaps even in Pink!

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ISSUE Eighteen

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R IIVVEERRDDAALLEEGG R OO L FL F A RR Y YC L AN ND D CCOOUUNNTT CULBU B

THE PERFECT CHALLENGE

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 . 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 , 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 PAT HUM 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 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

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Royal Golf & Country Club

You have probably like me, driven along the express way to Pattaya many times and passed the blue exit sign for ‘Royal Golf’ just south of Suvarnabhurni Airport, and thought let’s one day check it out. Well after three years living in Bangkok, I recently made it off the expressway to discover this calm oasis of 18 holes. Extending upon more than 2,000 rai of land, the Royal Golf and Country Club is located near Bangkok-Chonburi (Motorway) and On-nuch Road, in Lard Krabang area, within easy reach of Bangkok’s main business district. This world class 18-hole golf course has been designed by Mr.Chohei Miyasawa, a professional golf club designer whose portfolio includes famous golf courses in Japan, Korea and Guam. www.thaigolf-news.com

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Royal Golf & Country Club

On each step in this 18-hole golf course you’ll encounter well placed bunkers, a lot of trees, small grassy humps and bumps to grab your ball. It’s is a challenging course but also easy on the eye, with a lot of topiary and even a massive water fountain. The opening hole is fairly intimidating with a thin fairway with water on both sides and trees on the left. Hole 8 is the longest at 581yards from the Black tees and there are another two par 5’s on the back nine. Shortest hole is 13 a tricky par 3 with water to cross and a small green with a bunker in front of the pin. They have it down as handicap 18 but don’t be fooled here. Hole 16 par 4 dubbed the “Mickey Mouse Hole” because its sand bunker, resembles the famous Disney Character, has two imposing ears sticking out. And hole 3 has been said to be as beautiful as the short par 3 hole of Troon. The facilities include a basic driving range and putting green nearby the large club house. Golf carts are optional and there are several kiosks around the course. Their large international restaurant has superb views over the 1st, 9th and 18 holes. Locker rooms are slightly old but very clean and they also have a first class massage centre on site. A reliable and enjoyable standard course, that allows for good scores from all levels of golfers. Well worth a visit, especially if you have checked out of your hotel and have time to grab a round before heading for the airport for your evening departure. www.royalgolfclubs.com

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St Andrews 2000

St Andrews 2000 is an extremely long course playing at 7,700yards to par 74, as it features two massive par 6’s. English born golf course architect Desmond Muirhead has created one of Pattaya’s most spectacular golf courses, as St Andrews was built to replicate a Scottish links course. Located in Rayong, about 40 minutes from Pattaya and 90 minutes from Bangkok, St. Andrews 2000 is accessible for golfers staying in either city. This is a tough golf course and although everyone can enjoy it, it probably offers an uncompromising challenge aimed at players with handicaps of 18 or lower. St Andrews features several elevated tees and greens, tight landing zones, split elevation fairways, huge putting surfaces surrounded by www.thaigolf-news.com

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St Andrews 2000 hills. Many greens are uphill so your second shot needs to be accurate here. Personal I felt that the two par 6’s, both over 800 yards, were slightly out of place and certainly changed the rhythm of the round. I did however enjoy the course as a whole, and there is a certain thrill when you look down from a high tee box to a valley below with humps and hollows, knowing that you have to drive with a degree of accuracy peppered with a large amount of luck. The facilities although perhaps a little old fashion (The Clubhouse is shared with the older Green Valley Golf Club) are quite adequate, and there are a number of different restaurants and bars and a massage centre. Carts here are not only compulsory but essential as it can take you a good 10 minutes to reach the 10th tee from the clubhouse. Certainly a course that you come away feeling you have had a memorable round and conquered the ups and downs of a Desmond Muirhead challenge!

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www.thaigolf-news.com

Picture Report from the Thailand Golf Championship 2012…

The 2nd Thailand Golf Championship attracted a number of leading golf stars from around the World including Rio Ishikawa from Japan, Ryder Cup stars Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Nicholas Colsaerts, major winners Bubba Watson , Darren Clarke and Charl Schwartzel plus colorful TV star John Daly. Hosted by Amata Spring in Chonburi, thousands of Thais, Expats and Tourists attended the four day tournament ……….

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Advertorial Feature

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ISSUE Eighteen

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Golf Club

Hole

18 Hole

14 par 3

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Hole

10 Deep in the heart of Kanchanaburi, a few hours west of Bangkok, there awaits a truly championship experience, namely the Grand Prix Golf Club. This 18 hole masterpiece was not designed by a world famous legend or a golf architect, but by a Thai business man whose second passion was golf. Dr Prachin Eamlumnow is currently better known as the creator of the popular ‘Bangkok International Motor Show’, but soon his name will be connected with one of the new exciting golf courses in Thailand. Without any formal training in golf course design, but with some help from some friends, Dr Prachin slowly created 18 unique and testing holes nestled in the foothills of Kanchanaburi. The course was finished last summer, and now they are completing the clubhouse and surrounding roadways. They are planning a soft open to members only next April. To find out how to apply to become a member visit www.bluediamondgolf.com www.thaigolf-news.com

ISSUE ISSUE eight Eighteen • THAI GOLF • THAINEWS GOLF •

Interview with Sergio Garcia… Sergio Garcia admits the second half of 2012 has been tremendous for him personally, cumulating with his role as a player in the victorious European Team in the Ryder Cup. Sergio loves to come over to Asia, so we caught up with him at the Thailand Golf Championships at Amata Spring near Bangkok. Thai Golf: You recently came back after eye surgery. Can you explain exactly what type of eye surgery did you need after the Ryder Cup? Was it laser treatment? Sergio Garcia: Yes after the Ryder Cup I had some time to fit in laser correction and when I started playing again I had no problems at all. Hopefully I will see some improvements too. TG: Your rounds at this seasons Race to Dubai resulted in two eagles on the difficult 18th hole. Would you say they were perhaps your best shots of the season? SG: Yes this year they shorten the hole by bringing forward the tee box and quite a few players made eagles there. It was great for me, as it is an exciting way to finish the rounds with eagles on two days, and it was captured on TV. TG: The world noticed your exuberance at the end of the Ryder Cup, resulting in you giving away your golf shoes to the fans. However you seemed to remember at the last minute to take out your insoles. SG: I do wear insoles and once before I gave my shoes away at a tournament and forgot to remove the insoles. We do a lot of walking during the season, so they do help me a lot. TG: According to the current PGA stats you are 3rd for putting from inside 5feet. Do you feel you are improving with your putting? SG: Yes definitely, I have been working on my putting a lot, which seems to be paying off now. TG: You are ending your 2012 season here in Asia. This is your second visit to Amata …..have you been playing in other golf courses in Thailand recently? SG: No not on this trip, however I love coming to Thailand and in fact after Dubai we went to the Centara at Krabi for a few days break before coming to Bangkok. During our research for this interview we came across the Sergio Garcia Bicycle Company and showed Sergio the picture. He asked his manager jokingly ‘when did we start manufacturing bikes!’ All in good fun of course, which just about sums up this friendly Spaniard who loves his football almost as much as his golf. Sergio came fourth at Amata Spring with four rounds totaling 276. This trip proved very profitable Asian swing, as he went on to win the Iskandar Johur Open. 24

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Pattaya Golf Report… by Callum Mackie CEO at Solar Golf

High season in Pattaya started back in November so it is timely to update our readers on what has been happening. The first big event of the season was the Solar Golf Ryder Cup competition played over two days at St. Andrews 2000 and Burapha golf courses. Team USA whipped Team Europe 30.5 to 13.5 to retain the prestigious trophy. The next Solar Golf event is the Open Championship which will take place over six courses between 14th and 25th January. To enter contact admin@solargolf.com or visit www.solargolf.com for more details.

The past two months has seen some freakish weather in the Pattaya area with the rains continuing through till mid-December. Thankfully, the rains seem to have ended but temperatures remain unseasonably high. All the golf courses have weathered the storms and are in top class condition thanks to stellar work from the ground staff. Special mention should be made of the progress at St. Andrews and Pattana where both courses have made major improvements in the last 12 months. Pattana have completely refurbished their restaurant and introduced a new menu. Siam Country Club (Old and Plantation Courses) and Laem Chabang have never looked better despite record loadings. In November, we saw some strange new mushroom shaped silver tee boxes appearing between the forward men’s tees and the red tees. It’s an initiative

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organised by the Pattaya Sports Club to support their seniors, who found the men’s tees too long, but they are embarrassed to go off the ladies tees. Lots of favourable comments from the over 70’s who are now enjoying their golf more than ever according to Joe Mooneyham, the PSC Golf Chairman and initiator of the new tees. “PSC have bought over 1,000 tee box markers that are being placed at all the Eastern Seaboard golf courses for our senior players. The distance off the silver tees will be around 6,000 yards.” PSC are starting a seniors division in their monthly tournaments from January 2013. I caught up with Khun Chai, CEO of Siam Country Club. “Siam Old Course is running at full capacity all year round and Siam Plantation is seeing very strong demand from Thai golfers, expatriates and international tourists. The new Waterside golf course is taking shape and will feature a more forgiving layout than the other two courses with kinder bunkers and less elevated greens.” www.thaigolf-news.com

Phuket…

Blue Canyon’s Lakes Course

For this edition’s page we are giving you an update and overall view of all things Golf in Phuket.

Mission Hills

The island has become well known as a golfers paradise with eight courses including Loch Palm, Red Mountain, Phuket Country Club, Phunaka, Mission Hills, Blue Canyon Country Club (2 courses) and Laguna First a few points of news regarding current golf conditions. The Blue Canyon Lakes course now has a full complement of carts for hire to help ‘beat the heat’. It is highly recommended that all golfers get out and play either Lakes Course or their other course, Canyon Course, as the greens at Blue Canyon are currently as good as they have been in years. With both greens running a touch over 10 on the Stimp meter, there has never been a better time to play the historic course and walk in the footsteps of Tiger, Ernie and the Great White Shark. Also on the rise is the condition of Mission Hills Golf Resort. The once much maligned course has had major work on the greens and fairways over the past 12 months, and is now a truly enjoyable experience. It is the only course that actually runs along the seaside in Phuket. This challenging Nicklaus design with four tee box options, is once

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again a must play on your next visit to Phuket. If you are a Thai resident, then check out their current offer of green fee, cart fee and caddie fee for under Baht3000. Definitely time to give it shot. For those of you looking for a more social aspect to golf, you can try linking up with one of the many Golf Societies that play in Phuket. The largest and most organised is the PEGS group Phuket Expat Golf Society. www.expatgolf.com They meet twice every month and also arrange Christmas events, Match play events and hold an annual club championship over 36 holes. You must be a Thai resident to become a member, however they do welcome guests, who can play up to five times per year. Smaller weekly events take place at Laguna, Blue Canyon and Loch Palm. SLAGs play on Saturdays, Mulligans play on a Tuesday and ThUGS play on a Thursday. For residents of Phuket or even Thailand wishing to join these societies we suggest you contact those courses direct for more details.

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Behind the scenes at Mida Golf… General Manager

We went behind the scenes recently during the Amazing Thailand Golf Fine Day Golf held at Mida Golf Club in Kanchanaburi. Great course, great resort and a very friendly team…

Rececption Girls

Locker Room Team

Starter

Caddie 15

Pro Shop

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ISSUE Eighteen

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In the Bag… Golf bags come in all shapes and sizes, but for the big stars their bag is perhaps that bit more important than us weekend hackers. Apart from the caps, shirts and balls, the really big sponsorship money comes from what you have on the side of your bag. At the recent Thailand Golf Championship we caught up with a few hefty earners, and let their golf bags do the talking. Ryder Cup stars Colsaerts and Westwood are relatively conservative….. Rio carries his country’s flag with pride….. Bubba has his special “Bubba” cover…. and Soccer crazy Sergio has his favorite Football shirt number when he plays always 22. But the winner has to be Mr John Daly who we understand had his bag specially made for him, just to be that bit more outrageous and colourful.

John Daly

Nicholas Colsaerts

Rio Ishikawa Bubba Watson

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Sergio Garcia

ISSUE Eighteen

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2008

2009

The Vintage Club is Venues of Thailand LPGA 2008-2010

Mobile : 086 570 3970, 084 438 8443

2010

ASIA-PACIFIC AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP BANGKOK – Chinese prodigy Guan Tianlang, 14, became the youngest winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship after a closing one-under-par 71 gave him a 15-under total of 273 and a nail-biting one-stroke victory at Amata Spring Country Club in Chonburi, Thailand. Guan, Guangzhou-based schoolboy and the youngest player in the field, completed a wire-to-wire victory that has earned him an invitation to next year’s Masters Tournament. He has also secured a place in International Final Qualifying (IFQ) for The Open Championship along with runner-up Pan Cheng-tsung of Chinese Taipei, Asia’s No. 2 amateur, who shot a 65. Both Billy Payne from Augusta and Peter Dawson from the R&A were on hand to present the trophy at the closing ceremony hosted by Frank Nobilo from the Golf Channel. Australian teenager Oliver Goss (72) finished third at 12-under, two ahead of two-time champion Hideki Matsuyama (68), Asia’s No. 1 amateur. When the Masters begins next April, Guan is set to become the youngest competitor in the history of the Tournament at 14 years, five months and 17 days. The previous record was established by Matteo Manassero in 2010, when the 16-year-old earned an invitation after winning the British Amateur Championship in 2009. Guan, who spends three months in Florida each summer, is currently averaging only driving around 250 yards with his driver, so the Augusta course could proof difficult. However at Amata it was his superb short game that kept his game on top. Guan said afterwards, “It was hot all week and it was a long course, not easy. Goss was hitting his drives 50 yards further than me and even his two-iron was 10 yards longer than my driver. However, I’ve had my mum and dad supporting me all week, and they gave me a little bit of advice so I just want to thank them.” Organised by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), the Masters Tournament and The R&A, the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship is the world’s most televised amateur golf tournament, aired in more than 150 countries.

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ISSUE Eighteen

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ISSUE Eighteen

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The Girls Are Back...

“The Honda LPGA THAILAND 2013” will be held from February 21-24, 2013 at Siam Country Club Pattaya old course and is one of the flagship events on the LPGA Tour. This tournament will showcase the world’s top 60 woman golf players and 10 exemptions spots to compete in the 72-hole stroke play tournament with no cut to win the prize money of 1.5 million USD. Channel 7 will broadcast the tournament live across all 4 days. 70 competitors will compete in the 72-hole stroke play tournament with no cut, to win the prize money of 1.5 million USD, with the special hole-in-one prize of a new CR-V worth 50,000 USD. According to Mr.Pitak Pruittisarikorn, Director of Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and Executive Vice President of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd., “All six tournaments of Honda LPGA THAILAND proved to be very successful. As an official sponsor of the Honda LPGA THAILAND 2013, we are very pleased and honored to be a partner with Channel 7 to organize the 7th tournament. We are very proud to be a part to promote Thai woman golfers to demonstrate their golfing talents and skills and compete with top woman golfers from many countries around the world. This tournament also helps to boost Thailand to be a leading destination for world-class golfers while promote tourism for strengthening Thai economy.”

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Besides the tournament, there’s a Charity Night to raise fund for Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Centre of H.M Queen Sirikit of Thailand in order to support the local people helping generate more income and increase the economic status and their living standard including retaining the preservation of Thai local arts and handicrafts. Tseng Yani, the winner of Honda LPGA THAILAND 2011 and 2012 talks about her memorable experiences in Thailand “I’ve played 4 times at the Honda LPGA and the best memories must be this year! There was a lot of excitement on the 18th hole, I had 90 yards to the pin and I know my ball is going to spin a lot I kept it low and made a birdie to win.” “I am excited to go back to see all my friends and the fans again. I love the golf course and there is nothing that I can complaint. I just really want to go back and play the golf course again and try to win again. I enjoy being in Thailand and I think the fans out there and the food are great. I really enjoy going to Thailand and I have so many good friends there.” Update the news of the ladies professional golf tournament, Honda LPGA THAILAND 2013, at www.hondalpgathailand2013.com

ISSUE Eighteen

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Playing partners …

If you have just arrived in Bangkok or other regions across Thailand, the temptation is to get out and check out some of the 280 excellent golf courses in the country. The next step is perhaps to find other suitable playing partners to make up a two or four ball. Luckily there are a number of first class and well run golf societies in all major Thai regions and most will welcome new members. Over the next few issues we plan to feature information about other golf societies, and we also plan to set up a section on our own website to find suitable golfers to join a four ball. This month we decided to find out about perhaps the largest society here, namely the Bangkok Wanders Golf Club (BWGC). Its members comprise of fairly eclectic, sometime eccentric individuals living in and around Bangkok. They welcome new members and come together twice a month or so for fun golf tournaments and sometimes they wander off to play some of Thailand’s finest golf courses. Membership is currently open and a Wanderers handicap is given after submitting cards at three events. A good idea is they update every members handicap after every event and you can see 36

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ISSUE Eighteen

all handicaps on line. Because of the growing number of serious, but fun-focused, golfing groups in Thailand there are, equally, a growing number of inter-society games and competitions occurring each year. In the past, the BWGC, together with our fellow significant expat golf club, “The Londoners” essentially ‘pioneered’ adoption of the CONGU handicap system, whilst the majority of the other societies adopted the USGA handicapping system, a well established system in its own right. However, the presence of two systems within the same competitive groups has led to some minor issues arising on occasion. In recent times, the CONGU system has now become, and is continuing to become, much more widely adopted; therefore, giving greater and greater consistency of comparison of abilities. Well at least it gives an even playing field for fair competition. The BWGC have selected The Vintage Club as the venue to host their monthly medal tournaments in 2013, and will also visit Royal Golf Club, Kiarti Thani, Suphapruek, Royal Hills, President, Banyan and Lam Luk Ka . If you wish to join them at Vintage on January 5th or February 2nd for their monthly medal or at Royal Golf Club for a stableford on January 20th check out the clubs website www.bkkbwgc.com

Message to Club and society secretaries…..please email me at mikebridgeceo@gmail.com and we would be happy to feature your society and any fixtures in our next issue. www.thaigolf-news.com

Thailandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s No1 English Golf Monthly... Free copies are available at over 100 of the top golf clubs, most 5 star hotels, residences, car showrooms, driving ranges, golf retailers, airport lounges, pubs, golf societies and bars around Thailand. Why not join our free monthly newsletter, and benefit from our amazing discounts at some of the top clubs and hotels on green fees and rooms rates. Just drop us an email to editor@thaigolf-news.com and start playing and saving. www.thaigolf-news.com

Down By The River... After a round of golf on the many top class golf courses around Bangkok, you are spoilt for choice on checking out some great places to go in the city. However one draw that is hard to resist is the city’s busy Chaopraya River, where there are numerous 5 star hotels bars and restaurants. At this time of year it is great to eat outside as the temperatures drop, and there are several places along the river to enjoy both daytime and evening fare. The Shangri La Hotel who has a large restaurant called Next2 Café serving Bangkok’s famous buffets in a prime riverside setting, expect a market-style spread of various regional, along with Continental and Asian à la carte menus. NEXT2 Cafe has also been awarded Bangkok Dining & Entertainment Magazine’s Best Buffet Restaurant 20092010.

Peninsula-Bangkok

Chaophraya River

The Flow is a contemporary restaurant at the Millennium Hilton Bangkok hotel for all-day dining from around the globe. You can enjoy stunning river views from the terrace and watch the chefs prepare sushi and sashimi specials in the open kitchen. They also have an excellent steakhouse called Prime with imported beef or fresh live lobster for dinner in this contempory restaurant also overlooking the river. The hotel has a boat that collects dinners from the pier near the Shangri La and takes them on a four minute ride upstream. You can also eat outside at the Peninsula Hotel, The Mandarin Oriental Hotel, and The Marriott Resort and Spa and The Sheraton Royal Orchid Hotel. Next2 Cafe

Marriott Resort and Spa

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ISSUE Eighteen

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Bangkok City of Fun Rapidly establishing itself as Asia’s capital of cool, Bangkok has something to offer everyone up for a fun night out on the town. The city’s’ diverse nightlife scene covers everything from excellent live music and great discothèques to ultra-cool bars, trendy clubs and a huge variety of superb restaurants. We at Thai Golf aim to provide useful information about what’s happening and where to check out in the city of smiles…plus tips, advice about Thailand as a whole, covering everything from destinations to shopping, attractions to events and holidays to restaurants and a lot more. Enjoy Bangkok and perhaps even further afield while you visit Thailand, definitely the ‘Land of Smiles’.

Gossip Q Bar

Hot spots in Bangkok. aloft Hotel. A new 300 bed hotel, and part of the trendy ‘W’ hotel chain. Apart from their popular international restaurant Craves which excels with a huge wine list, the hotel also has Levels a club and disco taking over the full length of their 6th Floor. Soi 11 Sukhumvit. BTS Nana. www.aloftbangkoksukhumvit11.com Tel:+66(0) 2 207 7100 Q Bar Seven years strong, QBar continues to feature top international DJ’s as well as playing host to an eclectic mix of regular events featuring Bangkok’s best hip-hop, house, drum”n” bass and acid jazz spinners. Soi 11 Sukhumvit. www.qbarbangkok.com tel:+66 (0)2 252 6366 BTS Nana

Cabbages & Condoms

Gossip Thonglor is the latest creation from those French guys that brought BKK Oskar. A bar and restaurant with music, this new hot spot in chic Thonglor has spin the coin on Mondays to win a free cocktail and special seafood platters every Sunday. www.facebook.com/gossipthonglor. Tel: +66(0)2 185 3093 BTS Thong Lor Concept CM2… is a late night party house that highlights International live bands and DJ’s plus classy coyote ladies. There are areas to eat, drink, play pool, dance or mingle as the evening unfolds. Novotel Bangkok Siam Square www.novotelbkk. com Tel: +66 (0) 2 209 8888 BTS Siam

aloft Hotel

Cabbages & Condoms… A great and unique Thai restaurant that offers excellent food, while also promoting the health and safety aspects of condom use in a fun and amusing manner. All proceeds from the restaurants are used to fund the social development programs of PDA. Remember, our food is guaranteed not to cause pregnancy. Soi 12 Sukhumvit www.pda.or.th Tel+66(0)2 229 4610 BTS Asoke

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ISSUE Eighteen

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Thailand Golf

Khao Yai / North-Eastern