Thai Golf News No.19 by Thai Golf News

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS…

Jutanugarn Sisters COURSE REPORTS…

• Royal Hua Hin GC • Royal Lakeside GC PICTURE REPORT…

Honda LPGA

PICTURE REPORT…

Win weekend at Black Mountain

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CONTENTS

ISSUE 19

22 6 EDITOR’S LETTER 10 GOLF NEWS... LPGA NEW EVENT 12

Interview Jutanugarn Sisters

Destination report: Royal Hua Hin GC

Destination report: Royal Lakeside

22 ADVERTORIAL The Grand Prix Golf Club 26

Where to stay in Thailand WOODLANDS SUITES

Pattaya news

Phuket news

Behind the Scenes Muang Kaew

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Playing Partners: Golf Society News and Events Picture report Honda LPGA Open

Editorial Editor editor@thaigolf-news.com Design Dew Piyaman dewangelo@gmail.com Advertising Thailand Amy Khongboonma amy@thaigolf-news.com +66 (0) 8 9419 0188 International Kim Waddoup kim@aigroup.ru

Thai Publisher Grand Prix International Co Ltd Attn: Phanrawee Suwan (Aey) 4/299 Moo 5 Soi Ladprakhao 66, Ladprakhao Rd. Anusawari, Bangkhen, Bangkok, Thailand 10220 Tel: (+66) 2 522 3227

Magazine Website

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Grand Prix International is not responsible for any promotional materials and contents written in this magazine. All materials in this magazine are the copyright of Thai Golf News

Supported by

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ISSUE 19 Editors Letter Well from the thrills and spills at the LPGA to the fun of the 24th Rotary Annual Golf Tournament at Thana City, February turned out to be a classic month for golf here in Thailand. For once I think it would be fair to say that the women produced the most exciting golf tournament Thailand has witnessed for a few years. I am not saying that it was not great to see the likes of Bubba Watson close up at Amata Springs or Charl Schwartzel’s incredible performance at the Thailand Golf Championship last December. However to have the top 58 golfers in the world all turn up to compete at the Honda LPGA Thailand Open last month, was a top draw event by any standards. Add some new local talent in the guise of 17 year old Thai rookie Ariya Jutanugarn leading the field into the final round, and the spectators flocked into the Siam Old Course to see the drama unfold. Perhaps not up there with the Ryder Cup, but some superb golf, a hole in one and a last minute blunder, it all added to the electric atmosphere. Fun of a different nature was the 24th Annual Golf Tournament organized by the Rotary Club of Bangkok South. 160 players, 32 teams, and superb free food and drinks on all 18 holes, certainly helped pass away six hours around the 18 holes at Thana City GC. Great prizes, wonderful networking and lots of funds raised for charity on a Sunny day in the city, certainly promotes why you should join a golf society or club in Thailand. In this our first edition for 2013, we are in fact featuring a directory of some of the top golf societies across Thailand, so we hope you will be able sign up for some excellent events over the coming months. We also take you around two ‘Royally’ named 18 holes in our course reports, meet the girls creating all the news , the Jutanugarn Sisters, we check out where to stay in Pattaya and give you the latest places to eat in Phuket, plus we bring you right up to date with all the golf news in general. This month we are also running a superb competition with Hua Hin’s Black Mountain, with a great prize of a weekend in one of their pool villas and a round at their new par 3 course. EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS…

Jutanugarn SiSterS COURSE REPORTS…

royal Hua Hin gC COURSE REPORTS…

royal lakeSide gC PICTURE REPORT…

Honda lPga

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COVER PICTURE SUPPLIED by Mike Bridge

Please remember to visit our revamped website www.thaigolf-news.com where you will find loads of course reports with pictures, current and back issues to read on line, plus our monthly special offers on discounted green fees and hotel accommodation. Enjoy you golf in the land of the smiles! Enjoy your golf!

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FEATURES: • LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS • GOLF TOURISM • THAI COURSES • INTERVIEWS • WHERE TO STAY • Golf Society Info 6

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GOLF NEWS... Local Firm Signs Two Time Major Winner Pattaya To Host Major Golf Event Pattaya Thailand, winners of the Golf Destination of the Year 2012 for Asia and Australasia, has won the right to host the 2nd Asia Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC) from 29th April to May 2nd 2013.

Rapidly emerging golf apparel brand, Fenix Golf, recently announced the launch of an exclusive collection featuring two-time Major winner Sandy Lyle. Initially comprising golf shirts, umbrellas and caps, the Sandy Lyle collection will expand to other items after the first products hit retail outlets throughout South-East Asia, the United States and United Kingdom at the end of April. The breakthrough collaboration with Lyle, who won the 1985 British Open and 1988 Masters, positions Fenix Golf as a fully-fledged international golf apparel brand. It features a new Sandy Lyle logo with the St Andrews cross overlaying a flagstick and golf club. The polyester shirts, in up to seven different colours, feature maximum wicking, UV and anti-bacterial properties. They will be available in four styles – a signature stripe weave plus tartan, Argyle and Campbell designs that reflect Lyle’s and the company’s shared Scottish heritage. “The Sandy Lyle collection spans all ages and lifestyles and reaches the highest quality of style, product quality and workmanship,” says Fenix Golf’s founder and managing director, Michael Moir. Established in 2008, until now Fenix Golf has concentrated its marketing and retail activities in Asia where its custom-made products have established a strong and growing market niche.

Organised by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), this three day convention will bring together leading golf tour operators, all selling Asia Pacific golf destinations, to meet local golf clubs, hotels, in bound operators and tourist boards. This is a massive coup for the Eastern Seaboard Golf Management Association (EGA) whose 20 member golf courses cover the region. With several major Championships including the recent Honda LPGA Thailand, the Thailand Open and the Singha All Thailand Golf Tour, Pattaya is now recognized globally as a top golf destination. With championship courses designed by the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Peter Thompson, Gary Player and Pete Dye, the EGA members attracted over 500,000 foreign visitors last year. Mike Mesommonta, EGA President said,” Although Pattaya is a well-known golfing destination for Asian Golfers, with over 80 pre-registered European Golf Tour Operators attending the AGTC 2013, we now have a great opportunity to increase overseas bookings for the next few years.” Apart from hosting the leading professionals, the EGA also host one of the world’s most unique tournaments. The 4thThai Caddie Championship, attracts over 700 Thai caddies to compete, with the final being held at the famous home of the LPGA, Siam Plantation Golf Course. EGA President

Already, Fenix Golf is the official apparel supplier to eight Asian Tour events, three European Senior events and the Thailand Golf Association, as well as supplying numerous corporate clients in Asia. As well as Sandy Lyle, 16 Asian and European Tour players – including Australia’s Scott Hend, Ross Bain of Scotland, Javi Colomo of Spain, Brazil’s Lucas Lee and Adilson Da Silva and Thai stars Wisut Artjanawat and Chawalit Plaphol – are wearing Fenix clothing. Expect more super stars to join the Fenix brand shortly. For more information, visit www.fenixgolf.com 8

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GOLF NEWS... Thailand Open Moves to New Venue

Three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington from Ireland and Englishman Chris Wood, the defending champion, will light up the fairways at OneAsia’s U.S. $1 million Thailand Open. Ireland’s Paul McGinley, recently announced as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain for 2014, will also be returning for a second appearance, while joining the impressive lineup are Japanese legend Shingo Katayama and Kim Kyungtae -- the rising star of Korean golf. With the Singha Corporation on board as premier sponsor, the prestigious event will return to Thana City Golf & Sport Club for the first time since 1998, with local fans hoping a home-grown player can win the national title for the first time in nearly a decade. The March 14th to 17th tournament is the opening event of the OneAsia season, and in a landmark development is joint-sanctioned with the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) for the first time. “There is no question that this year’s Thailand Open features one of its strongest-ever fields,” said Rungsrid Luxitanonda on behalf of the Thailand Golf Association (TGA) and Singha Corporation. “This will be the first time Padraig Harrington

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will play in our national Open and we are thrilled that he has taken time out of his busy schedule to join our event.” “Our national Open has made remarkable progress since it returned to the golf calendar in 2009 after a brief hiatus. The tournament has re-emerged as one of the region’s premier national Opens -- particularly with it now being joint sanctioned with the JGTO.” Singha’s sponsorship of many of the country’s professionals has been one of the main reasons why Thai players have been able to perform so well on the international stage, and their support of golf tournaments at all levels has been unrivalled. “Singha Corporation are delighted to be involved with the Thailand Open once again this year,” said Rungsrid. “We are renowned for our strong support of golf in Thailand and so to be able to be premier sponsor of our national Open gives us a sense of completion.” Also providing a solid sponsorship platform this year as co-sponsors are Emirates, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, D’ablo and Canon.

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GOLF NEWS... LPGA New Event.

Asian Tour Schedule

Mike Whan LPGA Commissioner announced when he was Thailand to attend the Honda LPGA Thailand Open at Siam Old Course, that they are launching a new tournament in 2014 to be called The International Crown which will take place every two years firstly in the States. At the end of the 2013 season we will take the best four players from every country and take their Rolex world ranking and add them together and that will give us a country ranking. The highest ranked eight countries will then play in 2014. Eight countries, four players per country, no coaches, no captains and eventually one team will be crowned the best female golf country in the world. Whan saw 17 year old Thai Ariya Jutanugarn miss her final putt on the 18th green. He explained that you have to be 18 to be a member for the LPGA, and he denied her petition to go to Q school this year. “She will be 18 in November, so if her long term wish is to play with Moriya her elder sister, then her performance in Pattaya certainly helped and as a non-member she could get up to six sponsors invites to play LPGA events in 2013. With her current Rolex this will also help her on the European Tour,” said Whan Editors note: Ariya jumped 114 places on the Rolex Rankings and is the top Thai at 57. Pornanong Phatlum is 71 and Moriya Jutanugarn is 267. Ariya bounced back to finish 4th at the HSBC Singapore LPGA Championship and Moriya came 14th to end a very profitable 3 weeks debuts on the professional tour. Rolex rankings will also rise shortly! Mike Whan

Tetsuji Hiratsuka

Japanese stars Tetsuji Hiratsuka, Kenichi Kuboya and last season’s Asian Tour Rookie of the Year Masanori Kobayashi have signed up for the inaugural US$750,000 Chiangmai Golf Classic presented by PTT. The talented trio will join Asian history-maker Y.E. Yang of Korea and Thai legend Thongchai Jaidee in the Asian Tour’s newest tournament which will be held at the impressive Alpine Golf Resort-Chiangmai from March 28 to 31, 2013. Colin Montgomerie, the most prolific British winner in European Tour history, will make his first appearance in the Avantha Masters when the €1.8million event takes place from March 14-17. The Scot, who captained Europe to Ryder Cup glory in 2010, has won 31 European Tour titles – two of them in Asia – will now hope to add to his impressive tally when the fourth edition of the Avantha Masters is held at a new venue, Jaypee Greens Golf Course, Greater Noida, India. This tri-sanctioned event by the Asian Tour, European Tour and the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), will be put to test by a stellar field that includes three-time Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, Singapore’s Mardan Mamat, a three-time Asian Tour winner and Australia’s Scott Hend. The local charge will be spearheaded by Jeev Milkha Singh, Asia’s number one in 2006 and 2008 as well as Anirban Lahiri and Gaganjeet Bhullar who have a combined total of six Asian Tour victories.

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Interview With Thai’s Top Golfing Sisters It would be impossible not to have noticed a new name in golf, Jutanugarn. Bangkok born Ariya Jutanugarn is 17 yrs old and her older sister Moriya is 18yrs old. Despite their young age, the sisters both already boast impressive resumes. Ariya won the Ladies European Tour Final Qualifying Stage to earn status on the Tour for this season. She was ranked the No. 2 amateur in the world at the time of her victory. That came two weeks after her sister, Moriya, earned co-medalist honors at the LPGA’s Final Qualifying School.

HOLE IN ONE FOR ARIYA AT 12TH HOLE US$80,000 4 FT PUT that cost Ariya her 1st Proffesional Victory

We caught up with them recently at the Siam Old Course in Pattaya on the Pro Am day of the Honda LPGA Thailand Open. At the time we were just interviewing two very talented Thai golfers. Little did any of us know that over the next 4 days 17 year old Ariya would became a household name around the World having lead the tournament until the 72nd hole. You have just joined the Ladies European Tour. Have you played a lot over there before? Ariya Jutanugarn: Yes I did play there as a junior so I did play in Finland. Have you ever seen any snow before? AJ: Never and I expect it will be quite cold to start with there. What is your schedule after Thailand? AJ: First I am off to Singapore for the LPGA, and then I travel to China for the European tour then down to Morocco.

HUG FROM SISTER

Have you ever been to Morocco? AJ: Yes I have been one time and qualified there. What are your goals for this season? AJ: Well I just want to keep my ranking, play well on the European Tour and then I hope to qualify next year for the LPGA Tour with my sister.

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Ariya’s elder sister Moriya has already made her mark in 2013. How did you get on in your first professional tournament? Moriya: I came 4th at the LPGA Australian Open playing amongst the Kangaroos. I won US$70,000 in my first tournament. (She joked she was surprised how much tax was deducted!) With your sister on the LPGA this season, how do you two stay in touch? MJ: We just talk with Line and Facebook and sometimes I call her. We talk most days. My Dad will travel with Ariya in Europe while Mum will come with me on the LPGA Tour. How many tournaments are you likely to play together in 2013? MJ: Well sometimes Ariya will have to qualify and hopefully she will get a few invitations too. We were both

playing in this week’s field as sponsor invitees. Eventually Moriya ended up 59 in the tournament, and with her earnings so far in two tournaments stands at a very respectable 7th on the LPGA money list. As we all saw, sister Ariya played some truly memorable golf around Siam Old Course even thrilling the biggest crowds seen at a Thai tournament with a hole in one on the 12th hole. Perhaps her enthusiasm got the better of her on the 18th hole in the 3rd and 4th rounds, where instead of maybe playing up, she decided to go for the green and eventually made a horrible 3 bogey to lose to a very surprised Inbee Park by one shot. I am sure we will be seeing both sisters in the winning circle soon.

SURELY THIS IS UNPLAYABLE

Pro Am Duties for Moriya

Sisterly Practice

NEW NAME IN GOLF

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Royal Hua Hin Golf Course It is very unusual to play a course here in Thailand that is steeped in history, as the majority were created in the past 20 years. One exception is the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course located in the centre of the city. This is the oldest golf course in the Kingdom of Thailand, and took over nine years to complete when it opened in 1928 during the reign of King Rama VII. Instead of a well-known designer, the course was actually created by Scottish railroad engineer Mr A.O Robin, who was building the railroad in the region. In fact the original clubhouse has been preserved next to the 10th tee and the 18th green. Royal Hua Hin is the oldest World-class International standard golf course. It’s Par 72 6,655 yard layout tees off near the famous Railway station, and takes you along a hilly layout adorned with a variety of wonderful old trees, an array of fabulous flora and unusual old fashioned topiary.

14th Signature Hole Mother and Son

Although you are playing right next to the city, the atmosphere is very tranquil, and during our early start at 07.15hrs it was even calming to hear the local school children singing at morning assembly next to hole 12. Generous fairways, not too many bunkers, but some blind raised greens all add to the challenge, and you need to watch out for the wild monkeys around the 15th fairway. Unusually you start with two par fives in the first three holes followed back to back with two par 3’s. The card states hole 17 as being the handicap 1, but our caddie said that they had more trees in the early days and hole number 3 is now perhaps a worthy handicap No1. It has a long 535 yards dog leg right fairway uphill to a raised green which slopes off at the back. My favorite hole was 14 which is a par 3 teeing off at the highest point on the course, with a valley up to a fairly small green. Overall the greens were in excellent condition and the fairways were fine considering they do have a problem watering some holes. No underwater systems here, just the old fashioned hose pipe seems to do the job.

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Royal Hua Hin Golf Course Our caddies were very knowledgable about the yardage and particularly when reading the greens, that sometimes looked fairly flat, however local knowledge will tell you to take a wider route to the hole. The club house which opened in 1985 offers adequate male and female locker rooms and has a pro shop with club rentals and souvenirs for sale and there is a restaurant as well. The course has hosted several tournaments in the past and in 2013 will host a round of the new All Thailand Golf Tour, featuring the stars of the future. Royal Hua Hin is certainly worth adding to your golfing itinerary when visiting Hua Hin. Royal Hua Hin Golf Course tel: +66 (0)32 512 475. Original Club House 18th Green near Station

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Royal Lakeside Golf Club

Opening in 1993 and renovated in 2011, the Royal Lakeside Golf Club located at the mouth of the Bangpakong River, features beautiful surroundings, with a profusion of shrubs and flowers. Some holes play right along the Bangpakong river bank, while others feature a wide lagoon, which encircles the course. The lagoon provides a useful buffer zone, protecting the villas on its opposite bank from any wayward shots. The riverside setting ensures for cool breezes throughout the day and golfing enjoyment is enhanced by the beautiful surrounding. A unique feature of the golf course is that there is the private marina for yachts, which makes it possible to reach the golf course by boat from Bangkok or Pattaya. New greens constructed in 2011 are of the latest ultra-dwarf Bermuda turf. They are undulated and roll fast and true. Zoysia grassed fairways always kept in good condition. Often strong winds from the sea provide a special dimension for the game rarely experienced in Bangkok. There is quite an open feel to Royal Lakeside, created by good-width fairways and light

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Royal Lakeside Golf Club semi-rough that makes ball-finding relatively easy. The golf course has only subtle breaks, but significant earth mounding to the sides of the fairways and around the greens make approach shots very tricky. From the 9th tee a small lighthouse marks the entrance to Royal Lakeside’s marina, while the par-4 5th gives a wonderful view of another impressive structure - the dome topped clubhouse. The palatial, yellow dometopped clubhouse could be a distant cousin of the White House in Washington DC. www.royallakeside.com

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Asia’s Leading Golf & Lifestyle Resort…

Black Mountain

In just six short years since Black Mountain opened, this 18 hole championship course in Hua Hin Thailand has managed to collect numerous awards and in 2012 was named the first course in Thailand to be included in the prestigious US Golf Digest list of the Best 100 Courses outside the United States. The 7,550 yard course has also hosted the Black Mountain Masters in 2009 and 2010, part of the Asian Tour, and saw Colin Montgomerie’s

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Advertorial Feature

European team gain a dramatic victory over a strong Asian team at the 2011 Royal Trophy. Not to rest on its laurels, the management team has constantly improved the 18 holes, and in 2011 they opened a first class par 3 course and waterpark adding to the resorts attractions for all the family. The par 3 course was designed by Phil Ryan of Pacific Coast Designs, the architect for their award winning championship course. Created in a natural valley, Phil has created one of the best par -3 course in the world. Each hole requires a precise tee shot to find the green and to avoid going into the water or the bunkers. From the black tees the nine holes run at 1,357 yards and from the ladies tees a shorter 969 yards. Longest hole is hole number six at 182 yards. Several leading European tour players, Johan Edfors, Alex Noren and Thongchai Jaidee, who have homes at Black Mountain, all thoroughly enjoyed testing their own skills around the nine holes. Johan Edfor’s said after his round, “You could take every hole, put it on a championship layout and it would fit fine. It’s a great course to sharpen up your short and mid irons and the greens are big enough to hit. For me I can learn more in an hour playing one round here than from a day on the range.” Surrounding the par 3 course they are building a new 57 villa estate ranging from two and three bedroomed villas with large terraces and private pools, ideal for families. Apart from the superb club house restaurant, luxury spa, bakery and handy supermarket, the owners have recently launched a new state of the art water park close by the par 3 course. The focal point of the 55,000 square metre facility is a 17 metre tower from which nine water slides “empty” their riders into a series of pools. There is also a giant wave pool, a 60 metre long beach pool, overlooking the adjacent wakeboard park, a kiddie’s pool, food outlets and locker rooms. If you would like to experience Asia’s most up to date water park, or fancy homing your skills on their new par 3 then check out all their facilities at www.bmghuahin.com

Check out this month’s great competition on Page 35 and you could win a weekend in one of Black Mountains Pool Villas. www.thaigolf-news.com

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LPGA’s Michel Wei with Dr Prachin Eamlumnow

New Course to Open The designer of Thailand’s newest golf course is a very busy man. Firstly Dr Prachin Eamlumnow President and CEO of the Grand Prix Group, played with Michele Wei and Morgan Pressel at the LPGA Pro Am last month. This month he is organizing the 34th Bangkok International Motor Show at the Impact Muang Thong Thani opening on March 27th – April 7th Then he plans to open the Grand Prix Golf Club in Kanchanaburi in the late summer, which he designed, built and owns. This will be a member’s only championship golf course, so if you are interested in joining check out their website www.bluediamondgolf.com We have played there, and the 18 holes are superb!

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Private Residence Club in Pattaya Pattaya is known the world around as a popular resort destination, but more recently it is also becoming known as a top class golf destination, having recently been named “Golf Destination for Asia and Australasia for 2012.” With over 20 first class Championship courses all within an hour’s drive of the city, it is no wonder that more and more travelers are adding Pattaya to their golfing vacation. Pattaya can offer something for everyone. It provides the many ingredients for the perfect vacation getaway. Water sports rule in Pattaya but should you tire of diving, windsurﬁng, boating or beach going many on-shore delights await you. If shopping and dining are your thing then you are spoilt for choice, and after dinner Pattaya’s famous Walking Street with its vibrant nightlife awaits you. Best of all, Pattaya is a year round destination offering 12 months of sunshine and warm water. With so much going for it, it is easy to see why Pattaya has also become a top destination for property investments. One of Thailand’s leading Property Company’s is Raimon Land, who has developed the iconic ‘River’ high rise building beside the Chaopraya River in Bangkok. In Pattaya they are developing Northpoint, situated on 12 rai of prime Wong-Amat Beach frontage. It is a place where streamlined luxury meets minimalist sensibility in a fusion of comfort and style. Northpoint is a contemporary two-tower icon offering a collection of dazzling residences. Pattaya’s best condominium offering just got better. The developers of Northpoint, are proud to introduce the Northpoint Private Residence Club. Now buyers have the ability to purchase only as much time at Northpoint as they intend to use. Private Residence Clubs represent the highest tier of the fast growing fractional ownership market. Just as astute buyers have realized the beneﬁts of owning fractions of private jets and yachts, they are now purchasing luxury second homes on a fractional basis. And where better to own than at Nortpoint, Pattaya’s most beautiful and esteemed address.

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French Style in Pattaya Ideally situated at the exclusive Northern end of Pattaya in Naklua,Woodlands Hotel and Resort offers seclusion, coziness and yet at the same time easy access to all Pattaya’s sporting, shopping and entertainment attractions. Close to the Dusit roundabout, this boutique hotel and resort has recently added 74 excellent suites Woodlands Suites Serviced Residences, offering full kitchens, mini home theatre, high speed Wi-Fi and some with direct pool access, for those who also like their independence. Within the complex are three large swimming pools, a very popular French bakery called La Baguette, Grappa an Italian bistro and La Ferme their signature brasserie style restaurant serving mussels, mini burgers and a large selection of fine wines. www.woodlandssuites.com

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We have recently redesigned our popular website, www.thaigolf-news.com so you and your friends here in Thailand or overseas, can now all read Thailandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s No.1 English Golf Magazine online. Check out the latest issue plus past editions along with all our regional golf guides for Pattaya, Hua and Bangkok. We also want to give you all the latest news, events and information about playing golf in the Kingdom. If you are keen on selecting a top course, then use our golf course reports with gallery photos of some of the top Thai clubs to select the perfect round of golf. Our online directory features all the top golf societies and every month click on our TGN Offers page where we list all the discounted tee offers and hotel rooms available across Thailand. Save money and enjoy your golf in Thailand the land of smiles!

Pattaya… Burapha Golf Club has been selected as the venue for two leading tournaments in 2013. The Singha Pattaya Open will return to Burapha for the 11th year with increased prize money with a total purse 3 million Thai baht likely to attract many of Asia’s leading players to Pattaya in April 2013. This is one of the flagship events on the All Thailand Golf Tour and is jointly sanctioned with the Asean Tour. Then in October 2013, the final of the Singha Chonburi Golf Festival will take place at Burapha. The festival is open to amateur players who can qualify at around 20 venues in the region between April and September. It is expected that around 2,000 players will enter the competition and around 100 players will compete in the final round at Burapha and Laem Chabang GC. Pattaya golf courses in general have enjoyed their best high season ever. According to Mike Meesommont, President of East Coast Golf Courses Association, “Our golf courses are reporting tee time bookings which are 15% to 20% up on the same time last year. Many courses have been sold out for weeks ahead during the busy periods.” Thai Golf News has confirmed this by talking to golf tour operators and local golfers who have struggled to get tee times. Weekends are especially busy with high demand from tourists and Thailand residents crowding the courses. Siam Old Course is now requiring full payment one month in advance for all bookings.

Burapha Greenwood Hole 8 A Course

The boom has been generated in no small way by the international marketing activities of EGA and the high profile “Play Pattaya” campaign directed towards the international golf tour operators. Pattaya’s profile was given a huge boost when they were selected in 2011 as the Golf Destination of the Year for Asia and Australasia. With many of the most popular courses fully booked, Thai Golf News has been playing a few of the less crowded courses. We found Greenwood to be in great condition with lush fairways and excellent, true greens. This hidden gem is about one hour’s drive from Pattaya and well worth the trip. Another course that is on the upswing is Pattana, where they have been working hard to improve the quality of the course with work on greens, bunkers and fairways. We recommend playing the B and C courses for a challenging 18 holes with excellent greens. Also check out their excellent new restaurant.

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Phuket… You are spoilt for choice when it comes to where to stay and eat so we asked our Phuket based editor to check out a few new hot spots for you. The Pullman Phuket Arcadia hotel, a mere 15 minutes’ drive from Phuket International airport, opened on 1st Feb 2013.This resort has 277 rooms with two restaurants, three bars, a bakery/deli and the hotel has direct access to Naithon Beach. With three swimming pools, a fitness lounge, kids club and Luxury Spa with Sea views it’s a place to check in, Chill out. Only 10 Minutes from Blue Canyon Golf Course and 20 Minutes to Laguna Golf Courses it’s a resort built for Golfers. Stay 3 Nights Pay 2 “Opening Specials” available at pullmanphuketarcadia.com The Laguna region also seems to be going through a total facelift. The Angsana Resort has just re-opened its doors after a huge renovation and now the former Laguna Beach Resort has done the same and we are hearing that the golf course will also be redeveloped later this year too. Outrigger also offers two resorts for golfers in Phuket. Both are in Laguna Phuket and particularly convenient for the Laguna Phuket and Blue Canyon courses.The Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort and Villas are super-spacious villa and apartment facilities with two to four bedroom options (the larger two villa types have their own private pool All the 255 rooms in the plush newly opened absolute beach front Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort have sea or lagoon views, with a waterpark and slide, squash, tennis, badminton, a kids club, and five dining outlets. If you prefer to stay at the heart of Patong, the Novotel Phuket Vintage Park is a 4.5 stars resort featuring contemporary mixed South East Asia architecture and modern equipment. The hotel is a few steps away from shopping centres and Patong’s lively nightlife. The Novotel has a 2,000m2 swimming pool and offers aerobic classes and Thai cooking! The Novotel is only 20 minute drive Red Mountain, Loch Palm and Phuket Country Club Courses and 25 minutes to the Laguna golf Course. After your round you might like to check out Breeze at Cape Yamu with Chef Cheryl Johnson. This is Phuket’s freshest

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new restaurant with a constantly evolving menu, stunning oceanfront views and a cooling breeze. Signature dishes include raw and steamed Oysters, Hamachi Sashimi, Burned Salmon and an incredible new Sunday brunch. Another new, more casual option is the Monkey Pod located on 4027 road about 15 minutes south of Mission Hills Golf Course. This great little place has quickly become a favourite with local expats. With excellent fish and chips, fresh pasta and even good Thai food options this is great place to try after playing a Mission Hills. Enjoy your golf!

Behind the scenes at Muang Keaw Golf Club Muang Kaew is perhaps one of the busiest courses in Bangkok, however these busy staff members manage to keep the place in tip top condition from the locker rooms to the course…with time for a big smile too.

Caddies and Golfer

Caddie Restaurant Manager & Cashier

Pro Shop and Mens Lockeroom Staff. Restaurant Chef

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Starter

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Thailand’s Golf Societies… Participating clubs and societies have included Thunderbirds (now O’Reillys), the British Club, the Bangkok Wanderers, The Golfers Cocktail Lounge, The Japanese Society, the Lighthouse Golf Group, the British Embassy Golfing Society (now The Londoners), the American Embassy Golfing Society, Delaney’s, Dynasty, Larry’s Dive, The Sportsman’s Club, Soi Dogs, Bourbon Street , R.S. Scandinavians, Gee Gee’s, Doug’s Hoodlums, The Outback Bar, Dunlop Duffers, the Bangkok Irish and an additional club from the British Club, the BC Lords. Sounds like a cross between a 60’s rock scene and expat revival meeting. However one thing they do have in common is everyone likes to meet regularly and play a round or four of GOLF! As with many other places in the world, Thailand has its fair share of golf societies (clubs). There are many regular golf groups in the main Thailand golf destinations for travelers, especially Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, and Hua Hin. Apart from the natural tendency for golfers to play with the people they socialize with, there is one other very good reason for this….Thailand’s golf club memberships can be very expensive, even though memberships can be traded or sold. Many of the clubs and societies are named after Thailand’s more respectable drinking establishments. The Crown Royal Pub has a golf group which plays every week-end, and The Londoners Pub in Soi 33 in Bangkok is another large group. In Pattaya there is

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the Sportsman Pub that plays every week and down in Phuket the biggest society is called The Phuket Expat Golf Society (PEGS), fondly called just “Pegs” Membership of Thailand’s golf societies is a mix of foreigners (locals and visitors) and Thais, plus enthusiastic ladies sections as well. Almost all societies welcome visitors - just pitch up at the “club house” and ask for whoever organizes the golf - but you may need to show a handicap certificate (or be prepared to play off scratch). This is because most groups run regular tournaments for their members and guests, usually using the stable ford scoring system. The larger societies also run regular medal tournaments and team scrambles and there are also the matches in Ryder Cup format on a home and away basis between The Pattaya Sports Club, The Phuket Expat Golf Society (PEGS), and The Hua Hin Golf Society. No doubt, Thailand golf can be more fun if you join a group. You may also qualify for discounted green fees and other benefits. In the next few issues we will give you more information about the more popular Thailand golf societies. If you also like to safe on green fees don’t forget to send us your contact details to editor@thaigolf-news.com and we will send you our monthly newsletter giving upto 50% off fees.

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Golf Society Directory THE SPORTSMAN PUB www.sportsmanpub.com The Sportsman Pub Golf Society in Pattaya holds a golf challenge every Wednesday, a great day out for all, no matter what your golfing level. They meet early, usually at The Sportsman and transportation is arranged to and from the course. The event is informal and always enjoyable. The Londoners Golf Club. www.londonergolfclub-bkk.com This Bangkok Club belongs to members, who seek to play competitive golf in an amicable environment, yet, “By the Book”. They are a non-profitable, golfing society, where good golfing fun is the number one objective of their events and a good score runs a close second. We are called The Londoner Golf Club as tangible recognition of the wonderful sponsorship, which we receive from our spiritual home, The Londoner Brew Pub, where throughout the year, they enjoy many evenings. The Pattaya Sports Club www.pattayasports.org Perhaps one of the biggest and busiest sports clubs in the country, their golf section is extremely popular and you will find a useful list of all the local golf clubs and societies on their website along with a schedule of forth coming tournaments. The Hua Hin Golf Society www.huahingolfsociety.com This golf society is based in Hua Hin, Prachuabkirikhan, Thailand. They are a private members only society and play twice weekly, Tuesdays & Fridays, at one of the local golf courses. Members can enroll for the twice weekly competitions at Berny’s Inn. Members are welcome to bring their friends to the Society’s games as their guests.

Zoomhackers Club www.zoomhackers.blogspot.com A new golf society has been formed in Chiang Mai and will be known as the “Zoom Hackers”. The name has been derived from their sponsors the Zoom Bar, which is located near the entrance to the Thai Boxing Complex towards the bottom end of Loi Kroh Road, close to the Centara Duangtawan Hotel. The society’s aim is to play golf at least twice a week. On Monday mornings at 7-30am and Friday mornings at 7-30am also at Mae Jo Golf Club. Chiengmai Gymkhana Sports Club www.chiengmaigymkhana.com This club was originally founded in 1898 by a group of local teak loggers and British expatriates. Today, over 100 years on, they are proud to be not only the oldest sports club in Thailand and one of the oldest in Asia, but a part of Chieng Mai’s heritage. The club has an international membership and is managed by a mix of Thais and expats from around the world. The Phuket Slags www.phuketslags.com Members meet every Saturday afternoon at Laguna Phuket Golf Club, in Phuket, Thailand. Tee times are normally from 1pm. The weekly competition is Single Stableford normally held at Laguna Phuket Golf Course

Phuket Expats Golf Society (PEGS) www.expatgolf.com They play monthly medal and stableford competitions, and occasionally competitions of other formats are held at courses in and around Phuket, which are held on the last Thursday of every month. Winners of the competitions and runners-up receive a prize and trophy at the post tournament meeting and buffet. The Society is run on an entirely non-profitmaking basis, and is run by a non-paid committee, who offer their time and care for free. An additional benefit to members is that the society attempts to organise special rates with the courses on Phuket.

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Special Readers Competition… Black Mountain is now established as one of Asia’s leading Golf and Lifestyle Resorts. This Hua Hin resort has recently added a top class par 3 golf course, which we have featured on pages 20 and 21 in this issue. The owners of Black Mountain would like you all to experience these new 9 holes, and have kindly offered Thai Golf News readers a really superb prize in this issue. Win a FREE weekend (2 nights) in one of Black Mountain’s Pool Villas. (subject to availability) + Experience two FREE rounds at their new par 3. All you have to do is email your answer to editor@ thaigolf-news.com and the first correct answer pulled out of the draw on March 29th 2013 will win this great prize. Remember to include your full name and telephone contact details. Question: What is the length of the par 3 golf course nine holes from the Ladies tees?

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Picture report from Honda LPGA Open With 60 of the top women golfers in the world competing, an invitation to play in this year’s Honda LPGA Open Pro Am was a hot ticket. We caught up with the stars as they practiced at the Siam Old Course during a busy Pro Am day and over the final round.

Ai Miyazato and Japanese Media

Mayor of Pattaya and Karrie Webb Pornanong Phatlum and Brother CREATIVE CADDIE

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Wei and Pressel discuss the length of their shorts!!!

Jiyai Shin on Ipod Duty THAI PROFESSIONALS WITH MORIYA ON THE 18TH

SPOT THE YANI LOOK ALIKE!

HUGE CROWDS FOLLOWING ARIYA

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Fantasy Course Challenges Golf Traditions

Golf traditionalists may find it challenging to accept, but the world’s first full-scale fantasy golf course being built at Mission Hills’ Haikou resort on China’s southern island of Hainan has got the golf world talking. When completed in 2014, the full-scale 18-hole course that stretches the imagination far beyond where golf design has gone before – or may go in the future – will feature holes never before contemplated in the 500year history of golf. The entire length of one 400-yard par-4 hole will play beside a replica of the Great Wall of China. Another features a tee shot from behind a waterfall inside an Indiana Jones-style cave. The fairway of one hole will have exposed buried terracotta warriors. The panda hole features bunkering shaped like a panda and is surrounded by bamboo, with the tees resembling a panda’s paws. Yet another hole threads its way among recreated Mayan temples.

“If nothing else, it will certainly make golf fun,” he predicts. Lead designer of the fantasy course project, Brian Curley of US-based Schmidt-Curley Design, is similarly optimistic and scotches suggestions the fantasy course isn’t “real” golf. “It’s still real golf, played on turf on a full-scale course with 18 holes – the same as anywhere else,” he argues. “It just has a few unusual features. You could say it’s like playing golf with props as on a movie set.” “I got the idea for one par-3 in the carwash,” he says. “I had my car window open and when I hit the red button [to start the dry cycle] it felt like I was in a hurricane. I thought ‘here’s a feature that could be used in the design’.” He also saw an opportunity to bring some shots “indoors”. This resulted in the Indiana Jones hole, where the tee shot is played from inside a large cave behind a waterfall. Another one tee shot will be played from a massive sleeve of golf balls.

As spectacular and different as these holes will be, the most amazing of all will be a par-3 that plays to an island green in the middle of what appears to be an 80-metre wide bowl of noodles, complete with 70 metre-long chopsticks lying on the top edge of the bowl. The chairman and CEO of Mission Hills Group, Dr Ken Chu, who oversees what Guinness World Records acknowledges as the world’s largest golf club with 22 courses at two locations, says the fantasy course will bring people and children to the game who, otherwise, might not be interested. 38

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Golf Classified

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

Weekday Baht2,000 weekends Baht2,500 Located in Chonburi province, 109km from Bangkok and 30km from Pattaya. Tel: +66 (0) 38372 700-2 www.buraphagolfthailand.com

Where are we? With over 280 odd golf courses across Thailand, we are literally spoilt for choice. Here we have selected a few courses on this page which represent some interesting challenges. See how many you can recognize. Answers at the bottom of the page. Picture 1

Picture 4

Picture 2

Picture 5 Picture 3

Picture 1 = Cascata B4 Par 5 Bangkok Picture 2 = Loch Palm Driving Range Phuket Picture 3 = Palm Hills Hole 11 par 3 Hua Hin Picture 4 = Rancho Charnvee Private Airstrip Khao Yai Picture 5 = Lam Luk Ka West Course hole 11 Bangkok

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Thailand Golf

Khao Yai / North-Eastern