ASEAN NOW Golf

Garden City Golf Club

18 holes Designer: Weerayudth Phetbuasak

 

15 KMS north east of the city this well run 18 holes is maintained to very high standards by IMG. Slight rolls on the fairways and large undulating greens, although located on a former flattish rice paddy fields, the designers have added to the challenge with many moguls, mounds, and water hazards on most holes.

 

Address: Phum Prek Tarath, Sangkat Prek Tasek, Khan Russey Keo, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia, Cambodia.

Website: http://gardencityclub.com/

Phone: +855 88 338 8555

 

Siem Reap Booyoung Country Club

18 holes Designer; Kentaro Sato,

 

This US$150 Million-dollar 18-hole course was created by Japanese designer Sato, with palm lined fairways and even five sets of tee boxes. Here there are long par 5’s, some tricky par 4’s and the course is kept in good condition.

 

Address: Tropaingrun road, Cambodia

Website: http://www.siemreapbooyoung.com/

Phone: +855 92 635 765

 

Phokethra Country Club

18 holes Designer: Weeyos Golf Design

 

This Sofitel managed course hosted the 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic and has had a major renovation in 2018, with Bermuda and Paspalum on the greens and fairways. Wide fairways, natural lagoons and sand bunkers are throughout the course, and on the 9th and 10th tees there is even a restored bridge dating back to the 11th century Khmer Empire.

 

Address: 287 Sivutha Blvd., Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia

Website: http://phokeethraangkor.com

Phone: +855 63 964 600

 

Angkor Golf Resort

18 Holes Designer: Nick Faldo

 

One of the top courses in the country and Faldo’s first in Cambodia. Here he has designed a particularly challenging 18 holes with strategically place bunkers and a few water hazards thrown in for good measure. The latest Paspalum on the fairways and undulating greens are always kept in tip top condition.

 

Address: Kasekam village, Sra Nga commune ក្រុងសៀមរាប, 17260, Cambodia

Website: angkor-golf.com

Phone: +855 63 218 288

 

Editor’s note: We stayed at the new Sun and Moon hotel, a four-star boutique hotel with five-star facilities.

 

Great chic rooms, free steam and sauna on the spa level and a great infinity pool on the roof top with amazing lights and bar at night. The hotel is walking distance to all the bars and riverside restaurants, including Oscars Bistro by the same owners of the popular Bangkok watering hole.

 

 

We did take in the prison known as S21 where 20,000 Cambodians were tortured and died. Many also visit the Killing Fields a grim reminder that only 40 years ago over a third of the population lost their lives. It is very moving but we all agreed we needed to experience the place.

 

Another reason to visit this region is to take a boat trip on the massive Mekong river at sunset to see some of the well-known gypsies living on their small boats.

 

In our case we ended our river trip with a cool Singapore sling at the Elephant bar at Raffles Hotel Yes, we all got truly raffled!!!

 

 

Definitely worth returning and the good news is most restaurants and bars are around 20% cheaper than in Thailand.

 

For assistance with booking a golf vacation check out https://www.golfasian.com who now have their own office in Cambodia and can book your golf or the whole trip.

 

Cambodia Destination Report - Tee off in the 11th Century

 

 

Only an hour's flight from Bangkok, both Siem Reap and Phnom Penh offer a very unusual golf vacation. Currently there are only around seven golf courses in the country, dwarfed by its neighbour Thailand that has over 260 courses.

 

Cambodia however is recovering from the terrible Pol Pot regime of the 70's, and although you cannot forget the horrors of this period, there is definitely a new Cambodia arising, partly helped by the number of tourists pouring into this relatively small country.

 

With the famous Angkor Wat temples, the largest religious monuments in the world, many are heading to the city of Siem Reap first to take in these incredible relics.

 

That said, this small city actually boasts three very good courses, so it is also an ideal golf destination too. 

 

Perhaps the number one course in the country is Sir Nick Faldo's Angkor Golf Club a superb and well maintained 18 hole challenge.

 

Although relatively flat, Faldo has made great use of some subtle elevations and includes some large bunkers, tall palm trees and water hazards to add to the fun. 

 

Sir Nick Faldo's Angkor Golf Club

 

Once the home of several Asian Tour events, the nearby Phokeethra Golf Club, owned by the Sofitel group, features historical relics including a Roluh bridge dating back to the 11th century Kymer Empire.

 

Their sweeping fairways and generous undulating greens have recently been upgraded, and this country layout is dominated with an impressive 90 metre snake like bunker on their finishing hole.

 

Making up the Siem Reap golf experience is the US$150 million Siem Reap Booyoung Country Club, the largest golf complex in the area and only 6 kms from the city. The course has several creeks meandering across several holes and some feature split fairways making for some risk and reward options.

 

Capital golf

 

Either take the plane, bus or the waterways and head down to the capital Phnom Penh, and here you can enjoy four courses with the top two being the Jack Nicklaus designed Grand Phnom Penh Golf Club and the IMG managed Garden City Golf Club.

 

Smart money says the best is perhaps the Garden City track which opened in April 2013, and was designed by Major General Weerayudth Phetbuasak, who also created Suwan and Sea Pine in Thailand. Featureless rice paddies have been transformed into a course with many moguls, mounds and manmade hazards.

 

Phokeethra Golf Club

 

Grand Phnom Penh Golf Club is located 20 minutes from town and has immaculate fairways, and manicured undulating greens. Nicklaus has made some significant earth moving and mounding are featured around the greens and as the course is relatively exposed especially late in the day, it can play havoc with your scorecard.

 

New kid on the block is Nick Faldo’s latest venture near the centre of town called Vattanac. Two 18 hole courses, the word of mouth is good, so I am sure someone will post a review soon.

 

Check out the Cambodia golf course directory

 

Phunaka Golf Driving Range & Golf Academy

Address: 61/17-19 Moo6, Soi Chaofa 73, Chaofa West Road., Chalong Phuket Town, Phuket Thailand Chalong Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83130

Tel: 083 636 0059

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhunakaGolfDrivingRange

 

 

 

Laguna Golf Phuket

Address: 34, Moo 4, Srisoonthorn Rd, Chemgtalay, Thalang, Phuket 

Tel: +66 (0) 38 550 6373

Website: www.lagunagolfphuket.com

 

 

 

Phoenix Gold Golf & Country Club

Address: 111 Moo 9 Sukhaphiban 2 Road, Huayyai, Banglamung Chonburi 20150

Tel :  +66 (0)84 873 5363, +66 (0)92 225 8449  

Website: www.phoenixgoldgolf.com

 

 

 

Black Mountain Golf Club 

565 Moo7 Nong Hieng Road Hin LekFai Hua Hin District, Prachaubkirikhan 77110, Thailand

Tel: +66 (0)32 618 666 or +66 (0)32 618 667
Website: https://www.blackmountainhuahin.com/

 

 

 

Banyan Golf Club Hua Hin

68/35 Mooban Hua Na, Tambol Nong Gae,
Hua Hin, Prachuabkirikhan 77110

Tel:  032-616-200

Website: www.banyanthailand.com

 

 

 

Three Generations Golf Academy

Address: 234 Moo 3, T.Huay Sai
A Mae Rim, Chiang Mai, 50180
Tel:+ 66 (0)53 301 500 (ext. 5415) or Mobile: + 66 (0)62 610 1903

Website: http://golf.threegeneration.org/

 

 

 

Bangkok Golf Centre

Address: 571, RSU Building 5^th floor

Sukhumvit soi 31 unit 502

Sukhumvit Rd, Klongton Nua, Bangkok 10110

Tel: 02 259 6086

Website:  http://www.bkkgolfcentre.com/

 

 

 

Singha Elite Golf Performance Centre

Address: Thana City Golf & Country Club, Bang Na Trad Road
KM. 14, Bangchalong, Bangplee, Bangkok 10540

Tel: +66 (0) 621 59 0059

Website: www.singhaelitegolf.com

 

 

 

Saffa Blue Golf Academy

Address: One 'O' One Driving Range, Soi Sukhumvit 70/3, Bang Na, Bangkok 10260

Tel : 087 936 8245

Website: www.saffablue.com

 

 

 

TPR Academy

Address: Old Course, Siam Country Club, Pattaya

Tel: 086 506 0883

Website: www.tprgolfacademy.com

 

 

 

Free golf swing lesson for beginners at Burapha Golf & Resort - 8 Nov

 

 

 

Beginners are welcome to take up a free golf lesson at Burapha Golf & resort

Sunday November 8,2020, From9:00am-12:00pm

 

Conducted by Moss former New York Concordia coach and player

 

No need to bring any clubs or balls

 

Just wear a proper dress no jeans and no collarless shirt 

Simple contact ID line: vonegolf 

 

095 778 4415 

Burapha Golf & resort

 

 

I Would Like to Thank my Mother….???

 

 

Yes, how often have we heard those immortal words at the Oscars. Winning an Oscar is a big deal in the entertainment world, as are the numerous awards handed out each year to the top golf courses.

 

Ask most hard-working General Managers will agree, winning is good for business at their golf club. So, they will try their hardest to grab a few accolades from associations and from the media.

 

Certainly, Black Mountain becoming   the first course in Thailand to be included in US Golf Digest’s list of the Best 100 Courses Outside the United States, was a big deal and well deserved.

 

 

Also good news for new kid on the block, Chee Chan being named "Thailand's Best Golf Course 2020” at the 7^th World Golf Awards.

 

However, some awards are more genuine than others. Let’s be honest, for a publisher, awards can be very profitable, so we all know if you book a double page ad and pay for a table at the awards dinner, good chance that publication will give you a gong as well. 

 

As a golf journalist I have witnessed a room full of golf club managers and owners, all padding up to receive awards, ranging from the best clubhouse to the best on course catering. If you attended you won an award!

 

Viewers Comments

 

We at Golf in Thailand encourage you our viewer to comment on a course you have just played, so others can gain from your comments and reviews.

 

OK, we accept that all courses have their good and bad days, and sometimes comments might cover a course maintenance issue, slow play or soggy fairways.

 

But over 365 days I am sure that course maybe a pleasure to play.

 

Many have told us that a lot of the greens have suffered during the recent tropical downpours, ideal climate for the dreaded moss to grow.

 

Still overall we all have our favorite golfing experience, so hopefully in 2021, we will ask all you loyal followers of Golf in Thailand, to place your online votes for your Favorite golf course in Thailand and maybe the best par 3, 4 and 5 too.

 

The peoples vote has to be up there for any golf club to win, so I am sure you will not let us down.

 

Mike Bridge, Thaivisa Golf

 

 

 

Major Golf Tournament Scheduled for Pattaya in September 2021

 

Thai star Atthaya Thitikul, 15, secured a dramatic wire-to-wire victory at the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific by winning a four-way play-off at Sentosa Golf Club and securing places in two of this year’s major championships.  

The Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) championship has been rescheduled to 30 September – 3 October 2021 due to the continuing uncertainty created by the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

The WAAP will be hosted at the Siam Country Club’s Waterside Course in the championship’s first visit to Thailand. 

 

2018	Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore	Atthaya Thitikul	Thailand
2019	The Royal Golf Club, Japan	Yuka Yasuda	Japanese

Thai star Atthaya Thitikul, secured a dramatic wire-to-wire victory aged just 15 years old, at the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific in 2018 by winning a four-way play-off at Sentosa Golf Club.

 

The winner earns invitations to play in two major championships - the AIG Women’s British Open and The Evian Championship, as well as an exemption for the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. 

 

The WAAP, developed by The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) to unearth developing talent and provide a pathway for Asia’s elite women amateurs to emerge on the international stage, will be supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Sports Authority of Thailand plus a number of partners including Rolex, Samsung, Hana Financial Group, Kabaya Holdings and Trust Golf.

For more information on the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific, visit the championship website at randa.org/WAAP. 

 

For updates, like the championship’s Facebook page and follow @WAAPGolf on Twitter and Instagram.

 

 

 

18 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

Don't believe even a wife would stay 24/7 and a full nurse qualification required?  If full time care is required suspect he needs to stay where he is or move to another.  If just casual care is the requirement perhaps several persons could be employed.  Expect much better chance of nurses aid and perhaps a low key ask in hospitals.  

 

Edit:  From title perhaps you mean 24/7 but not same nurse but a company provided service?  Sorry can not help for Pattaya but know some government hospitals have ad hoc type systems for such assignment of nurses during there off time.  If in a home now perhaps ask around - some might be willing to work such a plan if pay attractive.

THANK YOU

Our British friend (69 yrs old) is currently in a nursing home in Pattaya after a stroke, but now feels ready to rent a condo as long as he can find a qualifeied nurse to stay 24/7.

We have tried without success to find any Nursing Agenies who can supply a qualified nurse.

 

Does anyone out there have any suggestions?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Singha Burapha Ladies Charity Day Sunday Nov 15,2020

 

Four ball stroke play Team competition

 

Ladies team or mixed lady & man team

 

2,750฿-per team of 2 Golfers

 

Entry included Greenfee cart caddy

 

Trophy prizes buffet & free flow Singha Beer

 

Fund raising for school along the border of northern Thailand

 

To enter Line ID: vonegolf 081 4411330

 

Burapha Golf & resort

 

 

 

Jordan Spieth handled himself very well after being the victim of a seriously cruel golf prank

 

 

Tour pros have shared many amusing stories about what they did while filling the void when professional golf was on pause during the COVID-19 hiatus. However, we hadn’t heard this one from Jordan Spieth until recently, and its mix of humor, awkwardness and relatability made it something we couldn’t keep to ourselves.

 

At one point during the break, Spieth and his wife, Annie, were spending time in the Colorado mountains. The 11-time PGA Tour winner was looking for an ultra-casual round. Word began to spread that Spieth was playing the Snowmass Club, a private track just outside Aspen, Colo.

 

Shane Smith, a local property manager, lives near the 12th green and figured he’d head out to watch a three-time major champion play in his backyard. The 12th hole is a driveable par 4 with an elevated green, so players on the tee cannot see their ball land. Spieth went for the green and pulled it off, sending his drive onto the putting surface, the ball finishing about 20 feet from the hole.

 

Continue reading: https://www.golfdigest.com/story/jordan-spieth-handled-himself-very-well-after-being-the-victim-of-a-seriously-cruel-golf-prank

 

 

 

Playing in the Bubble

 

Adam Scott

 

PGA TOUR have just announced that Adam Scott has withdrawn from this week’s ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP @ SHERWOOD after testing positive for COVID-19.

 

“While it’s difficult news to receive – as I really looked forward to playing this week – my focus now is on recovery for the final stretch of the fall,” said Scott.

 

All the tours are having to operate under strict guidelines, however several players including Dustin Johnson, Carlota Ciganda and Alex Levy, along with their caddies have been forced to isolate.

 

European Tour Bubble

 

 

For exactly one-quarter of this year like no other, the European Tour has been hosting post-lockdown tournaments. And things have not been easy for golf’s second-biggest circuit. 

 

With the exception of last month’s Scottish Open and the BMW PGA Championship, both $7 million Rolex Series events, the prize money available to players has dropped markedly. In turn and across the board, the stature of fields has fallen commensurately.

 

Still, at least one positive aspect has stood out amidst any negativity. If COVID-19 test results are our guide, the European Tour’s “bubble” system—in which players are required to travel solely between the course and hotel during tournament week and eat with only designated “buddies” at specific locations—has been hugely successful. 

 

Only one player, Frenchman Alex Levy, has so far been the subject of a positive result. And only John Catlin, subsequently a two-time tournament winner, has been caught violating the prescribed protocol. The American was ejected from the bubble surrounding the English Championship and forced to withdraw from the tournament in August when he visited a local restaurant.

 

Nutritionist Graham Close has been advising the designated hotels on their menus. And players have the option of withdrawing from events at the last minute, with no threat of financial penalty. Given a ripcord they can pull, any feeling of being “trapped” is mitigated.

 

PGA Stars are not Sheep

 

Christina Kim

 

The bubble is of course a noble idea, where players and caddies plus officials — the essential workers of the PGA Tour — in a germless chamber where there are only scores on scorecards and live action for untold millions of home viewers craving it.

 

But as we are almost getting used to this unprecedented run of spectator-free golf on the PGA Tour, one thing is clear: there is no bubble.

The players are staying here and there and the caddies are, too. That is, in the four Tour-designated official hotels and in other accommodations, too. 

 

They’re eating … wherever. They traveled here in their own cars, on commercial flights, in private planes. They’re not sheep. Professional golfers are funny. They may look and sound like conformists, and it is a well-honed act.

 

However, the PGA Tour has had a number of cases reported which is perhaps not unusual considering the number of daily cases in the States.

 

LPGA Testing 

 

 

It has always taken a deft putting stroke, nerves of steel and an aggressive nature on the course to earn a berth to the LPGA’s ANA Inspiration.

 

However, this year, it also takes two negative COVID-19 tests, a color-coded wrist band and a pledge not to dine out during tournament week.

 

Since the LPGA returned to play in July after a five-month stoppage because of the coronavirus pandemic, the tour has tried to build their own so-called bubble around each tournament. 

 

But no two bubbles, even the one being crafted at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, for the ANA Inspiration, have been exactly the same.

 

“We’ve had to deal with local regulations everywhere we have gone,” said Christina Lance, senior manager of tour media for the LPGA. “Every place is different.”

 

At Mission Hills, LPGA players, caddies and other designated essential personnel will deal with two levels of safety protocols and security, including having no spectators on the course. While the ANA Inspiration bubble is not a lockdown bubble, dictating specifically where players can stay or eat, it does require testing and strict health monitoring.

 

“You can almost look at it as inside the bubble and outside the bubble,” said Alyssa Randolph, the tournament manager for the ANA Inspiration, an LPGA major being played for the 49th consecutive year at Mission Hills. “If you are going to be close to a player, if your job requires you to be close to a player, you have to be tested at the LPGA testing site and then you are inside the bubble. But you still have to stay social distanced, wear a face covering, have all of those COVID measures.”

 

Bottom line is that all the main tours cannot afford to disappoint their major sponsors or to renegade on the lucrative broadcasting contracts. 

 

Really the only winners are us the viewers, as we at least get to enjoy some excellent golf from our sitting rooms. 

 

Personally, it is actually quite refreshing not to have to put up with some idiot shouting out “In the hole!!!”

 

Written by Mike Bridge    Editor Golf in Thailand