ASEAN NOW Golf

Well it had to come I suppose sooner than later, as clever marketing departments at golf clubs try to think of any promotion to attract customers.

 

Panorama Golf Club 

 

According to a recent promotion in the Thai media, they report that several golf clubs are now offering promotions for those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

 

All you need to do is just show proof that you have been vaccinated when you arrive at the golf club’s reception, and they will give you a free green fee.

 

You still have to pay for caddie and cart.

 

The courses mentioned included Majestic Creek Country Club, Royal Creek Golf Club, Flora Ville Golf Club, Panorama Golf and Country Club, and Gassan Khuntan Golf and Resort.

 

Most of these courses are in the country, and each one has their own conditions attached, such as for weekdays only, book 7 days in advance and can only be used once.

 

Majestic Creek GC

 

Once again us expats are being excluded, as these promotions are apparently for Thais only.

 

Would have thought that a vaccinated expat’s cash was as good as a Thai’s baht, still there you go!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

According to Google, a normal golf hole will, on average, take a group of professional golfers around 10 minutes and a group of average amateurs around 15 minutes. This equates to an 18-hole round of golf taking anywhere from 3 to 4 1/2 hours.

 

They state that a round of golf, on average, is expected to take about four hours to play for a group of four golfers.

Even with just 73 players in the field at a PGA Tournament, the circuit average for a player to hit a shot is 38 seconds, although that number varies for specific shots (42 seconds to hit a tee shot, 32 seconds for a putt).

 

Can We be a Bit More Realistic

 

For starters, let us assume we have an empty golf course, and it is just you in your foursome, playing in the first group out.

 

 

Let us forget about the slope and rating of the course, which have been shown to have a negligible impact on how quickly players get around.

 

When we say that you are an average golfer, we mean “average” according to the numbers: a 15-handicap, destined to take around 90 shots over 18 holes.

 

As an average golfer, you drive it an average of 208 yards (that is according to a 2017 USGA study). Given the distance you hit the ball, you should be playing a 5,400-yard course (that is according to PGA of America recommendations).

 

But knowing your ego, we recognize that you are probably not going to tee it that far forward. So, let us assume you are playing from 6,000 yards instead. Still with us? Off we go.

 

Six-thousand yards = 18,000 feet = 3.4 miles. That is how long your golf course measures, assuming that you walk it in a straight line. But since we cannot assume that (you are going to miss some shots), let us increase that number by 50 percent to account for all the zigzagging you are going to do.

 

With that adjustment, we expect you to walk about 5 miles over 18 holes. Assuming a gentle walking pace of 3 miles per hour, that is a distance you should cover in 1 hour and 40 minutes.

 

Along the way, you will be taking 90 shots. Once you’ve gauged the distance and chosen a club (which is something you should be doing while you’re playing partners are assessing and hitting their shots), you’re going to need some time to play your shot.

 

But not too much time. Dallying over your ball is not just bad etiquette. It is bad strategy. The longer you take, the more you scrutinize a shot, the worse you are going to hit it. Do not believe us? Play a round of speed golf and see how dramatically your ball-striking improves.

 

Anyway, 15 seconds is plenty of time to waggle and swing. That is how long Brooks Koepka says he takes over his shots, and it seems to be working well for him.

 

So, 90 shots at 15 seconds per shot. Over the course of your round, that amounts to 1,350 seconds, or 22 minutes and 30 seconds. But since we are feeling generous, we will give you extra time and round that number up to 25 minutes.

That is nearly half an hour! You can watch a sit-com in that span. It is plenty of time to hit 90 shots.

 

So, 25 minutes per player, and four players in your group. That is 1 hour and 40 minutes in shot-preparation.

Add that to the 1 hour and 40 minutes it takes to walk the course, and we are now at 3 hours and 20 minutes.

 

Allow for Extra Activities

 

 

We understand that you are not robots. You will be doing other things aside from walking and swinging. You’ll be taking bathroom breaks (we’ll allow 1 minute per player per round for that); watching the wild animals, lighting cigars (15 seconds per player per round); and telling bad jokes (30 seconds per player per round; if it takes you longer than that to tell your jokes, you should not be telling them).

 

Which gives us:

—4 additional minutes for bathroom breaks;
—1 additional minute for cigar-lighting;
—2 additional minutes for joke-telling.

 

Add that to our total, and we are at 3 hours and 27 minutes.

 

Where is my Ball?

 

You are also going to lose some balls. Studies have shown, in fact, that the average golfer loses 1.3 balls per round. So, we will give you time to ball-hawk: 5 minutes per player per round should do it. Tack on another 20 minutes.

Which brings us to our grand total. It should take your foursome 3 hours and 47 minutes to play 18 holes.

 

Without rushing.

 

And if we are playing behind you, we are probably going to ask you to pick it up.

Now all this does not take into consideration you are playing behind a group of six Thais gambling and eating their way round the course. Under these situations you should get back to the clubhouse in the dark!!!

 

Please tell us about your average or longest round of golf?

 

 

 

 

 

Awesome Golf Days :

Price : 1,350.-

Including : Green fee 18 hole, Golf cart  (share cart), Caddy

Weekday (All Day)

Weekend From 11:30 HRS

Valid until 31 July 2021

To most Vietnam conjures up thoughts of rice paddy fields, farm workers & refugees. 

 

Whilst Vietnam has still retained its agriculture & rural origins, the government have actively promoted tourism and especially golf.

 

Therefore, local corporations have invested heavily in impressive golf resorts, and Vietnam is fast becoming one of the world’s most popular golf tourism destinations in the World.

 

As the country is quite long with different climates as well, here we have listed most of the top courses with two sections, Northern Courses and here with Central & Southern Courses.

 

Central Vietnam is dominated by the Golf Coast otherwise known as Danang.

 

In fact, the global reputation of golf in Vietnam has been strongly linked to the quality of golf courses in this region.

 

Danang along with neighboring Hoi An and Lang Co has emerged as Vietnam's premier golf destination with six world-class layouts.

 

BRG Danang Golf Resort designed by Greg Norman  beside the South China Sea

 

Here you will find the likes of Faldo, Montgomerie, Nicklaus, Norman, and Donald, all who have all created some excellent courses beside the South China Sea.

 

Further down the coast there are courses at Nha Trang, and not forgetting Dalat 1,500 above sea level and the old summer capital during the French rule. Here temperatures are cooler most of the year at around 17c.

 

Of course, further South there are numerous courses surrounding HCMC or previously named Saigon.

 

Vinpearl Phu Quoc 

 

To get around Vietnam people tend to use planes to get around, so it is easy to fly down to the island of Phu Quoc close to Cambodia, or from Hanoi in the North down to Danang in the central region.

 

Most of these courses are geared towards expats and tourists, as the actual number of Vietnamese golfers is still small, at around 10,000. This is rising though especially in the North wear around Hanoi.

 

Weatherwise

The ideal time to play golf in Vietnam is in the spring (Feb-Apr) and the autumn (Aug to Oct).  At these times, the temperature is more bearable with little rainfall. 

 

The driest time to visit is March and April when it usually does not rain, and the temperatures are very pleasant although it can still be a bit chilly in the far north.

 

There are exceptions as we mentioned, such as Dalat which is cool all yar round,  and some of the courses in the North of the country can be quite chilly in the winter.

 

 

One of the pleasures of playing golf here are the well trained caddies, mainly beatiful local females. Apart from the club charging a caddie fee, it is customary to give them a tip at the end of the round. Best ask the clubhouse reception how much before you tee off.  

 

We have added the basic details of each club, and in most cases include the club's website or telephone number. We have not posted any prices in the directories, as rates tend to change regularly. Suggest you check on the websites.

 

However if we hear of any promotions, we will aim to post them on the SE Asia News and Offers forum.

 

Please feel free to post your own review or update against the directory entry of any course you have played, and add any photos or videos too. This will help inform your fellow golfers. 

 

I am sure you may wish to add your own favorite course that we have not included, so please let us know at [email protected]

 

 

Ernie Els has made a new for himself designing iconic courses all over the world, and he has now added four Els Clubs to the list.

 

The first Els Club opened in South Africa, then he opened one in Dubai and has recently added two in Malaysia.

One of them is called Els Club Teluk Datai, designed as a tribute to nature is an 18-hole Par 72, 6,750 yard championship golf course set in the beautiful island of Langkawi, just off the Northwest Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. 

 

The second Els Club in Malaysia is called Els Club Desaru Coast offers 27 holes of championship golf designed by Ernie Els. Situated along the Desaru Coast in the southern state of Johor.

 

Recently the club appointed a new General Manager, Steve Allan Thielke, and here is a brief interview with him. 

 

General manager Steven Allan Thielke (Photo: Mohd Izwan Mohd Nazam/The Edge) 

 

What kick-started your passion for golf?
Steven Allan Thielke: I used to caddy for pocket money while at boarding school.

 

And when did you realise you wanted to make a career out of golf?
I was originally in the hotel business, working in Sun City, South Africa. One of my roles there was to open The Lost City Golf Course at Sun City, famous for the crocodiles on Hole 13. I decided there and then to make golf and the club business my career.

 

What has been your most memorable game so far, then?
It must be playing at ‘the home of golf’, at the Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland. Golf has been played there since the 1400s and the history, traditions and the relationship between the course and the town of St Andrews are very special. One unusual thing about the Old Course is that it is closed nearly every Sunday to let it rest, meaning that, on most Sundays, the course turns into a park for all the townspeople to come out and stroll, picnic on and generally enjoy the grounds.

 

The Valley Course (Photo: The Els Club Desaru Coast)

 

How have you settled down in Desaru Coast?
Desaru Coast, for me, is like a haven, a refuge from the hectic, busy city life. I just love the open spaces and fresh breeze. If you are adventurous and willing to explore, you will find there is quite a lot to do as well!

 

Tell us about some of the highlights of playing at The Els Club Desaru Coast.
You can experience 45 holes of golf designed by two World Golf Hall of Famers — the 27-hole Ocean Course by four-time major champion Ernie Els; and the 18-hole Valley Course by three-time major champion Vijay Singh — all the while surrounded by nature unlike anywhere else in Malaysia. There are uninterrupted views with a soft breeze off the ocean on beautifully manicured courses surrounded by hundreds of species of birds. Playing here is an experience that goes beyond just golf.

 

What would you recommend to first timers spending a day there?
Having three nine-holes on the Ocean Course offers unique variability, as each layout has its own character and personal touches by Els. He took inspiration from famous links courses across the UK, with large, rolling greens and firm run-off areas designed to place a premium on a sharp, short game. We have many golfers who play all three courses in a single day and I would recommend doing the same.

 

The Ocean Course offers unique variability (Photo: The Els Club Desaru Coast)

 

So, what is Ernie Els like personally?
I have met my fellow countryman a few times, as a matter of fact. I have enormous respect for him, not only as a world-class golfer or golf course designer but also for his work developing golf for the disadvantaged via The Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation and, of course, his and his wife Liezel’s incredible work with Els for Autism.

 

What are some of the après-golf highlights in the area?
What is most fun for me is enjoying sundowners at one of the magnificent hotels in Desaru Coast’s beach clubs. Besides that, I enjoy walks with good company on the stunning beaches and routes on the golf courses.

 

Where is a good place to eat and drink?
At the Els Club Desaru Coast, you have three great F&B outlets to choose from. There is the Big Easy Bar & Grill, the 261 Restaurant and the Lembah Restaurant. You must try the signature Ernie Burger as well as the local specialty — fish head curry. While here, don’t miss sampling Ernie Els’ wines. Ernie has his own brand of South African wines sold under the Big Easy by Ernie Els label.

 

And, not least, would you share your handicap with us?
I am currently struggling off an 11 handicap but am also going through a mini transformation in my swing. The incredibly professional team at the Els Club Academy have been so helpful. Now, I just need to find the time to practice and find my groove.  

 

Original interview text By Diana Khoo

This article first appeared on May 31, 2021 in The Edge Malaysia.

 

 

 

Over the past decade, Cambodia has come into its own among Southeast Asia golf destinations, pairing championship-quality courses alongside the rich cultural attractions of the ancient Khmer civilisations.

 

The first Cambodian golf course, the Cambodia Golf & Country Club, 33km from Phnom Penh actually opened in December 1996, so golf in the country is still quite new. 

 

Although not on the scale of neighbour Vietnam, there has been a few worthy additions to Cambodia’s top-class golf courses in recent years.

 

Like Thailand and Vietnam, the Cambodia’s government have a huge desire to develop the tourist trade and enhance the prestige of this remarkable country. Golf is seen as a way to bring more high spending tourists to the country.

 

Nine Good Courses

 

Currently there are nine golf courses in the country. Three in Siem Reap and five near Phnom Penh plus one resort in the south.

 

Weather wise the country is a hot destination and at its mildest in January, with temperatures for golf in the low 80’s but move up to the mid 90’s in April.

 

It is a monsoon climate, similar to Thailand, so carefully select your dates before booking a trip.

 

Faldo has Created two Golf Courses in Cambodia.

 

Vattanac Golf Resort near Phnom Penh

 

The latest addition to Cambodia’s golf scene, is the Nick Faldo designed Vattanac Golf Resort, located close to the capital city. It has two 18-hole layouts with floodlit golf. Both the East and West Course provide a spectacular setting that include scale models of Khmer historical architectural sites, such as: Angkor Wat, Preah Vihear, Terrace of the Elephants and Bayon.

 

Vattanac unusual design features, sets the innovation standard for golf in Cambodia, offering a unique combination of culture, leisure, and golf.

 

Vattanac’s East Course being named ‘Cambodia’s Best Golf Course’ at the 2020 World Golf Awards.  

Angkor Golf Resort 

 

Faldo also designed the popular Angkor Golf Club in Siem Reap, some say is one of his best 18 hole layouts.

 

54 holes Designer: Local Designer

 

This resort with planned casino is around 100kms south of Phnom Penh, 200kms east of Sihanoukville and two and half drive from Sihanoukville airport. Three 18 holes courses Ocean, Mountain plus a links style layout await. Extensive landscaping, bunkering, water hazards and undulating greens provide all levels of golfer with a sufficient challenge to enjoy the spectacular scenery. Best check with local tour operators before booking.

 

Address:: Union Rd, Khum Kaoh Sdach, Cambodia

Website: http://www.coastalcitygroup.net/

Phone: +855 23 626 6666

 

With the pandemic encouraging more new golfers to take up the game and the American golf industry seeing a massive jump in rounds booked, it is ironic and incredibly sad to see courses across Asia struggling to survive.

As golfers, we know that many courses that were built years ago, especially those in urban areas, are now sitting on some very valuable real estate.

 

Under the guise of land scarcity, expensive maintenance, and exclusivity just for the rich, cash strapped golf club owners are succumbing to taking the fat cheques of the property developers, keen to build property on valuable real estate.

 

So as the pandemic has in some countries forced courses to either close or accept just local customers, the cost of still keeping up the maintenance of their 18 holes, has been eating into their cash reserves.

 

Malaysia in Lockdown Again.

 

According to The Malaysian Golf Association secretary Datuk Zulkifli Ismail, 

“With air travel literally coming to a grinding halt and with the movement control order (MCO) in force, it is our view that most golf clubs have been severely affected.”

 

Empty Streets in KL

 

The government has now extended the lockdown until the end of June.

 

Recently a ship management serviced company has filed a winding-up petition against Mines Excellence Golf Resort Bhd, the operator of the Mines Resort & Golf Club, in Kuala Lumpur over unpaid debts of RM1.502 million.

 

This course hosted the first PGA Tour event there back in 2010, and many big names have played there including Tiger Woods.

 

Singapore Also Sees Closures Too.

 

Singapore’s famous Raffles Country Club and Jurong Country Club have already closed, both to make way for the Singapore-KL High-Speed Rail project.

 

This comes on top of news in recent years that other leases will lapse. In time, Keppel Club, Marina Bay Golf Club and Orchid Country Club will go.

 

The Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), Tanah Merah Country Club and National Service Resort and Country Club are likely to also see parts of their courses reduced in size as well.

 

Vietnam Bucks the Trend

 

 

Over the past ten years the Vietnam government has actively encouraged developers to create golf clubs and resorts as it sees the value of the golf tourists and the spend. There are now nearly 80 courses across Vietnam, and although the country’s borders are currently closed, they see international golf vacationers coming back soon.

 

Japan Has Half of Asia's Golf Courses, However the Game's Popularity there Is Flagging.

 

America still has the largest golf industry in the world, by a long shot. But in Japan's economic heyday in the 1980s, it built up thousands of courses and the game became baked into its business culture. Unfortunately, those heady days are over as golf participation in Japan has dropped by 40 percent since 1996, according to the Tokyo Shimbun newspaper.

 

Private courses which make up about 90 percent of Japan's courses are starting to disappear. Initially their financial model relied on hefty membership and initiation fees. Back in the 1980s, when golf was booming, Japanese clubs regularly required a deposit of $400,000.

 

However, that deposit was supposed to be returned after a decade. But when the Japanese economy went bust after 1989, many private golf courses were unable to honor their commitment. Since then, dozens of courses have been bought out; others have been redeveloped, and some have closed down entirely.

 

Where are the Tourists in Thailand?

 

A Tourism Authority of Thailand survey conducted back in January stated that more than a third of the country’s tourism-related businesses has already shut up shop and gone out of business.

 

But industry players estimate the number is much higher. In regions almost solely relying on tourism for an income – Phuket, Pattaya, Koh Samui, Gulf and Andaman Islands and touristy areas around Bangkok – up to 90% of the front-line tourism businesses have closed.

 

 

With no overseas golf vacationers around, the Thai golf industry was having to rely on retired expats to book heavily discounted rounds to keep the course busy during the week, while Thais payed a bit more for a round over the weekend.

 

That seemed to work back in 2020, however now even the Thais are feeling the pinch, especially the middle-class sector, and with restricted travel bookings have dipped.

 

This time of the year is deemed Low Season, with tropical storms across Thailand when it is often also too hot to play. Therefore, traffic is low then anyway, but add on the problems with Covid 19 and the future is bleak.

 

It is highly unlikely that any club is actually breaking even at the moment, and those located out in the provinces are possibly lucky to see any customers at all.

 

With over 260 courses to maintain and many staff especially caddies leaving to head home, it is inevitable that clubs will either have to share staff with neighboring courses or there will have to be closures across the country.

To date we have not heard of any clubs closing permanently but expect some casualties over the next few months.

 

 

15 hours ago, connda said:

Exactly.  And yet it's made a priority and then is unabashedly celebrated by the owners/operators and media alike. 
Are young caddies and young staff obtaining vaccines before the infirm and elderly throughout Thailand, especially the infirm and elderly villagers up-country? 

If I wrote this article and was the object of its reporting I'd want to assure the public that the vaccines being sourced do not in anyway impact those who need them the most for public health reasons, like all of the elderly, infirm, and Covid vulnerable people in Thailand. 

The point of the article is to state the facts and at the moment a fraction of the 260 Thai golf clubs have vacinated their staff. That is fact.

17 hours ago, hotchilli said:

hardly a priority at the moment?

Depends where you are coming from. Thailand desperately needs overseas tourists and golfers are more likely to spend more cash than a group of lads out for a few nights fun. I agree the selection of who has first option for jabs is a bit haphazard but owners of golf clubs tend to know the right contacts.

 

We all remember how Golf made a memorable return to the Olympics back in 2016, and once again it will be part of the Summer Games again this July in Tokyo.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the International Olympic Committee to postpone the entire 2020 Olympics to 2021, and while there is uncertainty about how many fans will be allowed to attend if any, the IOC is preparing to move forward with the competition this summer.

 

 

When it is played, both the men’s and women’s Olympic competitions will be 72-hole stroke-play tournaments held at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kasahata, Saitama, Japan, about 35 miles northwest of downtown Tokyo.

 

Kasumigaseki Country Club is one of Japan’s top golf courses and has played host to several major golfing events in its nearly 100-year history, including the Japan Open and the Asian Amateur Championship.

 

Offering panoramic views of the Mushahino Hills, this private golf course was renovated in 2016 in order to enhance its layout whilst still retaining the timeless elegance for which it had become famous.

 

Kasumigaseki Country Club

 

Who Can Play?

 

As was the case in Rio, the field in both events will consist of 60 players representing their respective home countries. The men’s competition will be held July 29-Aug. 1; the women’s Aug. 4-7, 2021.

 

The same qualification rules apply for both the men’s and women’s Olympics fields. The top 15 players in the Olympic Golf Rankings (which essentially mirror the Official World Golf Ranking for men and the Rolex Rankings for women) will be eligible for the Olympics up to a maximum of four golfers per country.

 

After the top 15, the field will be filled until getting to 60 golfers by going down the Olympic Golf Ranking, with the top two ranked players qualifying from any country that does not have two or more players from the top 15. The host country, Japan, is also guaranteed at least two golfers in the field.

 

Men’s Favorites

 

As of today, using current rankings would mean the two top Thai men who are Jazz Janewattananond (126) and Gunn Chareonkul (249) are unlikely to get to Tokyo.

 

Favorites must be the United States with Justin Thomas (2), Collin Morikawa (4)
Bryson DeChambeau (5), and Xander Schauffele (6).
 

Despite being the No. 1 ranked player in the world, and thus would qualify for the U.S. team, Dustin Johnson is not listed in the official Olympic Rankings, as in 2020 he said that he would not compete in the games.

 

At the end of the day expect a few more high-profile names to drop out as the concern for player safety may take a precedent.

 

Women’s Favorities

 

Favorites for the Women’s medals would be South Korea with Jin Young Ko (1)
Inbee Park (2), Sei Young Kim (3) and Hyo-Joo Kim (8). The United States would also field a strong team with Nelly Korda (4), Danielle Kang (6), Lexi Thompson (7)
and Jessica Korda (13).

 

Former World No.1 Ariya Jutanugarn from Thailand

Meanwhile the Thai women’s team could be a good outside bet with Major winner Patty Tavatanakit (12) and back in form and former World No.1 Ariya Jutanugarn (21) likely to make the team with sister Moriya Jutanugarn (37) and Jasmine Suwannapura (83) next in line.

 

So let us know who do you think will win the medals this time?

 

Whoever wins it will be a career high and also nice to have a medal and not a cup to add to your trophy cabinet.

 

On 11/7/2020 at 2:50 PM, Thaivisa Golf said:

Vattanac Golf Resort Now Open

 

 

We are delighted to announce that from this Friday our 9-hole night course is open!

Experience your round of golf in a unique atmosphere here at Vattanac Golf Resort. 

Plan your round in advance to secure your tee-time. 

18 hole tee-times (2 x 9 holes) available from 4:30pm until 6:30pm.

9 hole tee-times available from 4:30pm until 8:50pm

For more information contact our reservations team

097 439 4020 | 087 827 168 | 018 6686 168

[email protected]

 

 

Is it correct that staff at Vattanac have all been vacinated?

 

On 6/9/2021 at 2:19 PM, JAS21 said:

Why is the date showing on the vouchers 29 Dec 2020. …is that the start date?

they are valid until end of 2021 and we will get a confirmation in writing from the Club's GM to give to the lucky winner.

29 minutes ago, champers said:

I hope she has a good final 2 rounds; she is certainly very much in contention. Thai lady golfers have been prominent on leaderboards on the LPGA tour this season. Long may it continue.

Yes you are correct and Atthiya Thitikul is likely to do well on the Ladies European Tour this week in Sweden and for the rest of the year. I am sure she will soon be joining the LPGA tour and will be up there competing each week with Patty.

It is becoming a weekly habit for this Thai rookie. The name Patty Tavatanakit has not been hard to find on LPGA Tour leaderboards.  

 

PATTY TAVATANAKIT

 

Since winning the 2021 ANA Inspiration, a career-defining moment, the UCLA star and California native has not let up and shows no signs of being satisfied.

 

She’s notched three top-5 finishes after missing the cut at the HUGEL-AIR PREMIA LA Open, and finished T26 at the difficult Olympic Club at the U.S. Women’s Open. Another good start in Daly City and Tavatanakit remains hungry and humble.  

 

“As long as I have high finishes and try to play the best I can, to get the win is great but if not, top-10 and top five is always a good week,” said Tavatanakit, who fired a second-round 71 and is 3-under in the LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship.

 

“You walk off the course going home with the satisfaction of feeling like, ‘Okay, I had a good week. What's next?’ 

 

“I have been playing solidly and my name is always kind of up there. If anything is going to go wrong, it's not going to be as bad. It's just like you are playing well, whatever you do it's going to be okay, or if you do great it's going to be great. I just take it as that. I still need to work hard and try to be the best player I can be.” 

 

After closing out the first round with an eagle on the par-5 18th, Tavatanakit started bogey-bogey on Friday. She managed five birdies the rest of the way to find red numbers despite stumbling out of the gates. 

 

Tavatanakit’s mindset is one she will carry into the weekend to keep her in contention, as it did on more than that one occasion at Mission Hills Country Club earlier this year. 

 

“I was really calm out there. I didn't feel too insecure,” said Tavatanakit, who has four top-15 finishes in eight starts so far this season.

 

“Kind of was an acceptance that I'm not hitting it my best right now because I'm physically tired. I don't know where my swing is at. A whole lot going on. Just trying to score the best I can, and that basically has been my goal for the past two days. Just try to score, get up and down here and there and occasionally I'll hit one close and I'll be able to move up a couple of shots.”  

 

We at thaivisa have 18 green fee vouchers to play any day of the week at Rayong Green Valley golf club.

 

As you can see on the attached photos the dates are shown in Thai but the General Manager has confirmed you can use them before the end of the year.

 

 

If you would like to make us an offer for them for any price over THB5,000, the highest bid we get by June 14th will get these vouchers.

 

 

You can post your bid here or email us at [email protected] 

It often depends on the condition of the courses whether they let carts actually off the cart paths and onto the fairways.....after a lot of rain caddies are advised to stick to cart paths.

Some courses whether you are young or old simply are impracticle to walk due to extrame elivations and carts are compulsary. Red Mountain in Phuket, Chiang Mai Highlands and Wangjuntr Golf Park near Rayong are good examples.

Malaysia's movement control order, known as MCO 3.0, has just been extended for another two weeks from Jun 15 to Jun 28. Senior Minister for Defence Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced in a statement on Friday (Jun 11) that the decision to extend the MCO 3.0 was made as daily case numbers still exceeded 5,000.

 

View of an empty street in Kuala Lumpur on Jun 1, 2021. (Photo: Bernama)

 

“The positive/negative list (permitted and prohibited activities) and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for every manufacturing, business and industrial activity still remains as announced before this,” he said after attending a National Security Council meeting.

In May, a nationwide MCO was re-imposed in Malaysia amid a third wave of COVID-19 cases. Known as MCO 3.0, all economic sectors were allowed to operate during the period but cross-district and interstate travel as well as social, sports and educational activities were prohibited.

The emergence of new variants has also delayed efforts to flatten the infection curve, the Prime Minister's Office had said. 

On May 28, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the country would go into total lockdown for 14 days beginning Jun 1, with only essential economic and service sectors allowed to carry on with their operations. This has now been extended.

 

Golf Courses Closures Extended.

 

The National Security Council has also extended the suspension of golf related operations including across Sabah and Sarawak regions.

 

The Malaysian Golf Association secretary Datuk Zulkifli Ismail, said, “that that golfers and non-golfers alike should adhere to the guidelines and restrictions set out by the Health Ministry and other authorities to combat the pandemic.”

 

“With air travel literally coming to a grinding halt and with the movement control order (MCO) in force, it is our view that most golf clubs have been severely affected.”

 

Zulkifli added that while the industry found itself in dire straits, it would rebound from it, even if it took between a year and a year-and-a-half.

 

“While Covid-19 is still very relevant” giving “exact numbers of courses suffering is definitely not possible right now”, However an overview of the state of golf here is one of great hardship and difficulty.”

 

Case numbers in Malaysia breached the 9,000-mark on May 29, before the lockdown measures brought daily infections down gradually.

 

By Friday June 11th, a total of 6,846 cases were reported, and Malaysia's national COVID-19 tally stood at 646,411. 

 

Bunker Boys Golf Report for week commencing Monday June 7th

 

Monday, June 7th

 

Burapha B & C

 

1st Dave Ashman (26) 38 points

2nd Roger Awad (20) 36 points

3rd Kevin LeBar (13) 36 points

4th Tony Robbins (19) 36 points

5th Bob Paine (23) 36 points

 

Near pins Bob Paine, Kevin LeBar, & Tony Robbins X 2.

 

Once again we had the unusual pairing of the B & C nines for today's game at Burapha. Despite overnight torrential rain, the course was in excellent condition apart from the bunkers, some had been washed out a bit whilst others still had significant amounts of water in them. There was no need for the pick, clean, and place rule to be applied.

 

A very pleasant day weatherwise with no sign of rain and a comfortable temperature. As everybody was in carts courtesy of the twelve hundred and fifty baht all-in deal, speed of play was excellent with the lead fourball finished in three hours and fifteen minutes, we didn't see any other groups on the course till almost the end of play when we saw an eightball teeing off on B 1. 

 

After the exceptional scoring of the last two weeks, it was back to more normal numbers today when it was again tight at the top of the leaderboard. Hours of practice at the driving range are starting to pay dividends for Dave Ashman with his second score of thirty-eight points in the last three games, Dave was the clear winner by two points. He didn't reveal who's coaching from youtube he was following clearly, it has worked for the past two games. A logjam behind him with four locked together on thirty-six points and separated as listed by countback. All the near pins were taken with one each to Kevin LeBar and Bob Paine and two to Tony Robbins.

 

As Wednesday's game is at TreasureHill, Dave Ashman's favorite course it will be interesting to see if he can maintain his recent high standard.

 

Wednesday, June 9th

 

Treasure Hill.

 

1st Moe Holmes (26) 39 points

2nd Paul Smith (2) 37points

3rd Bob Paine (23) 36 points

4th Tony Robbins (19) 35 points

 

Near pins Jay Babin, Les Cobban, Roger Awad, & Bob Paine.

 

An excellent field of eighteen for today's game at Treasure Hill, the second biggest field of the year so far. This was surprising as the course doesn't seem to be overly popular with the members and most people find it possibly the most difficult course on our roster. Perhaps some will have a change of mind after today's game as the course was in great shape and scoring was very respectable.

 

A very pleasant day weatherwise, it did threaten to rain a couple of times but luckily stayed away. The all-in deal of one thousand and fifty baht meant that just about everyone took a cart so the speed of play was excellent again, with the lead group back in the clubhouse in just over three hours.

 

Despite a cut of ten on his handicap Moe Holmes once again took first place with thirty-nine points, clearly, he wasn't cut enough as thirty-nine is an excellent score on this difficult course, all the more creditable as Moe plays with only half a set of clubs. One wonders what his real handicap should be. In top form lately, Paul Smith took second place with thirty-seven points, he also won two sixes from Les Cobban, it's hard to watch a grown man cry on the course parting with his hard-earned. Bob Paine took third with a fine thirty-six despite a few hiccups along the way. Finally, in fourth place, Tony Robbins found himself in the winner's circle for the sixth time in a row, real consistency.

 

Dave Ashman must have been following a different coach today as he was nowhere in the frame. Near pins went to Bob Paine, Jay Babin, Roger Awad, and Les Cobban.

 

Friday, June 11th

 

Bangpra.

 

1st Geoff Parker (19) 38 points

2nd Neil Harvey (9) 38 points

3rd Paul Smith (2) 37 points

 

Near pins Les Cobban, Jimmy Carr, Steve Durey, & Neil Harvey.

 

A field of fourteen for the last game of the week at Bangpra where we got an all-in fee of twelve hundred baht with vouchers, that was two hundred less than the price at the time of booking. It seems like the course management have seen the light and reduced their fees and as a result, the course was very busy in the afternoon.

 

Rain threatened a couple of times with a few drops falling, luckily it stayed away, its been a few weeks now since we were rain-affected, even the temperature today was pleasant.

 

Very decent scoring again today with Geoff Parker returning a winning card of thirty-eight points, beating Neil Harvey on countback. As ever Paul Smith was in the mix with thirty-six points in third place. Just for a change Tony Robbins didn't appear in the winners circle. All the near pins were taken, again a couple of them were very close, as usual, Les Cobban took one, with the others going to Jimmy Carr, Steve Durey, and Neil Harvey.

 

We end the week on a sad note with news of the passing of one of our longstanding members Peter Allen. At Pattaya Country Club Peter was recently seen and looked just the same as always with no obvious illness. Apparently, he succumb to a severe lung infection, coupled with diabetes he was unable to shake it off. In keeping with his British heritage, Peter could reasonably be described as somewhat eccentric. Peter decided to play his golf from another venue in recent years where the arrangements better suited his needs so he lost touch with the Bunker Boys.  A mid-twenties handicap player Peter had a knack for finding himself in the winner's circle regularly and also winning near pins using the driver from the tee.

 

He had a penchant for travel and visited many countries in Asia and Oceana. In order to achieve the distinction of having visited one hundred countries in his lifetime he undertook an arduous task a few years ago of visiting twenty-two countries in Europe in nineteen days, many were left scratching their collective heads asking why?.

 

Peter adds to the list of recently deceased Bunker Boys together with Peter Hapgood and Frank Quinlan who passed some time ago

 

May he rest in peace.

 

Vale Peter Allen.

 

Moe Holmes, winner at Treasure Hill.

 

Geoff Parker, winner at Bangpra.

 

 

Jasmine Suwannapura from Thailand shot a solid 6-under 66 to finish one off the lead at the 2021 MEDIHEAL Championship at Lake Merced Golf Club, near San Francisco.

 

Jasmine Suwannapura

 

Jasmine, actually put eight birdies up on the scorecard, but what was more remarkable, was this week she had her fiancé coming in caddie for her, and it is a new experience for them.

 

“He had never caddied before, so we just have fun out there on the golf course. So, he is really cute. He tried to not make a mistake, but he's there for me, so we just had fun on the course pretty much,” Jasmine said.

 

Never Caddied Before

 

“I don't think he had ever caddied before, so when we got here I just like trying to imagine the situation out here, like what to do, how to rake the bunker or where to stand. I keep telling him, you can stand here, or not here, here, and there.”

 

“We got engaged in January at the Diamond Resort. For the wedding we have not planned anything much yet because of COVID. I either have to fly my mom and dad or couple people out here or we fly back to Thailand, so the plans are currently flexible.”

 

Jasmine is one of several Thais in the field including Major winner Patty Tavatanakit who is tied 11th and Pornanong Phatlum tied 30.

 

Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat shot his lowest score in nearly two years, with a 4-under 67 pushing him into a share of seventh place after the first round of the Palmetto Championship at Congaree on Thursday.

 

Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat

 

The 32-year Asian star wielded a hot putter at the highly-acclaimed Congaree Golf Club, snaring six birdies against two bogeys, to feature in the top-10 of a PGA TOUR leaderboard for the first time since last November’s Bermuda Championship.

 

It was a welcome return to form for Kiradech who has made only three cuts all season, leaving him in danger of missing the FedExCup Playoffs and losing his TOUR card.

 

But with swing coach Mike Walker with him this week, the burly Thai found form as he hit 12 fairways and 13 greens in regulation and ranked sixth in Strokes Gained.

 

Putting.

 

After opening with two birdies, Kiradech holed putts of 22 feet on the fifth and a couple of 16-footers on the 11th and 16th holes to end the day three back of first round leader Wes Roach.

 

World No. 1 and reigning FedExCup champion Dustin Johnson is amongst those lying a stroke back.

 

“Today is a good day, definitely a good start with those two opening birdies and it’s even better that I can play some good golf again. Everything worked pretty well, and I managed to make a few birdies out there,” said Kiradech, who last shot a 67 at the 2019 THE NORTHERN TRUST.

 

As the first Thai to hold a full card on the PGA TOUR, he is anxious to snap a lean spell which stretches back to mid-2019 and the recent success of close friend Ariya Jutanugarn who ended her three-year winless run on the LPGA Tour has inspired him.

 

A four-time winner on the European Tour, Kiradech has not won in over three years as well and believes he can break through on the PGA TOUR.

 

“It’s quite a challenging golf course and the fairways and greens are in good shape. I must try to continue building on this and continue to work even harder. If I can do that, I will create opportunities for myself and hopefully this week can go well for me,” he said.

 

Korea’s Byeong Hun An made five birdies against a lone bogey for also a 67 to join Kiradech in the top-10. Ranked 162nd on the FedExCup points list, An is aiming to qualify for a fifth successive appearance in the Playoffs in August.

 

A winding-up petition filed against The Mines Resort & Golf Club w

has been posted.

 

A ship management services company has filed a winding-up petition against Mines Excellence Golf Resort Bhd, the operator of the Mines Resort & Golf Club, over unpaid debts of RM1.502 million.

 

 

This course hosted several major tournaments including the 1st PGA Tour event in Southeast Asia from 2010 -2012. The title sponsor was CIMB.

 

Wilhelmsen Ships Service Malaysia Sdn Bhd filed the application in the High Court in Shah Alam on April 28, through Messrs Chooi and Company + Cheang & Ariff.

 

Wilhelmsen Malaysia is part of the Wilhelmsen global maritime industry group founded in 1861, which has presence in more than 70 countries.

 

 

According to the petition, sighted by The Edge, Mines Excellence owed Wilhelmsen Malaysia RM1.502 million as at Aug 31, 2020.

 

Wilhelmsen Malaysia earlier successfully sued the club operator. The High Court's decision dated April 24, 2019 was upheld by the Court of Appeal on Nov 28, 2019.

 

Wilhelmsen Malaysia is now seeking for Mines Excellence to be wound up under the provisions of the Companies Act 2016 following non-payment of the owed amount.

 

A file search showed that Mines Excellence had appointed Messrs. S Ravichandaran & Anuar as its lawyer.

According to an advertisement placed by Wilhelmsen Malaysia, the petition is scheduled to be heard on Aug 4.

 

Could this just be the start of a wave of forced closures across SE Asia?

 

 

Vietnam, which is coping with its worst outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, announced new restrictions for its largest city on Sunday, a day after its health minister said a “very dangerous” new variant of the coronavirus had been detected in the country.

 

New social distancing requirements will be imposed in Ho Chi Minh City, which has a population of some nine million, roughly double that of the capital, Hanoi.

 

 

The restrictions include a limit of five people in public gatherings, the state-run newspaper Tuoi Tre reported. A church in Ho Chi Minh City is at the centre of a cluster involving at least 126 cases, according to state news media.

City officials said that residents should maintain strict social distancing of at least 2 metres and stay home unless absolutely necessary, especially if they are over 60, Tuoi Tre reported. It said the restrictions would go into effect at midnight.

 

Until recently, Vietnam, a country of about 97 million people, had had remarkable success in containing the virus.

Last year, it never reported more than 50 new cases in a single day. By the end of April, it had reported fewer than 3,000 cases and only 35 deaths.

 

But since then, its caseload has more than doubled, to nearly 7,000, and its death toll has risen to 47. The coronavirus has now spread to at least 30 of the country’s municipalities and provinces.

 

New Variant Discovered

 

Vietnam’s discovery of a new variant was reported recently by the country health minister, Nguyen Thanh Long. He said it had traits of the variants first identified in India and Britain, according to Reuters, which obtained a recording of the meeting.

 

“That the new one is an Indian variant with mutations that originally belong to the U.K. variant is very dangerous,” Mr. Long said. He said laboratory tests indicated that the variant replicated itself very rapidly, which he said could potentially explain the surge of cases in Vietnam.

 

But it was not immediately clear how much was understood about the variant — whether it replicates as rapidly in normal conditions as it does in the lab, which specific mutations it has and how prevalent it might be.

Viruses mutate constantly, but most of the mutations dwindle away. Mr. Long said the government would publish data about it soon.

 

Before Sunday, Vietnam had already imposed a wide range of restrictions in areas where outbreaks had occurred, including closing restaurants, bars, clubs, parks, and spas. It also imposed a nationwide ban on religious gatherings.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam enforced a temporary suspension of incoming international flights at Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport was into effect from 1 till 7 of June.