Golf festival 2014

[GBHK]

I'm wondering if the Chiang Mai and Hua Hin golf festival will be running again this year? I haven't seen any promotion anywhere yet...

[Thailand]

Probably but unlikely to hear anything until mid April for. May/ June festival . In Chiangmai anyway.

[sticklee]

If last year is an indication, courses are beginning to opt out. With the rates up to 1000B+ last year it really isn't so much of a deal. Better rates are currently available at Inthanon and Gold Canyon. Most courses offer a resident rate which is little more than Festival rates, through the low season.

[GBHK]

It may not be that great a deal for local residents but it is good for visitors particularly on a nicer course like Alpine though their low season hotel package is comparable. It allows someone like me to come in stay in town for a week to ten days and play Alpine, Royal and Mae Joe at a decent rate. I've played Inthanon, it's ok but not in the same class as Alpine and a bit far out of town to go on back to back days.

I also like the opportunity to play Springfield and Sea Pines in Hua Hin. Let's face it, it's getting harder and harder finding well maintained nice courses in Thailand for 1000Baht.

[GBHK]

It's on in Chiang Mai:

http://chiangmaigolffestival.org/index.php

[Thailand]

It's on in Chiang Mai:

http://chiangmaigolffestival.org/index.php

Well spotted, and looks like Highland is participating this year.

Inthanon, Gold Canyon actually have better prices now than during the festival.

Alpine, Highland & Mae Jo are the cream of the crop!

[GBHK]

I prefer Royal to Mae Jo myself... Every time I go to MJ, they are doing some kind of work and there's a mickey mouse par 3 hole on 18th.

I'm pretty happy to see Highlands joining in again, now that's a good deal!

[sticklee]

I notice that Inthanon and Gold Canyon are inclusive of the caddie for 1000B. The opening tournament is on Thursday May 1 at Highlands. Book early for the weekend tournaments as they sell out fast.

[femi fan]

Can anyone confirm if highlands are doing the 1000 baht green fee, and not requiring us to use buggies?

And the royal?

[GBHK]

I played Royal Chiang Mai last weekend in the afternoon and it was not busy at all nor did they require carts. The greens were soft and slow and the sand traps had not been raked after the rain the night before. I thought Mae Jo and Green Valley seemed better maintained. I phoned Highlands and they said no cart required but they were having a three day tournament and said no tee times available earlier this week.

[femi fan]

Thanks GBHK.

Playing the highlands next week, and walking!

Mae Jo is in rather good shape now, and the new greens are slowly gaining trust.

Soft greens at the royal? Isn't that good news?! The ball will plop on nicely and stay there, no?

[femi fan]

And in case chiang mai residents aren't yet aware, the alpine are staging the second Chiang Mai Classic, a full Asian tour event, early July. Dufner is the main man so far, and that's good news for all golf lovers here. It was a fantastic event last year, lots of fun, lots of merchandise at reduced prices, and rather nice looking people selling it...

Such a pity they're insisting on carts, because i'd love to play the course again. Perhaps posters can keep an eye on this one and let us know if they rescind this silly rule. Typical bangkok mentality.