Page 37 - TICA Membership Directory 2016-2017

PRE AND POST EVENTS

There are numerous reasons why Thailand is now knowledge and experience as you cover the course,
a great place to visit and play golf. The diversity of with tips on what clubs to use, distances to the green,
locations means it is ideal for preparing for that putt lines and they will provide refreshments too.
business meeting, or relaxing with a round after a
grueling team building session. The vast choice of There is also the guarantee that when the game is
courses available throughout the country is a major over you can relax at the ‘19th’ hole in total comfort
attraction for both tourists and business travellers and in exclusive and luxurious club houses. Some of
alike. There are courses to suit every preference, from the top courses with matching facilities include the
the tropical beach resorts in the south to mountainous Banyan Golf Club in Hua Hin and the Black Mountain.
surroundings in the north. A crucial element is that Journey to the north and you will find the spectacular
they are all in highly accessible areas with fast and Chiang Mai Highlands Golf and Spa Resort. Just 30
convenient door-to-door transfers possible within a minutes travel time from Pattaya is the Laem Chabang
few hours’ travel time. International Country Club. Its course was designed by
golfing legend Jack Nicklaus.
The courses boast modern facilities that are designed
to international standards and with an excellent Two of many leading courses in Phuket are the Laguna
infrastructure. Phuket Golf Club which is part of the Laguna Resort
complex and the Loch Palm Golf Club. Situated
One of numerous recent plaudits given to the country around 50km north-east of Bangkok in the Lam Luk
has been an award by the World Golf Travel Agents Ka district, is the Lotus Valley Golf Resort which
Association (WGTAA) to Thailand as the best up and was originally the design concept of another golfing
coming destination for golf vacations. legend, Gary Player.

Not to be overlooked is the weather. In the cool season In addition to those conceived by famous players,
from November to February, Thailand has superb a number of courses have been designed by world
climate. There are light breezes, almost constant renowned course architects including Robert Trent
sunshine, perfect conditions for golf. Even in the Jones, Pete Dye and top Japanese architects.
summer months, when it does get quite warm, golfing
conditions are still very tolerable. While Japan and Korea, for example, can offer
numerically more courses, the vast majority are
Further strengthening the country’s reputation as private clubs. In Thailand, the best layouts are resort
a golfing hub is the hosting of a number of world tracks and these are the very courses which have for
class tournaments which have attracted leading years attracted citizens from those two countries to
players such as Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Colin play in.
Montgomerie.
Furthermore, courses in the Kingdom were designed
Most Asian nations have only a handful of golf courses, and built with careful consideration given as to how
but Thailand can count for more than 250 plus, with a best to serve the major cities, regions, cultural
number of new top quality courses opening every year, attractions and tourist centres. With this in mind, you
there is a huge choice ensured for the visiting golfer. will never have to worry about making connections
to conference venues, or being late for important
The diverse nature of the country means golfers can business presentations or seminars while in Thailand.
test themselves in different playing conditions too. Fast and easy access to transport links around the
They can tee off close to a tropical jungle, putt next to country is all part of the equation in making your
a sandy beach or drive down the fairway surrounded golfing experience in Thailand a totally enjoyable and
by soaring mountains.
memorable one. All you have to worry about is getting
An integral part of playing the great game in Thailand your handicap down!
is the caddies. They provide exceptional value-added
service. You are greeted on arrival at the clubhouse
and they will take care of all the arrangements before
you begin your round. They will happily lend their

35

TICA MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY 2016 - 2017