BANGKOK (June 24, 2009) - In an bid to tell world golfers what Asian golfers already know, the golf establishment in Thailand has launched ‘Golf in a Kingdom: The Thai Golf Experience’, a cooperative itinerary that matches the country’s top courses with its most desirable hotels.

The Kingdom of Thailand has for decades been the destination of choice for Asian golfers, thanks to its stellar courses, superb year-round climate and welcoming culture. By banding together to form ‘Golf in a Kingdom: The Thai Golf Experience’ (www.golfinakingdom.com), these courses and hotels mean to cement a place for Thailand alongside the world’s premier golf destinations.

“I think golfers in North America have an inkling that golf is played in Thailand; Europeans have slightly more of an inkling, but I don’t think golfers on either continent fully realize that this is a country with more than 250 courses, many of them as good as you’ll find anywhere in the world,” said Mark Siegel, president of Bangkok-based Golf tour operator Golfasian.

The Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) has partnered with eight premium golf properties, Golfasian and six of the country’s premier hotels to form ‘Golf in a Kingdom: The Thai Golf Experience’.

The cooperative effort has been in the planning since 2007, but its launch this month is timely. According to TAT, some 3.2 million visitors arrived in Thailand the first quarter of 2009 - a 19 percent decrease from the previous year. It’s unclear whether this drop is attributable to the peaceful-but-ongoing political disquiet in Thailand or the worldwide economic slump.

“I live here and the reality is, the political issues in Thailand haven’t had any effect on the day-to-day lives of citizens or tourists - but the economic slowdown has surely affected tourists: prices have dropped across the board,” Siegel asserted. “I don’t think there’s ever been a more economical time to visit here. That’s not hype; it’s a fact. Launching ‘Golf in a Kingdom’ now has allowed us to offer value we could not have offered in 2008.”

In May 2009, a CNN International tourism poll asserted that Thailand, among first-world nations, represents the best value for travelers in the entire Asia Pacific region. Conducted across CNN English websites, the survey had more than 5,000 respondents globally.

“The world gets a bit smaller every day,” Siegel continued. “We hope to shrink it just enough with ‘Golf in a Kingdom’ to give North American and European golfers a taste of Thai culture and hospitality, because one visit is normally all it takes. The number of golfers who try Thailand then return for a second and third helping is pretty extraordinary.”

From the mystical hill country of Chiang Rai in the northwest corner to the breathtaking beaches of Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand, ‘Golf in a Kingdom: The Thai Golf Experience’ takes in some of the most lush and varied terrain on the planet. That sort of real estate - linked by Thailand’s enviably modern transportation infrastructure - translates into the Kingdom’s stunning golf properties, including:
• Banyan Golf Club, a new hillside course just outside the charming coastal town of Hua Hin, preferred holiday retreat of the Thai Royal Family for almost a century.
• Chiang Mai Highlands Golf & Spa Resort, an inventive Schmidt/Curley design 1,000 feet above sea level in the cool, northern region.
• Muang Kaew Golf Club, the closest course to bustling Bangkok, with sterling greens and a par 3 that looks eerily similar to the 12th at Augusta National.
• Santiburi Chiang Rai Country Club, where Robert Trent Jones II crafted 18 dramatic holes that either skirt a chain of lakes or flow over the low hills of Bang Bor.
• Santiburi Samui Country Club, site of the newest Asian Tour event, the Queen’s Cup, and traversing a jungle of towering coconut trees at the foot of Khao Pom Mountain.
• Siam Country Club, Plantation Course, this 27-hole Schmidt-Curley design played host to the 2009 Honda LPGA Thailand just two years after opening
• Siam Country Club, Old Course, always immaculately maintained, it hosted the 2007 Honda LPGA event and features perhaps the toughest closing stretch in the country.
• Thai Country Club, site of Tiger Woods’s 1997 Asia Honda Classic victory and the ‘Best Championship Course in Asia’, as voted by Asian Golf Monthly readers in 2008.

Thailand also harbors the Asia’s newest and broadest collection of 5-star accommodations - at prices North Americans and Europeans may not believe at first. ‘Golf in a Kingdom’ embraces that development by bridging rounds of golf with nights at posh, brand-name resorts, including:
• Anantara Phuket, a collection of 83 private pool villas set within indigenous gardens of jasmine, orchids and birds of paradise. Conde Nast Traveller magazine just named this property to its coveted worldwide “Hot List” for 2009.
• Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa, located across the Chao Phraya River from the city center but with all the tranquility and kick-back appeal a traveler could wish for in an urban setting.
• Anantara Golden Triangle, a luxury nature retreat set amid 160 acres of tropical jungle, all of it hewing to the winding Mekong River and a border dividing three countries.
• Anantara Hua Hin, nestled in 14 acres of luxuriant tropical gardens along the white sand beaches on the Gulf of Thailand.
• Anantara Koh Samui, serenely perched above a quiet stretch of sand, and just steps from the shimmering waters that lap Samui Island.
• Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa, whose architecture combines space, color and natural light with traditional Thai design themes to create a sense of harmony and grandeur.

“The beauty of this marked shift toward high-quality lodging, which has been taking place here for 20 years actually, is that Thailand remains affordable,” said Boyd Barker, Hua Hin Marriott’s general manager. “If there’s a positive to the hit tourism has taken here, of late, it’s that prices reflect this drop in demand. There’s no better place to go on holiday, and there’s no better time than right now.”

The attraction extends beyond golf and resorts. Never colonized by foreign powers and known as Siam until 1939, Thailand remains a constitutional monarchy. But during the past half century it has managed to seamlessly blend Western influences and Buddhist beliefs, producing a first-world destination with an Old World feel.
Six distinct geographical regions - ranging from 8,000-foot-high mountains in the north to a maze of limestone islands rising out of the Andaman Sea in the south - only add to the country’s diverse allure.

“Of all the countries in Southeast Asia, Thailand provides the greatest value,” said Santi Chudintra, Director of TAT Los Angeles. “The people are welcoming, the culture is unique and the scenery is spectacular. Thai food, which everyone wants to talk about, is just a small part of the menu.”

For more information on ‘Golf in a Kingdom: The Thai Golf Experience’, or to make golf travel plans in Thailand, visit www.golfinakingdom.com, or send email to info@golfinakingdom.com

ShareThis

Day 1: Arrival Phuket - You will be transported to your hotel of choice by air-conditioned limousine or mini-van
Day 2: Golf at Loch Palm Old Course (a local favorite for its unique, fun & fair design)
Day 3: Golf at Blue Canyon, Lakes Course (among Phuket’s best since 2006 renovation)
Day 4: Free day, at your own leisure and in the evening Phuket FantaSea buffet dinner show
Day 5: Golf at Mission Hills Country Club (picturesque Nicklaus design on the Andaman Sea)
Day 6: Golf at Blue Canyon, Canyon Course (site of Tiger Woods’ 1998 Asian Tour victory and host for the 2007 Johnnie Walker Classic)
Day 7: Transfer to Phuket International Airport - departure

For Full Details of this and other Package can be found here

ShareThis

For any type of golf traveller, Thailand continues to be the best golfing destination in Asia, offering numerous outstanding courses, including many championship courses by famous designers such as Nick Faldo, Pete Dye and Jack Nicklaus. More and more golf travellers have become aware of the unique combination of leisure possibilities and quality golf at famous destination such as Bangkok, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui and Phuket.

Beach, city or country side, Thailand offers a huge variety of locations with many other activities that add extra value to every golf vacation. Think of a relaxing Thai massage, fine dining, vibrant nightlife, white sandy beaches and numerous cultural highlights that can complete your golf holiday to your own personal satisfaction, unmatched by any other golf destination in the world.

If you would like more information on golf holidays in Thailand, this month we have a special deal with our partner Golfasian in Thailand, who also offer their services and expertise for Vietnam and Cambodia golf holidays. Any enquiry referring to “FairwayGolf” will be rewarded with a Free copy of the Thailand Golf Map (retail $9.95) which can be your guide to the best courses in Thailand. As a bonus, any Golf Travel Package booked before March will be discounted € 100.- for recipients of this newsletter only. Send your details here to receive your Golf Map copy right away!

ShareThis

The 16th at Missions Hill Phuket

The 18th at Laguna Golf Course

The 18th at Blue Canyon

The 5th at Amata Springs

Banyan Tree Golf Resort

Crocodile Design at Muang Ake

Golf Bangkok Thailans

Golf in Southern Thailand

Laguna Golf Course, Phuket

Royal Phoenix Golf Course Pattaya

City View at Royal Bangkok

Santiburi Golf Club

ShareThis

Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Established: 2005
Location: In Khao Yai National Park, near Pakchong Junction
Distance: 1.5 hours from Bangkok
Open: Everyday
Max. golfers per group: Weekday: 4 Weekend: 4

Golf Cart: Weekday: 600.- Baht
Weekend: 600.- Baht
Golf Set: 800.- Baht
Golf Shoes: 200.- Baht
Umbrella: 100.- Baht
Driving Range: N/A
Facilities: Accommodation. Massage. Restaurants.

Set within natural surroundings with panoramic views of Khao Yai’s lush greenery and mountains, spectacular mountain golf is always on tap at this world class golf resort.

The golf course, as described by the Nicklaus design team, may be one of the 3 best in Asia. Nine holes out, and nine holes in, you’ll struggle to see another group as the holes weave their way around what well may be the best course design in Thailand. Critical shot making and strategic course management are required to shoot a good score.

Kirimaya is a “must play” for anyone visiting Thailand and has the time to either travel from Bangkok for a long, but excellent, day’s golf, or can spend a few days in the superb mountain and golf destination of Khao Yai. Well off the normal tourist beaten track, please contact us for specialized custom holiday golf packages.

ShareThis

Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Established: 1993
Location: In Khao Yai National Park
Distance: 1.5 hours from Bangkok
Open: Everyday
Max. golfers per group: Weekday: 5 Weekend: 5

Golf Cart: Weekday: 600.- Baht
Weekend: 600.- Baht
Golf Set: 800.- Baht
Golf Shoes: 200.- Baht
Umbrella: 100.- Baht
Driving Range: N/A
Facilities: Accommodation. Massage. Restaurants.

This course is situated between 2 valleys in the mountains of the Khao Yai National Park and is fairy tough, winding beneath the steep hills that border the park. It is easy to forget about the score, considering the breath taking views over the surrounding hills, but the large bunker arrays - typical for Nicklaus - will bring one back to reality quite soon.

Course makes a wonderful package when combined with Kirimaya. However, conditions vary from excellent to fair depending on time of year and on-goinfg mantenance programs. Also, recent high seasons have seen the course booked by large asian tour groups, making tee tinmes hard to get at certain times of the year. Check for latest course information as well availability.

ShareThis

Designer: Peter Thompson
Established: 1996
Location: on route 1001 towards Phrao
Distance: 45 minutes from Chiang Mai
Open: Everyday
Max. golfers per group: Weekday: 5 Weekend: 4
 

Golf Cart: Weekday: 600 (2 golfers).-
Baht
Weekend: 600 (2 golfers).- Baht
Golf Set: 600.- Baht
Golf Shoes: 150.- Baht
Umbrella: 100.- Baht
Driving Range: YES
Facilities: Accommodation. Massage. Restaurants. Sauna. Swimming
Pool.

Royal Chiang Mai is an exciting and challenging course for amateur and professional alike, whilst still keeping in harmony with the natural scenery and rolling countryside.

The course was designed by Thomson Wolveridge & Parrett under supervision of five-time British open Champion, Peter Thomson and uses elements from a British links style course, including bumpy gently rolling fairways, pot bunkers and closely mowed areas around the greens.
There are strategic positioning of fairway and greenside bunkers which call for accurate play, rather than long hitting. However, on some holes, the distances to the greens are deceptive and there is a tendency to under club.

Royal Chiang Mai is set in a beautiful valley and the scenery is magnificent. The 2000 rai site, a former fruit orchard, provides breathtaking panoramic vistas of mountains in the distance. The high altitude provides a cooler, less humid climate, sweet refreshing air, and gentle breezes. It’s filled with the songs of birds, an abundance of wildlife, and thousands of flowering trees erupting in different fragrances and colors every month of the year.

At the finish of the round there is a beautiful view towards the clubhouse which features a 54-room golf resort.

ShareThis

Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Established: 2004
Location: North-East Phuket
Distance: 35 minutes from Patong Beach
Open: Everyday
Max. golfers per group: Weekday: 5 Weekend: 4
 

Golf Cart: Weekday: incl.- Baht
Weekend: incl.- Baht
Golf Set: 1000.- Baht
Golf Shoes: 200.- Baht
Umbrella: 100.- Baht
Driving Range: YES
Facilities: Accommodation. Golf Academy. Golf School. Massage.
Restaurants. Sauna. Spa. Swimming Pool. Tennis.

If you are looking for a sea facing picture postcard golf course to play while in Phuket, the Jack Nicklaus designed course at Mission Hills Golf Resort and Spa in Phuket is the one to play. The golf course sits among mangrove forests on the scenic north-east coast of Phuket. The course has incredible ocean views from almost every hole and even includes several ocean holes playing out over the Andaman Sea like you sometimes see on the televised PGA tournaments.

Large white sand beach bunkers contrast with the translucent blue hues of the ocean waters and the vibrant greens of the Paspalum Sea Isle 1 grass on the fairways and Paspalum Sea Isle 2000 grass on the putting surfaces. The ocean views come at a price, as water comes in to play on seven holes and the prevailing sea breezes make play at certain times of the day very tricky.

Jack Nicklaus designed some distinguishing features at Mission Hills Phuket. The top holes include the par five 2nd hole requires two well-placed shots to give the golfer a reasonable third shot into the island green. Also, the 4th which is the first of the ocean holes, and a medium-length par three with spectacular views across the sea. The putting surface is an island of grass in a sea of white sand.

The par 4, 5th hole plays to an island green from an island tee. A huge sandy waste near the beach with a strong elevation change that runs through the middle of the fairway also adds to the excitement of the hole.

The signature 12th hole and handicap 1 is the longest par 4 on the golf course, measuring 481 yards from the black tees! To reach the green in regulation and make par, two big straight hits are required, or an accurate one-chip and one-putt for a shorter hitter. The tee shot needs to carry well above 250 yards from the black tees, and land on the left hand side of the fairway,. This will give the shortest and best angle in to a well guarded green.

The difficult green is protected by a lake down the right hand side and a deep hollow to the left, penalizing those bailing out to stay away from the water. If you are fortunate to land your second shot safely on the green, or close by, you should walk away happy with a par, or even a respectable bogey. Whatever the outcome, take your time on this most difficult hole and appreciate the breathtaking ocean view by the green and panoramic mountain peaks in the distance.

Mission Hills is kept in pristine playing conditions. Fairways are lush carpet grass and greens roll fast and true. Individual golf buggies are included for all players and you can choose to drive, or if you prefer to walk, your caddie can easily handle this role. Tee times are strictly adhered to and good on course marshalling is a big plus for those golfers visiting Phuket who want to be assured of smooth four hour rounds, even in the most crowded high season. For these, and all the other points mentioned, the Jack Nicklaus signature course at Mission Hills is one of the two best courses in Phuket and must be played by all Phuket golf visitors.

Service both on the golf course and at the accompanying spa and resort is first class. You can even order snacks to be delivered to you on the course as you play. Afterwards the spa facilities and well stocked club house restaurants are always available for those golfers having the time and wishing to make their round at Mission Hills into a full day’s total golfing experience!

ShareThis

Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Established: 1992
Location: off route 3 on the way to Bangchang
Distance: 45 minutes from Pattaya
Open: Everyday
Max. golfers per group: Weekday: 5 Weekend: 5
 

Golf Cart: Weekday: 600.- Baht
Weekend: 600.- Baht
Golf Set: 600.- Baht
Golf Shoes: 200.- Baht
Umbrella: 100.- Baht
Driving Range: YES
Facilities: Accommodation. Massage. Restaurants. Sauna. Swimming
Pool. Tennis.

The links-style course at Eastern Star, located near the Gulf of Thailand, is one of only five courses designed and built by Robert Trent Jones Jr. in all Thailand. The golf course is built on 530 acres of land, is the site of an old coconut plantation, and meanders through lovely residential areas of Eastern Star Country Club & Resort.

The course features wide fairways and hundreds of coconut palm trees and has become a popular local favorite. The gently undulating fairways and greens feature 65 bunkers, 11 lakes and more than 2,200 coconut palm trees. The golf resort is conveniently situated just 2 kilometers from the sea with nice beaches and always a cooling breeze. Like a true links course, it is only slightly above sea level in altitude.

Eastern Star has been the venue for local and regional golf tournaments. It offers plenty of challenge for the experienced golfer, but also offers enjoyment for beginners. It is a “thinking man’s course” that can be successfully navigated with a little strategy and well-positioned shots. Tall mature coconut trees and some mango trees define the holes, enhanced by areas rich in flowers. There are numerous dog legs and a lot of water along its 18 fairways.

The golf course can play quite long, particularly from the championship blue tees. The signature hole is the picturesque par 3 thirteenth, which lulls players into admiring the scenery, rather than paying attention to their task of playing over water to a heavily bunkered green. With well positioned shots this is surely a course to suit beginner and experienced golfers alike.

Hole 13, a par 3 is also another hole of note. An accurate tee shot over water is required so as to stay out of the deep bunker or the lake on the right of the green. The key is play to the center of the green or slightly to the left. Too far left however, and you are in sand or deep rough. Over the green gives you a difficult down-hill putt. If the hole appeared intimidating from the tee, look back from the green for an entirely different perspective.

There is a good practice area and driving range in addition to a luxurious clubhouse providing a wide range of facilities such as an Olympic sized beach pool, tennis courts and well provisioned locker rooms.

ShareThis

Designer: Nick Faldo & Desmond Muirhead

Established: 1995
Location: Ban Chang, near Rayong
Distance: 45 minutes from Pattaya
Open: Everyday
Max. golfers per group: Weekday: 5 Weekend: 4
 

Golf Cart: Weekday: 600.- Baht
Weekend: 600.- Baht
Golf Set: 600.- Baht
Golf Shoes: 200.- Baht
Umbrella: 100.- Baht
Driving Range: YES

The Emerald Golf Club since opening under new management in 2006 has done a great job to improve course and playing conditions to international standards. Originally named Ban Chang and then Rayong Century Golf Club the course is set into the mountains just outside Rayong and near to Eastern Star.

The former Century Golf Club is nestled in amongst meandering hillsides and is laid out in a jungle setting. This Pattaya area golf course has some of the most beautifully designed holes on the Eastern Seaboard of Thailand. The 18-hole course is carved through a virgin forest of full-grown trees that make for excellent playing under mature conditions. There are only a few water hazards, but continued undulated and narrow fairways and well placed bunkers as well as some difficult Par 3’s combine to make the Emerald Golf Club a fair test of golfers of all abilities. Driving accuracy, as opposed to distance is the key to scoring well on the Emerald Golf course

Á small but charming clubhouse with open-air restaurant provides nice ambience after the game. While not as famous as some of the other Pattaya golf courses, the excellent conditions along with beautiful scenery make the Emerald Golf Club a good addition to any Pattaya golf package.

ShareThis