Recommend October 2011 - (Page 54)

THAILAND TEE TIMES The Blue Canyon Country Club in Phuket features two courses. T T18 hailand is a diverse destination, hailed for its amazing beaches, palaces and temples. But coming into its own as another excellent reason to vacation in this corner of Asia, is the fact that Thailand is rapidly establishing itself as one of the major golf destinations in the world. In fact, the country is home to many of Asia’s most outstanding courses, but more importantly, many are now hosting major international tournaments. In general, courses are very well maintained and deliver friendly and efﬁcient services. Since the early-90s, golf has been a boom industry and with over 200 courses nationwide, Thailand has become a Mecca for traveling golfers, who also beneﬁt from the country’s well-known bounty in ﬁne hotel accommodations. Ranging from challenging championship designs to friendlier resort-based courses, there is a course to suit every golfer’s preference and skill. Thailand’s main golﬁng regions are: the northern cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, the capital Bangkok, the original R&R beach resort of Pattaya, the royal city of Hua Hin, and the tropical islands of Phuket and Samui. Consider this sampling of Thailand’s offerings for golfers: BANGKOK The greater Bangkok area is home to the greatest concentration of Thai golf courses, almost all within an hour’s drive from the capital, and certainly all requiring advance reservations for tee-times on weekends. In the very top tier of the most highly recommended golf venues, is the Alpine Golf Club, a course extremely well maintained and featuring lightening-fast greens and undulating fairways. In that same league is the Amata Spring Country Club, whose 18-hole, 7,322-yard course loops around two lakes and other water hazards. The club hosts two highproﬁle tournaments: The Royal Trophy and the Honda LPGA Thailand. The Thai Country Club, an hour’s drive southwest of Bangkok, is owned and operated by the Peninsula Hotels. Its stunning 18-hole course is beloved for its consistent greens and sumptuous club house, and many pros consider this to be the best-run club in Thailand. A short 35-minute drive from the city-center makes the Bangkok Golf Club a very popular golf outing. Its 18-hole course has lots of water, well-maintained fairways and excellent greens. It’s also one of the few courses offering night golf.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend October 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Coworth Park, London
Tour Talk: Cox & Kings
Paws Up Ups "Glamping" to New Heights
"Alpine" Adventure at Four Seasons Resort Vail
Hotel Beaux Arts Miami
Out & About in New York City
Adventures on Hayman Island
It's the Good Life at The Leela Kovalam Beach
Peninsula Shanghai & Hong Kong
Silversea's Silver Spirit
Thailand Travel Planner
Luxury in the Wilderness, by Best of Patagonia
Savoring St. Vincent & the Grenadines
CuisinArt Resort & Spa, Anguilla
Luxurious Egypt
A Good Turn for Bern, Switzerland
Mexico's Luxury Trail

Recommend October 2011