Playing Golf in 5 Courses

By Yulius Martinus

Eastern Star Country Club & Resort

Eastern Star is located in the southeast of Pattaya. The course can be reached in just 45 minutes from the city. Opened in 1991, and designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., Eastern GC surrounded by 2.200 palm trees. Trent Jones’s work is one of five creations in Thailand. The course is actually located in a beautiful residential area, condominium and housing. Links-style layout of the course is slightly undulating course, with a wide fairway.

Eastern which has a length of  7134 yards is providing 65 bunkers and 11 lake, and dogleg holes, which makes this course became one of the toughest in the region. Beside providing a challenge to play, this course has turned out to be a conservation area of several species of rare and protected, and one of those is Bee Eater Green (bird). After playing golf, you can also relax on the beach in the south of the course, which is only 2 km from the place.

Hole 13, par 3, signature hole is one of the Eastern GC. This hole has its own level of difficulty for golfers.With a length of 170 yards, this hole gives golfers the opportunity to place the ball directly into the green, or slightly to the left. There is a lake across into the right-green. You should be aware of a bunker in front of the green so that your game is not damaged in this hole.

How to get there: From Bangkok, you may take two hours drive to get here. However, if the airport Suvarnhabumi, it takes only 1.5 hours. If stay in Pattaya, you only need 45 minutes to reach this course.

A : 241/5 Moo 3, Pla, Banchang, Rayong, 21130,

P : +38 630 410-4 or 086 6744,

F : +38 630 418

E : esr_marketing@hotmail.com

St. Andrews 2000 Golf Club

The course was opened in 2000. Designed by British architect, Desmond Muirhead, this field has a par 74. St. Andrews adjacent to the “older brother” of his, Rayong Green Valley Country Club (par 72). Muirhead designed a difficult course, even by international professional caliber players. This was recognized when St. Andrews became the tournament venue Asian Tour “Double A International Open”  with total prize US$ 300.000 in 2005. Chinarat Phadungsil (Thailand) won the event.

The link course style is merged with natural contours. With several tee and green are higher than the fairway, narrow landing zone, and an extensive green area, this site offers a combination of power and accuracy. Not to mention, the strategic position of hazard that forces golfers more focus before take a shot. These challenges make the golfers who have tested the course was impressed.

The uniqueness of the course which has a length of 7777 yards is a two-hole par 6. Two holes which is called monster hole is 4 and 13, which has a distance of 855 and 857 yards. Those holes gave deep impression to anyone who played in St. Andrews, and demanding golfers to concentrate on different dimensions, including course management. Both these holes requires four good shot to reach the green. Despite having extensive wide area, the green is separated from the fairway, and guarded by bunkers and the water.

How to get there: Although able to reach from Bangkok, with a travel time of two hours, you should stay in Pattaya. It takes 30 minutes to reach St. Andrews, so you can be more relaxed and not exhausted prematurely when play golf. However, if the airport Suvarnhabumi, it takes only 1.5 hours.

A : 9/36 Moo 7, Samnakthon, Banchang,

Rayong, 21130

P : +66 38 893 838-42,

+66 38 893 805-10, +66 1 940 1881

F : +66 38 893 842-45

E : golfing@standrews2000.com

W : www.standrews2000.com

Pattana Golf & Sports Resort

Located in the northeast of Pattaya, stands a magnificent golf course called Pattana Golf & Sports Resort. Opened in December 2004, Pattana has 27 holes. Designed by Gussan, former professional golfer Thai, Pattana is surrounded by the hills so it looks pretty and natural. Each 9 holes having its own name, Andrew, Brookei, and Calypso.

One of the things that stand out from this course is the design of clubhouse. The building which has an area of 9.000 m2 looks like a mall than a clubhouse. No wonder, golf handbook issued by travel agents in Pattaya give five stars to design of the clubhouse. This clubhouse has meeting room facilities which can reach 600 participants. The signature hole of Pattana Golf is hole 1 B. The Hole par 4 which has a 427-yard distance is separating the fairway and green by the reservoir.

How to get there: From Bangkok, you need to 1.5 hours to Pattana. Meanwhile, from Pattaya, just 30 minutes.

A : 99/89 Moo 9, Khoakansong, Sriracha

Chonburi, 20110

P : +66 38 318 999

F : +66 38 318 900

E : marketing@pattana.co.th

W : www.pattana.co.th

Burapha Golf & Resort

Located not too far from Pattana, about 15-20 minutes. When compared with Pattana which looks more luxurious, Burapha Golf impressed “ordinary.” However, this would be deceptive to the golfers because the course with 36 holes was apparently quite difficult. Designed by Gary Panks and David Graham, this course has turned out to be a venue several professional events, such as the Omega Tour Royal Classic 1997 (Asian Tour), Singha Pattaya Open (TPGA) from 2003 to 2005, Cotto (Windsor) Open (TPGA) from 2003 – 2005, Chevrolet Championship (TPGA) from 2004 to 2005, and the Thailand Amateur Golf Circuit (2004-2005).

There are two challenges offered by the course. The first eighteen holes (Augusta and Belfry) has the American style. The fairway is wide, slightly flat, and easier than the other 18 holes. Meanwhile, a second hole 18 (Cypress and Dunne) has a British links style layouts. The layout is up and down. That’s why so many competitive tournaments competed in holes C and D. Overall, Burapha equipped landscapes that provide a challenge for golfers, beginner or expert.

Of all the holes, you will be amazed before tee off at hole 7 C. The view in front of the tee is very beautiful. The tee is the highest of all the tee. From the tee, you can see some fairway of the Laem Cha Bang International B and Pattana golf course, and Pattaya city loomed in the distance.

A : 281 Moo 4, Thumbon Bung, Sriracha

Chonburi, 20230

P : +66 038-372-700-2, 085-288-8226-7,

089-888-0648

E : info@buraphagolfthailand.com

W : www.buraphagolfthailand.com

Khao Kheow Country Club

Opened in 1995, Khao Kheow Country Club designed by Pete Dye. Has 27 holes, this field offers three experiences playing in three different courses, mountain, lake, and resort courses. Khao Kheow Country Club is located in a valley, flanked by two hills. In this course, you have to shot carefully because the wind around the field fast enough, many ponds and bunkers, and fairway that integrates with the hills. The green is quite difficult because it has a wavy contour. From the 27th hole, the first 18 holes (mountain and lake) is designed as a championship course, while nine hole course (resort) is easier. Playing 27 hole may be a good choice for you who want to enjoy a different experience on every hole and the challenges. The signature hole of the course is hole 8B (17) par 3. The hole has the island green, so provides a challenge for amateur and professional. With the distance 148 from the blue tees, you must place the ball directly into the green.

A : 220 Moo 12, Bangphra, Sriracha

Chonburi, 20230

P : +66 038-29-8224-7, +66 038-29-8226

E : info@khaokheowgolf.com

W : www.khaokheowgolf.com