Asian Golf Travel Nation - October 2011

The closest course to bustling Bangkok is anything but a big-city experience-lakes and creeks are so abundant, you'll think you stepped into the countryside. Indeed, water comes into play on every hole. And what a collection of holes it is. Completely redesigned in 2004 by the American duo of Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley (think Bali Hai in Las Vegas and Canyon River in Montana), the track is the model of deceit. The greens are big ... but fast.

The traps cast beautiful shadows ... but guard those greens in menacing ways. And what's an ideal angle to the flag one day, can be the opposite the next - huge dance floors allow for a multitude of pin positions, which greatly change the complexion of approach shots. Vichai Samokoses spared nothing remaking Muang Kaew (pronounced 'mung cow') five years ago. It shows not just in the course, but in places like the clubhouse and kitchen, which dishes up some of the best, post-golf grub in the Kingdom. [Read More about one of Thailand's Best Golf Courses]

Bangkok's newest luxury 5-star hotel, The St. Regis Bangkok is ideally situated on prestigious Rajadamri Road, just a short distance from the city's high-end business and shopping precincts. Overlooking the green space of Bangkok Sports Club and directly linked to the Rajadamri BTS station, The St. Regis is a true oasis in the city named in September 2011 by readers of Travel and Leisure magazine as the world's best.

Opened in April 2011, The St. Regis Bangkok is the first of the famous St Regis brand - dating back to 1904 in New York - opened in Thailand or Indochina. It joins 36 other St. Regis hotels around the world and boasts the first Elemis Spa in Thailand and just the fourth in the world of this famous spa brand. [Find out more about this Special Golf Offer]

When the luxury five-star St. Regis Bangkok hotel opened in April, its inaugural general manager, Andreas Oberoi, couldn't have been more delighted to assume responsibility for the remarkable new property.

Andreas Oberoi came from The St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort, another typically superb St. Regis property on the island of Majorca, Spain. Being located next to three championship golf courses on the island, Andreas admits to having developed a keen interest in the game during his time there, although he says he usually has time only to play nine holes. [Read the entire article]

Jim was born and raised in Ohio, USA with an undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University and a masters degree from Capital University, both in Business Administration.

Jim spent 20+ years working in corporate America in various financial positions in the steel, oilfield equipment and cable television industries, mostly in Texas and North Carolina. Suddenly and unexpectedly out of work in 2006 due to corporate restructuring, Jim moved to Asia in 2007 looking for 'something new and different'. At that time he had been coming to Asia and especially to Thailand for personal golf holidays over a number of years, including as a customer of Golfasian. [Read more about Jim Mullet]

The Vietnam Golf Trail traces the footsteps of the late Ho Chi Minh across the entire country. Start in the gateway to North Vietnam, Hanoi and then move south along the golf trail playing at Vietnam's best golf destination, Danang. Further south is Saigon: Vietnam's economic capita and the last stop is the fresh mountain retreat of Dalat.

The Vietnam Golf Trail includes the best golf courses and sightseeing tours in each destination. Be one of the first to discover all the golf Vietnam has to offer! [Vietnam Golf Trail Detailed Itinerary...]

Bangkok, September 20, 2011 - Led by growth from Australia and Europe, the value of foreign golf tourism to Thailand may reach 60 billion baht or $US2 billion in 2012 for the first time.

Based on a Tourism Authority of Thailand forecast for a record 19 million inbound visitors to the kingdom next year, up to 600,000 foreign golf tourists - or three percent of the total - will make a beeline for its five major golf destinations: Bangkok, Phuket, Hua Hin, Pattaya and Chiang Mai. [Read the entire Press Release]

Chiang Mai Amateur Golf Week - October 2011
Date: October 29 - November 04, 2011 | Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand [Find out more]

First Thailand Team Amateur Championship - November 2011
Date: November 26 - December 03, 2011 | Location: Hua Hin, Thailand [Find out more]

The Best Time Of Year For A Thailand Golf Holiday?

Actually ANY time is a good time for a Thailand golf holiday, as the courses stay green, the weather stays good, and the locals keep smiling all year round.

For most golf travelers however, travel dates are dictated by work schedules and family matters and preference is to get away to a warm sunny place when it is cold and dark back home. But if you are flexible read on…

Read more about "The Best Time Of Year For A Thailand Golf Holiday?"

Other golf stories can be found at the Thailand Golf Zone where there are over 500 other original articles dealing exclusively with golf in Asia and golf travel.

I would love to hear about any golf tips that any of you may have developed for getting the maximum enjoyment from your golf trips, and can incorporate some in future articles. Therefore if you have any golf tips or suggestions you would like to share, please let me know by dropping me an email.

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One of the most enjoyable experiences in Thailand are the caddies who look after your every need during your round. They will give you tee pegs, shelter you from the sun, make sure you drink enough fluids, rake the bunkers, clean the ball, give you the yardages and more often than not... read the greens.

Top golf clubs in Thailand such as The Thai Country Club in Bangkok close their course every Monday and they encourage the caddies to play and learn the game.
So don't be surprised if your caddie is a better player than you and there are a few with single figure handicaps, so remember to tip them well (300 to 400 baht) and trust them, they are right more often than not.

[Read the entire Golf Tips Article]

If you have any other questions regarding golf tips to help you with your game email us at [email protected] and we will reply in upcoming newsletters

For more golf tips visit www.golfthink.com

Golfasian has a full schedule of tradeshows and roadshows during the next few months.

You can find us at the following events:

• October - European Media Golf Fam-Trip
• November - US Golf Pros / Tour Operators Fam-Trip
• November 14 - 17, 2011 - IGTM (Belek, Antalya, Turkey) [Find out more]
  Golfasian Thailand - Stand B32
  Golfasian Vietnam - Stand B20
• January 26 - 29, 2012 - PGA Merchandise Show (Orlando, Florida, USA)

Arrange an appointment with Golfasian at one of these exhibits.

Golfasian Co., Ltd.

If any reader would like to suggest a topic to be covered or better yet contribute materials, photos, or even commissions an article please contact us by e-mail, I welcome the help.

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