Golf In A Kingdom Helps Thailand to Top Golf Award

Bangkok, December 20 — Five members of Thailand’s Golf In A Kingdom group scored a cluster of major local and regional awards at the annual Asia Pacific Golf Summit in Brunei last week. In doing so, they substantially helped Thailand being named Asia Pacific’s golf destination of the year. Black Mountain Golf Club, Hua Hin, was voted Best Course in Thailand for the second consecutive year as well as being named second best course in Asia Pacific. Pineapple Valley Golf Club, also at Hua Hin, received the top award for Best Clubhouse in Asia Pacific and was named second best course in Thailand. Siam Country Club’s Plantation Course near Pattaya was named Best Maintained Course in Asia Pacific for the second year in a row. Chiang Mai Highlands Golf and Spa Resort was selected as Best Value for Money in Asia Pacific. And Thai Country Club at Bangkok was voted third best course in Thailand, after having enjoyed seven years as best course in Thailand and last year being named second to Black Mountain. Last week’s awards in Brunei entrench Thailand’s premier position in Asia Pacific and confirm the status of Golf In A Kingdom as the region’s leading golf destination alliance. The International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) has twice named Thailand Golf Destination of the Year, while the resort centre of Pattaya received the accolade in 2011. Golf In A Kingdom, a collection of Thailand’s best golf courses and resorts, was established in 2009. It now comprises 13 golf courses, 12 hotels and resorts and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Founder, Mark Siegel, said he was proud that Thailand’s leading golf courses had joined together in the program and that their combined efforts had been rewarded. The managing director of Chiang Mail Highlands Golf and Spa Resort, Khun Waranon Samakoses, said membership of Golf In A Kingdom had been one of the key strategies in bringing widespread awareness to the course and to a sister club, Muang Kaew, in Bangkok. The general manager of Black Mountain Golf Club, Harald Elisson, said the awards to Hua Hin’s two premier golf clubs – Black Mountain and Banyan – underlined the region’s pre-eminent position among Thai golf tourism destinations. “Since Black Mountain and Banyan opened, Hua Hin’s stature has grown enormously,” he said. “It is now the golf destination of choice of many local and international golfers.” The general manager of Pineapple Valley Golf Club, Stacey Walton, said he was thrilled the course had won two significant awards. “I firmly believe Pineapple Valley Golf Club is one of the region’s best maintained courses and can be simply described as a masterpiece,” he said. “Also, to win Best Clubhouse in Asia Pacific is very deserving. The iconic Thai style architecture cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The contemporary building has a boutique atmosphere created from a blend of teak, stone, water features and soft furnishings made of Thai silk. “The clubhouse has become a tourist attraction and we have experienced more non-golf visitors coming to enjoy our facilities and hospitality”. About Golf In A Kingdom Golf In A Kingdom is the largest golf destination organisation in Asia, representing Thailand’s finest golf courses and resorts. Its mission is to promote and build awareness among a collection of premium Thai golf courses and resorts. Established in 2009, member courses are unique and independent. To be considered for inclusion, they must demonstrate quality playing standards the highest standards of hospitality. Member courses of Golf In A Kingdom are: Pineapple Valley Golf Club, Hua Hin; Black Mountain Golf Club, Hua Hin; Chiang Mai Highlands Golf Resort and Spa, Chiang Mai; Laem Chabang International Country Club, Pattaya; Muang Kaew Golf Club, Bangkok; Red Mountain Golf Club, Phuket; Riverdale Golf Club, Bangkok; Siam Country Club Old Course and Plantation Course, Pattaya; Suwan Golf and Country Club, Bangkok; Thai Country Club, Bangkok. For more information about Golf In A Kingdom, visit: www.golfinakingdom.com —————————————————————————————————— For more information, contact: Paul Myers, Asian Travel Media, Bangkok Email: paul@asiantravelmedia.com Tel: +66 (0) 84 125 1894 (Thailand) or +61 407 738 453 (Australia)