Thailand's golf recovery

Spectacular St Andrews 2000 course in Pattaya

With much of its tourism devastated by the tsunami which struck on Boxing Day 2004, Thailand has been re-building its economy and its attractions. Golf is a major focus of both government and private investment with new courses being introduced at the rate of one per month.

From the beach resorts in the south of the country, the mountainous surroundings in the north or the bustling cities of Bangkok and Pattaya, there are golf courses to suit all abilities. They're located in highly accessible areas with fast and convenient door-to-door transfers possible from the major airports. This provides visitors with a vast choice for planning a golf holiday.

Such has been the recovery after the floods which hit nations on the shores of the Indian Ocean, that Thailand was recently voted 'Best Up and Coming Destination' for Golf Vacations by the International Association of Golf travel Agents (IAGTO) reflecting modern facilities, internationally designed courses and excellent infrastructure.

The appearances of Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, and Vijay Singh at such courses as Blue Canyon in Phuket have had a major influence on golf tourism while Thai Country Club and Alpine Golf Club in Bangkok will host the Asian Tour's Volvo Masters for the next three years.

Development of new championship-standard courses in Thailand continues at a phenomenal rate with already 200 courses throughout the country and expected to grow to 250 within a couple of years as new venues currently under construction come on stream at a rate one-a-month.

Most of the courses are designed with water features and acres of strategically-positioned bunkers, ensuring the need to apply good course management to score well.

Challenging Thai Country Club

Thai CC has previously hosted the co-sanctioned Honda Classic and as you stand at the back of the par-4 dog leg 10th hole it's hard to visualise how Tiger drove the green.

In 2000, Alpine hosted the Johnnie Walker Championship, another co-sanctioned event between the Asian and European Tours and although not overly long , it's a demanding test with tough par-3s with well-guarded greens, which provide real putting challenges with their large, sloping surfaces.

Blue Canyon has two 18-hole golf courses - Lakes and Canyon , where the signature 13th hole demands a long tee shot over a canyon, followed by an uphill iron shot to the green. The next is a spectacular 200-yard, par-3, downhill to an island green, surrounded by water.

Laem Chabang International Country Club and St Andrews 2000 Golf Club are both located in the Pattaya area - each with unique features.

With 27 holes designed by Jack Nicklaus, Laem Chabang bears all of his traditional hallmarks of large fairway bunkers, numerous water hazards dogleg holes.

Distinctive at St Andrews 2000 are its two par-6 holes, measuring over 1700 yards between them off the back tees. The 4th demands a drive with a 200-yard carry over water, on a hole which then doglegs sharply right over more water. Even then you are then left with a long, tight, well-bunkered fairway before reaching the green.

Using spectacular, undulating and natural topgraphy, designer Desmond Muirhead built it to replicate wind-swept Scottish links - an uncompromising challenge aimed at players with handicaps of 18 or better. With its par 74, it includes elevated tees and greens, tight landing zones, split elevation fairways and huge putting surfaces, reminiscent of the Old Course itself.

There are many other excellent courses throughout Thailand. For further information visit www.golfasian.com.