PHUKET Internet legend Blair Speers is planning a golfing extravaganza to celebrate his 40th birthday - and appropriately, it will be a long drive from the island.
The party is being held at Hua Hin, home to one of the hoteltravel.com founder's favorite courses.
The good news, though, is that Mr Speers is picking up much of the tab for the whole shebang for about 100 of his Phuket buddies.
Total cost is expected to be hundreds of thousands of baht.
Emails inviting golfers to join Mr Speers for his birthday bash went out yesterday to players at the island's popular expat golfing clubs.
''As I am sure many of you know, I am a golf lover and wouldn't even consider not playing golf on my birthday,'' Mr Speers writes in the elaborate email.
''But this party will not be just for golfers only, there will be lots of first-timers out there.''
The email goes on to spell out the reasons why the party is being held in Hua Hin (''the golf venue Dragon Hills Golf and Country Club is my favourite course in the country'') and adds:
''For reasons that don't need to be stated, the golf will be Boys Only however the after party and event can be attended by wives and girlfriends so please include them and their names in your reply even if they can only attend the after party.''
Mr Speers, who hails from Canada, is credited with the runaway success of online booking agency hoteltravel.com.
He will be ''providing caravan of cars and minivans full stocked up with refreshments for the ride up'' for the August 19 celebration, with travel up on August 18 and back on August 20.
Mr Speers' addiction to golf is well known. He is a left-hander, wears a glove on both hands, and currently plays off a handicap of about five.
His birthday golf tournament will have unusual rules and is open to guests who have golf handicaps, as well as those who have never played before.
The core paragraph of the email will appeal to Mr Speers' many friends: ''And the best thing about the golf tourney and party is its all FREE.
''I will be taking care of all green fees and caddy fees, transportation to and from the course, dinner buffet and a big party afterwards and I have negotiated deep discounts for your accommodation.''
Declaration of interest: Phuketwan bought a set of used clubs from Mr Speers once, but is still waiting for them to start working.
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The party is being held at Hua Hin, home to one of the hoteltravel.com founder's favorite courses.
The good news, though, is that Mr Speers is picking up much of the tab for the whole shebang for about 100 of his Phuket buddies.
Total cost is expected to be hundreds of thousands of baht.
Emails inviting golfers to join Mr Speers for his birthday bash went out yesterday to players at the island's popular expat golfing clubs.
''As I am sure many of you know, I am a golf lover and wouldn't even consider not playing golf on my birthday,'' Mr Speers writes in the elaborate email.
''But this party will not be just for golfers only, there will be lots of first-timers out there.''
The email goes on to spell out the reasons why the party is being held in Hua Hin (''the golf venue Dragon Hills Golf and Country Club is my favourite course in the country'') and adds:
''For reasons that don't need to be stated, the golf will be Boys Only however the after party and event can be attended by wives and girlfriends so please include them and their names in your reply even if they can only attend the after party.''
Mr Speers, who hails from Canada, is credited with the runaway success of online booking agency hoteltravel.com.
He will be ''providing caravan of cars and minivans full stocked up with refreshments for the ride up'' for the August 19 celebration, with travel up on August 18 and back on August 20.
Mr Speers' addiction to golf is well known. He is a left-hander, wears a glove on both hands, and currently plays off a handicap of about five.
His birthday golf tournament will have unusual rules and is open to guests who have golf handicaps, as well as those who have never played before.
The core paragraph of the email will appeal to Mr Speers' many friends: ''And the best thing about the golf tourney and party is its all FREE.
''I will be taking care of all green fees and caddy fees, transportation to and from the course, dinner buffet and a big party afterwards and I have negotiated deep discounts for your accommodation.''
Declaration of interest: Phuketwan bought a set of used clubs from Mr Speers once, but is still waiting for them to start working.
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A(nother) disgusting display of the "look-at-me" type all too often found here.
Posted by SW on August 11, 2009 18:08