THE FIRST Phuket Property Dot Com Pro Am Invitational teed-off at the Blue Canyon Country Club. Played on the Canyon Course, the organisers brought together 30 golf pros, many of them top players on the Asian Tour, and 90 amateurs to raise money for the Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation.
The first charity golf Pro Am ever on Phuket Island was deemed a huge success by all.
Asked if he enjoyed the Pro Am, Singapore number one Lam Chih Bing gave an emphatic ''Yes.'' ''I enjoy Phuket and have been here many times. I have also won two competitions in Thailand and really enjoyed playing in this Pro Am and giving back.''
Thailand took the honors with the overall winner being 'Team Udorn' (92 points), lead by Thai golf pro Udorn Duangdecha. Simon Yates and team were second (89 points), closely followed by Corey Harris and team in third (88 points).
The lowest score of the day was shared with pros Keith Horne and Scott Barr each carding a five-under par 67. Despite finishing in the dark, amateur Betina Lorenz produced an inspired round for the lowest female gross score.
Other notable performances included fellow 'Team Udorn' member, amateur Khun Watcharatorn, who carded 70, the lowest male gross score, beating a number of the pros on the day.
Said professional golfer Keith Horne: ''It's great to come and play charity events like this and give something back.''
Peter Bolton, co-founder of Phuket Property Dot Com, title sponsor of the event, said: ''This was the first Phuket Property Dot Com Pro Am Invitational, and indeed the first ever charity golf Pro Am in Phuket.
''Listening to the feedback it is clear everyone enjoyed the event very much.
''Many golfers want it to become an annual event and we are pleased to announce that we will make it so.
''We are very pleased to see so many professionals give their time and join the event, and together with all the participants and sponsors raise money for such a good cause, the Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation.''
A field of 30 touring golf professionals gave their time in support of the charity golf Pro Am and were joined by amateurs from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and as far afield as Hong Kong. A two-tee start with the Stableford scoring system was used.
As golfers arrived at holes 13 and 17, anticipation on the tee box was high for professionals and amateurs alike. HotelTravel.com offered one million baht of travel vouchers for anyone who scored a hole-in-one on hole 13, while on hole 17 a condominium from yooPhuket, valued at 3.1 million baht, was on offer.
Sadly, no player managed to scored a hole-in-one on either hole.
All participants came together for a lavish evening at the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket.
A golf clinic for children from the Kamala school supported by the Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation was followed by canapes in the garden before a lavish four-course dinner in the ballroom.
Prizes were presented for first, second and third overall teams, plus lowest gross for male and female, as well as a number of other prizes including nearest the pin on all holes.
All winners received prizes from many of the event sponsors, and in addition to the sponsor prizes, each amateur of the top three placed teams received a painting from children at the Kamala school.
A silent auction and spontaneous ad hoc live auction, plus revenue from the Pro Am saw 500,000 baht raised for the Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation.
The first charity golf Pro Am ever on Phuket Island was deemed a huge success by all.
Asked if he enjoyed the Pro Am, Singapore number one Lam Chih Bing gave an emphatic ''Yes.'' ''I enjoy Phuket and have been here many times. I have also won two competitions in Thailand and really enjoyed playing in this Pro Am and giving back.''
Thailand took the honors with the overall winner being 'Team Udorn' (92 points), lead by Thai golf pro Udorn Duangdecha. Simon Yates and team were second (89 points), closely followed by Corey Harris and team in third (88 points).
The lowest score of the day was shared with pros Keith Horne and Scott Barr each carding a five-under par 67. Despite finishing in the dark, amateur Betina Lorenz produced an inspired round for the lowest female gross score.
Other notable performances included fellow 'Team Udorn' member, amateur Khun Watcharatorn, who carded 70, the lowest male gross score, beating a number of the pros on the day.
Said professional golfer Keith Horne: ''It's great to come and play charity events like this and give something back.''
Peter Bolton, co-founder of Phuket Property Dot Com, title sponsor of the event, said: ''This was the first Phuket Property Dot Com Pro Am Invitational, and indeed the first ever charity golf Pro Am in Phuket.
''Listening to the feedback it is clear everyone enjoyed the event very much.
''Many golfers want it to become an annual event and we are pleased to announce that we will make it so.
''We are very pleased to see so many professionals give their time and join the event, and together with all the participants and sponsors raise money for such a good cause, the Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation.''
A field of 30 touring golf professionals gave their time in support of the charity golf Pro Am and were joined by amateurs from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and as far afield as Hong Kong. A two-tee start with the Stableford scoring system was used.
As golfers arrived at holes 13 and 17, anticipation on the tee box was high for professionals and amateurs alike. HotelTravel.com offered one million baht of travel vouchers for anyone who scored a hole-in-one on hole 13, while on hole 17 a condominium from yooPhuket, valued at 3.1 million baht, was on offer.
Sadly, no player managed to scored a hole-in-one on either hole.
All participants came together for a lavish evening at the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket.
A golf clinic for children from the Kamala school supported by the Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation was followed by canapes in the garden before a lavish four-course dinner in the ballroom.
Prizes were presented for first, second and third overall teams, plus lowest gross for male and female, as well as a number of other prizes including nearest the pin on all holes.
All winners received prizes from many of the event sponsors, and in addition to the sponsor prizes, each amateur of the top three placed teams received a painting from children at the Kamala school.
A silent auction and spontaneous ad hoc live auction, plus revenue from the Pro Am saw 500,000 baht raised for the Phuket Has Been Good To Us Foundation.
