THE GRASS IS going down now on the first of the nine holes of Chalong's Phunaka Golf Course, the only one in the island's south.
Around January, players should be enjoying the valley breezes and the challenge of what is essentially a well-crafted yet testing links course.
With a golf academy as its centrepiece, Phunaka is also going to appeal to people who love the game enough to want to live within a duffed iron shot of the fairways and greens.
And when the road alongside the course is extended from Chalong to Patong as planned, many more golfers can be expected to make the quick journey from the west coast beach resort townships.
Overlooking the course and the surrounding greenery will be five condominium blocks, each of six or seven storeys.
Investors will pay 3.7 million baht for a single-bedroom unit and more for the two-bedroom and penthouse units.
For golfers, it's an attractive proposition. Buy a property as a place to live or as a managed investment and you also gain a 30-year course membership.
With the course to be floodlit, condo-owning members will be able to play morning, noon and night.
Fresh from helping to kick-start the spectacular Red Mountain course at Loch Palm, Phunaka Golf Academy Director and pro teacher Oliver Bates is raring to road-test his fully-grassed new baby.
''We will be trying to make it accessible to all,'' he said. ''The course will probably cost 600 baht for nine holes or 1000 baht for 18. And it will be open until 10pm.
''I've been talking to some of the touring pros around the region and many of them are keen to use it as a base for practice.''
Various types of membership will be on offer, with a fee for a 30 year membership at 300,000 baht, about half the cost of other island courses.
As one of the island's two big sports, golf struggles to match yachting when it comes to promotion on Phuket.
Apart from the occasional Johnnie Walker tournament every few years, there is no fairway equivalent of the high-profile Kings Cup Regatta each December or Six Senses Raceweek.
Yet the land-based sport probably contributes more to the island's economy than yachting, one way another.
Hundreds of caddies, gardeners, maintenance staff, waiters and admin personnel depend on the sport for a living, all year long.
With Phunaka on the way, the new Red Mountain course attracting rave reviews and Laguna Phuket contemplating a second course plus a golf resort, the game on Phuket has never been in better shape.
As well as the high-tech golf academy and the emphasis on learning from beginners to professionals, the Chalong course will have a two-tier driving range of more than 50 bays, with target greens at key distances.
A private grassed teeing area is likely to appeal to top players.
''As a practice base for big tournaments, it should be ideal,'' Oliver said. ''We think it will be just about perfect for the pros.''
Created by Phuket-based golf course designer Jon Morrow, who has Red Mountain to his credit, the 600-million baht Phunaka will be Par 31 and comprise six par threes, two par fours and a par five.
''It is no pitch and putt course,'' Oliver said. ''Players will need to use every club in the bag.''
A couple of restaurants and bars are likely to make the driving range and course a lively place, whether it's the 19th hole or the 10th.
Another landowner is now contemplating building a sport and leisure centre with spa and pool on neighboring land.
The idea for the Chalong course originated with Suwat Wangkiat, who decided with other family members to devote 200 rai of land to the game he loves.
Khun Suwat's family also gave land to the neighboring wat, home of the venerable abbot Luangpu Supa.
A beautiful new temple is under construction there, adding to the spectacular views from the course across water towards the mountains.
Penthouse and upper-level condos will also have sea views across to the bay.
The course is on the right side of Chaofa Road West, heading south from Phuket City, about a kilometre before Wat Chalong.
Phuket's other courses are at the northerly Blue Canyon and north-central Loch Palm, with 36 holes apiece, the central Phuket Country Club, where there are 27 holes, Laguna Phuket with a resort-style 18 (and possibly another 18 coming) and the Jack Nicklaus-designed 18 hole course at Mission Hills, to the east.
Additional reading:
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Big Red is Green For Go
Around January, players should be enjoying the valley breezes and the challenge of what is essentially a well-crafted yet testing links course.
With a golf academy as its centrepiece, Phunaka is also going to appeal to people who love the game enough to want to live within a duffed iron shot of the fairways and greens.
And when the road alongside the course is extended from Chalong to Patong as planned, many more golfers can be expected to make the quick journey from the west coast beach resort townships.
Which is more important to Phuket, golf or yachting? Tell us by adding a comment below. It's easy!
Overlooking the course and the surrounding greenery will be five condominium blocks, each of six or seven storeys.
Investors will pay 3.7 million baht for a single-bedroom unit and more for the two-bedroom and penthouse units.
For golfers, it's an attractive proposition. Buy a property as a place to live or as a managed investment and you also gain a 30-year course membership.
With the course to be floodlit, condo-owning members will be able to play morning, noon and night.
Fresh from helping to kick-start the spectacular Red Mountain course at Loch Palm, Phunaka Golf Academy Director and pro teacher Oliver Bates is raring to road-test his fully-grassed new baby.
''We will be trying to make it accessible to all,'' he said. ''The course will probably cost 600 baht for nine holes or 1000 baht for 18. And it will be open until 10pm.
''I've been talking to some of the touring pros around the region and many of them are keen to use it as a base for practice.''
Various types of membership will be on offer, with a fee for a 30 year membership at 300,000 baht, about half the cost of other island courses.
As one of the island's two big sports, golf struggles to match yachting when it comes to promotion on Phuket.
Apart from the occasional Johnnie Walker tournament every few years, there is no fairway equivalent of the high-profile Kings Cup Regatta each December or Six Senses Raceweek.
Yet the land-based sport probably contributes more to the island's economy than yachting, one way another.
Hundreds of caddies, gardeners, maintenance staff, waiters and admin personnel depend on the sport for a living, all year long.
With Phunaka on the way, the new Red Mountain course attracting rave reviews and Laguna Phuket contemplating a second course plus a golf resort, the game on Phuket has never been in better shape.
As well as the high-tech golf academy and the emphasis on learning from beginners to professionals, the Chalong course will have a two-tier driving range of more than 50 bays, with target greens at key distances.
A private grassed teeing area is likely to appeal to top players.
''As a practice base for big tournaments, it should be ideal,'' Oliver said. ''We think it will be just about perfect for the pros.''
Created by Phuket-based golf course designer Jon Morrow, who has Red Mountain to his credit, the 600-million baht Phunaka will be Par 31 and comprise six par threes, two par fours and a par five.
''It is no pitch and putt course,'' Oliver said. ''Players will need to use every club in the bag.''
A couple of restaurants and bars are likely to make the driving range and course a lively place, whether it's the 19th hole or the 10th.
Another landowner is now contemplating building a sport and leisure centre with spa and pool on neighboring land.
The idea for the Chalong course originated with Suwat Wangkiat, who decided with other family members to devote 200 rai of land to the game he loves.
Khun Suwat's family also gave land to the neighboring wat, home of the venerable abbot Luangpu Supa.
A beautiful new temple is under construction there, adding to the spectacular views from the course across water towards the mountains.
Penthouse and upper-level condos will also have sea views across to the bay.
The course is on the right side of Chaofa Road West, heading south from Phuket City, about a kilometre before Wat Chalong.
Phuket's other courses are at the northerly Blue Canyon and north-central Loch Palm, with 36 holes apiece, the central Phuket Country Club, where there are 27 holes, Laguna Phuket with a resort-style 18 (and possibly another 18 coming) and the Jack Nicklaus-designed 18 hole course at Mission Hills, to the east.
Additional reading:
Laguna Phuket Plans Extra Course, Plus Resort
A specialised golf resort with a new course to call its own is just one fresh Laguna idea as its property team gets set for a new product launch in Hong Kong, Stockholm and Singapore. They have lofty ambitions.
Laguna Phuket Plans Golf Resort, Plus Course
Carry On, Caddy: Getting a Start in Golf
Careers in comedy and golf are not just for professionals, but for caddies, too. Two new courses are being added to Phuket's golfing options. And that means more work for caddies.
Carry On Caddy: Getting a Start in Golf
Big Red is Green For Go
New businesses and ideas on Phuket deserve encouragement. Phuketwan has pleasure in announcing the first annual Innovation of the Year Award for 2007 on Phuket. Red Mountain is quite a golf course.
Big Red is Green For Go
Yachting is the world's most boring spectator sport. Even when you are on a boat, it is what I would classify as work. With golf, at least you get the chance for a pleasant stroll, even if your game is no good. Give me golf any day.
Posted by angelfire on August 26, 2008 07:04