Mike, Author at Thailand Golf Zone

Author Archives: Mike

Have you got the Thai secret weapon?

With the amateur golf tournament season about to kick off in Thailand and Vietnam, over 1,000 male and female competitors will soon be heading for SE Asia. Their season kicks off with over 550 gofers competing at the Centara World Masters 2023 in Hua Hin, taking in three championship courses, Black Mountain, Banyan, and Springfield. Also, in June there is the Avani Pattaya 2 Ball. It does not stop there as in July there are events in Bangkok and on the island of Phuket, September sees two event...

Asia Golf

Golf Events

Posted by Mike - May 23, 2023

There is hope for all of us to be the next Michael Block

Over the weekend PGA Club professional Michael Block has been an inspiration to all of us mere golfers that dreams can come true. Heading into his final round at the PGA Championship at Oak Hill on Sunday, it seemed like Michael Block’s week couldn’t get any better. That is until he hit his tee shot on the par-3 15th hole. Block, the 46-year-old PGA playing pro at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California, took aim at the green and hit a beautiful shot that was right in ...

Asia Golf

Golf Events

Posted by Mike - May 17, 2023

Abandoned Tin Mine to Host Amateur Golf Tournament on Thai Island

They may not qualify for this week’s PGA Championship however many international golfers are already preparing to compete at the DoubleTree by Hilton Phuket Golf Invitational 2023 in July. Golf vacations are booming and the trend to play in well organized tournaments is growing according to Golfasian, the leading SE Asia tour operator. Brendan Cunningham, Business Development & Events Director at Golfasian said, “ Out of 15,000 international golf vacationers heading to Asia wit...

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Posted by Mike - May 8, 2023

Thailand win the LPGA International Crown in San Francisco.

Thailand was the champion team at the 2023 International Crown in San Francisco on the LPGA tour this afternoon. Jutanugarn sisters plus Pattaya and Atthiya were dominant against Australia in the final. Hopefully, the LPGA will bring this team event to Thailand in the future. As Golfasian’s many international customers know Thailand has some of the most challenging and exciting golf courses in Asia and the LPGA would be spoilt for choice to find a worthy venue. Congratulations to these fo...

Asia Golf

Golf News

Posted by Mike - May 1, 2023

How much to tip your caddie?

This week Taylor Gooch won his second LIV Golf event in the space of just two weeks winning a staggering US$ 12 million. Spare a thought for his lucky caddie Australian Mal Baker who would be getting around US$ 1.2 million if he was taking the usual 10%. Good work if you can get it, but for us mere mortals who take in a round of golf in Thailand often wonder how much to tip their beautiful female caddie. Mark Seigel CEO at https://www.golfasian.com/ recommends after your round-tipping them US$1...

Asia Golf

Bangkok Golf

Posted by Mike - April 27, 2023

Great Success for Golfasian, Fenix XCell and Thailand in Marbella

The IAGTO European Convention (IEC) closed last night in Marbella on Andalucía’s Costa del Sol in southern Spain after three very busy days. The IEC replicated their successful Asia and North American conventions with meetings between buyers, suppliers, tourism organisations, and service providers. Over 250 companies and organisations from all over the World participated including Golfasian and Fenix XCell from Bangkok. Pascal Orczech, Business Development Director for Golfasian said, “...

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Posted by Mike - April 24, 2023

Isn’t golf meant to be fun and entertaining????

Many of us were glued to our TV’s and mobiles this weekend to see three great days of crazy and spectacular golf at LIV Adelaide. The 12th hole known now as the watering hole erupted when Chase Koepka holed in one and for 5 minutes the place was covered in beer!!! Check out this link https://twitter.com/i/status/1649981131469488128 Over on the Golf Channel if you still managed to stay awake they were awarding the winners of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, namely Nick Hardy and Davis Riley two...

Asia Golf

Golf Events

Posted by Mike - April 17, 2023

Asian Golf Tournaments are booming

Over the next few months, many international golf vacationers are heading for SE Asia to experience a growing trend of competing in Amateur golf tournaments. 1,000 have already registered with leading tour operator Golfasian and to cope with demand they have just announced the DoubleTree by Hilton Phuket Golf Invitational 2023 to be held on the Thai island from 18-22 July 2023 CEO at Golfasian Mark Siegel said, ‘ Many of our customers enjoy the camaraderie and experience with playing at our tou...

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Posted by Mike - April 7, 2023

Amazing success for 1st joint Charity Tournament held in Bangkok

The inaugural Fenix XCell & Golfasian Charity Golf Day was held on Thursday 30th March 2023 at Ban Rakat Club (Ballyshear Golf Links). All proceeds from the event went on to support AustCham Thailand CSR initiatives. AustCham has announced that the proceeds from this event will be going to the Thai Child Development Foundation (https://thaichilddevelopment.org/), which was established in 2004 and supports underprivileged children in their development by making sure that customized medical c...

Bangkok Golf

Golf Events

Posted by Mike - April 6, 2023

If you cannot play today at Augusta then come to Thailand

With less than nine hours before the top professionals and amateurs tee off at the 2023 Masters at Augusta Georgia, many of us will be glued to the TV or watching live coverage on our mobiles. Now 99.9% of us golfers may never get a chance to play Augusta’s 18 holes in our life, let alone even attend as a patron. Fear not, because out of Thailand’s 265 golf courses, there are several championship courses up here to test your mettle. In fact, close to Bangkok, there are several replica courses, ...

Thailand Golf

Thailand Golf Courses and Playing Conditions

Posted by Mike - March 22, 2023

Amateur Golf Tournaments in Asia are Booming

The tournament season for amateurs has just kicked off with the Amari Hua Hin Skins Golf Week in Thailand. Over 50 payers are taking part in this week’s tournament playing at Springfield, Black Mountain, and Banyan golf clubs. This event has attracted golf vacationers from eight countries and all the scores are computerised. Every player also has their own smiling Thai caddie with their name and country flag on their bibs, just like the professionals. These events have been growing steadily ove...

Asia Golf

Bangkok Golf

Posted by Mike - March 20, 2023

Closest Golf Courses to Downtown Bangkok

Thailand, and especially Bangkok, have some excellent golf courses, and 60 courses are within 100 kilometers of Thailand’s capital city, all offering a variety of challenges. How does a golf visitor choose the best courses to play as dynamic Bangkok is spread out over a larger area? Frequent traffic jams can take time to reach the clubhouse. Last week with Google map navigator as his assistant, Golfasian’s https://www.golfasian.com/golf-courses/thailand-golf-courses/bangkok/ CEO visited 15 cou...

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Posted by Mike - March 15, 2023

Asia has become the Hotspot on the Golf Map

Golfasian, Asia’s most popular inbound golf tour operator is currently attending the Asia Golf Tourism Conference (AGTC) which is being hosted for the first time in Japan, specifically in Miyazaki. IAGTO, the global golf tourism organization, has organized this important event with buyers attending from around the world. AGTC provides the opportunity for IAGTO member golf resorts, golf clubs, hotels, DMCs and other golf tourism suppliers from across the Asia Pacific region and from around the w...

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Posted by Mike - March 9, 2023

Two leading golf courses to close

Thailand’s two popular golf courses are closing for vital upgrades. In pursuit of an improvement plan to be the best golf course in Asia, Blue Canyon Country Club in Phuket is upgrading their famous Canyon Course. Therefore, the Club will close the Canyon Holes 10-18 from 20th March 2023 onwards. Holes 1-9 will also be closed for renovation from 15th June onwards. The complete renovation is expected to be within November 2023 depending on weather and circumstance. Also after 47,000 spectators pa...

Asia Golf

Golf Events

Posted by Mike - March 3, 2023

Asia Golf Records All-Time High Bookings

According to a recent study published by IPK International, one of the world’s leading tourism consultancies and tourism research agencies, in 2022 the travel industry experienced a significant recovery. Worldwide, outbound trips increased substantially year on year, but without regaining 2019 levels. IPK’s World Travel Monitor stated that worldwide, outbound travel in 2022 rose by 90 percent year on year, equivalent to a global volume of almost 700 million trips in 2022. Compared to outbo...

Asia Golf

Golf Events

Posted by Mike - February 27, 2023

Record attendance at Honda LPGA Thailand

On a windy day at Siam Country Club’s Pattaya Old Course, American Lilia Vu emerged victorious at the Honda LPGA Thailand, winning by one shot over 54-hole Thai leader Natthakritta Vongtaveelap. Thai 20-year-old rookie Vongtaveelap struggled to stay steady under pressure on day four in Chonburi, Thailand, while her close friend two-time LPGA Tour winner Atthaya Thitikul came in 3rd. Although Natthakritta as a sponsors invite did not gain any CME LPGA points, she still came away with a handy US$...

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Posted by Mike - February 23, 2023

Pornang Phatlum welcomes new Thai rookies to LPGA tour

We met up with Thailand’s veteran LPGA player Pornanong Phatlum before she teed off at this year’s Honda LPGA Thailand tournament at Siam Country Club’s famous Old Course. Here is our short interview with her. https://photos.app.goo.gl/C6uzWyehhdE7REwg6

Asia Golf

Golf Events

Posted by Mike - February 13, 2023

Thailand World Masters hosted at the 100-year-old historical hote

Golfers from around the world are in for a special week of competition when they tee off from three top Hua Hin golf courses in June. This year’s Centara World Masters Golf Championship takes place from 11-17th June and is being hosted by the historic Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin, home of the original Railway Hotel Hua Hin. This is the hotel’s 100-year anniversary and throughout the year they will be marking this occasion with the “Centenary Celebration: 100 Years of Memories”...

Asia Golf

Bangkok Golf

Posted by Mike - February 10, 2023

Golfers need to prepare now for February 14th

With Valentine’s day fast approaching golfers need to prepare in advance. Throughout the year, golfers from around the world can play Asia’s finest public and private golf courses in a multi-day tournament format, unlike anything else ever produced for amateur golfers. Here Are a few events coming up https://www.golfasian.com/events/ There are also plenty of excellent golf courses here in Thailand just check out a few here at www.golfasian.com Meanwhile here is a service you can use next week fo...

Asia Golf

Bangkok Golf

Posted by Mike - February 6, 2023

Two Major Golf Events in Thailand this month

Thailand will be the centre of attention when the DP World Tour and the LPGA arrive in the land of the smiles shortly. The DP World tour is returning to Thailand after an absence of seven years when the US$2Million Thailand Classic arrives at Amata Springs on February 16th to 19th. This DP World Tour event is part of their full schedule and it has attracted a strong international field including Robert Macintyre, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Andy Sullivan, Andrew ‘Beef” Johnston, and ex Ryder Cup captai...

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Posted by Mike - January 31, 2023

No need to go to Q School to play in our tournaments

With all the issues with the PGA and LIV golf, just entering tournaments these days is really tough. However, throughout the year, golfers from around the world can play Asia’s finest public and private golf courses in a multi-day tournament format, unlike anything else ever produced for amateur golfers. And the good news is they don’t need to go to Qualifying School or even Monday’s pre-qualifier to enter that week’s tournament! Golfasian seems to have hit on a successful format where amateurs ...

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Posted by Mike - January 30, 2023

Whats your take on this situation???

The rules of golf are difficult to understand at the best of times, however what’s your take on this scenario? I think most would ask the referee to enable to the player to remove the obstruction…..or is it a gimme and move on quickly. What’s your take here?

Golf News

Posted by Mike - January 26, 2023

Climate change is making playing golf more comfortable in Thailan

It seems that in parts of Thailand in January 2023, the lower temperatures and humidity are making playing golf even more enjoyable in several regions of the country. Using the historical data supplied by https://www.worldweatheronline.com/ it would appear that whereas other parts of the planet including Europe are experiencing a mini heat wave in January, here in Thailand the weather is actually cooler. Looking at the January figures in 2013 compared to today in 2023, temperatures are lower and...

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Posted by Mike - January 21, 2023

What is he smiling about????

At most of Thailand’s 260 golf courses, there are a number of deep bunkers, undulating fairways, deep rough, trees, and of course some tricky water hazards. As many of us have experienced teeing off with a nice new Titleist Pro V1 is a great feeling. However, this can all be very short-lived if your second shot goes into the lake surrounding the fairway. What makes matters worse is when some smiling Thai pops up holding your ball. Try getting it back is almost impossible as he knows a new Title...

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Posted by Mike - January 19, 2023

What is he smiling about?

Asia Golf

Bangkok Golf

Posted by Mike - January 16, 2023

Thai Caddies getting smart

Caddies are all part of the fun of taking a golf vacation in Thailand and now it seems at last the golf clubs are realizing they deserve to be dressed elegantly as well. In the past, caddies often had to rely on the club’s owners to order their uniforms. Not being fashion very conscious, they would just buy the fabric and get a local to make up their uniforms. Let’s face it even the prettiest caddies can look drab in some of the old fashion outfits that they were forced to wear. Most caddies ha...

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Posted by Mike - January 11, 2023

No travel restictions to Thailand

In typical Thai style, the Minister of Public Health has now backtracked on earlier regulations regarding Travel restrictions. As from January 9th he has stated that International travelers arriving in Thailand are NOT required to show proof of vaccination. In addition, foreign tourists are not required to show ATK or RT-PCR test results Bottom line the orginal plan to test everyone was proofing a logistical nightmare especially for their busy airports. Best to check with your airline first to ...

Asia Golf

Bangkok Golf

Posted by Mike - January 5, 2023

Have you played these new Bangkok courses yet

Just when we thought the recession would see the end of new courses opening in Bangkok up pops four new courses. Some of you may have visited Stonehill which hosted the LIV Bangkok event last year. Siam Country Club Bangkok Another new arrival was Siam Country Club Bangkok. However without much fanfare to new clubs have also appeared, namely Phoenix Golf Golf Bangkok and Flora Ville Golf & Country Club. Flora Ville Sounds like the same team from Phoenix Gold Pattaya are behind this Bangkok...