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Banyan
Tree
Highway 4029, on the
west coast of Phuket island.
Tel: (076) 324-358; Fax (076) 324-358
Part of the
large, rapidly-developing Laguna resort, the 18-hole
par 72 course was designed by Max Wexler. It often
gets a pleasant breeze, but is even then not too demanding.
Booking: advisable in holiday seasons.
Green fees: weekday/weekend $$$
Blue Canyon
Close to the airport
on Highway 402 at the north end of Phuket Island.
Tel: (076) 327-440; Fax (076) 327-449
This very
pretty course was the first stop of the European Tour
of 1994, when television viewers worldwide were able
to admire the view, along with hundreds of spectators
on the terraces below the magnificent clubhouse. Running
between old rubber plantations and lagoons created
by tin miners, Phuket's rather steamy climate has
helped create rich emerald-coloured fairways and greens.
Golf in Phuket is not cheap, but the experience is
worth every penny.
Booking: reservation essential.
Facilities: pro shop, club hire, carts, restaurant,
swimming pool, tennis courts.
Green fees: weekday/weekend $$$$.
Phuket
Century Country Club
Located in the island's
centre, between Phuket town and Patong Beach, this
18-hole, par 72 tournament course, designed by Dr.
Sukitti Klangvisai, is laid out around two lakes.
Lush rolling hills surround the course, presenting
superb scenery, while the 18 holes offer a diversity
of challenge. Toughest, perhaps, is the 433-yard 7th,
well guarded, followed by the double dogleg 8th with
its two creeks to cross. The 492-yard, par 5 13th
is also a real test of skill. Players will do well
to par on these. Clubhouse facilities are extensive,
for relaxation after the game.
Phuket
Country Club
On the main road (4020)
from Phuket Town to Patong Beach.
Tel: (076) 321 038; Fax: (076) 321-041
Prince Philip
is alleged to have commented that this was the only
example he had seen of a tin mine turned into a gold
mine. He was looking at the verdant greens and flower-
bedecked fairways of this agreeable course created
from the spoil heaps and lagoons of an old tin mine.
It now has 27 holes. Lovely club house. Lovely caddies.
Fairly expensive.
Facilities: pro shop, club hire, carts, restaurant,
banquet room.
Booking: advisable, particularly at weekends.
Green fees: weekday/ weekend $$$$.
Thai Muang
Beach
Highway 4, 30 km north
of Phuket.
Tel: (076) 571214. Fax: 212661
The beach-
side 18-hole course is one of the first parts to open
of what will become a major holiday development. Pete
Dye is the designer. His courses are usually imaginative
and fair.
Booking: open to all.
Green fees: weekday/ weekend $$$
Hat Yai
Exclusive
Malaysian border, 15
km north of Hat Yai on Highway 4135, near the airport
.
Tel: (074) 234-921
Built in open
country dotted by Muslim villages, the course is part
of a housing and holiday development, designed to
attract Malaysian tourists. Robert McFarland has created
a course with narrowish fairways and a good deal of
artificial water. There is an hotel on the course,
and many more in Hat Yai, where the nightlife is lively.
Booking: open to all reserve at weekends.
Green fees: weekday $$; weekend $$$$.
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