Hua Hin Golf Gossip

[PET]

Good to see the Kings Cup coming to Black Mountain on 16 to 19 January. It is a 1 million dollar event with all the best Asian Tour pro's and I'm sure a few invited Scandinavian pro's. It is the final event of the 2013 season, even though it is in 2014.
There was a lot of discussion as to where this event was going to be played. There was even a strong rumour that it was going to be at Banyan, but apparently they decided that they didn't want it. Anyway, good news for Black Mountain and Hua Hin, to be able to showcase themselves again to the world, with live tv all 4 days. I am sure the course will look stunning and will further enhance their reputation as being the best course in Thailand.
I look forward to going along to watch and I am sure there will be a good turn out of the locals.

As a matter of interest what is the evidence that BM is the best course in Thailand? I do not know but I will say that I watched the Thailand Open at Amata Spring CC one day last week and to my eye it was stunning and possibly much better than BM ( which I have played many times ). I once saw some travel magazine saying 5 years ago that BM was the best new course in Asia but that, surely, was untrue?

[heartofmidlothian]

Good to hear that Lakeview is in excellent condition. I have a few games there planned for Feb and have always enjoyed the A,B and C courses. Not a fan of D though!
You are quite right PET, Black Mountain is no where near the best layout in my opinion, but they do consistently get ranked as the best in Thailand. Why that is I am not sure, but they do maintain it beautifully and the views are great. I think a lot of it has to do with them having many pro events there because the course does look great on tv. I was at Amata all last week and I agree that it could be the best in Thailand but of course it is just a matter of opinion and personal preferences

[hhfarang]

I only played Black Mountain once, but I wouldn't even say it was the best layout in Hua Hin, much less Thailand.

[heartofmidlothian]

Totally agree hhfarang. I think Springfield, Lakeview A and B and Majestic are better layouts. Just goes to show how presentation, maintenance and marketing are so important for a golf course. The ultimate marketing tool being having pro events with live tv. Black Mountain is so much busier than the other Hua Hin courses year round because people want to come and play it because they have seen it on tv. Really surprised that Banyan didn't snap up the opportunity to have the Kings Cup because whatever it would have cost them would have been far less than what it would make them in the long term.

[Awu]

Since when did Thai start to think in long term?
BM is probably the best course for public and compare with Banyan there is a little bit more room for parking..
Banyan is a nice golfcourse, but in this case BM is a better event course.

[mikosan]

BM maybe the favourite of many visitors and locals and I agree it is very well known, excellently maintained and a wonderful golf course. However in my opinion it is more 'manufactured' than Banyan and if given a choice between the two of them it wouldn't take me a nano second to chose the latter as the one I would prefer to play and it is certainly my favourite course in Hua Hin, even though I'm a member elsewhere. I'm surprised that they turned down the Kings Cup, if indeed that is the case. Does anyone know this for sure?

[Mrock]

Come on guys! BM is in way better condition than any course in HH. Layout is matter of preference.

[heartofmidlothian]

I believe they did turn it down. The rumour was that it was going to be at Banyan. One of the managers told my friend that they couldn't afford to close their course for a week in January and didn't feel that the costs they would have to pay for some of the running costs were worth it.
Having a big event on live tv would be very helpful to Banyan. Yes a big cost but would pay off in the future I am sure. There is no reason why they can't elevate themselves to the same level as Black Mountain. Banyan has a wonderful, natural setting, but they do need to do exactly the same as Black Mountain. Change a few greens for the better and get some big tournaments on live tv.

[mikosan]

Come on guys! BM is in way better condition than any course in HH. Layout is matter of preference.

I'd say Banyan was in pretty good shape myself and yes, layout is a matter of preference and my preference is Banyan. I appreciate that the fairways, greens, facilities etc at BM are fantastic, but last time I played there a couple of months ago there was lots of black rubber from the coating they put over the concrete buggy paths everywhere, which looked dreadful from an aesthetic point of view. No doubt they have resolved that by now?

[christopher1]

Bit far out, but I played Royal Ratchaburi last week.
It was in fantastic condition.
Green fee, caddy ticket and caddy tip...950 baht.

Before any remarks, I tipped 250 baht.
Last of the big spender's.

[heartofmidlothian]

Royal Ratchaburi is a great course and fantastic value. Under a 1000 baht all in! Dragon Hills is also a great course and great value. Both great day trips during Jan/Feb when the golf courses in Hua Hin are packed and expensive.

[JW]

I think the best stretch of holes here is the last 6 at Springfield - it was everything - 2 reachable par 5s, tough 3's and the 4s are all possible disaster holes!

I am not a fan of BM, but i do enjoy a few times a year, usually in scrambles.. there is no doubt that the condition is almost always perfect, practise area is great and F&B excellent.

Banyan feels more like a real golf club and I we have more great golf days there than anywhere else, the staff from Stu, Stacey and Joe right thru to the girls cleaning the toilets are always on top form.
Trully hope they get the recognition they deserve with a top event sometime soon.

Comments about Ratchaburi and Dragon Hills are spot on... the Dragon is a fearsome test off the back blocks!!!

Happy golfing all

[Ropes]

Agree with JW 100%.
I don't know why people rave abouT BM. Agreed it's always in great condition but there are several courses within the HH area with better layouts IMO and for someone who is now well and truly a senior it's a slog.
My favourite course in Thailand is Royal Ratchaburi a great course and great value.
In Hua Hin it's Springfield and Lake View especially since the improved greens on the latter.

[mikosan]

Hey, let's face it, when it comes to golf courses we're spoilt for choice in the Hua Hin area and I consider myself fortunate to live here permanently. Merry Xmas everyone and happy golfing over the holiday period and throughout the new year. I'll be a Lakeview on 25th, Majestic on 26th and Springfield on 27th. A very nice way to celebrate Xmas.

[JW]

Mikosan,

Youve got it absolutley right... people love to complain and we really havent got anything to complain about... we live in a golfing paradise!!!