The most famous golf course in Hua Hin these days is probably the Black Mountain Golf Course. Pakdokter has been told that this is a 'must play' course if one goes to Hua Hin.
Unfortunately, during the week that pakdokter was there, the Black Mountain was playing host to the 'Thai Masters" - and 'not having made the cut', pakdokter did not get the chance to play at this famous course.
The Black Mountain will also be the venue of the 'Royal Trophy' in January 2011 - this is a Ryders Cup style of competition between Team Europe against Team Asia.
The next better choice was the Banyan Golf Course. This is a relatively new course - opened about 2 years ago. Located about 4 km inland on the slope of a hilly terrain, its own Banyan Resort and Condominium project is located at another site closer to the beach.
Pakdokter booked to play at the hotel's concierge - and the golf club's limousine came to pick pakdokter up at the hotel 30 minutes before tee-off time. On the way, the limousine stopped to pick up an elderly Scandinavian couple at the Sofitel next door. The Scandinavians were on a winter-long retreat in Hua Hin which they told pakdokter that they have been doing for the past umpteen years. They play golf almost every other day for the duration of their winter retreat in Hua Hin.
It was quite pricey to play at the Banyan. Pakdokter's package cost 3600 bahts (RM360) which included the return pick-up, green fee, buggy and caddy excluding the caddy tip.
It took about 15 minutes to reach the course from downtown Hua Hin. Being new, the fairways were still quite open and barren of mature trees. The surrounding was mostly pineapple farms. The clubhouse was modern and upmarket and a few chalets were available for rent.
the interior of the men's locker room...
below are some of the chalets at the golf course...
The course was not busy, most likely because it is the most pricey in town after the Black Mountain. At the registration counter, the electronic monitor flashed the information that the green speed for the day was 9.3!
This was probably the fastest green speed pakdokter has ever had to deal with! And every green had at least 2 or 3 levels, most of them severely elevated - even if one can put it on within regulation, one would be lucky to be able to putt in two. Pakdokter's scores were too embarassing to be posted up here!
This course was definitely designed for competition.......
Lunch at the clubhouse was a good plate of 'phad thai' - kuey teow goreng with udang - and a pint of Chang.....
the Mulligan Restaurant where pakdokter lunched...
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