Day 4: Golfing @ The Mission Hills Golf Course,Phuket

Pakdokter had played at the Mission Hills Golf Course in Phuket only once some years ago - just after Phuket was hit by the tsunami and the golf course had several of its holes destroyed by the tsunami. It was also the newest course in Phuket then. So pakdokter decided to check out this course again this time.

This course has a sea-side setting - located on the north-eastern tip of the island facing the Phanga Bay. It took almost 45 minutes to reach by car from the Secret Cliff Resort in Karon which is sited on the south-western end of the island. The driver took the round-island road that passed the Kamala Bay and Thalang Bay before cutting across to the other end. It gave pakdokter the chance to view the many tourist developments at these parts of the island.

Golf at Mission Hills is slightly cheaper than at the Red Mountain. Pakdokter paid 4800 bahts (RM480) for the green fee, caddy and transfer and had , as usual, to hire a buggy for another 600 bahts. Perhaps because of its far-off location - there were not many golfers playing here and pakdokter had the luxury of playing the round alone.

This is a typical resort-course - in some ways quite friendly without intimidating forests and valleys as at the Red Mountain. The course is fairly short but on many holes one had to play across water which was made difficult by strong inward-blowing winds which caused pakdokter to send some balls into the water. Pakdokter finished the game within a quick 2-hours and since pakdokter had asked the driver to come back for the pick-up after 5-hours, pakdokter had a lot of time to kill. Pakdokter had initially toyed with the idea of going back to play another round but pakdokter's caddy had recommended the Spa which she said had many 'pretty' masseurs. Pakdokter took her advise and did not regret it. It was a lovely and clean spa with fairly-priced therapies. Pakdokter took a 90-minute " Golfer Lover's Massage" package which cost 1700 bahts (RM170) which essentially was an aromatherapy massage with oil similar to sport massage pakdokter indulges in KL for about RM90 for a 90-minute session at pakdokter's regular place, the Thai Oddysey outfit in Bangsar. ( Similar treatment at 5-star resorts in Langkawi like the Datai and Westin could easily cost RM300 )

the golf course is generally flat, wideand short

but with strong winds from the sea....

the Maya Dhevi Spa is clean and luxurious.

the Phad Thai @ the Mission Hills below.