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The Santiburi Samui Country Club is Koh Samui's
stunning championship golf course. The par 72 course was designed by Piraporn
Namatra and constructed over a three year period by Quality Golf Consultants. It
first opened to players in 2003 and plays 6461 yards from the blue tees with
waterfalls and streams running through the land adding abundant, natural beauty.
A surprisingly high mountain range borders the course and makes for an inspiring
backdrop.
Each hole on the Santiburi course sits at a different elevation, and the
fairways follow the natural line of the hills creating an interesting and
challenging multi level golf game. Throughout the round, players enjoy views of
the ocean and beaches below, and each hole only reveals itself only after the
last one is completed, which adds further to the sense of discovery. The setting
and design combine to create a distinctive identity that has already received
rave reviews in various golfing publications, as well as on a number of websites
dedicated to the sport. The director of the PGA Asian tour is due to inspect the
course later this month, and it may soon become a regular on the Asian
professional circuit. The back nine is slightly more challenging than the front
nine, due largely to the undulating terrain, which requires players to hit a
number of shots blind, but there are several delightful par threes, and short
par fours included in the course that provide even non-handicap players with the
opportunity to keep their scores respectably low.
Accuracy off the tee is extremely important on the
Santiburi golf course, as although the fairways appear comfortably wide in
places, and many of them are lined with coconut trees which helps players set up
for a straight shot, there is actually very little margin for error. Almost
every fairway is flanked by either a steep gully, large rocks or dense tropical
grass and vegetation, and this can make lost balls a common occurrence. Even if
the caddy manages to locate a ball that is hit out of bounds, the chances of
being able to play the shot are slim, and a drop is generally called for. Khun
Surawut Wannapintu is the General Manager at the Santiburi Golf club, and has
previously played on the both the Thai PGA and the Asian tour. He gave community
some sound advice on playing the course.
"The key to this course is using your brain. If you think
before you swing, and plan each shot carefully, you will play the course well.
There are a number of difficult courses in Thailand where it is almost
impossible to achieve a low score, but here you have a good chance as long as
you don't miss the first shot off the tee, and always pick a place for the ball
to land. A more conservative strategy works well for some players, hitting irons
off the tees to ensure accuracy, and then taking advantage of the more forgiving
terrain on approach shots to the green. There are a few big hits required, such
as the fifth, which is a long and challenging par four, but generally you can
leave the driver in the bag. The greens are true, with a good line, and as long
as you relax and trust your swing, this is a very rewarding golf course."
Santiburi golf will soon publish a 'caddie mate' or
golfers guide to the course, providing full descriptions of each hole, and even
each shot. There is also the possibility of a state of the art GPRS satellite
system to assist golfers as they play the course. In the meantime, below is a
brief description of the highlights and hazards waiting to be enjoyed on this
dramatic and entertaining golf course.
- The first hole, known as 'The Flat Land' is a rather
generous par five to open with, but only if you can hit the ball straight, if
not, look out for falling coconuts off to the right, it is quite common to slice
the ball into the waiting grove.
- The fifth, or 'The Rock' is one of the toughest par fours on
the course. This hole calls for a huge tee shot over a large protruding hill,
followed by another long hit to reach the green in two shots, pars here are few
and far between.
- The sixth, or 'The Waterfall' is perhaps the most engaging
of the elevated holes on the front nine, as it is naturally confined by the
surrounding mountains and even a well struck nine iron or pitching wedge will
reach the green and offer the chance of a birdie putt.
- Hole number eleven is a dog leg left known as 'The Cliffs'
with a mighty blow from the tee required to get over trouble. There is a
slightly elevated green that should not be missed left; it's a tough par four.
- Fourteen, 'The Long Fade', offers yet another stunning view
from the tee leading down to a split fairway. A good drive will run the length
of the middle fairway, but be careful as you could overshoot and find trouble. A
mid iron up to the high ground is the best shot here, and hopefully you will
find the green. A par four here will make you very happy.
- Over the hill and far away is the best way to describe the
sixteenth hole, aka 'Vertigo'. Aim for the coconut marker in the centre of
fairway, and if you manage to you scuttle over the hill the ball will run on
down leaving a mid iron to a tight green guarded with bunkers. There is a
definite chance of a par four here.
- Hole eighteen is another par four to finish, suitably named
'Down home'. Aim for the clubhouse and slide it round to the right. The second
shot is blind and downhill to the green with the diners watching from the
terrace. Land on the green and you'll be smiling all the way back to the
clubhouse.
The facilities at the 'nineteenth hole' are second to
none and include a large, terrace restaurant with the same fabulous views that
the course itself offers, as well as a well-stocked pro shop and luxurious
changing facilities. The caddies are knowledgeable, polite, and encouraging. The
unique setting at Santiburi Golf blends with a smart design to create a
compelling golfing adventure that should certainly to be explored more than once
- a must play course for the serious golfer.
JK |
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