Thailand Golf Tour - Hatyai, 2018 Nov

During one of the lunch, a quick decision was made to drive to HatYai for golf since it has been a while we had been there. However, we want the trip to be free and easy one, where we probably play only 2 rounds and the rest of the days just decide what to do when the time comes. As such, only the 3 Musketeers; Lee, David and Alex made the journey from Nov 6 to 9. We went in Lee’s car.

At first, we plan to play Harvard GC on the way up since David has not played the course before. Unfortunately, Nov 6 was a public holiday celebrating Deepavali, even though we had the affiliation cards  we could not use it. The golf package was RM 80, which we thought it was not worthwhile. So we left and played Thongthai Banrai instead. For a total of 420 baht (gf 200, caddy 220), we had an enjoyable round. The feeling of playing the course all by ourselves, made it even more satisfying. During the game, David introduced a new betting game called “Fish”, which at the end Lee took all of them.

We stayed at Hatyai Golden Crown for 870 baht per night for a single room with long bath. Probably, one of the best deals. We ate dinner twice at a small Thai food restaurant besides the hotel and once at Kang Eng. Delicious and cheap!

Wednesday, was free and easy. We thought we might as well try fishing in a pay-to-fish fishing pond in Hatyai and went with tutuk to check out some ponds. The first fishing outlet wanted to charge 500 baht per person for a full day activity. They did not seem to be interested to offer even hourly basis, so we head to the next place. Unfortunately, this place only open for business at 11am. At the end, we gave up the idea.

Instead of going to West Side for our regular drink stop, we went to Kiss Wand Dang pub instead.

The place was not crowded since it was a  Wednesday night.  Here there were more than 1 bands but each  played on a timed basis also with different singers. However, they were only singing Thai songs so we stayed for about 2 hours, did not even waited for the sexy dancers to perform . My personal opinion, West Side is still the most entertaining pub in Hatyai!

Since Thongthai Banrai offered a value for money golf package, we went back to play on Thursday. The “fish” was won and lost between players until it was only David and Alex fighting only to square off the last 2 holes. At the end, it was a deadlock, nobody won!

During the 4 days, it was raining off and on. But fortunately for us, we only met with short drizzle.

Just a reminder, we should avoid November month in the future.

Thailand Golf Tour - Huahin, 2018 Sep 24-28

After Dennes returned from his golf tour to HuaHin in May, he was so impressed with the prime condition of all the courses that he strongly recommended us to make a trip there soon. And if we do, he would like to join us as well.

He has also informed us that every year during the month of Aug-Sep,  a golf festival is also celebrated in HH where green fees are mostly discounted at 50%. On top of that AirAsia now flies direct from KL to HH daily.

So when the proposal was suggested during one of our lunch gatherings, the 8 slots were quickly taken without much hesitations. Flight bookings was immediately confirmed through David, while Lee proceeded to source for the lowest golf package. Finally based on the recommendations from Dennes, EAST COAST TRAVEL & GOLF TOURS CO., LTD.   was selected as our preferred tour agent.

Our Tour itinerary listed below.

Tour Summary.

Our tours starts from 24/9 and it was just yesterday that Tiger Woods eventually won the final Fedex Tour Championship 2018 after a dry spell of 5 years.

In view of the above, we have also decided to have our own HH Tour Championship, with a total purse 2000bht (low $$$, so MACC don’t come after us la!), with the Champion taking home 1000, followed by 500, 300 and 200 for 4th place. The Championship will be decided on total stableford points at the end of 4 rounds. Since all of us don’t have an official hcp, day 1 hcp was calculated using Dennes as an anchor men. The hcp will be adjusted at the end of each game, basing on our trusted formulas as follows:
   If points scored is:                 new hcp:
       32 to 34.                          = current hcp + 1
             < 32,                                                + 2
       37 to 39                                                  - 1

             > 39                                                  - 2

   Except Khoo, max hcp is capped at 24.      

Dennes started off the first game at Springfield RCC with a very strong -1 score, leading the 2nd place Alex by 2 and the rest of the fields with more than 8 strokes. Although the daily handicap adjustments help to narrow the gaps, he was still in a very commanding lead after the 3rd game. Leading by 7 strokes from the closest rival, undoubtedly a  massive task for anyone to even come close to match. Eventually, Dennes was our HH Tour Champion with 132 points, with Lim and Lee tied on 2nd with 129 points followed by Alex on 4th position at 121 points. 

HH Tour Champion 2018, Dennes

T2, Lee & Lim

4th, Alex

Championship Scores:

	HH Tour Championship 2018
	Player	HCP	24-Sep	HCP	25-Sep	HCP	26-Sep	HCP	27-Sep
	GC:		Springfield		Sea Pines		Banyan		Black Mountain		Total	Position
			points		points		points		points		points
	Dennes	12	37	11	29	13	34	14	32		132	1
	Lim	14	29	16	33	17	29	19	38		129	T2
	Lee	15	28	17	27	19	38	18	36		129	T2
	Alex	17	35	17	25	19	33	20	28		121	4
	David	17	18	19	32	20	26	22	29		105	5
	Gan	18	22	20	23	22	27	24	25		97	6
	Liaw	20	26	22	18	24	26	24	24		94	7
	Khoo	24	12	26	14	28	27	30	25		78	8

Overall, the course conditions are perfect, green speed way faster that what we experienced at KRTU (most of us suffered!!): caddies generally very friendly and  knowledgeable on green readings. My caddy, khun Kwan; at Black Mountain has worked there for 11 years and she had even scored for each hole, "Putts on the green", "Green in regulation" and "Fairway hit/missed". At a glance, I know I hit 7 greens in regulation but 3 putted on 4, missed 5 fairways on left. From the results, it's quite clear where my game improvements will be!

Most of us agreed that Banyan deserves the Asia's best rewards., followed closely by Black Mountain GC.

Generally, we had a very enjoyable trip and looking forward to visit again maybe every year during the Golf Festival period. The local lunch at the food courts located at BluPoint and Market Village Malls were tasty and cheap, whilst we felt that the first dinner at the restaurant besides the sea was quite a ripped off. However, we were quick to find a local restaurants nearby which we could get good meals for almost half the price.

Left: Toni

Last but not least, I believe all of us will agree that our driver cum tour leader, Toni has done an excellent job helping to organize and manage our tour extremely well. He even helped to take orders and served us meals on many occasions. For the record, he was specially requested to lead our tour after strong recommendation by Dennes!

Banyan GC

Oops! You wanna check!

Black Mountain GC

Beach,  walking distance from hotel

A serious negotiation? David?

At a local food court

Waiting for our desert

Stew pork at food court

Some other goodies that could be found at night market stalls, which are within walking distance from hotel:

Estimated Expenses:

1. Flight ticket:       480.00
2. Tour Package: 1900.00 (14500 bht)
3. Caddy tips:        150.00  (1200bht)
3. Meals & Misc:    380.00  (3000bht)
4. Massage (3R):   250.00


Tour Package & Itinerary:

Name:          CP Lee with Party, 8 golfers
Period:         24-28 September 2018
Destination:   Hua Hin
Tour code:     5D4N with 4 rounds of golf

Program;
24 Sep
1100hrs, pick up from HHQ airport and then transfer to play Springfield Royal l for noon tee time, after golf transfer to hotel for check in leisure time after check in

25 Sep
After breakfast meet and transfer to play Sea Pine for morning tee time, after golf transfer back hotel and leisure time

26 Sep
After breakfast meet and transfer to play Banyan for morning tee time, after golf transfer back hotel and leisure time

27 Sep
After breakfast meet and transfer to play Black Mountain for morning tee time, after golf transfer back hotel and leisure time

28 Sep
Check out and transfer to HHQ Airport to catch flight back home etd. 1100hrs
-----end of tour-----

Choices of hotel located in the central of Hua Hin city by walking distance to shopping and  night life

City Beach Hotel / 3* hotel
Deluxe room, half twin: 13,000net per person
Deluxe room, single: 15,200net per person

All package price includes:
*-4nights accommodation with daily breakfast
*-4rounds of golf which mention the above
*-Including green fees & caddy for 18holes all rounds
*-Including golf cart all rounds, one cart one person, excepted Springfield Royal sharing cart, 2*1
*-Private return 2minivan transfer from / to airport Hua Hin airport on arrival/departure date
*-Private return 1minivan transfer to/ from golf courses on golfing day
*-Private minivan services for dinner till 2200hrs
*-Drinking water, 2 bottle each serving on board
*-Warm hospitality from local English speaking driver during a group staying in Hua Hin
*-Provincial and government tax.

Term and conditions
*-Prices based on hotel room and golf course tee time availability
*-Prices based on 8persons traveling in a group
*-Hotel check in time 14.00hrs and check out time 12.00hrs.
*-Guest’s own account on spot for the accessories do not mention on package price.
*-Caddy and driver tipping guest’s own account on spot

Refund policies (in case of raining and could not play)
*-Refund 18holes if the games not start
*-Refund 09hles for playing between 1-9holes
*-Could not refund for playing 10holes onward
*-Will get cash/refund for green fees only, (could not refund caddy, cart fees and return transportation)
*-Refund will get before the players departing Thailand.

Hope all of you satisfy with the above renew offering

Any further information, please feel free to contact me any time

Looking forward to meet you booking soon

Best regards
Prayoon Kraikaew
Managing Director
EAST COAST TRAVEL & GOLF TOURS CO., LTD.

Kuching Golf Tour - July 16 to 19, 2018

Although  our last trip to Kuching in Jan was a total let down due to the very wet season, we have decided to come back again in July. This is mainly because the total package is a real bargain since the 3 golf courses are all affiliated to KRTU; the cheap and fantastic food and massages are other main attractions. 

The regulars signed up almost immediately when the suggestion to play in Kuching was mentioned. Young Low joined us to make up the group of 8.

Day 1.
Usually we played Samarahan GC after arrival, but this time we had decided to tee off at Sarawak GCC because Low can only join us for 2 days so we thought he might enjoy Sarawak GCC and Damai Laut Golf Resort tomorrow. 

Day 2.
Damai Laut Golf Resort hosted a Asian Tour just about a week ago, so the course is still in top condition. 

Day 3.
To our surprises the course conditions at Samarahan GC has improved tremendously. Greens and fairways are all very well maintained except hole 15, which is still under quite a mamajor renovation. Apparently the course is now managed by a new Management team. Thumbs up to the team!

Summary.
1. All 3 courses are in tip top conditions, worth coming back again.
2. Food. 
    On day 1, we went to our regular restaurant, iCafe at Rubber Road for dinner.
    This is a non-pork and no liquor joints, neither do they serve Chinese tea in a tea pot.
     Although we see Muslim customers at other tables, but obviously they don’t mind we 
     drink beer and stout, which we had to buy from another shop nearby. Food is excelent 
     and price probably 30-40 cheaper than west Malaysia. This is our must-come restaurant.  
     Many thanks to Khoo for buying this dinner, which he always did for the first night.

     On day 2. Thanks to suggestion by David, we went to Swee Garden Seafood Restaurant
     at Jalan Mendu for dinner. The stewed pork leg, duck served in mango salad, and even   
     simple fuyong fried eggs were excellent. The portions were big too. But remember to  
     book the table in advance, and prepare to wait for the food to be served. I guessed this 
     is because there seemed to have only 1 chef, who looks like the owner. 

     
     On day 3. We went back to iCafe and ordered their favorite dishes, namely Assam fish and

PD/Malacca Golf Tour - 2018 Match

PD/Malacca Golf Tour 5th to 7th Match 2018
by David Wong

Participants: Khoo, Dennes, Lim, Siew, Alex, Woon, Liaw, David

Day 1: We arrived PD Golf Club bright and early with promising good weather. Fairways and green conditions were good and Dennes took full advantage of both and return a most admirable score of 78.Well done High hand! Rest of did fairly good too. 

Had lunch at a less traveled town of Pasir Panjang along the coastal road. Lunch was a simple 3 dishes affair but was good. After lunch we found some interesting items and Khoo san bought a nice hat.

After about 1 1/2 hours drive we arrived in Malacca and checked into our hotel, 906 Boutique Hotel at the reclaimed area of Laksamana. 

Dinner was at Melaka Jaya a claypot speciality restaurant recommended by local boy Siew. Before we call it a night we drop by Mahkota Parade and were treated quality ice cream by Khoo San followed by a round of Thai massage.

Day 2: 5:30 am morning call. Had a sumptuous pow and dimsum breakfast at a very popular shop recommended by Siew. The pow was good and with our stomachs fully stocked were were then off to Ayer Keroh GC for our daily dose of golf. Grounds conditions was rather damp due to a overnight downpour but it dried out rather quickly. We played the Governor's and Tunku's nines, with the highlight of the longest par 5 in SE Asia measuring 600 plus meters. Being a tough and undulation layout we had our share of ups and downs but we thoroughly enjoyed our outing at this course. Worth returning again and again.

Lunch was a memorable affair at nearby Hong Seng eatery, the food and "Oh Kaw" were so good we agreed to return the next day.

In the late afternoon five of us were treated to a very educational tour by another local boy Lim KS. " If you have not visited Jonker's Walk then you have not visited Malacca" says Khoo San. So off we went and had the most delicious cendol there.

Dinner was a simple affair in a eatery near the Hotel. For the rest of the evening it was another round of massage for some and others free and easy.

Day 3: 5:30 am morning call. Breakfast was at a very simple coffee shop with nasi lemak, fish ball noodles, soft boiled eggs and COFFEE. Economical and very good this breakfast

gives us the omph needed to tackle the challenging Tiara golf Course. Registration was fast and we tee off the Lake nine in no time amid cloudy sky. Half way through the first nine the sky opens up and we headed for the club house for shelter. Half an hour later we were back on the fairways and we ended the Meadows nine cool and dry. Good game from all of us.

We returned to Hong Seng for lunch. Highlights were the  special Assam parrot fish which was fresh and tasteful and salted egg fried prawns. Excellent place for lunch after a round of golf.

Everyone agreed it was a great trip and look forward to another one in the near future.