After exactly 5 years on the same dates, we have decided to come back to Ayutthaya for our 1st overseas golf tour in 2020.
Jan 13 - Muang Ake Vista GC.
After landing at Don Muang airport at about 11.30am, we had a simple lunch on the way to our first golf destination, Muang Ake GC. However, our enthusiasm suddenly dropped after being informed that the course was closed for a local competition. Fortunately, we were told that there is another course nearby, called Muang-Ake Vista GC. It was a blessing in disguise as we found out that the whole package only cost THB700, which is very much cheaper than MAGC. The course is quite flat but reasonably well maintained. Probably a good place to warm up before our next games.
Of course, to make the game more interesting and challenging, we
introduced “Fish” betting when the group of Lim/Alex/Lee/Low played as the 1st
flight, followed by David/Allan/Liaw/Khoo on the 2nd flight.
Although Low only played this betting format for the first time, he quickly
grabbed the lead with 2 fishes after the first 5 holes. Though he lost back 1
fish on the 7th hole, immediately he caught one back on the par-3 8th after
holed out for a birdie from closed to 30 feet. Unfortunately, the new catch
didn’t last for another hole!
Overall, the 18th hole is probably the most
difficult and intimidating par-4. Tee off has to be straight through a narrow)
opening between trees, with OB to the right and water hazards in front. Alex
had the best lucky breaks after his tee off bounced off the buggy track but
landed on the fairway about 165yds to the pin. Then he topped his 2nd
shot, but the ball strike the flag stick and landed about 1.5 ft from the hole,
where he eventually scored a net birdie to win. Lee drove an absolute perfectly
straight tee shot about 140yds to the green, though scored a par but still not
good enough to half Alex, who “huat huat” at the very right moment!
Overall, the package was value for money and very much make up for
the disappointment after being closed out from our first golf itinerary.
We went to a restaurant by the river side, where there was a local guitar soloist belting out oldies of our times. We gladly sing along whenever our favorite songs were played. It was a good start on day 1.
Jan 14 - Ayutthaya GC
Upon arrival at AGC, we could understand why our tee off time was slotted to 11am.
The par-5 hole 18 was especially intimidating. Although
the green is clearly visible on the right side of the tee box but
separated by a vast expense of water, so shots had to be played round the pond
with absolute precision to avoid the water grave! Lim can certainly testify to
his disappointment. His tee off cut across the water surface, looking pretty
good on take off but unfortunately the ball flew across the fairway and landed
in the next pond! After taking a penalty drop, his 3rd shot landed perfectly
about 130yds away from the green. A pitching wedge put his ball about 6ft away
from the flag and eventually ended with a bogey. A very good recovery, I must
say!
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| Never miss an opportunity! |
Dinner.
Today we went to an air conditioned restaurant nearby. We were surprised that we were the only dining group there, though the food were delicious and cheap too. Low volunteered to settle the bill, so thanks to him, we had a free dinner lo!
Jan 15 - Bangsai Country Club
Originally 18-hole, but another nine-hole, course C; was added in 2010, making it a 27-hole golf club. The owner must have the intention to make this new 9 different from other courses, so it was created with a link style with undulating and rolling fairways, which are flanked by waste land. Furthermore, the greens are mostly elevated with narrow and elongated putting surface. A welcome change from most of the flattish Bangkok golf courses.
Again we changed the flight members into:
Lim/Low/Liaw/Khoo in one group and David/Allan/Lee/Alex in another. Lim and Low
continued their “fish” betting, fighting neck to neck from beginning till the
end. The dual ended up all square, a happy hand shake indeed.
Lunch.
Since we were able to finish our games early, we went to “Ruay Goong Pao “
for lunch. This restaurant is famous for its giant river prawns. Compared to the last time we were here 5 years ago, the dining area which was built above the water by the riverside; has undergone major renovations. The structure is bigger and built with tall wooden pillars so one can have a clear view of the river and watched those huge barges plying up and
down the river one after the other. Really
not sure why the chairs are replaced with square blocks made of wood?
Walking to the edge, we could clearly see many reasonably sized cat fishes and
patin fishes fighting for the prawn shells when they were thrown over the side
of the floating restaurant.
The giant prawn cost THB 400 a piece and Khoo happily paid the bill which
amount to about THB6000. Many many thanks to Khoo for a wonderful lunch!
After the sumptuous lunch, some of us visited the temples in
the “Ancient City of Ayutthaya”. Then the group went to Wat Mahathat, but they
left immediately after being told that foreign tourist has to pay 50baht,
whereas the locals only pay 10.
Do you know what is the answer when beer is mixed with nice music? Well, just take a look at the video below for clue!
Young Low had to leave us for a romantic redzevou with his wife to Pai, north of Chiangmai and Liaw had also decided not to join us for personal reasons; so we were able to tee-off in a “Jumbo Flight” of 6 (David/lee/Lim/Alex/Alan/Khoo).
WPGC is a very challenging course, with water hazards running, on both sides of
the fairways almost on every hole. Furthermore, the greens are relatively small
and guarded by high lipped bunkers in most cases. Definitely not easy to hit
low scores for any casual players. This could also be one of the reasons that
the course was quite empty even though Thursday was a sport day but in terms of
golf package; it is still expensive compared to the last 3 courses that we had
played.
By the time we finished the 17th hole, only Allan still held on to his 1 fish
advantage. As soon as we reached the 18th tee box, it took some time for us to
grasp what lies ahead. This is going to be a really really tough hole.
There are water left and right and in front of the tee box, in a u-shape guarding the fairways. That’s not all, there is a waste land with couple
of fully grown trees right in the middle splitting the fairways into two. A
good tee off is absolutely critical. Lim and Alex took the right fairways,
Allan’s ball eventually found the water on the left, Khoo’s ball did not
crossed the water hazard in front, whilst David’s ball landed in the waste
area. Lee has the best shot in the middle of the left fairway.
With 6 players in the game, it’s really tough to find an outright winner for a hole, coupled with the tough course conditions; the “fish” could easily slipped away in no time.
Dinner.
Jan 17 - home sweet home.
Since our flight departs at about 6pm in the evening, after a sumptuous breakfast at the baan; we still had plenty of time to do our last minute shopping at the wet market, which is about 10 minutes walking distance. Then we had lunch at the food court of a shopping center, more shopping before arriving at the airport about 3pm.
Accommodation.
I believe all of us agreed that Baan Bussara is a perfect choice for the 5 days
stay in Ayutthaya. The rooms are clean and neat, the breakfast prepared by khun
Pu; is excellent and portion is big on Asian Standard. The lady boss, khun Nud,
friendly and helpful, oh ya!
I especially like the design of the baan, where rooms are arranged in a row with plenty of airy space in front . The breakfast area has just the roof over the tables, absolutely good place to gather and chat over a cup of coffee, which are provided FOC all day round. Definitely one of the cheapest home stay we have experience to-date. Only set back is probably the shortage of massage centers nearby!
I especially like the design of the baan, where rooms are arranged in a row with plenty of airy space in front . The breakfast area has just the roof over the tables, absolutely good place to gather and chat over a cup of coffee, which are provided FOC all day round. Definitely one of the cheapest home stay we have experience to-date. Only set back is probably the shortage of massage centers nearby!
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| The lady boss |
Summary.
Total spending for the golf tour, which includes Accommodation/ Transport/ 4R golf package/ Caddy Tips/ Meals:
Finally.
We must thank Khoo and Low for generously paid the 2 dinners, thus partly accounted for the relatively low expenses.
David deserves a very big thank you from all of us for his tireless effort to plan and organize the tour. Despite a few unpleasant encounters, he had done a marvelous job to ensure that everything runs smoothly so we could just sit back and enjoy our holidays!
So here’s to David....”krob khun mak mak krab”!
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Ayutthaya Golf Tour - 2015 Jan 13-17
Editor's Note: it was unfortunate that the full contents were accidentally deleted while updating the post. 20.Feb 2020
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| Qzone Boutique Hotel - front yard |
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| Fresh River Prawn at Ruay Goong Poa Riverside Restaurant |
