Pattana today. Newish course that is great.

[HILLY 9]

Thursday has become our golf outing day with Lobin, Lobert, Tony and me making up a 4 ball at various venues. Today it was due to be Pattaya Country Club but as we drove adjacent to the course it was obvious that it was bloody busy so around the roundabout we go and follow Lobert and Tony to a different course. I should mention that Lobin has pissed off to Cambodia after receiving news that K11 had reopened and I am sure he will post his trip report soon.

 

Across the countryside we go as I follow Tony with Tony knowing the way. Not.

 

Tony blames Lobert for saying right during a phone conversation when he brakes hard and did a U-turn which saw us heading downwards at 80% and then upwards at about the same angle as I put us into 4WD for the first tricky event of the day.

 

The sun was directly overhead when we reached the first tee but guys, this club house has to be seen to be believed. Marble and granite are everywhere as well as plasma TV's and every luxury you would expect to find in the best international courses in the world. Air con that works everywhere and to be honest it has to rate as arguably the best facilities in Thailand, The greeting from all the staff was humble and well meant and I was beginning to enjoy my visit immensely.

 

Buggies awaited us with our caddies who were excellent if not a little inexperienced but very friendly. I am marrying mine on Saturday by the way.

 

Lets talk about the course. It is well laid out but many years from being fully mature. The fairways are very wet right now but mostly playable. It is one hell of a long course also and we decided on the yellow tees as very few par 4 greens can be found on the second shot by high handicappers. However I have to say that it was a delight to play especially as I was 4 holes up by the 9th but I need to tell you something more.

 

The first (B course, there are 3x9's) is a bit daunting. You stand on an elevated tee with water to the left and the right and a relatively narrow fairway between to hit on this Par 4. Thank god for Mulligans which are only allow on the first as each of us said bye bye to our new balls. The dozen workmen standing on a balcony nearby all cheered our lack lustre performance. But then we were away. No Lobert was not, as he said bye, bye, to his 2nd ball so Tony and me played the hole out. Having won the 1st with Lobert picking up we moved to the 2nd which Lobert wins and 3rd which Tony wins and this is where Lobert gets a call to say he has to go to the new bar straight away as things are not as they should be so we wave him goodbye and carry on with a 2 ball skins match.

 

I don't want to make this post sound like I am gloating but from being 1 down on the 4th to Tony, to ending 4 up by the end of the front 9 was a supreme accomplishment for someone who has been down on his form lately but gloat I will as Tony hates losing although he puts on a very gracious front so to speak.

 

The back nine was more of a match as Tony fought back to being 2 down on the 13th only to lose by 3 by the 18th which he did win as I retired. So I won immense sums of money that I spent in Jade bar on the way home. LOL.

 

There is some interesting history to this course as it was the dream of 2 doctors to own their own golf course, the like of which had never been seen in LOS before. They were called Pattana and Suriya (brother of a famous Thai politician). They have thrown so much at this venture that it tells you that money is no object. Only the best of everything has been purchased including the new turbo charged buggies which must number in the hundreds. The only thing missing seems to be the customers as we only counted two other groups in the 4 hours it took us to go around.

 

The sad thing is that just before the course was due to open Pattana died and Suriya decided to name the course after his partner. In years to come this place must get popular and is a must to try IMHO.

[BigKev 0]

Hilly,

 

Congratulations on the win and thanks for the great report. Had heard good things about this course and nice to hear them comfirmed by you.

 

Cheers ,

 

BigKev

[Bob4you 0]

So is Pattana the name of the club? How far from Pattaya? What is the cost. It sounds like one that I want to try in November, any others up for it?

[Dungheap 243]

Bruce, appreciate these reports, even if you always seem to win.

 

How about a few pics next week?

 

If it's past Pattaya CC, it must be one of the courses on Dodgie's Chang Mai tour.

 

Are the caddies turbo charged, too?

[doghaus 4]

I've played it a couple of times and it has potential to be one of the best courses in the area when it settles down. The clubhouse is great and there are some really challenging holes. The helipad is also a bit special.

 

If a lot of guys want to play it, it could be an option for Friday 11th. A bit of a pain in the arse to get back from on a Friday night. Let me know what you guys want to do.

 

Doggie

[BigKev 0]

Doggie,

 

I'm for Pattana on the 11th. Sounds like it would be a great time.

 

Cheers ,

 

BigKev

[doghaus 4]

Hub

 

I am not sure about Pattana but the Sports Days vapourise at most courses come November 1st. The normal weekday green fee is 1800 with a 20% discount for PSC members.

 

We currently offer a day at Pattana including transport and caddy for 2,050 per round if there are 6 golfers or more. Works out more or less the same price as the PSC rate plus caddy and transport without the hassle of organising your own tee times. I am hoping we can maintain this price for high season.

 

Doggie

[Bob4you 0]

My golf calendar shows we moved the FLB skins game to the 11th, how about Pattana on the 10th?

[justtony 1]

LOL, you forgot to mention when Lobert had to return he took my car and arriving at my home some 5 hours earlier than the car should have was quizzed by my wife where was I?. Playing with a katoey was the answer (not sure if Lobert was calling Bruce a katoey, if so i have not noticed anything untoward but will be especially careful when picking up my ball if Bruce is in the vercinity ha ha.

 

Great day again i had a mini fight back but didnt help with my nose running all day (it gets in the way when on your down swing it all comes pouring out) BUT no ecxuses was beaten by the better man (?) on the day and will not sleep good for the next 6 days until i can re-claim my crown next week.

[duece 0]

Keep up the good form for another 2 weeks partner

I am relying on you.

Cheers

Duece

[doghaus 4]

Bob

 

I am not sure that many of the guys will want to golf 3 days in a row. Let's see what folks decide when we meet up on 1st November.

 

Doggie

[Bob4you 0]

Put it on golf schedule, some people can't make 11th but can 10th and vica versa. And some of us are gluttons for punishment and want to golf 5 days a week until they get it right.

 

All we reallly need is a 4 some to sign up, right?

Count me in for both days, the glutton that I am. I will be so tired that I will save big money on barfines and drinking those days.

[Big_Brian 179]

Doggie,

I'd like to play it, purely because haven't played it.

 

After 5 holidays golfing out there I still haven't got to Laem Chaebang, Century Chonburi or the Asia par 3 course. I've ticked off the rest on a golf map I picked up in 2000 (a Thai-Ger golf freebee).

[doghaus 4]

OK Guys

 

I will ask Ken to put Pattana on the schedule for either 10th or 11th. Ideally 10th and I am sure there will be enough players to make at least a 4 ball.

 

Doggie

[doghaus 4]

I have added Pattana into the golf programme. Booked it for 10th November - 10.30 tee time. Transport will depart RG at 0845. We have booked Legacy Mountain Shadow for 11th November - same tee time and departure time.

 

Doggie

[Big_Brian 179]

Nice one. Thanks.

 

I normally get over there with a return ticket, a hotel booking, a big grin and a hard on. This time it looks like I'll need a PA as well!

[HILLY 9]

Doggie. That was going to be my only day off now you have ruined it for me. You and me can take my car and we have to go home via the reservoir if you get my drift. LOL.

 

Right off to pick up my new secret weapon from Harold.

[doghaus 4]

Hilly

 

I wonder what you are referring to at the reservoir? I can guess though! Do you think the showers will be working this time?

 

See you Sunday.

 

Doggie

[moby69 6]

Good report Bruce,

 

I played it twice in Feb this year (they were still building one of the great lakes) had to send the caddie into the mud for the ball

 

I look forward to playing it again next Feb

 

The food was some of the best I have had at any Golf club anywhere

 

Big_Brian forget Asia par 3 course it's crap imho

 

Regards

 

Moby69

[Big_Brian 179]

Big_Brian forget Asia par 3 course it's crap imho

 

Regards

 

Moby69

Good, crap..... The point is that I haven't played it. I'll get to it sometime.

[HILLY 9]

doghaus Posted: Oct 24 2005, 02:15 PM 

Hilly

I wonder what you are referring to at the reservoir? I can guess though! Do you think the showers will be working this time?

 

See you Sunday.

 

Doggie 

 

You got it in one Doggie but it didn't seem to spoil your enjoyment last time. LOL.