Samui Golf & Country Club
Koh Samui is one of the newest Thailand golf destinations and has had the honor of having a world class golf resort on its shores since 2003. The island's first course, Samui Santiburi come recognized as one of Thailand's best and is often compared to Phuket's Blue Canyon. The golf course is part of the Santiburi Resort & Spa and Bo Phut Resort, located in Maenam and Bohput respectively. Since opening in 2003 Santiburi Samui has played host to yearly professional golf tournaments and continues to draw accolades from both locals and visitors alike for its spectacular scenery, year round excellent playing conditions, and proximity to the island's main beach resorts.
With the addition of the Royal Samui Golf & Country Club, Koh Samui's second championship golf course, Koh Samui is now a real competitor and viable alternative golf destination to it's famous neighboring island of Phuket. Located atop a mountain in the Lamai Beach area Royal Golf & Country Club is another course with spectacular views overlooking Chaweng, Lamai, the surrounding islands, and even the Thai mainland from practically every point on the golf course. Needless to say, the Royal Samui golf course is challenging and you might want to plan on more than one round before posting a decent score.
Another course, the beautifully designed 9 holes par 3 layouts at Bophut Hills Country Club opened in Bophut in 2007. Bophut Hills Country Club is a true professional bit of fun. It well suited for holidaymakers staying in one of the main tourist areas, beginners or groups with golfers and non-golfers, as well as more serious golfers who would like to fine tune their iron play before heading to one of the championship Koh Samui golf courses.
The good thing about golf in Koh Samui is that all these courses are easy to get to from any of the island's main beach areas. Hire clubs, equipment and all golf accessories can be purchases or rented on site, assuring that golf on Koh Samui is one of the most relaxing and convenient destinations to visit on a Thailand golf vacation.
Santiburi Samui Golf Country Club
Santiburi Samui Country Club is a highlands golf course that incorporates its design to benefit from the natural beauty of the environment. Each hole is positioned along the different altitudes of the natural hills so prepare for an up-and-down-hill golf game. It's an interesting and entertaining game to play. The greens are arranged over the course from an altitude of 30 to 220 meters. Golfers enjoy lovely views of the sea and beaches at all times.
Architectural design enhances the natural beauty and blends into the surroundings to conserve the coconut jungle, which is an original symbol of Koh Samui. The flora is all tropical. Santiburi Samui Country Club has its own special identity and is distinguished from other courses in Thailand.
The golf course, the first and only course on the island, is designed to meet international golf course standards. It fits-in harmoniously with the rolling contours of the hills and blends perfectly with the beauty of the surrounding coconut plantations. Its design concept has been envisioned as international, entertaining and intriguing - certainly one of the most beautiful golf courses in the region.
It lies lengthwise along the coast with its highest and lowest points around 250 and 30 meters above sea level. This big difference in altitude results in a deep slope down toward the ocean with the hills providing a serene backdrop. Minimum disruption and maximum harmony was the design theme as the course was literally painted into the hillside with natural waterfalls winding through and around the course.
The 6,932 yards, par 72 course was designed by Pirapon Namatra and co-designer Edward Thiele to provide a different and memorable experience on every hole. From the 156 yards par3 6th, that features a vertical drop and a natural waterfall, to the downhill 631 yards par5 17th, no other championship caliber course in the region can offer a comparably dramatic backdrop.
Each hole has been positioned along the contours of the hills giving them their own individual character and challenge. Tifeagle greens, Seashore Paspalam for tee-offs, and long-winding fairways that are carefully maintained in accordance with international standards makes Santiburi Samui Country Club a "must play" golf course.
At the center of your golfing adventure is the clubhouse. Rising above land and sea, it provides an accompanying level of service that includes a driving range and practice greens. The Driving Range has been designed to replicate the golf course with shots to hillside greens. The tee area also has a spectacular view of the ocean. The practice putting green is maintained to the same high standard of those on the course itself. The clubhouse also houses its own restaurant which is the perfect place to relax and enjoy an exquisite lunch (and it's not just for golfers) or a few post game drinks at its open-air dining room.
Santiburi Samui Country Club is also the venue for Bangkok Airways Open golf championship. The objective of Bangkok Airways Open golf tournament is to further promote the professional game of golf among both amateur and professional golfers in Thailand. The golf tournament offers an international level of competition where players can play alongside and test their mettle against the Asia-Pacific's best golfers. The tournament will also promote tourism in Thailand; especially that of Koh Samui.
Don't worry if you don't have your own clubs as club hire is also available. So why not give it a try you may, like so many others, find yourself hooked.