Written by http://thepattayagolfer.com/
Playing golf is all about your own personal goals on the course and the fun of being able to compete.
Well recently over 800 players from all over the world flew to Thailand, known as the Land of the Smiles, to take part in the biggest Amateur golf tournament in Asia.
Held over two weeks first in Hua Hin and then over here in Pattaya, the Centara World Masters Golf Championship and the Mercure Pattaya Ocean Resort 2 Ball Golf Championship have become an incredibly competitive and fun two weeks for amateur golfers.
Organised jointly by Go Golf and Golfasian this has to be a ‘win win’ event for everyone involved. Played on some of the top 18 holes in Thailand including Banyan, Sea Pines and Black Mountain in Hua Hin and at all three Siam Country Clubs plus Leam Chabang close to Pattaya, players ranging from 35-70 years old are treated like real pros. They even have their names on their Caddie bibs!
This clever concept was started back twenty one years ago by Peter McCarthy CEO at Ausi based Go Golf, with the idea of putting golfers over 35 yrs and of a similar standard together, and taking them to incredible destinations to compete on first class golf courses.
‘ It is a wonderful opportunity for every day golfers to compete on an international stage with all the trappings of a professional tournament, having caddies, shuttle transfers, VIP treatment, social functions ,and live entertainment,’ said Peter.
The World Masters is now held annually in Brisbane and attracts field of up to 1,500 and over 600 entered the 2016 version held for the third year running in Hua Hin.
According to Golfasian CEO Mark Siegel, whose team actually run the logistics here in Asia, they had to turn down nearly 200 players, as there were not sufficient good quality course available. Several courses there had to close due to the severe drought!
The whole operation then moved onto Pattaya with the Mercure hotel part of the Accor Group taking over as host sponsors.
Having met and talked to many of the golfers, it was clear that many were returning to compete with friends made at previous masters. They came from Australia, England, Malaysia, India, Germany, Sweden, USA, the UAE and even a few from Thailand too. Praise for the hard working organisers, the courses and the nightly entertainment was heard from everyone.
With the business created for these destinations during their low season worth an estimated THB800 million, it’s not surprising both the hotels and the Thailand Tourism Authority are eager to work with Go Golf and Golfasian, on creating more opportunities for these popular events to take place in the future.
Next stop will be their first tournament in Danang when the Accor Vietnam World Masters 2016 plays Greg Norman’s Danang Golf Club and the popular Montgomerie Links on September 4th-9th 2016. If you want to take part, check out the details at www.vietnamworldmasters.com