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T
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Contents Club
20 August 2011
34
COMPETITIONS
20 Asavapati Trophy
TARGET GOLF
‘Mapaisansin Couple Continues Their ‘Tale of Romance’
INTERPORT MATCH
26 SICC vs. RBSC
RBSC members are the first guests to be entertained at the awe-inspiring, new Island Club House!
Khun Thavorn’s Way of Overcoming Challenges ‘n’ Hazards at RBSC Course
46
28 JGCC vs. RBSC
RBSC ‘Doctors’ Showcase Their CLUB NEWS Skills at Overseas ‘Operation’!
30 EGAT vs. RBSC
‘Jackson’ fires lowest net in a cliffhanger contest against EGAT
34 Gerson Cup
Duangphorn Adds Another Feather to Her Cap!
38 The 2011 Junior Club Championship
‘Super Hot’ Tanut Fires Blistering 6 Under Par 60!
ELITE PROFILE
49
44 Khun Niraporn Wongsommat
RBSC Members Make the Most of Their One-Day Outing to Riverdale Golf Club
IN THE NEWS
50 52 54
42 Khun Sudsan
Narintarangkul Naayuthya
38
TARGET GOLF MY WAY
55
GOLF TIPS
What To Do..... If You Need to Hook It or Slice It!
56
‘Golfers Love The King’ Charity Event Poised to Enter Guinness World Records! RBSC Juniors Brush Up Their Golfing Skills at Free Golf Clinics
‘Lose It 4 Good’
Initiative To Help People Lose Weight and Change Lives Foot Joy Announces Launch of Full Line Performance Golf Apparel
GOLF QUIZ
74 Win Albatross, Eagle and Birdie Prizes
Contents Lifestyle ELITE WHEELS
68 BMW 528i
August 2011 PUBLISHER/CEO P.M. Kalai kalai@elitegolfmagazine.com Mobile: +668-1823-4883
62
G O L F B ag s Ho t List 2011
MANAGING EDITOR Simon Nathan simon@elitegolfmagazine.com Mobile: +668-9896-2900
HEALTH
43 How important are
TRAVEL
59 Welcome to the ‘Silicon
Valley’ of India, the City of IT Firms, Gardens, Lakes, Pubs, Fashion Malls.....
60 TOP GOLF COURSES OF IRELAND
63 Minimize Skin Damage 66 BETTER GOLF WITH
FITNESS BOOKS FOR GOLFERS
64
Micronutrients for our Well-being?
73 Understanding Osteoarthritis Detect yourself to protect your health
WINE & DINE
70 Colourful Cocktails, Sizzling Spirits, Wonderful Wines and Brilliant Beers Woo You to ‘VUE’!
MONEY MATTERS
76 Make More Money from the Money that Money Makes with Ayudhya Securities – Your Cool Financial Partner!
78 Have You Ever Thought of Paying Yourself First?
ASSISTANT TO EDITOR Sarinya Perumal EDITORIAL STAFF Sunanta Boonpok editorial_desk@elitegolfmagazine.com SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS Deborah Myskow (Los Angeles) Nat Yogachandra (New York) ART DIRECTOR Yamol Distajinda yamol@elitegolfmagazine.com Mobile: +668-8012-7573 PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Amorn Amponpitayanant PRODUCTION MANAGER Suwicha Sriratham MARKETING MANAGER Nawinta Tangnimitsakul COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT Saknarong Jitpornsup saknarong@elitegolfmagazine.com Mobile: +668-9922-5265 GENERAL MANAGER Maliny Khor maliny@elitegolfmagazine.com Mobile: +668-6371-7782 ADVISOR J.R. Jackson jackson@elitegolfmagazine.com Elite is the official monthly golf magazine of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club published on behalf of the Sports Club by: KI PERUMAL CORPORATION CO., LTD. 731 PM Tower 21st Floor Asoke-Dindaeng Road Dindaeng, Bangkok 10400 Tel: +662-642-9918 | Fax: +662-642-9917 E-mail: info@elitegolfmagazine.com
Editors Pick of theMonth
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GOLF COMMITTEE
2010-2011
Dr. Rattachat Mongkolnavin (Vice Captain)
Krun Anut Chatikavanij
Khun Surin Banyatpiyaphod (Vice Captain)
Khun Garrick Law
Khun Lerdpol Bhakdibhumi
Khun Poomhatai Svetasobhana Khun Palit Mahadumrongkul
Khun Chawalit Chanarat (Captain) Khun Sudhisak Banrungtrakun
Khun Vichai Srisakulyanon
Ladies’
GOLF SUB-COMMITTEE
2010-2011 Mrs. Fuyumi Watanabe (Vice Captain)
Khun Supitr Jivamongkol (Vice Captain)
Khun Nirapon Wongsommat
Khun Boonsiri Foorungsriroj
Khun Sasitorn Chokwatana
Khun Sunun Mahasandana
Khun Narumol Mulligan (Captain)
Captain’s Address
Dear Members, I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend and joined the nation in the celebration and wishing Her Majesty, the Queen, good health and longevity on H.M’s Birthday. This issue of ELITE is full of reports on competitions - Asavapati Trophy, the Intraport Match with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), the Interport Matches with the Royal Johor Country Club (RJCC) and Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), the Gerson Cup for ladies and the Junior Club Championship. This month saw the conclusion of Asavapati Trophy. After a full day of 37 holes of gruesome face off, the former champion pair finally succeeded in defending the title. Congratulations once again to the husband and wife team - Khun Suvit and Khun Rungravee Mapaisansin. Congratulations to the International Team for its victory against the Thai Team at the prestigious Pibulsonggram Cup. It is not very often so it was truly an occasion for the International Team members to celebrate. The detail will appear in the next issue of ELITE. By the time you read this we should have played the Intraport Match with the Royal Thai Air Force at RBSC. We should be able to expect a huge sign up as this is always one of the most popular interclub matches. Moreover, on the 10th September we will host the Intraport Match with the Royal Thai Navy at RBSC. The poster has been put up so please sign up if the team is not already filled up. The poster for the Interport Match against Hong Kong Golf Club in Hong Kong in October has been posted on the notice board and is expected to fill up fast. If you wish to join, please sign up as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Our Annual Golf Round-up & Dinner is around the corner, once a year we are allowed to seek commercial sponsorship so if you or anyone you know would like to contribute or sponsor prizes, please let the Golf Committee know. Any assistance to make this event successful and more fun for everyone would be truly appreciated.
Yours sincerely, Chawalit Chanarat RBSC Golf Captain
Golf Committee 2010-2011
VICE CAPTAINS Dr. Rattachat Mongkolnavin Khun Surin Banyatpiyaphod CONVENORS
CAPTAIN Khun Chawalit Chanarat
HANDICAPS & RULES Dr. Rattachat Mongkolnavin
14
GREENS & FAIRWAYS Khun Surin Banyatpiyaphod
INTERPORT/ INTRAPORT MATCHES Khun Palit Mahadumrongkul
FINANCE, GOLF DRIVING RANGE & PRO SHOP CADDIES Khun Anut Chatikavanij Khun Poomhatai Svetasobhana PUBLICITY Mr. Garrick Law
ENTERTAINMENT Khun Sudhisak Bamrungtrakun
COMPETITIONS Khun Lerdpol Bhakdibhumi
JUNIOR PROGRAMME Khun Vichai Srisakulyanon
August 2011
Captain’s Corner
Dear Members, In August, we had the last ‘major’ of the year - H. M. The Queen’s Birthday Cup. We have seen another exciting battle for this important trophy which finally was won by Khun Phandhida Sucharittanonta. Congratulations! Your will see the tournament report in the next edition of RBSC ELITE. July’s tournament was Gerson Cup. It was unusual that the competition was held without any rain interruption as this was the start of our rainy season. The format for Gerson Cup is Stableford and usually the winner is a high handicapper. Surprisingly this year, the winner was our ace golfer Khun Duangphorn Tangchitnob who played with a handicap of as low as 5. She won with 42 points, while the runner-up Khun Kannika Chatmahakulchai scored a good 39. Congratulations to both! At the party after tournament, we had lace dressing theme. Almost everyone turned up very lady-like. A lovely contrast to their fiercely athletic looks on the golf course! By the way, I’ve addressed this issue before and I’d like to remind you here again. Please turn in your scores after each round so that your handicap reflects your true potential. Be proud of yourself when you can lower your handicap!
Best regards,
Narumol Mulligan Ladies’ Golf Captain
Ladies’Golf
SUB-COMMITTEE 2010-2011 CAPTAIN Khun Narumol Mulligan
VICE CAPTAIN Mrs. Fuyumi Watanabe (Handicapper & Competitions)
HON. SECRETARY Khun Niraporn Wongsommat
VICE CAPTAIN Khun Supitr Jivamongkol (Honorary Treasurer)
COMPETITIONS & ACTIVITIES Khun Sasitorn Chokwatana
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August 2011
PUBLICITY Khun Boonsiri Foorungsriroj
ACTIVITIES Khun Sunun Mahasandana
RBSC Elite Golf
Golf Fixtures in 2011 JANUARY
FEBRUARY
Sat 8
Home Interport Match - RBSC vs HKGC (at RBSC)(afternoon)
Sat 16
FAMILY DAY (Course closed afternoon)
Wed 19-21
Club Champion and RBSC Cup(Ladies Golf)
Sat 22
H.E. Pote Sarasin Trophy/Super & Great Senior
Sat 29-30
Club Championship/Senior Club Champion ship & RBSC Chairman’s Cup
Sat 5, 12, 13, 19
Club Championship/Senior Club Championship & RBSC Chairman’s Cup
Thu 10, 15, 17, 22, HM Queen Rambhai Barni Cup (Ladies Golf) 24 Sat 26 MARCH
Home Interport Match - RBSC vs SICC (at RBSC) (afternoon)
Sun 27
Home Interport Match - RBSC vs SICC (at RBSC) (morning)
Sat 12-13
Team Championship
Fri 18
Prince Chula Chakrabongse Cup (Ladies Golf)
Sat 26
Home Interport Match - RBSC vs RSGC (at RBSC) (afternoon)
Sat 27
Home Interport Match - RBSC vs RSGC (at RBSC) (morning)
APRIL
Fri 22
Mom Kobkaew Cup (Ladies Golf)
MAY
Sat 7-8
Navy Invitational Golf Cup (at Plutaluang Golf Course)
Fri 13-15
Away Interport Match - RBSC vs RSC (at RSC)
Sat 21
Rama VII Trophy
Wed 25
Phya Srivikorn Cup (Ladies Golf)
JUNE
Sat 4, 5, 11, 18, 19
Hongladarom Cup
Fri 17
Chairman’s Cup (Ladies Golf)
JULY
Sat 2-3
St. Amory Cup
Sat 9
Away Intraport Match - RBSC vs EGAT (at EGAT) (morning)
Wed 13
Gerson Cup (Ladies Golf)
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
Fri 22
Away Interport Match - RBSC vs JGCC (at JGCC) (morning)
Sat 23
Away Interport Match - RBSC vs SICC (at SICC) (afternoon)
Sun 24
Away Interport Match - RBSC vs SICC (at SICC) (morning)
Sat 30-31
Asavapati Trophy (Qualifying Round- Stroke Play)
Sun 7, 13, 14
Asavapati Trophy
Tue 9-10
H.M. The Queen’s Birthday Cup (Ladies Golf)
Sat 20
Pibulsonggram Cup
Sat 27
Home Intraport Match - RBSC vs RTAF (at RBSC) (afternoon)
Fri 16
Pol. Gen. Chamras Cup (Ladies Golf)
Sat 17
H.E. Nakasone Trophy (Stableford)
Sat 24-25
Captain’s Prize
Sat 8-9
Mixed Team Competition
Sat 15
Sweet Sixty Tournament
Fri 21
Captain’s Prizes (Ladies Golf)
Sat 29
Away Interport Match - RBSC vs HKGC (at HKGC) (afternoon)
Fri 11
Ladies’ Foursome &AGM (Ladies Golf)
Sat 12-13
Annual Golf Round-up
Fri 18
Annual General Meeting & Annual Golf Night
Sat 3-4
H.M. The King’s Birthday Cup & RBSC Cup
Sat 17
Home Interport Match - RBSC vs RSC (at RBSC) (afternoon)
18
August 2011
Club Competitions
Asavapati Trophy Mapaisansin Couple Continues Their ‘Tale of Romance’
T
he Mapaisansin Couple - Khun Suvit and Khun Rungravee - has successfully defended their championship title continuing their tale of romance at one of the oldest tournaments organised by the Royal Bangkok Sports Club for the coveted Asavapati Trophy. The long-drawn contest, which started off on 30 July and continued through to the final round on 14 August, is a popular competition played by mixed teams of avid golfers among the ladies and gentlemen of the Sports Club. The tournament is split into qualifying round, 1st round, quarter-final, semi-final and final rounds. The qualifying round is played in Stroke Play format, while the first round, quarter-final and semi-final rounds are played in Match Play format. The final is also played in Match Play format but on 36 holes.
1) Khun Suvit Mapaisansin, Khun Rungravee Mapaisansin, Khun Chindarat Kruavanichkit and Khun Piyabutra Vasudhara
20
August 2011
2
3
The net score of each team after adjustment of ¾ of their combined handicap (max. 18 for gentlemen and 21 for ladies) is considered in the qualifying round. The top 16 teams with better net scores than the rest are qualified to compete in the subsequent round. In case of ties on the first day, more than 16 teams get qualified to continue.
4
The event this year has seen the ladies and gents pairing up in 40 teams, the largest field in the tournament’s recent past, and staging a stiff fight during the qualifying round that turned out to be an impressive display of concerted effort and spirit! The team of Khun Piyatham Nititham and Khun Duangphorn Tangchitnob (3) topped the leaderboard on the first day with an unmatched score of 68, followed by the pairs of Khun Bheema Jotikabukkana-Khun Narumol Mulligan (5) and Khun Attapong ThammapalaKhun Ekdarun Srisanit (8) with 69 each.
5
As many as nine pairs, including last year’s champions Khun Suvit and Khun Rungravee Mapaisansin (8), tied for the fourth place in the first round with 70 each indicating that the competition was as intense as ever. Another highlight of this year’s contest, which has been an all-Thai affair so far, was the participation of three expatriate members – Mr. John Lenaghan, Mr. Dale Lawrence and Mr. Ian Mclean. At the end of the day one, a total of 16 teams were qualified to play the first round. 2) Khun Surin Banyatpiyaphod, Khun Rommanee Wacharasindhu, Khun Rujiraporn Lamsam and Khun Saran Wanglee 3) Khun Sittikorn Thapthiang, Khun Piyada Nandabhwat, Khun Mayurachat Thanakitamnuay and Khun Tarin Thanakitamnuay 4) Dr. Saran Harinsuta, Khun Malinee Srutanond, Khun Vipa Patanavanichkul and Khun Sathit Sarathulsingh 5) Mr. John Lenaghan, Khun Pudpong Ujjin, Khun Molrudee Mahattanakul and Mr. Dale Lawrence
21
August 2011
6 7
In the 1st round, Khun Piyatham-Khun Duangphorn pair overpowered Dr. Rattachat Mongkolnavin-Khun Montatip Chandra-Chamnong (6) team 3/2. Khun Sittikorn ThapthiangKhun Piyada Nandabhiwat (8) defeated Khun Thira Wipuchanin-Khun Sudachan Euarchukiatti (10) 2/1, while Khun Piyabutra Vasudhara-Khun Chindarat Kruavanichkit (6) won against Khun Noppakun Krairiksh-Khun Vevika Chotiros (7) 3/2. With a similar score, the pairs of Khun Sathit Sarathulsingh-Khun Vipa Patanavanichkul (12) and Khun Suvit-Khun Rungravee succeeded against Khun Somkiat Twiltermsup-Khun Bee Hemstapat (7) and Mr. John Lenaghan-Khun Pudpong Ujjin (11) respectively. Khun Siripat Swasdiburi-Mrs. Fuyumi Watanabe (11) defeated Khun Attapong-Khun Ekdarun pair in a ‘sudden death’, while Khun Chatchawin Tangjaitrong and Khun Jittakarn Chandraviroj (7) tamed Khun Suthipong-Khun Nathinee Paorohitya (11) 6/5.
8
9
6) Khun Bheema Jotikabukkana, Khun Narumol Mulligan, Khun Montatip Chandra-Chamnong and Dr. Rattachat Mongkolnavin 10
7) Khun Suvit Mapaisansin, Khun Rungravee Mapaisansin, Khun Atcha Tandhanand and Khun Palit Mahadumrongkul 8) Khun Siripat Swasdiburi, Mrs. Fuyumi Watanabe, Khun Nithiwatana Settin and Khun Sudsan Narintarangkul Naayuthya 9) Pol. Lt. Gen Prakard Satamarn, Khunying Pa-Obthip Satamarn, Khun Prompilai Khunaphante and Anukul Khunaphante 10) Khun Piyatat Chudhabuddhi, Khun Surasaya Ruttanaporn, Khun Trisdee Pongtanya and Khun Panya Pongtanya 11) Khun Krit Sesavej, Khun Phandhida Sucharittanonta, Khun Natinee Paurohitya and Khun Suthipong Sucharittanonta
11
22
August 2011
Khun Piyatham-Khun Duangphorn pair continued their upper hand in the 1st quarter final match against Khun Sittikorn-Khun Piyada with 5/4. In the 2nd tie, Khun Piyabutra-Khun Chindarat team defeated Khun SathitKhun Vipa pair 7/5. The third match was won by Khun Suvit-Khun Rungravee couple against Khun Bheema-Khun Narumol 3/1. In the 4th quarter final, Khun Siripat-Mrs. Fuyumi team was 2-up against Khun Chatchawin-Khun Jittakarn. In the first semi final match, Khun Piyabutra-Khun Chindarat team had a smooth sail into the final round with 4/3 against Khun Piyatham-Khun Duangphorn. Similarly, Khun Suvit-Khun Rungravee entered the final defeating Khun Siripat-Mrs. Fuyumi team in another ‘sudden death’. Thereafter, it was all between Khun Piyabutra-Khun Chindarat and Khun Suvit-Khun Rungravee teams. At last, the Suvit-Rungravee couple emerged victorious in yet another ‘sudden death’ play-off to clinch the Asavapati Trophy after an intensely fought 36-hole final round.Trophy after an intensely fought 36-hole final round.
23
August 2011
RESULT Winner
: Khun Suvit Mapaisansin Khun Rungravee Mapaisansin
Runner-Up: Khun Piyabutra Vasudhara Khun Chindarat Kruavanichkit
24
August 2011
Club Competitions
SICC vs. RBSC
Interport Match in Singapore RBSC members are the first guests to be entertained at the awe-inspiring, new Island Club House!
T
he Annual Interport Match with Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) is always well supported by RBSC members and this year was no exception as 38 RBSC members lined up for shotgun start on Saturday, 23rd and Sunday, 24th July.
of Singapore is truly ‘mindboggling’ and the visiting members were surely impressed. After the Saturday lunch at the fabulous Ballroom looking out over the tree-lined fairways, the two teams teed off at 1.00 pm. May be the Bangkok side were still in awe of the new facilities that they had all seen and enjoyed or may be it was the long Island Course on Saturday that caught out them, but SICC were certainly on top after the first day with RBSC failing to get on the scoreboard in the Merlion Trophy and in the Nibhon Wilairat Trophy, only a few of them ran out as clear winners.
At stake were the prestigious Merlion Trophy, an offthe-stick match featuring four pairings, as well as the coveted Nibhon Wilairat Trophy, a four ball, better ball match played on handicap. The Bangkok team were greeted at the new Island and New Course Club House, which simply took the breath away from many visitors. Undoubtedly, it is a beautiful and spacious new facility with which the SICC may be justly proud. For many RBSC members, this was a first time outing on the Island Course and the New Course as many RBSC players had previously only played the Bukit and Sime Courses at SICC. To think that SICC has two 36-hole layouts with such magnificent facilities right in the centre of the island State
There was certainly a lot of catching up to do on the Sunday. Saturday night and members were treated to a delicious Chinese meal in the main Ballroom plus Big Band and a second more intimate group at the New Island Club House where they all were most honoured to learn that they were the first club to be entertained at this new facility.
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August 2011
Unfortunately, this was their only first as the SICC built on their lead on the Sunday and eventually ran out winners in both matches. Prizes were presented after another exceptional meal and the Bangkok team were left to fly home full of envy and admiration for the facilities and hospitality of their wonderful hosts at SICC.
SICC vs. RBSC Interport Matches Merlion Trophy (Off-the-Stick Match) Saturday, 23rd July Sunday, 24th July TOTAL:
SICC
RBSC
8 Points 6 Points 14 Points
0 Points 2 Points 2 Points
Nibhon Wilairat Trophy (Four Ball, Better Ball Match)
Saturday, 23rd July Sunday, 24th July TOTAL:
SICC
RBSC
22 Points 25 Points 47 Points
8 Points 1 Points 9 Points
Novelty Prizes Nearest to the Pin Hole No. 5
: Mr. Glenn Oh (SICC) Dr. Somphob Intaraprasong (RBSC)
Hole No. 15
: Mr. Lawrence Teo (SICC) Khun Kriangsak Srisilpavongse (RBSC)
Hole No. 6
: Mr. Francis Loh (SICC) Khun Poomhatai Svetasobhana (RBSC)
Hole No. 11
: Mr. S. Kinoshita (SICC) Mr. Garrick Law (RBSC)
Longest Drive Hole No. 4
: Mr. Kevin Dwan (SICC)
Khun Pracha Sivasiamphai (RBSC) Hole No. 17 : Mr. Carl Baptista (SICC) Khun Krisda Leeaphorn (RBSC) Hole No. 5 : Mr. Carl Chay (SICC) Mr. Suvir Sachdev (RBSC) Hole No. 15 : Mr. Yeo Eng Seng (SICC) Khun Poomhatai Svetasobhana(RBSC)
27
August 2011
Club Competitions
JGCC vs RBSC
Interport Match in Malaysia
RBSC ‘Doctors’ Showcase Their Skills at Overseas ‘Operation’! down suddenly and in torrents at the very moment that most pairs had just completed their regulation nine holes. Some pairings managed to get in 10 to 12 holes, but only the first nine counted in the Interport. Pol. Col. Dr. Chokchai with his local partner Mr. Rajinder Singh was the only winner for the RBSC team whilst Dr. Somphob Intaraprasong and Khun Vudhi Lenbury fought out a hard earned half over the nine holes as did Dr. Yanyong Sattasiri and Dr. Sompol Ekaraphanich. Interesting to note that the RBSC team featured three doctors in the team of 16 and all salvaged points for the RBSC! Well done the doctor trio!! After play had been suspended by rain, RBSC members joined the hosts in the Tajek Lounge for an excellent lunch, speeches and prize giving.
J
ohor Bahru was hosting an Arts Festival when the Royal Bangkok Sports Club (RBSC) golfing contingent came to town on Friday, 20th July, but unfortunately the visiting side failed to shine or show much artistry on either the greens or fairways as golfers of the Johor Golf & Country Club ( JGCC) came in as the winners in this year’s Interport Match with 6-2.
On behalf of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club, RBSC Golf Captain Khun Chawalit Chanarat thanked the hosts and looked forward to future matches.
Only 16 RBSC players made it to Johor and were fielded as nine pairs in the four ball, better ball match. Khun Komson Attavivan was left to fight on his own, whilst Pol. Col. Dr. Chokchai Kasemphaibulsuk was joined by a local player for his four ball outing.
RESULT
Mr. Ishak Mohamed Sharif, the Captain of JGCC team, welcomed the guests and hoped to see continuing friendship between the two clubs.
RJCC vs. RBSC Interport Match (at RJCC)
Due to local problems the Johor team announced that the Interport Match would be decided over only the first nine holes, and may be it was this decision plus the somewhat hurried start and the threat of lack of water in the changing rooms due to drought conditions that put the visiting golfers somewhat off their game.
Winner Runners-up
However, although Johor claimed they had had no rain for the past two months, on the Interport Day the rain came
28
August 2011
: JGCC 06 points : RBSC 02 points
Club Competitions
EGAT vs. RBSC Intraport Match
‘Jackson’ fires lowest net in a cliffhanger contest against EGAT
T
he Intraport match between the Royal Bangkok Sports Club (RBSC) and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) Golf Club played at the Bangpakong Golf Course on 9 July turned out to be a cliffhanger contest, while RBSC’s avid golfer Jayesh Kumar Bhudhara, aka ‘Jackson’, fired his lowest net of 64.
who was also one of the senior most members of RBSC. The EGAT golfers were led by the EGAT Golf Club Chairman Khun Surasak Supavititpatana and the RBSC team by their Golf Captain Khun Chawalit Chanarat. Although the 31 strong RBSC contingent staged a tough fight, the hosts succeeded in capitalizing on their ‘home course’ advantage and lifted the glittering trophy.
RBSC golfers carded a total net score of 713, while their EGAT counterparts turned in 702 or just 11 strokes less to emerge as the winners of the Intraport match. Although the match was played on a friendly note, it was as intense as any other competition played by the Sports Club.
At an impressive presentation ceremony hosted in honour of the visitors, the captains of the two clubs exchanged souvenirs to mark the occasion. Later, prizes were presented to golfers of both the teams who carded in low gross and low net scores.
Aimed at fostering friendly ties between RBSC and EGAT Golf Club, the Intraport match is played every year at alternate locations between the RBSC and EGAT courses. The winners’ trophy has been instituted by none other than the late former governor of EGAT Khun Kasem Chatikavanij,
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August 2011
1
1) Khun Suttichai Juprasaetporn (EGAT), Khun Palit Mahadumrongkul (RBSC), Khun Dilokpol Sundaravej (RBSC) and Khun Pongsatorn Wiriyakarn (EGAT) 2) Khun Chalit Herabuttaya (RBSC), Dr. Prachak Prachakvej (RBSC), Khun Wirat Karnjanapiboon (EGAT) and Khun Surasuk Suphawititphattana (EGAT)
2
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August 2011
7 8
9
7) Khun Aumporn Sangsukdee (EGAT), Khun Smit Kitjharn (RBSC), Mr. Jayesh Kumar Bhudhara (RBSC) and Khun Tongchai Muangsong (EGAT) 8) Khun Natjapon Pumveangsee (EGAT), Khun Anthony Pramualratana (RBSC), Khun Sudhisak Bamrungtrakun (RBSC) and Khun Nattaporn Supukwimon (EGAT) 9) Khun Sathit Sarathulsingh (RBSC), Khun Phapat Wichakul (EGAT), Khun Pichet Laokasem (RBSC), Khun Metapun Chareekun (EGAT), Khun Jarun Jaraensattayatum (EGAT)(EGAT) and Dr. Suriya Chakkapak (RBSC) 10
10) Khun Weerawat Charayon (EGAT), Khun Saeng Meenijacin (RBSC), Khun Prayote Sudchainark (RBSC) and Khun Kitti Sirikawin (EGAT)
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August 2011
7 8
9
7) Khun Aumporn Sangsukdee (EGAT), Khun Smit Kitjharn (RBSC), Mr. Jayesh Kumar Bhudhara (RBSC) and Khun Tongchai Muangsong (EGAT) 8) Khun Natjapon Pumveangsee (EGAT), Khun Anthony Pramualratana (RBSC), Khun Sudhisak Bamrungtrakun (RBSC) and Khun Nattaporn Supukwimon (EGAT) 9) Khun Sathit Sarathulsingh (RBSC), Khun Phapat Wichakul (EGAT), Khun Pichet Laokasem (RBSC), Khun Metapun Chareekun (EGAT), Khun Jarun Jaraensattayatum (EGAT)(EGAT) and Dr. Suriya Chakkapak (RBSC) 10
10) Khun Weerawat Charayon (EGAT), Khun Saeng Meenijacin (RBSC), Khun Prayote Sudchainark (RBSC) and Khun Kitti Sirikawin (EGAT)
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August 2011
Club Competitions
Gerson Cup Duangphorn
Adds Another Feather to Her Cap!
I
ndividual or team competitions; stroke play or match play events, when it comes to RBSC ladies golf, one name always stands out prominently – Duangphorn Tangchitnob.
Khun Duangphorn, or ‘Duang’/‘Nui’ as she is popularly known among the ladies, has been the winner of numerous tournaments both at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club and outside. The latest feather she has added to her already colourful cap was the Gerson Cup victory that she clinched with 43 points, four points ahead of the runner-up.
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August 2011
The tournament for the Gerson Cup this year was played on 13 July as usual in Stableford format with 7/8 handicap (maximum 20). Several enthusiastic ladies, including some high handicappers, competed in the event. Since its inception in 1985, the Gerson Cup tournament has been serving as an arena for the lady golfers to test and sharpen their skills in their preparation for the biggest and most prestigious competition ahead - H.M. The Queen’s Birthday Cup – held in the second week of August. The golfer who gets highest Stableford points after adjusting the handicap is adjudged as the winner. 1
2 3
1) Khun Nitayada Purananda, Dr. Nadaprapai Sucharitkul and Khun Supitr Jivamongkol 2) Khun Mayuree Phornprapha, Khun Narumol Mulligan and Khun Thippa Praneeprachachon 3) Khun Vipa Patanavanichkul, Khun Nongluck Vangsirirungruang, Khun Porn-Apha Taworntawat and Khun Sunun Mahasandana 4
35
4) Khun Sasitorn Chokwatana, Khun Busara Tanphiphat and Khun Bee Hemstapat August 2011
By virtue of her unmatched golfing talent and skills, Khun Duangphorn (5) emerged as the winner with 43 points. This apart, the 5-handicapper has won three Nearest to the Pin prizes on Holes# 10, 11 and 15 showcasing her finesse and accuracy. The runner-up was Khun Kannika Chatmahakulchai (13) with 39 points.
5
6
8
7
9
5) Khun Kanjana Foopromwongse, Khun Somsri Sridranop, Khun Premsiri Brady and Khun Jittima Viboonlarp 6) Khun Praneet Tinawong, Khun Sariya Chanpen Khun Chariya Xanthavanij and Khun Angsumal Jotikasthira
10
7) Khun Yuvarin Bongsadadt Khun Rommanee Wacharasindhu, Khun Rujiraporn Lamsam and Khun Duangphorn Tangchitnob 8) Khun Kingporn Sopchokchai, Khun Phornphan Padmasankha, Khun Kunnikar Pijffers and Dr. Yolvilai Sethabutra
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August 2011
RESULT Winner
: Khun Duangphorn Tangchitnob (5) 43 Points
Runner-Up: Khun Kannika Chatmahakulchai (13) 39 Points Nearest to the Pin: Hole # 1 : Khun Kannika Chatmahakulchai Hole # 4 : Khun Rommanee Wacharasindhu Hole # 8 : Khun Kanjana Foopromwongse Hole # 10: Khun Duangphorn Tangchitnob Hole # 11: Khun Duangphorn Tangchitnob Hole # 13: Khun Busara Tanphiphat Hole # 15: Khun Duangphorn Tangchitnob
9) Khun Supang Mekcharas, Khun Molrudee Mahattanakul, Mrs. Fuyumi Watanabe and Khun Nualchan Pew-On
Hole # 17: Khun Bee Hemstapat
10) Khun Sida Schmidt, Khun Sumana Na Ranong, Khun Kannika Chatmahakulchai and Khun Nathinee Paurohitya
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August 2011
Club Competitions
The 2011 Junior Club Championship ‘Super Hot’ Tanut Fires Blistering 6 Under Par 60!
T
- From Bill Hutton Director of RBSC Junior Golf
he Junior Club Champion of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club was determined over two days and 36 holes of intensely competitive golf from the blue tees (all kids aged 13 and over) on 28 and 29 July. Seventeen-year-old Tanut ‘Jamie’ Sirikietsoong shot a one over par 67 to take the 1st day lead with 15-year-old Saris ‘Ing’ Ratanavadi. They were both closely followed by another 15-year-old Phattadon ‘Eng’ Sucharittanonta who shot 68. This Thai trio were paired together on the 2nd and final day. Unfortunately, the two young 15-year-olds were no match for a ‘super hot’ Tanut. He shot a blistering 6 under par 60 that included a triple bogey 6 on the par 3 4th hole. Had he made par there he would have shot 57 and tied the competitive course record currently by Asian Tour star Pariya Junhasavasdikul. Jamie was also the Junior Club Champion in 2008.
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August 2011
In the Under-10 Yrs Division played only one day, the winner (red tees) was Chanon Kanchanachayphoom who shot a 77. He was followed in the 2nd place by Tharitron Surapongprapa and in the 3rd place by Tunn Junhasavasdikul with 85. The 10-12 Yrs Division was won by Chris Chinnapongse (78), while Siddhi Aphiphunya (79) and Nadoln Narongdej (82) secured the 2nd and 3rd places respectively. The 13-15 Yrs Division has Saris Ratanavadi coming out on top after winning a putt-off over Phattadon Sucharittanonta. They both had 137 over two days. The 3rd place went to Sanonth Bhumithaworn who posted 145.
1
Tanut also won the 16-18 Yrs Division with his finest score of 127. Parama Chansue was a distant 2nd with 141 and defending junior club champion Panpaiboon Leenutapong satisfied with the 3rd place with a 143. 1) Phattadon Sucharittanonta, 2010 Junior Club Champion Tanut Sirikietsoong and Saris Ratanavadi 2) Yanisa Kongsiri, Panpaiboon Leenutapong and Possawat Chupanich
2
3) Parama Chansue, Sanonth Bhumithaworn and Nitichai Bhumithaworn 4) Tharitron Surapongprapa, Patiwat Srivanich, Putt Sarajoti and Tunn Junhasavasdikul 5) Pat Junhasavasdikul, Chanon Kanchanachayphoom, Kemachart Chungsuvanich and Tyler Vichayabhai
3
5 4
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August 2011
6
RESULT 2010 Junior Club Champion : Tanut Sirikietsoong 16 -18 Years Division Winner
: Tanut Sirikietsoong 127 (67 60)
1 Runner-Up
: Parama Chansue 141 (71 70)
2nd Runner-Up
: Panpaiboon Leenutapong 143 (76 67)
st
7
13-15 Years Division Winner
: Saris Ratanavadi 137 (67 60)
1 Runner-Up
: Phattadon Sucharittanonta 137 (68 69)
2nd Runner-Up
: Sanonth Bhumithaworn 145 (74 71)
st
10-12 Years Divison Winner
: Chris Chinnapongse (78)
1 Runner-Up
: Siddhi Aphiphunya (79)
2 Runner-Up
: Nadoln Narongdej (82)
st
nd
Under-10 Years Division 8
6) Angad Srinivasan, Tatt Justin Bodhidatta, Nadoln Narongdej and Chris Chinnapongse
Winner
: Chanon Kanchanachayphoom (77)
1 Runner-Up
: Tharitron Surapongprapa (82)
2nd Runner-Up
: Tunn Junhasavasdikul (85)
st
7) Shivraj Pawa, Milind Gandhi, Chanin Chungsuvanich and Petch Pibuldham 8)Felipe Blanco and Norapon Habanananda
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August 2011
9 10
9) Bhima Pibuldham, Punn Pinkayan and Plern Pibuldham 10) Tanart Sudhidhanakul, Sasawat Santivisat and Arin Kiangsiri
11
11) Satang Mekdhasarn, Chayut Morakotkarn, Siddhi Aphiphunya and Narissara Hebbard 12) Piathum Malakul Na Ayudhaya, Penthai Malakul Na Ayudhaya, Toht Namchaisiri and Parke Namchaisiri
12
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August 2011
Profile
Sudsan
Narintarangkul Naayuthya (HCP 10)
Who inspired you to take up golf? My boss. When I was working in Rayong back in 1996, we had a very busy project. When we finished for the day, we had plenty of time in the evenings. So, we turned to golf. What did you learn from palying golf? I have to say I learned and got a lot of things from golf, not just a good game itself but a way of living your life, work, how to get to know people, especially whom you played with, what is his character, is he a gentleman or a cheater, how he would handle himself in a difficult situation or under pressure. Actually, way too many things...555! Do you have any memorable moments in your golfing life? During the final round of this year RBSC Chairman Cup, it may not be a very sweet moment but it gave me a very valuable thought “You can’t play well IF you think too much about winning (also losing), and you can’t expect your competitor to play poorly as well because that is out of your control, the best thing to do is ENJOY the game you play, have fun about it and wish you play your best. Good game will come out of your enjoyment and if you’re lucky you will win.” Could you pls say something about your recent victory at the St.Amory Cup? Actually, it was the lesson I learned from the RBSC Chairman Cup that made me win. I hit the ball well on 2nd day but my putter wasn’t as good as I wished. I missed a lot of par putts and some birdies. I almost gave up but thanks to Noom my caddy (or you could call him my jockey, if I were a race horse) who kept telling me that we were not finished yet and there’s always a chance for us. We shouldn’t give up. So, I kept playing till we reached 18 hole. My tee shot was very lucky, it hit the 2nd hole fence but did not fell into the water. We had only once chance to hit 18th green from 210+ yards. Noom told me just hit it any point on the green and we’ll see what we can do next. The ball went well (high draw with my hybrid) and landed about a little less that 2 flagsticks to the hole. Then he told me again to ‘just putt the ball in the hole and win, forget all those scary putts we missed earlier OK?’ Then I putt it in and won, that’s it! Who is your favorite professional golfer? Fred Couples...he got the coolest swing and move in my view. If you get a chance, which pro golfer you would like to play with? Obviously, Fred Couples...555!
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Have you played golf abroad? Twice in a public course in Sydney many years ago, since I played much worse than this. So, it’s not very much impressive. Which golf course in the world you like the most and why? Augusta National, the home to The Masters. I think it’s the most beautiful and charming golf course in the world. Not easy to be allowed to play there too. What activities are you interested In other than golf? Travelling to places and finding good food and restaurants in those locations.
Which brands of golf clubs and golf balls do you use?
Driver:
TM R9 Supertri, loft 9.5, with Fujikura Motore VC 5.1 Flex-S Woods: #3 Tourstage VIQ loft 15, ALDILA NV55 shaft Flex-S Hybrids: Srixon AD loft 16 Flex-R, Srixon AD loft 19 Flex-R Irons: Mizuno MX-300, 4-SW, NS-Pro 950 Flex-R Putter: Scotty Cameron New Port-2 Golf Ball: Titlieist Pro V1 and any brand similar quality
August 2011
Wellness
How important are Micronutrients for our Well-being? A Talk with Dr. Orapin Sukwong of Bangkok Royal Life Anti-Aging Center
M
icronutrients, which include vitamins and minerals, are nutrients required throughout life in small quantities to orchestrate a whole range of physiological functions.
same family as your brother or sister, you are totally different. Your sister may like vegetables while you enjoy eating meat. That’s why the levels of micronutrients present in your bodies are different. You could have a vitamin B12 deficiency, while your sister may suffer from a lack of lycopene. Thus, every individual is unique.
Iodine, vitamin A and iron are the most important of them and their lack represents a major threat to health and development, particularly among children and pregnant women, according to a World Health Organization report.
How do you treat a person diagnosed with a certain deficiency? Based on the results of the blood test, we will recommend a diet that contains the vitamin or mineral that the person is lacking. Similarly, if we find a particular micronutrient in excess of the normal level, we will also advise a reduction or temporarily stop the intake of the food which contains that particular micronutrient.
Still, not many of us understand what micronutrients are and how they work. To learn more about vitamins and minerals and the right ways to consume them, RBSC ELITE recently met with Dr. Orapin Sukwong, MD ABAARM, at the Bangkok Royal Life Anti-Aging Center. Excerpts from the interview: What are micronutrients and what do they do? Micronutrients are called so because they are only needed in minuscule amounts. That said, they play a vital role in helping our body function properly. There are many types of vitamins and minerals, and each one of them has its own job to do. These substances are the ‘magic wands’ that enable the body to produce enzymes, hormones and other substances essential for proper growth and development. As tiny as the amounts are, however, the consequences of their absence are severe. People with deficiency of these micronutrients may suffer from a wide range of diseases and disorders.
What alternative do you suggest for people who have problems eating the recommended diet? Some people may have a strong dislike for a particular food, while others may not be able to consume the quantity of food needed to properly supplement the body. For those people we recommend supplements to help them gain the required levels of the micronutrients they need. Do you also suggest lifestyle modification? At Bangkok Royal Life Anti-Aging Center, we adopt a holistic approach to help our patients achieve their well-being. If necessary, we will also suggest lifestyle modification. In general, older people can adjust their lifestyle more easily since they have clear and definitive goals. But in the case of children, it can be a real challenge.
How can one know whether he/she has deficiency of a particular vitamin/mineral? We have advanced laboratory techniques available to investigate micronutrient deficiency. The first thing we do is a blood test, through which we can find out how much of coenzyme Q10, vitamin A, C, E, B12, lycopene, folic acid, chromium, copper, magnesium, zinc, etc., are in your body. If any deficiency is found, the doctor will suggest intake of the appropriate foods or nutritional supplements.
Recently, a couple came to see me with their 7-year-old child. The complaint was the boy was not eating any vegetables. His parents asked me to ‘please help’. The first challenge was convincing the boy to have blood test. After the report came out, I showed it to him and explained with the help of easy-tounderstand colour charts what vitamins and minerals he was lacking because of not eating his vegetables. The boy, who previously wouldn’t even look at his vegetables, readily agreed to give it another try. His parents since expressed their happiness as the boy now eats all kinds of vegetables.
Can vitamin/mineral supplements bought over the counter be helpful? More than 80% of my patients would admit that they buy supplements at pharmacies. The problem is they don’t know what exactly they need. They just randomly pick supplements off the shelf, which is bad. Over-the-counter supplements may contain things you don’t need. If you take in excess quantities of unnecessary things, they won’t do you any good. Furthermore, they may pose serious health risks. For instance, a very high level of vitamin A may damage your liver.
To consult the doctor or for more information about wellness programmes offered by the Bangkok Royal Life Anti-Aging Center, please call Bangkok Hospital’s Call Center at 1719.
Are the requirements of vitamins and minerals the same for everyone? No. Everyone is unique when it comes to the requirements of vitamins and minerals in the body. Though you belong to the
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August 2011
ProďŹ le
Niraporn
WONGSOMMAT (HCP 9)
Who inspired you to take up golf? My father...He took me to the driving range at the age of 10 and I was hooked there and then. What did you learn from playing golf? It is a game to play against myself. Others are a company. Do you have any memorable moments in your golfing life? A few times when I have a good company, good mood, play a good game, in good weather and on a good course with ideal conditions. Could you please tell us about your recent victory at the Chairman’s Cup? I felt a great honour to win the cup and receive it from the person I respect and admire much. Have you got a hole-in-one? My first and only hole-in-one was at Ria Bintan. It was a perfect hit; the ball bounced once and trickled into the hole! Have you played a round of golf with any PGA pros? Not yet and would love to. Who is your favorite professional golfer? Why do you like him/her? Yani Tseng. She always smiles and says she just keeps learning.
Have you played golf abroad? I played many courses in Hawaii, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, China, etc. It was mostly for pleasure. Which golf course in the world you like the most and why? There are a lot of good golf courses in Thailand now. With great weather and surrounding, Princeville is one of my favorites. What activities are you interested in other than golf? Table tennis Which brands of golf clubs and golf ball do you use? Driver: Kantana Woods: Kasco Irons: PRGR Putter: Titliest Golf Ball: Taylormade
If you get a chance, which pro golfer you would like to play with? One of the top ten Thai pro golfers.
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August 2011
Target Golf
Khun Thavorn’s Way of Overcoming Challenges ‘n’ Hazards at RBSC Course Thavorn Arthachinta (nickname ‘Noi’) is a familiar figure among the golfing members of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club. In his 57 years of golfing in USA and Thailand, he has drilled as many as 6 holes-in-one, three of which he achieved at RBSC. Khun Noi studied and practiced as an engineer for 15 years in the US and returned to Bangkok in 1967 to subsequently establish an engineering consultancy firm. Through his company, he rendered professional services for several World Bank financed government projects until retirement. He was the first Thai to be granted two Professional Engineer (P.E.) licences by Arizona State Board of Technical Registration in Civil Engineering (1965) and Structural Engineering (1967). Khun Noi has been playing golf regularly ever since he joined the Sports Club in 1976. A regular patron of the Air Bar during the Club Nights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, Khun Noi is fondly called by his friends as a golfer who loves to ‘swing’, ‘sing’, and ‘Singh’ (‘Singha’ beer)! By virtue of his engineering background and a determination to overcome the course obstacles, Khun Noi has developed an approach to identify and set up predetermined targets on each fairway of the golf course, a technique he calls ‘target golf’. This article is part of a series being featured by RBSC ELITE under the column Target Golf My Way written by Khun Thavorn. Each article of the series covers three holes of the RBSC course and describes his own ideas on ‘target golf’ – the way he would plan and play each hole using different combination of clubs to best avoid all hazards! Most importantly, to avoid hitting stray golf balls that harm and cause injuries to fellow golfers playing on adjacent fairways!!
M
y dear golfing friends..... We had gone through the front nine of our favorite golf course. I hope my game plan to target all shots has helped you at this point to be 2 up on your playing partners. Before we move on to the back nine, may I share a few statements from golf professionals which may be useful to all golfers.
Golf game is essentially a contest between the player and the course. It is rather not a conflict between people. So courtesy and consideration for others are paramount factors in golf - way ahead of winning. Thus, play the course with consideration and respect the rights and feelings of others at all times. Never hit the ball if there is even the slightest possibility that you may reach the players ahead of you. Apart from the risk of causing injury, you loose maximum concentration on your shot, when you consciously know that the front group is not clearly out of your way. If there seems to be undue delay among the group ahead, try yelling a ‘Fore!’ to catch their immediate attention and get them going rather than shooting a ‘missile’ into them. I think the golfer who failed to clean up his mess in the sand trap should be banned from the game. There is no more frustrating moment in the sport than to find your ball impossibly situated in some careless, lazy golfer’s footprint. So, please.....! Now let’s move forward to the 10th tee.
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August 2011
Hole #10 (190 yd, Par 3)
HOLE 11
This is a fairly long par 3 but luckily 9 months out of a year, the wind is behind you. The green is very wide across and deep enough for the ball to land and stop. Two sand traps on the left often come into play. The pond on the right is well away and usually is not a problem unless you hit a bad slice. The right portion of the green slopes from back to front and contoured toward the center making this area difficult to putt if your ball stops here. The green is slightly elevated with rather long grasses and a small knob near the fringe, prohibiting you to run the ball to the green. My plan is to give enough length for my tee shot to carry the green with my 2 iron. If I have the length and am fairly straight, I should be on the green which is about 30 yards wide every time. Concentrate on your long putting because the green is wide and very fast heading down slope.
HOLE 10
REGULAR LADIES
PAR 3 PAR 3
211 YARDS 169 YARDS
Hole #11 (211 yd, Par 3)
REGULAR LADIES
PAR 3 PAR 3
This tricky and also long par 3 can stop your hot streak if you have a string of pars going from the 8th hole. It is a very tight layout for a long par 3. An out-of-bound marker starts at the corner post of the fence which shields the left part of the green area. The right front bunker wraps around and blocks the other half, making access to the green very narrow indeed. If you shy away from the out-of-bound post, most likely your ball will land in the sand trap or worst under the tree line. From the bunker, it’s not difficult to get on, but under the pine tree, it is almost impossible, because you must pop up the ball to go over the bunker but your ball lies under the tree branch. Some day when I became too greedy, I would end up with a bad score. My plan of approach here is to play short of the green, with a 3 iron and rely on my chipping and a one putt for a par, and walking away happy even with a bogey. Before I hit my tee shot, I remind myself always that it’s two strokes if I touch that fence!
190 YARDS 166YARDS
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August 2011
Hole #12 (317 yd, Par 4) This is a fun hole you are glad to be playing after an escape from a possible disaster from the previous one. From the tee box it appears to be narrow and tight because the right tree line and the fence squeeze you in. Do not let them bother you. It’s not that bad, for, the fairway opens up further. If you are a short hitter, beware of the klong ahead. For a medium hitter, pay attention to the coconut trees on the left side. A long hitter must stay clear from the left ditch and the right bunkers.
HOLE 12
As I cross the bridge onto the fairway, I know that it is 170 yards to the green, so I begin counting my paces. Normally I tee off with a 3 wood to place the ball near but before the bunkers, about 115 yards from the green. Because the front bunker covers the right half and bends around the green, I add ten more yards to my approach to go over. Knowing that the wind always carries my ball to the left, I allow my approach shot for the wind. Do not allow the wind to drift your ball into the left ditch. Here is my theory: I always aim my shot to the back edge of the green every time. If the distance to the back is 140 yards and my perfect 7 iron is 140, I use it. Because my shot is not always a 100 percent perfect every time, I give my golf shot a little tolerance. If the shot is perfect, the ball will past the pin but on the green. If it is not a perfect hit, I may be near the pin instead of being in the bunker! It’s important to decide where the flag is positioned on this particular green. From the front to the far right corner, the distance is nearly 30 yards. If I misjudge my second shot, I may have to deal with a very, very long putt, ending with a 3 putt hole. Statement from a professional golfer: A very long putt is one of golf’s toughest shots. My suggestion is to stand a little taller at address than you normally do. By doing so, you raise your eye level giving yourself a better view of the distance between you and the cup. This in turn helps you to accurately program the force of strike required and swing the putter more freely and fully.
REGULAR LADIES
PAR 5 PAR 5
448 YARDS 391 YARDS
(See next issue for Holes # 13-15)
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August 2011
Club News RBSC Members Make the Most of Their One-Day Outing to Riverdale Golf Club Enthusiastic golfing ladies and gentlemen of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club made the most of their one-day outing to Riverdale Golf Club in Pathumthani on 18 August. The Ladies Golf Sub-Section has organized the new type of activity on Thursday which was welcomed by over 40 golfers. The golf course was in its greenest condition and the weather sunny and mild. Everyone seemed to have a great day there. The winner of gross score was Khun Chindarat Kruavanichkit, while the winner of net score was Dr. Nadaprapai Sucharitkul. Congratulations to both the wonderful ladies for their success. After a tough battle on the course, the golfers enjoyed a hearty dinner and music by a karaoke band. We were lucky to have highly talented singers with us, disguised as high-caliber golfers. Dr. Nadaprapai, Khun Onchittra Veerasaksri, Khun Tuenjai Asavisanu and Khun Pudpong Ujjin crooned to entertain us all night. We were also fortunate to have the Men’s Captain Khun Chawalit Chanarat join us in golf as well as dinner. He was also kind enough to entertain us with a few songs! We hereby would like to express our sincere thank to the sponsors - Lion Thailand Co., Ltd., O.C.C. PCL, I.C.C. International PCL and Prime Sports Co., Ltd. - for all the fantastic prizes contributed for this event. And thanks to all the ladies and gentlemen for their enthusiastic participation. We hope to see you in the next outing. From Narumol Mulligan, RBSC Ladies’ Golf Captain
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August 2011
In The News
‘Golfers Love The King’ Charity Event Poised to Enter Guinness World Records!
S
unday, 27 November 2011, will go down in golden letters in the history of Thai golf when the world’s largest number of enthusiastic golfers will participate in a charity event titled ‘Golfers Love The King’ and play a round of golf to pledge their unfettered allegiance to H. M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the auspicious occasion of the 7th Cycle (84th) Birthday of the ruling Monarch of the Kingdom on 5 December.
inbound tourism, improve domestic tourism sector and reposition Thailand as Asia’s golf hub. Besides, we endeavour to strengthen unity and friendly relationship among golfers and golf course operators and members of the two associations. Proceeds from the tournament collected towards the green fee will be donated to the Royal Palace for His Majesty’s Royal consideration and disposition. Hence, we urge the owners/operators of various golf courses to join us in organising the event for a noble cause. We also appeal to golfers at large to turn out in great numbers so that the tournament can find place in the Guinness Book of World Records,” Khun Pornsit added.
Organised by Thailand Golf Courses Association (TGCA) and Thailand Golf Association (TGA) in more than 150 golf courses across the length and breadth of the country, the mega event is poised to attract the participation of at least 15,000 golfers and eventually enter the Guinness World Records as the largest event of its kind held on a single day, anywhere in the world!
TGCA Secretary General Khun Bunthoon Junhasavasdikul briefed about how golfers interested in participating can enroll for the tournament. He said: “They have to register and reserve their tee-off time with to the golf course that they would like to play and submit a participation fee of 1,000 baht per person before 30 September. They also have to pay the green fee to the golf courses as per their prescribed rates. Every participant will be presented with a specially designed pink golf shirt, golf cap and a certificate in appreciation of their participation in the event.”
The two associations, which form the backbone of Thailand golf, hosted a media conference at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club on 25 August to announce the details of the tournament and solicit the participation of amateur and professional golfers as well as 260-odd golf courses in the country. Speaking on the occasion, TGCA Chairman and RBSC member Khun Pornsit Sriorathaikul said the tournament was in fact the second of its kind in Thailand. The first event was held in 1999, exactly 12 years ago, under the stewardship of then chairman of TGCA Khun Prayudh Mahagitsiri to celebrate the 6th Cycle Birthday of H.M. the King.
Khun Bunthoon, who is also an RBSC member and the father of Asia’s star golfer Pariya (‘Pro Pie’), observed: “The largest event of such a kind was last held in 2010 at Mission Hills Golf Club in China where 1,562 golfers played on 10 golf courses. The Golfers Love The King Tournament will, for sure, break that record. The event has already been nominated for the Guinness World Records under the category - Largest golfers playing in one-day tournament at multiple golf courses.”
“We are making all necessary arrangements expecting at least 15,000 golfers to take part in this gracious event which also aims to catch the attention of the world, boost
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August 2011
Meanwhile speaking to RBSC ELITE on the occasion, Royal Bangkok Sports Club Golf Captain Khun Chawalit Chanarat vowed to do ‘our best’ to make the event at the Sports Club a grand success. “We will soon convene a committee meeting to discuss how to promote the event among our members and see that maximum number of golfers take part in the tournament,” he added. Earlier, models and celebrities, including ‘Pancake’ (Khemanit Jamikorn) and ‘Um’ (Amarin Nitiporn) staged a fashion show sporting the Golfers Love The King golf shirts and caps. TGCA Honorary Advisor Khun Varin Poonsiriwong and TGA Secretary General Khun Kittisak Chaimongkoltrakul also spoke. R oyal Thai Army Spor ts Centre Deput y Director Maj. Gen. Kriengkrai Chaichumporn, ACM Channarong Intarasumpun from Royal Thai Air Force, VADM Prof. Nirut Hongprasit from Royal Thai Navy and Khun Parames Amatyakul from Tourism Authority of Thailand were among those present.
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August 2011
In The News
RBSC Juniors Brush Up Their Golfing Skills at Free Golf Clinics
J
unior golfers of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club brushed up their golfing skills at the free golf clinics organized at the newly-opened Sathorn branch of Wilding Golf Performance Centres, Asia’s most advanced golf training and club fitting centres.
using simulators, putting and short game tips. The clinics were organised free of cost as an exclusive privilege to RBSC kids on the occasion of the Grand Opening of Wilding Golf ’s Sathorn Centre. The Wilding Golf Sathorn Center is located at the corner of Soi Phi Phat and Sathorn Road across from the Evergreen Hotel. The 700 square meter center features 12 Standard Swing Bays, the Largest VIP SimSurround Swing Bay in the World and Indoor Putting Green. The centre is open daily from 7:00 – 23:00 hrs.
RBSC ELITE magazine and Wilding Golf jointly conducted the free golf clinics on 11 and 21 August (dates changed as per parents’ request) for the children of the Sports Club members aged 5 to 12 years. Several kids participated in the clinics and that included practical sessions consisting of swing analysis, correction of swing faults, practicing on VIP SimSurround Swing Bay
Designed and operated by renowned golf coach Shane Wilding, Wilding Golf Performance Centres in Bangkok
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- Asoke Interchange, Thong Lor 18, Thaniya Plaza Rajdamri and Sathorn - are staffed by a team of professional multi-lingual golf instructors and utilise an exclusive array of simulators to simulate driving range and golf course experience plus multiple-angle video cameras, swing and putting-analysis software, motion sensors and launch monitors. This advanced technology used in a golf academy environment, combined with the Wilding training system and some of the most dedicated golf instructors in Asia provides golfers with rapid skill development and techniques used by the world’s top players to improve golf swing and putting performance. Golfers who took lessons from Shane Wilding and succeeded on the professional circuit include RBSC member and 2010 Mercuries Taiwan Masters champion Pariya Junhasavasdikul (Pie), Asian Tour regular Wisut Artjanawat (Tong), LPGA Tour player Russamee Gulyanamitta (Fon) and Chinese LPGA and Ladies Asian Golf Tour member Porani Chutichai (Wing). Every one of the RBSC juniors who attended the golf clinics has the potential to become a professional golfer and win laurels for the Sports Club and the Kingdom.
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In The News
‘Lose It 4 Good’ Initiative To Help People Lose Weight and Change Lives
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NH Hospital, in conjunction with a group of expatriate businessmen in Thailand, has organised ‘Lose it 4 Good’ campaign, an initiative to encourage overweight people, both Thai and foreigners, to lose weight and change their lifestyles in order to become healthy.
motivated because they do it in a group with friends and have professional consultations so they can follow their own lifestyles while becoming healthier. Mr. Nick Rotheram, Manager of Cascade Club and Spa, said that they planned individual exercise programme which is basic but of high performance. “We emphasize on the heart rate to safely burn calories and encourage aerobic exercises. We provide the resistance exercise program, building the better look muscle along with offer the benefits of long term exercising and nutrition programs,” he added.
Throughout 5 months, BNH will accompany the participants and provide tips and tricks for healthy choices. This project does not only make the people healthier but also raises money for the Village Development Partnership, which covers more than 400 communities in Thailand, to improve quality of life.
H.E. Mr. Ron Hoffmann, the Canadian Ambassador, one of the first fourteen participants who promoted this project, pointed, “With a disciplined programme and help of health experts, with some focus and some targets, I think losing weight will be a lot easier than to do it casually as I have been doing for many years. This project is not only good for health but also charitable. I always travel so no time to take care my health, it is a good chance to join in this project. After I have attended for a month, I feel healthier. I would like to invite everybody to join in this activity because it is good for yourself and Thai Society also.”
Dr. Pongtorn Kietdumrongwong, Medical Consultant of LIFE and Nutritionist Physician of BNH Hospital, said: “BNH Hospital has introduced the Lifestyle Coaching for losing weight which differs from the traditional ways. It composes of 3 general guidelines - Monitoring calorie intake, for example; who prefers double cheese burger with soft drinks, the doctor suggests eating only a half with diet cola without French Fries, if still hungry salad can be added later.” Next tip is Regular exercise for caloric burning; most of people misunderstand that hard exercise will lose weight but the result is they must consume more, so our suggestion is walking 10,000 steps per day, which can be started from 5,000 steps per day such as walking to take the sky train instead of driving the car, using the stairs instead of elevator, etc. Our project provides a pedometer, the auto step counting so they will feel more challenged.
Lose it 4 Good and BNH Hospital will donate the revenues generated from medical checks through InBody 220 machine to the Village Development Partnership, which covers more than 400 communities in Thailand. This machine analyses the body composition, which helps to monitor lost weight in detail, measuring caloric burn of each activity and also can be used as personalised exercise planner.
The last tip is Encouraging yourself by not feeling sad if the weight loss is less than expected. Making records and inviting friends to join can help. This project is about charity, helping others while helping themselves. The participants are very
For more information please contact 02-686-2700 or visit www.loseit4good.org
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In The News
FootJoy Announces Launch of Full Line Performance Golf Apparel
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ootJoy has announced its plan to enter the full line golf apparel business with shipments beginning in January, 2012. The FootJoy line will feature a complete range of men’s golf apparel comprised of performance fabrics to complement the existing line of advanced outerwear. The line will begin with a core range of essential performance offerings that will be in stock from season to season. This assortment will be supplemented by multiple color story collections for the Spring and Fall that feature contemporary colors and patterns in a variety of styles and performance fabrics. The design focus will be on one sport – golf, which is FootJoy’s sole passion. “Following our success in the outerwear category, including the recently launched and highly popular layering system, the time has come for FootJoy to enter the full line men’s golf apparel business,” said Andy Jones, Vice President, Gloves/Accessories/Apparel, Worldwide. “This strategic initiative has been carefully considered for several years and is supported by an extremely sophisticated and comprehensive study of the golf apparel category.” FootJoy entered the golf outerwear category in 1997 with the launch of DryJoys rain wear. Through constant innovation in construction and material science, the range set the standard for performance in inclement conditions and now leads the category in the United States. Introduced last year, the layering system was developed to meet the specific needs of golfers who demand comfortable performance apparel that regulates body temperature and adapts to changing weather conditions. Comprised of garments designed for wet, windy, cold and warm conditions, the system allows players to ‘Layer Up’, consistent with FootJoy’s mantra: Make Every Day Playable.
Jim Connor, President of FootJoy, commented: “We’re excited about the opportunity to move into an adjacent business and believe the timing is right. We’ve talked to golfers and our trade partners, who enthusiastically support the plans and offerings; and we have the right people and support in place to be as successful in performance golf aapparel as we are in our golf footwear, glove and sock categories. This represents an important step forward in FootJoy’s mission to enhance enjoyment of the game for golfers everywhere.”
“I continue to be impressed with the quality, fit, comfort and overall performance of FootJoy apparel,” said PGA Tour player Steve Stricker. “The layering system is absolutely terrific, allowing me to regulate my body temperature based upon changing conditions. In addition, the new performance lisle shirts that I have been wearing all year are superb.”
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v
Golf Tips
What To Do.....
BETTER GOLF
WITH BILL
If You Need to Hook It or Slice It! HOOK Make your grip a little stronger. That means turn your hands to the right. This promotes the chance to turn over through impact. Close your stance slightly. That means pull your right foot back slightly. Your toe line is aimed to the right of the target. This promotes an ‘in to out’ swing path that helps a draw.
Bill Hutton, who turned professional in 1983, is a ‘Class A’ member of the Professional Golfers’ Association of USA. He has been the Director of Junior Golf at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club for the last 10 years. Formerly, he was the Head Pro at the Winsan Golf Club (now known as Legacy Golf Club). Bill appeared on Kong Fak Nak Golf, a programme telecast every midnight on TV Channel 3 for over eight years. He gave more than 1,500 golf tips through the programme during 1997-2005.
Set up with your right foot pulled back like this.
This is a stronger grip that is more This is a neutral grip. The line likely to hook the ball. The right formed by my right thumb and hand is more turned to the right. forefinger is pointing ‘up’.
Then you can hit the ball from the inside path as you see here.
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Not outside path like this!
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Then make sure your right forearm rotates over the left forearm like this.
Keep your grip pressure softer than normal. Also, keep your arms loose like two pieces of rope. You don’t want any tension in your wrists just before impact. Begin to roll your right rope and over your left arm. This of course will close the clubface sooner and make the ball hook.
SLICE Make your grip a little weaker. That means turn your hands slightly to the left. This reduces the ability of the clubface to close as you hit the ball. Open your stance a little. That means pull your left foot back a bit and point it out towards the target a bit. This will allow the hips to turn to the left easily and assist in an ‘out to in’ swing path.
Make sure your feet are aimed left of the target like this for a slice.
This is a neutral grip. The line formed by my right thumb and forefinger is pointing ‘up’.
Keep the clubface open like this.
This is a weak grip that is likely to hit a slice. Y right hand is turned more towards the left.
You see I have not rotated my arms over.
Grip a little more tightly, especially the right hand. Doing this inhibits the ability for the clubface to close. Do not rotate your right forearm over the left. Do the opposite. Just after impact try to keep the palm of your right hand facing the sky. That will definitely result in an open clubface during impact. Understanding how to do both of these shots is fundamental to lowering your swing specifically when you are in the trees.
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Travel
Welcome to
deposits, it is also known as the ‘Stone City’. From Lalbagh Gardens in Central Bangalore to the new shopping complex at the Forum in the South, everything in this city is worth exploring.
the ‘Silicon Valley’ of India, the City of IT Firms, Gardens, Lakes, Pubs, Fashion Malls..... Fly to Bengaluru with Bangkok Airways – Asia’s Boutique Airline!
Lalbagh Gardens were laid down in the 18th Century by Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan. At the heart of the gardens is a glass house that is inspired by the Crystal Palace in London. The Ragigudda temple, the overcrowded Shani Temple, the Sai Baba temple and the small Ganesha temple in the south side of town are really great to see in the mornings or on Hindu festival days.
Vidhana Soudha
F
ondly called the ‘Silicon Valley of India’, Bangalore, or officially ‘Bengaluru’, is probably the only city in India that has earned more than a dozen sobriquets. Some of the nicknames that the city has acquired over the past few years probably sum up the ethos of Bengaluru – ‘India’s Silicon Valley’, ‘Fashion Capital of India’, ‘Pub City of India’, ‘Garden City of India’, ‘Floricultural Capital’, ‘Stone City’ and so on.
Evenings are best spent at MG Road or taking a walk down Commercial street while catching up on the latest Hollywood and ‘Bollywood’ movies in some of the best multiplexes in India. ISKCON Temple Complex is an exquisite blend of modern and traditional south Indian temple architecture. The Race Course Road boasts some of the finest race courses in India. November - March and May - June are the racing season in Bangalore.
Flower Exhibition at Lalbagh
Bengaluru is India’s 5th largest metropolitan city and the fastest growing city in Asia. The capital of the state of Karnataka, the city is widely known as the Silicon Valley of India because of its position as the nation’s leading IT exporter. Some of the best IT companies in the world are located here – Infosys, Wipro, HP, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Novell, I-flex, to name a few. Bengaluru is a favorite tourist destination and international visitors love the salubrious climate, year-round cozy weather, its many gardens, rich tapestry of the traditional and the modern. It is one city that has put India on the IT map of the world and is completely ‘logged on’. With its tree-lined avenues, trendy pubs, bustling downtown and the software flood, Bengaluru truly offers one a picture of striking contrasts. There are old beautiful bungalows, parks, hallowed places of worship and traditional market-places on the one hand, balancing with fashionable shopping malls, dazzling pubs and ultra-modern architectural wonders on the other. It is also known as ‘The Garden City’ thanks to many local parks, along with pink cassias, golden acacias, and jacarandas which bloom throughout the city. Bengaluru doesn’t only produce fine silk and software, it is even gaining the status of the “Floriculture Capital” due to its blossoming flower export business. Because of its rich granite
But what’s really great? Shopping! The city has a bunch of nicknames and one of them is ‘Shoppers Paradise’. From airconditioned shopping Malls to street side bargain shopping the city has it all. For some great sandalwood carvings go to Cauvery or Cottage Industries Emporium on M.G. Road where you will find some enthralling images of various deities. Sandalwood key chains are extremely popular and affordable. The Bull Temple at Basavangudi is an awesome temple hosting the monolithic Nandi (Bull - the mount of Lord Shiva, which is 4.5 meters tall and 6 meters long). This is one of the oldest temples in Bangalore. Shiva Statue at the basement of Kemp Fort is the statue of Lord Shiva and the Vidhan Soudha, a 46meter high building constructed almost entirely with Bangalore granite that houses the legislative chambers of the state government, are among other must-visit places in Bengaluru. While enjoying the warm weather, tourists can also use the city as a central base for day trips to numerous other Karnataka attractions, including the world-famous Brindavan Gardens and Ambavilas Palace (Mysore Palace) of Mysore. Bangkok Airways is commencing a new route to Bengaluru with five flights per week from 26 September 2011 onwards. Travelers can reach the Garden City directly flying with Asia’s boutique airline. For more information, please call 1771 or visit www.bangkokair.com.
Mysore Palace at night
Brindavan Gardens,Mysore
Royal County Down Golf Club: In Newcastle, Northern Ireland. Dating from 1889, it is one of the oldest golf clubs in Ireland. It is a 71 par designed by Old Tom Morris. It has two 18-hole links courses, the Championship Course and the Annesley Links. The fourth and ninth holes are featured in the book The 500 World’s Greatest Golf Holes. The course enjoys a magnificent stage-like setting as it stretches out along the shores of Dundrum Bay. It is also one of the most challenging, with great swathes of heather and gorse lining fairways that tumble beneath vast sand hills, and wild tussocky faced bunkers defending small subtly contoured greens. “Where the Mountains of Mourne Slide into the Sea” - this familiar refrain perfectly captures the beauty of the setting of the incomparable Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle, practically at the base of the Slieve Donard, one of a handful of the most elite courses in all the world. Outstandingly handsome, it’s ranked among the top ten in the worlddesignated as Ireland’s best each of the past dozen years.
TOP GOLF COURSES OF IRELAND Royal Portrush Golf Club: In Portrush, County Antrim, Northern Ireland: The only Irish golf course ever to host the Open Championship is Royal Portrush on the Antrim Coast, having done so in 1951. Arguably the most well-known course in the north, it sits in the shadow of the famous Dunluce Castle ruins, which can be seen clearly from the glorious and precarious green position on the par-4 5th. Much effort and expense has been made in the effort to keep this green from sliding into the sea, and thankfully the club has thus far been successful. The most famous hole though at Portrush is the aptly named “Calamity,” the par-3 14th, well over 200 yards to a green perched on the edge of a precipice, with anything short and right bounding miles down below, a sure double bogey or worse. Perhaps our favorite feature is “The Tavern” next to the 10th tee, the world’s greatest halfway house, a fully-stocked bar complete with attendant, waiting to either strengthen you for the back nine, or ease your pain!
Portstewart Golf Club: In Portstewart, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Its front nine is one of the most daring and bold you will ever encounter. It is both spectacular and severe, and in the spirit of the great Fownes brothers who designed famed Oakmont in Pennsylvania, he never designed another golf hole. Hole #2 is especially exciting, a par-4 that skirts the edge of a dune at least 100 feet high, running the entire length of the hole on the left. If you were to try and climb to the top, you would be looking almost vertically down onto the green. The back nine is no disappointment though. More traditional in style, it comprises of the best of the original course, and makes for a perfect compliment to the front nine. The unique combination of the two makes for one of Ireland’s greatest tests!
Castlerock Golf Club: In Castlerock, Northern Ireland. Castlerock Golf Club is situated in the seaside village of Castlerock, which lies approximately 5 miles due West of the town of Coleraine on the North Coast of Northern Ireland. Castlerock is a fabulous links course set among rolling sand dunes. Its scenic qualities embrace the river Bann flowing out to the Atlantic, and also eye-catching views of Donegal and on a clear day towards Scotland and the Isle of Islay. An ideal retreat in which to play golf. The Championship Mussenden Course is a par 73 with five par-5’s, four par-3’s, and nine par-4’s. The best-known hole is the fourth, called the Leg o’Mutton, a 200 yard par-3 with a railway line to the right, a burn to the left and a raised green. Additionally the 9 hole Bann course has widened the appeal of the Club and contains a par-5 which has been described as “one of the most scenic holes in Irish golf.”
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Waterville Golf Links: In Waterville, Southern Ireland.Golf at Waterville is a mystical experience – the beauty of classic links land, surrounded by the sea, yet forever challenged and shaped by the elements. Over 100 years old, Waterville is rated among the top 5 courses in Ireland and the top 20 links courses in the world. Links golf combines sand dunes gorse and native grasses, firm fairways, sod faced bunkers and subtle putting surfaces all intertwined by the ever changing weather. The course is a perfect compliment to the more difficult walks encountered at Ballybunion and Tralee, a different style of equally challenging golf. Bow your head at The Mass Hole, the par-3 12th, where the local Catholics risked execution by celebrating Mass in secret in the hollow short of the green, and genuflect on Mulcahy’s Peak, the 17th tee, Jack’s favorite spot on the links, and enjoy the 360-degree view. Consider spending the night at peaceful Waterville House, owned by the club, and then play it twice to do it right!
Ireland - World’s Premier Golf Destination Ballybunion Golf Club Cashen Course: In Ballybunion, West Coast, Ireland. Ballybunion Golf Course has a spectacular location off the west coast of Ireland. Located on the north west coast of County Kerry, on a beautiful stretch of sand dunes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, you’ll find two wonderfully challenging and unique links golf courses at Ballybunion - the Old Course and the Cashen Course. The Trent Jones Cashen Course, located along the sweeping, undisturbed shoreline, offers breathtaking views throughout. There is a wild look to the place. Long grass covers the dunes that pitch and roll throughout the course. Whatever your choice, every hole, every hazard and every shot is defined by nature’s infinite presence.
Portmarnock Golf Club: In Portmarnock, Dublin Ireland. Portmarnock Golf Club is universally acknowledged as one of the world’s truly great links courses. Located on a small peninsula, which extends into the Irish Sea, Portmarnock is surrounded by water on three sides and laid out in serpentine fashion, with no two successive holes playing in the same direction. Unlike many courses in this respect, Portmarnock demands a continual discernment of wind direction. The course has some extraordinary holes including the 5th, regarded as the best on the course by the late Harry Bradshaw, runner up in the 1949 British Open; the 14th, rated by Henry Cotton as the best hole in golf and the 15th, which is regarded by Arnold Palmer as the finest par 3 in the world. Invariably rated as one of Ireland’s top three courses, like all the greats, Portmarnock offers a strong and potentially hazardous finish. The European Club: In Brittas Bay, Ireland: The Links of The European Club presents a stunning golf and visual experience as it tumbles through almost 200-acres of glorious sand dunes and runs along the beach on Ireland’s lovely east coast just south of Dublin. This is the first links to have been built on Ireland’s east coast this century. The European Club has been designed to be the greatest links of the 21st century and great care has to be taken to move links design into new age with great sensitivity to the traditions and skills of links land golf. Blind shots are notably absent at The European Club but all the thrills of pitch-and -run golf, pot bunkers of cavernous proportions, tall dunes and the opportunity to slice your ball onto the beach provided for an unforgettable round.
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GOLF Bags Hot List 2011 Stylish, lightweight, innovative and highly practical
Ping Traverse Cart Bag: Weighing under 5.5 pounds, the Traverse combines the size of a cart bag with the easy handling of a stand bag, aided by integrated handles on the top and spine. The 14way, mesh-covered top has individual dividers, plus an injection-molded putter tube with soft-touch coating. The Traverse is equipped with nine pockets, including a large zippered, insulated cooler pocket on the front of the bag, two large apparel pockets, a velour-lined valuables pocket, and mesh slip pockets.
Sun Mountain C-130 Cart Bag: C-130 is designed to work optimally on a riding cart. All of the features are designed with cart use in mind starting with the reverseorientation top, the three utility handles integrated into the top, the strap channel and the rubber feet that make it stand square on the cart. Sun Mountain added an integrated putter well and made sure all pockets are accessible when the bag is on a cart.
Taylormade Purelite 2.0 Stand Bag: Weighing in at only 4.5 lbs., the Pure-Lite 2.0 Golf Bag delivers unsurpassed fit, support and comfort to keep you feeling fresh and on top of your game. The awardwinning Pure-Lite 2.0 Golf Bag is designed with a total of seven pockets, including a valuables pocket with internal key clip and an insulated beverage sleeve pocket. Ventilated ergonomic shoulder straps provide cooling comfort while on the move. The 6-way top with integrated handle and full length dividers protects and organizes clubs.
Ogio Velocity Ultralite Stand Golf Bag: The Ogio velocity golf bag has more than a few tricks up it’s sleeve, including the 7-way Woode UltraLite performance top with full-length dividers, the O-Shox suspension strap system, fleece lined valuables pocket, deluxe hip pad and the AFS air flow system tech shoulder straps, which claim to keep you cooler throughout a round.
Nike Personalized Tour Cart II Golf Bag: The 14-way top is accompanied by a full-length putter well, so you’ve got more than enough space for easy-access to every club in you bag. Each side has an accessory pocket with built in mesh pouch and a large vented pocket with an external access pouch. The front console has a cell phone pouch, a hookand-loop attachment for your glove, a pen or marker holder, three zippered accessories pockets and two lined cooler pockets with drain vents.
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Callaway Hyper-Lite 4.0: This lightweight (4.7 pounds) carry bag features a base that stays flat on the ground when the legs are activated for added stability. The carry straps intersect to distribute weight across the shoulders, and handles near the top and bottom of the bag make it easy to place in your car’s trunk. The 11 pockets include a hidden valuables pouch. Soft Mesh Hip PadSpecifically designed to provide an extra layer of comfort between the bag and your body to ensure a pleasant round.
Minimize Skin Damage Because golf is a sport for a lifetime and the damaging effects of the sun are cumulative, golfers have to be consistent and diligent in protecting themselves. Arm yourself with the right sunscreen and gear to minimize skin damage from the sun.
Golfers Skin: The sweat resistant - water resistant UVA/UVB - broad spectrum SPF30+ sunscreen that’s been specifically designed with golfers in mind. Golfers Skin is a sunscreen that feels great when you put it on. It has a light texture and non greasy feel.
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion: A highly nourishing sunscreen lotion for the face and body that defends against powerful UVA/UVB rays that cause sunburn, cell damage and premature signs of aging. Smoothes on evenly with no sticky or filmy feeling. Invisible on skin even after repeated applications.
L’ORÉAL PARIS Solar Expertise: UVB SPF30 helps protect against the harmful effects of the sun. Skin is immediately protected from the harmful effects of the sun including premature skin aging. It is non-sticky and no white marks.
Regenerist UV Defense Regenerating Lotion with SPF 50: Moisturize and regenerate skin appearance while helping to shield it from damaging UV rays. It helps protects skin with powerful broad spectrum sunscreen and softens and hydrates to help regenerate skin’s appearance.
Sôleil DNA Guard: Ultraefficient, the wide-spectrum filtering complex Mexoryl SX and XL protects skin from sunburn and prematuring ageing. Natural DNA GUARD complex reinforces the skin’s selfdefence system against UV-induced damage. Soft and supple, it is lastingly beautiful.
Clinique Sun SPF 25 Body Spray: With stabilized UVA protection to help guard against premature aging, this spray helps deliver highlevel protection against the aging and burning effects of UVA and UVB rays with one-touch convenience.
Coppertone Sport Sunscreen: This high performance, ultra sweat proof sunscreen bonds to your skin on contact and won’t run into your eyes and sting. Plus, this unique spray form offers quick and even application and PABA-free specially formulated for active adults. Added antioxidants help replenish skin’s natural defenses.
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Ed i to rs Pick of the M ont h
Accessories for Golfers Nikon Callaway Golf Diablo Octane Rangefinder 8385: With a magnification of 6-times, this monocular is an indispensable tool for any golfer. It helps determine the distance from the tee to the target golf hole on the course. The Laser Callaway Diablo Octane Golf Rangefinder provides quick and accurate distance measurement up to 550 yards and features First Target Priority Mode, allowing you to measure the distance to the pin on a green with woods in the background. This monocular also spotlights fast, one-touch measurements.
Deluxe Electronic Golf Club Kooler: Simply fill the insulted 54oz tank with your favorite hot or cold beverage and slide it into the side pocket of your golf bag. Then set this stainless steel golf-themed beverage dispenser in your bag along side your other clubs and you have discreet refreshments for you and all your buddies. To dispense simply press the button on the realistic looking driver head and let the fun begin! Oh, and no worries, it cleans up easily with it’s detachable head, and comes complete with batteries that will last you all season.
IDEA Pro a12 Hybrid: Adams Golf adds the newest tour-caliber hybrid to its lineup with the Idea Pro a12. Compared to previous models, it’s designed with a hotter face, improved playability and a sleek black finish that appeals to better players. Each head is triple milled (on the face, grooves and cavity) for more exacting performance from club to club.
GoKart Golf Trolley: This has to be one of the easiest and quickest trolleys to set up and get to the tee. Two folds and the trolley is up on its wheels, just leaving the battery to be slotted into place to secure the whole thing together. You don’t even need to fiddle with battery connecters. When folded it’s pretty compact which is great for storage. The controls are located on the handle and are really simple, there’s a toggle for on and off, next to which is rotating knob that controls the speed. You set the speed to match your walking speed and let it motor along alongside you.
DryJoys Tour MyJoys Golf Shoes: Engineered to exceed the demands of the Tour professional, the DryJoys Tour features next generation Tri-Density TPU Stability PODS outsoles to provide the stability and performance required to compete on the Tour’s most demanding courses. Blended with traditional upper styling crafted from the finest premium leathers, this new category has surpassed the expectations of even the most discernible Tour players.
Black White Pallatina Ashworth Cardiff 10 Medium Golf Shoe: A golf shoe with crossover appeal of a town shoe. This is a great spike-less golf shoe with tumbled leather upper, as well as rich suede accents. Playability, wearability and a sure-footed spike-less sole, allow one to transition seamlessly from the course to the clubhouse, and beyond.
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Potty Putter Toilet Time Golf Game: The toilet time golf game that lets you practice your putting while going to the bathroom. Sure it sounds funny, but for the golfer that just can’t get enough of the game, it’s the perfect item. The Potty Putter comes complete with a putting green made from the same professional carpet found at miniature golf courses, a cup with a flag, 2 golf balls, a putter and a “Do Not Disturb” door hanger.
SensoGlove: A golf glove with a builtin computer that constantly reads your grip pressure. Using small, sweat-proof 1.2 inch LED digital monitor analyzes the pressure of the swing through highly responsive sensors placed throughout the glove. It provides audio and visual feedback about your exact grip pressure on the club.
Celestron CoursePro Elite - Golf GPS Rangefinder: It provides information on an LCD screen about downloaded golf courses that are stored in their memory. The LCDs display distances to the front, center, and back of the green for each hole along with the par. The devices calculate your shot distance and are backlit for viewing in low light. The information provided by each CoursePro GPS product gives the golfer up to the minute accurate, crucial information that will guarantee a competitive edge. RC Golf Incred-a-ball: This fun little electronic device will be good for laughs on the green. It is a radio controlled ball that allows you to run circles around the green. The RC Golf Increda-ball is a remote control golf ball. Works best when putting due to the smooth surface. Just activate the ball, Putt and use the remote to do the rest. Just make sure you’ve completely charged the golf ball because losing your magic touch after the first hole is no fun.
Powakaddy Sport Lithium EBS Electric Golf Trolley Graphite: This superbly engineered trolley combines the latest lightweight and super strength materials with a powerful 200 watt motor. It is very stable, easy to maneuver and folds in a no-fuss, 3 way movement to fit into the smallest of car boots. It features a fantastic new ergonomic soft grip handle, built-in responsive speed control roller with a choice of 9 speeds, a soft touch standby switch, and a separate Digital Distance Function (DDF) button allowing direct access to this feature. The stylish sports wheels are easily removable. Whether you are a serious or occasional golfer, the PowaKaddy Sport Trolley has been designed to make life easier on the course.
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B E T T E R GO LF WI TH F IT NESS
BOOKS FOR GOLFERS One of the biggest mistakes non-golfers and even casual duffers make about the Royal and Ancient game is assuming you don’t have to be in shape to play it. The truth is, golf can be an exhausting affair. You can’t be a physical wreck and play golf consistently well; as in any sport, the better your condition, the better your chance of success. Golfers are athletes and the golf swing does require a great deal of athleticism. Strength, power, flexibility, balance, core stability, body awareness, even endurance... they’re all physical traits that every consistent golfer must possess. A golf fitness book that is written to give you ready-made golf fitness programs, exercises, step-bystep instructions and illustrations can quickly transform your golf game. There are so many golf fitness books in the market; They cover strength specific to golf, flexibility, aerobic conditioning (endurance) and nutrition. Most of the books discuss the direct benefits of any exercise to their golf swing. It’s motivating to read why you would do a certain exercise if you can see how it will benefit your game. ELITE presents a list of books on fitness for golfers:
Get Yourself in Golf Shape by Cindy Reid: This unique regimen will get you into “golf shape” so you can hit the ball longer, straighter, and with more consistencywith Cindy Reid’s 11-day fitness program. The golf swing is a simple motion. But it is not easy, Cindy Reid explains, because it is one of the most unnatural motions you will ever attempt. Only when you have retrained your body to automatically perform the specific muscle movements required for golf will you begin to develop the consistency every golfer strives for.
Golf Fitness by Karen Palacios-Jansen: This book looks at the tips and techniques used by today’s top golfers. Golf Fitness includes exercises to improve the golf swing, details on better warm-ups, whole-body workout routines, and notes on nutrition. The book also looks at the mental game, and how the mind and body can work together for lower scores. Any golfer looking for an edge will find it in Golf Fitness.
Fix Your Body, Fix Your Swing by Joey Diovisalvi: In order to truly correct a flawed swing, the causes of the problems must be treated. This revolutionary golf fitness book utilizes the most recent biomechanics to fix golf swing flaws and strengthen the body’s core while improving strength and balance. Joey D. shares the same program he has used with Tour Professionals such as Vijay Singh and Zach Johnson. With easy to follow exercises, and just three 20minute workouts necessary per week, anyone can build a healthier, stronger, body for golf!
Swing Flaws And Fitness Fixes by Katherine Roberts: The first book to identify specific physical shortcomings behind the most common swing flaws. Seasoned instructor and fitness expert Katherine Roberts explains why fitness is critical to the game and outlines the many muscles that employ the golf swing. Highlighting her trademark “Flex Fit” method, she shows how to improve flexibility, strength, posture and balance simultaneously. The most common swing flaws are revealed and with swing analysis by expert Hank Haney and Roberts’ exercises to overcome physical deficiencies, these problems are corrected.
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August 2011
The Max Golf Workout by John Little: As more professional and amateur golfers have turned to strength training with outstanding results, here is the first book on golf fitness to provide a complete weight-training program specifically targeting the muscles used in the golf swing. Complete with 150 color photographs and a special chapter on nutrition, it’s sure to help golfers get stronger, hit the ball farther, and play longer-at their bestwithout fatiguing.
Going for the Green: Prepare Your Body, Mind, and Swing for Winning Golf by Gary Gilchrist, Susan Hill, Jeff Troesch: In Going for the Green, you’ll learn how to develop proficiency at these essential elements from three top professionals in their field: a swing mechanics coach, a fitness trainer, and a sports psychologist. This book focuses on periodization, a cutting-edge training method that has been used by Tiger Woods and other professional golfers, as well as collegiate and junior players, to reach peak performance at specific times of the year.
Secrets of Golf Instruction & Flexibility by Roger Fredericks: In this revolutionary book, author Roger Fredericks explores both the worlds of golf instruction and flexibility and explains precisely why the majority of golf instruction is ineffective, and why various golf instruction methodologies are not conducive to certain individual body types. Not just a golf instruction book and not just a flexibility book, Fredericks teaches you how to combine the two, and in effect improve your golf swing once and for all.
Core Performance Golf by Mark Verstegen: In this book, golfers will discover, a training program that is ideally suited to developing the golf swing because so much of the swing, like the Core Program itself, depends on rotation and movement. In this new book, the author shares exercises designed to help golfers create more torque and balance, thus adding yards to drives and precision to shots. He also introduces a conditioning and nutrition regimen that will build strength, power, and stamina, while reducing the risk of injuries and speeding recovery time.
Ernie Els’ Guide to Golf Fitness by Ernie Els and David Herman: Two-time U.S. Open champ Ernie Els uses his Guide to Golf Fitness as both a soapbox to stress the benefits of good conditioning and a virtual gym to present a series of general and golf-specific exercises designed to drop your scores as successfully as a good putting tip. Els developed his program-geared specifically to address a golfer’s strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular system. Though many of the exercises--all of which Els himself demonstrates in photographs--require gym equipment, others don’t, and while all provide a workout, the program can be easily adjusted in its difficulty and demands to fit any level of desire and ability.
GOLF Rx by Vijay Vad and Dave Allen: Sports medicine specialist Vijay Vad’s 15-minute-a-day core program combines the best of Pilates, golf-specific conditioning, and physical therapy to improve your game and reduce pain. Learn how to resume activity after common injuries and keep an aging body in shape. Includes proper body mechanics, power tips, essential stretches, warmup/cool-down routines, and the Golf Rx exercise series. Conventional wisdom suggests that the violent, twisting nature of the golf swing, which puts undue stress on the spine, is the sole culprit. But research conducted by sports-medicine specialist Vijay Vad, M.D., with PGA Tour pros, reveals that the swing is only one of several factors.
Synergistic Golf by Mary Ann Souter and Mindi Boysen: Synergistic Golf - One Day at a Time is a complete approach to improving your golf game, seamlessly integrating the physical, mental/emotional and spiritual elements. It will challenge you to a new mindset, one that recognizes the importance of all components of the game - the body, the mind and the spirit. Each page offers an array of new information guaranteed to bring about results that count. Synergistic Golf - One Day at a Time - can be used, year after year, to encourage you with a user-friendly daily program - a complete synergistic plan to improve all components of your golf game in about 10 minutes a day.
18 Game-Changing Lessons by Mark Steinbauer: Golf instructor Mark Steinbauer learned to play golf from Harvey Penick, his longtime mentor and friend, and has since played alongside pros such as Bobby Locke and Jack Nicklaus.The book reveals the strategies and techniques that these pros have shared with Steinbauer throughout his 30-year career. Each chapter begins with a colorful narrative recounting a lesson learned from one of the sport’s greats, and sums up with instructional pointers for three skill levels. A perfect gift for a golf enthusiast, this small guide offers a fresh, insightful look at some of the biggest names in golf and what makes them masters of the game.
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Golf Fitness FOR MEN by Clayton Garland: This is a book that approaches the game of golf and improvement from the aspect of improving health and fitness. The main components of the book include: strength, flexibility, mobility, stability, motivational factors, nutrition, and the cause and effect relationships between fitness and the golf swing. Concepts are discussed in a slightly technical way and then broken down in laymen’s terms so that any average golfer can pick up the book, read it, and understand the concepts. The book is designed for men, and is written in such a way that is very masculine and straight forward.
The Game Before the Game by Lynn Marriott, Pia Nilsson and Ron Sirak: As coaches to golf’s top players, the authors have created brilliant new mind- body strategies for every aspect of the game. With The Game Before the Game, they showcase their unique approach to practice, with winning techniques that ensure those hours on the driving range and practice green aren’t wasted on reinforcing bad habits. The authors identify three essential types of practice: Warm-up: getting not only the muscles but also the mind in gear, Maintenance: intended to prevent your swing from drifting between rounds, and Preparation: adding numerous new shots to your repertoire.
Wheels
BMW BMW 528i 528i
T
he new 528i accelerates from 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds, and will deliver up 15 percent better fuel efficiency. This sedan also features Engine Auto Start/Stop which switches off the engine when the car is stationary at traffic lights or in slowmoving traffic in order to minimize idling. An Eco mode, which is activated by the driving experience switch, adjusts the engine map, heating, air-conditioning and mirror/seat heating to minimize fuel consumption. Supreme refinement is what this engine is all about, not pure power. BMW didn’t shortchange us when it came to the furnishings for the new 528i series. The interior is tightly assembled and almost all the materials have noticeably high-quality finishes, including outstanding metalwork. The interior brilliantly walks the line between the cool look and feel of new-age components and materials and the soothing warmth of natural surfaces. The plush leather and wood spruce identify with the rank of title-holder of a BMW. For the driver, a large slant check over of the controls and gauges provide in rank instantly as looked-for. The basic 528i comes standard with all the equipment and safety features one expects of a luxury sedan, but there’s no question you must option up to come away with the feeling of absolute premium luxury. The patented BMW VALVETRONIC system with seamlessly variable intake valve lift control dispenses with the throttle valve system typical of conventional engines. Instead, combustion air mass is controlled inside the engine, resulting in much faster response. Pumping losses are kept to a minimum, making the engine more efficient. The 2011 BMW 528i is the choice for those who prefer a luxury car that transmits the message that serious engineering remains the chief priority. This BMW 5 Series always has been the clued-in choice among midsize luxury sedans and remains the car to buy for those who prefer performance over pampering. The 528i is the very embodiment of BMW EfficientDynamics – more powerful, more efficient and more sure-footed.
Revolutionar y per formance and surpassing style
ABOVE. BEYOND. AHEAD Equal parts precision, innovation and independence
The BMW 528i Sedan has established a reputation for sophistication and powerfully realized ideas, with a sublime exterior designed for motion, and an interior that carries you with sleek comfort. But the real revelation comes when you press the accelerator and feel the horses. The internationally acclaimed inline six-cylinder engines of the 528i pull with unprecedented power.
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August 2011
WINE & DINE
Colourful Cocktails, Sizzling Spirits, Wonderful Wines and Brilliant Beers Woo You to ‘VUE’! VUE Bar & Restaurant, Hansar Hotel Bangkok - By Jarupat Sukontawat
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So hang on...Fill the evening for an eternal bliss and lasting fun with VUE Signature Cocktails such as Hansar Sunset, Smooth Climax, Red River, Hansar Martini and Golden Dream. A couple of these cocktails are enough to take you ‘almost’ there! After all, these exclusive creations of varied hues and textures have brought name and fame to Hansar making ‘VUE’ the buzz word, both locally and across frontiers.
A
guy from Glasgow recently posted a query on a TripAdvisor forum on Bangkok: “I’m wondering if anyone knows the price range for cocktails at Vue Bar in the Hansar Hotel?”
However, if you find yourself still a few paces short of the pinnacle of happiness in spite of tasting these cocktails, in all probability, you have missed something very special... In fact, it is the ‘queen’ of all - VUE Ice Tea - a magical blend of gin, rum and vodka spiced with the famous French orange liqueur Cointreau and peach liquor. With disguised looks resembling iced lemonade, its sharp taste will send shock waves across your anatomy on the first sip and give you enough torque to climb up and reach the top in no time!
“Around 300-400 baht but the cocktails at Hansar Bangkok were damn good though,” responded a netizen from Perth. As the Hansar Hotel continues to top the Bangkok Hotels leaderboard on the highly influential but ‘untouchable’ travel website – www.tripadvisor.com that is packed with as many as 634 hotels in the city, the boutique hotel’s excellent service, superbly spacious and well-appointed accommodation with trademark amenities as well as its chic, trend-setting dining outlets all have become a talk of the town and a hot topic of discussion among netizens across the globe.
Among the VUE Bar snacks, Hansar Garlic Fries with parmesan cheese and Trio Snack (Chicken satays, prawn spring rolls and curly fries) make the perfect combination with whatever cocktails you order. Those who like Thai snacks will be delighted to savour crispy Tung Thong (Deep fried golden sachets with sweet chili sauce) and Poh Pia Thord (Deep fried spring rolls with plum sauce).
One of the highly talked about dining (and wining) venues at Hansar Bangkok is the VUE Bar that keeps its discerning guests on cloud nine with colourful cocktails, sizzling spirits, wonderful wines, brilliant beers and so-good-to-taste snacks in line with the hotel’s motto – ‘Making guests happy’ (‘Hansar’ means ‘happiness’).
As darkness envelopes the outside world, the moments of real fun start indoors! While enjoying the ‘shots’ of happiness, you will be entertained by nightly live music. If you happen to be at VUE on a Monday evening, you will love to listen to the former GMM Grammy pop stars Seksun (‘Oh’) Panprateep and Chaichat (‘Chat’) Srisupawattana singing super hits from their own albums as well as Western classics, pop and jazz numbers that topped music charts from the 60s through to 90s such as Quando, quando, quando and It has to be you.
As the sun sets, Hansar Bangkok’s lobby comes alive with the natural buzz of Bangkok’s newest hot spot – VUE (pronounced as ‘wooh’ in French which means ‘sight’ or ‘something seen’) - where guests can relax in a nice setting and enjoy the views, be seen, or just catch an ever-changing glimpse of the crowd through the floor-to-ceiling mirrors and glass that line the grand staircase. VUE is situated in a surprisingly quiet location off the bustling Rajdamri Road in Soi Mahadlekluang 2.
VUE offers an extensive wines list as well comprising new world and old world wines with vintages range from 1951 to 2009. The Sommelier recommended wines include Prosecco Brut “Zonin” sparkling wine, De Castellane Champagne, 2000 Dom Pérignon (Champagne Cuvee d’exception), 2007 Louis Latour Macon Village
Begin your journey to explore the mystic world of VUE with one or two shots of the Classics like Bloody Mary, Blue Hawaii, Sex on the Beach and Mojito. But don’t rush to jump to the sizzling spirits, the finest whiskies (blended malts and singles) or the wonderful wines no matter how much they entice you. For, you will wind up your exploration half way and return to the material world soon without reaching the euphoric summit.
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Chameroy (Burgundy), 2008 Sancerre ‘Clos de Chadenay “AOC” Etienne Daulny’ (Loire), 2008 Palliser Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand), 2008 Pinot Noir d’Alsace Reserve (Alsace), 2009 Anakena Cabernet Sauvignon (Chile) and 2008 Peter Lehmann (Weighbridge) Shiraz. Also, there are 10 wines available by the glass ranging from 2009 Penfold Chardonnay (Australia) to De Castellane Champagne (France). Guests can order authentic Thai dishes from Café Boca or sample their choicest creations from the adjacent EVE restaurant’s contemporary French Provençal menu adorned with all the exotic in-trend dishes. EVE’s French menu with a hint of Mediterranean influence features tantalising creations masterfully crafted by its Executive Chef Chatree Wongsriphaisan and Executive Sous Chef Satjar Thongsrikaew such as Wild French Turbot, slowcooked perigord black truffle foam, and Alaskan Sea Scallops, pan seared tempura of tiger prawn tails, mango salsa. Speaking to RBSC ELITE about special promotions on the cards, Hansar’s Assistant F&B Manager Mr. Christoph Schwamborn said: “We have ‘Buy 1, Get 1 Free’ promotion during the happy hours from 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm where guests can get one free drink for every one ordered from a wide selection of house wines (including Prosecco Zonin champagne), aperitifs & liquors, whiskies, cocktails, mocktails and soft drinks.” VUE which accommodates 40 VUE, guests inside and around the bar area and an equal number of guests on the terrace with spacious and comfortable sofas, is open daily from 10.00 am until late night. The bar also has an extensive collection of Cuban cigars, including Cohiba Montecristo for those who want and Montecristo, to cap their evening in style!
Reservation is highly recommended at VUE, especially for a group of eight or more persons, since all vantage points at the terrace offering dreamy views of the inside and outside worlds bathing in twilight quickly get filled with guests. For more information or to reserve your seats at VUE, please call (66) 02-209-1234 or send an e-mail to reservations@hansarbangkok.com.
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Health
Understanding Osteoarthritis
O
Detect yourself to protect your health
steoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis caused by ‘wear and tear’ on a joint. It causes pain, swelling and reduced motion in your joints. It can occur in any joint, but usually it affects your hands, knees, hips or spine. Osteoarthritis, also called ‘OA’ in short, breaks down the cartilage in your joints. Cartilage is the slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint. Healthy cartilage absorbs the shocks of movement. When you lose cartilage, your bones rub together. Over time, this rubbing can permanently damage the joint causing pain and possibly bowed or crooked legs. But how to identify whether a person is suffering from the condition? What are its symptoms? How to detect the abnormality at an early stage? To find out answers to these and a few other questions, RBSC ELITE met Dr. Aree Tanavalee, attending Orthopedic Surgeon at BNH Hospital’s Shoulder & Joint Centre. excerpts:
What precautions do you suggest to avoid further deterioration of the affected joint? The first and foremost thing to do is to avoid squatting on the floor with bent knees. Also, activities like kneeling down, crossedleg sitting, walking on the knees and bending the body too much, which exert pressure on the knee joints, should be avoided. While climbing up or down steps, they should climb sideways so that the weight is not transferred directly on to the knee joints especially your kneecap. They should do isometric exercises to strengthen their quadriceps muscles and tendons. One simple way is to sit upright on a chair, stretch your leg, lift it up parallel to the ground, keep the knee stretched for 15 seconds and bring your leg down back to the original position. You can do this 100 times a day or even more while watching TV at home.
Who are at risk of developing OA? OA usually affects men and women aged 45 and above, those who are obese and who get involved in physical activities that put too much pressure on joints. Other risk factors include injury or trauma and infection resulting in damage to the joint.
What lifestyle changes do you suggest to people suffering from OA? They should lose weight or keep it under control, stop eating fatty foods and not engage in rigorous physical activities. They should do isometric exercises to strengthen muscles around the knees and hips.
What are the symptoms of the condition? When OA is in its initial stage, the person affected may feel stiffness in the joints, especially after a night of sleep. Also, he/ she may feel a sharp, shooting pain while doing any physical activity such as jogging, running or even climbing up or down a staircase. Engaging in such activities will cause inflammation of the weight-bearing joints in the knees and hips.
When should a person suffering from OA see a doctor? Usually, people suffering from OA try all sorts of home remedies, including massage and over-the-counter medicines first. Massage or OTC products can only provide temporary relief from the pain but will not eliminate the problem. Most people do not go to their hospital due to ‘the fear of being suggested a surgery’. They visit their doctor only after the situation worsens. Instead, they should consult a qualified orthopedician before it is too late. Not all doctors suggest surgery, which should be the last option. Your doctor will find out the root cause of the problem, prescribe the necessary anti-inflammatory medication and recommend muscle-strengthening exercises to alleviate the pain and avoid further deterioration.
How to detect the abnormality at an early stage? As for a healthy knee joint, normally we can find wrinkles on the knee around the knee cap when you straighten your knee. If you do not see such wrinkles or cannot identify the exact shape of the knee cap but find some swelling instead, it means you have joint inflammation. Another way is to touch both knees with the back of your palms to feel the surface temperature. If the temperature is higher than normal or if one knee is warmer than the other, that particular knee might be inflamed. When you climb up or down steps, if you hear a peculiar sound coming from your knee (joint) similar to the sound produced by the scratching of two pieces of sand paper, it indicates damage to articular cartilage and/or meniscus which causes the thighbone and the shin bone to rub against each other.
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Golf Quiz
Albatross
Eagle
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in three exciting prizes – Albatross, Eagle and Birdie – in this month’s quiz. The Albatross prize includes gift vouchers worth THB 6,000 which can be exchanged for a Two Hours Mulberry Hot Tea Oil Massage for a couple sponsored by Mulberry Spa.
Gift vouchers for a One Hour Mulberry Hot Tea Oil Massage for a couple Valued at THB 3,000.- at Mulberry Spa, will be presented to the winner of the Eagle prize, while a voucher for a One Hour Mulberry Hot Tea Oil Massage for one person Valued at THB 1,500.- awaits the Birdie prize winner.
Birdie
In case of more than three winning entries, the winners will be selected through a draw of lots. So what are you waiting for? Hurry up!! Please e-mail your answers to editorial_desk@elitegolfmagazine.com by not later than Thursday, 22 September 2011 with ‘Golf Quiz – August 2011’ as the ‘subject’ of your mail. Alternatively, you may write your name, contact number or E-mail ID and your answers in the box provided in this page or its photocopy and leave it with the golf starters. So, Best of Luck!
- ELITE Editorial Team
GOLF QUIZ - AUGUST 2011 Name: ____________________________________ Tel No. / E-mail ID: ___________________________ Your Answers: Q.1 ____________________________ Q.2 ____________________________
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QUESTIONS Please select the response of your choice to each of the below questions. 1. How much a golfer taking part in the ‘Golfers Love The King’ charity event on 27 November 2011 has to pay towards souvenirs and participation certificate? a) 3,000 baht b) 2,000 baht c) 1,500 baht d) 1,000 baht 2. Which of the below expatriate members did not play at the recently held Asavapati Trophy? a) Mr. Michael Allan b) Mr. John Lenaghan c) Mr. Dale Lawrence d) Mr. Ian Mclean
August 2011
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Conditions: a) The Golf Quiz is open for the members of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club, their spouses, children and families only and non-members are not eligible to participate. b) The Albatross prize includes green fee during weekdays only. c) W hile sending your entries, you must quote your name and contact phone number or e-mail address. Entries without the accompanying details face the risk of being rejected. d) The winners will be intimated through a telephone call or e-mail, as the case may be, to pick-up their prizes. e) The prizes are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.
contemporary indian dining ¶ŒÒÁÕã¤ÃÁÒ¶ÒÁ¼ÁÇ‹ÒµŒÍ§ä»¡Ô¹ÍÒËÒÃᢡ·Õèä˹¼Á¤§á¹Ð¹ÓÇ‹Ò ¤¹ä·ÂµŒÍ§ä»¡Ô¹ÍÒËÒÃᢡÌҹ¹Õé Indus ÊÓËÃѺ¼ÁáŌǤԴNjÒ໚¹ÃŒÒ ¹ÍÒËÒ÷Õè´Õ·ÕèÊش㹡ÃØ§à·¾Ï ¤ÃѺ - ËÁÖ¡á´§ Á.Å.ÈÔÃÔà©ÅÔÁ ÊÇÑÊ´ÔÇѵ¹ ˹ѧÊ×;ÔÁ¾ à´ÅÔ¹ÔÇÊ Çѹ·Õè 28 ÊÔ§ËÒ¤Á 2552
f ) To ensure fair and equitable chances of winning the prizes for all, entries submitted by the members, who had already won 3 prizes (same or different prizes) in one calendar year, will be considered as ineligible. The Editorial Desk of RBSC ELITE reserves the right to reject invalid entries.
ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH’S QUIZ 1. On which dates Wilding Golf and RBSC ELITE are organising Junior Golf Clinics for RBSC juniors? a) 7th, 14th and 21st August b) 8th, 15th and 22nd August c) 9th, 16th and 23rd August d) 11th, 18th and 25th August Ans: d) 11th, 18th and 25th August 2. Who was the runner-up at the St. Amory Cup tournament held at RBSC on 2 July? a) Khun Tnu Dharmajiva b) Khun Vivat Vinicchayakul c) Khun Tiraphon Tipsanit d) Khun Siripat Swasdiburi Ans: b) Khun Vivat Vinicchayakul Since there were more than three entries with the correct answers for the last month’s quiz, the following three winners were picked by a draw of lots. The prizes for the below winners as well as the winners of the previous months will be available with the Starters at RBSC Golf Club House on or before 12 September. 1. Albatross prize – Khun Yurachatr Brook 2. Eagle prize
– Khun Pakorn Mojdara
3. Birdie prize
– Khun Yuthasak Voravetvudhikun
Congratulations to the lucky winners!
Sukhumvit Soi 26 (Between the Four Wings Hotel and K Village) BTS: Phrom Phong Tel: 02 258-4900 www.indusbangkok.com indus@indusbangkok.com For Taxi:
Money Matters
Make More Money from the Money that Money Makes with Ayudhya Securities – Your Cool Financial Partner!
- By Simon Nathan
“A
nd the money that money makes makes more money” - American statesman Benjamin Franklin once said that, though that’s probably not the reason he is pictured on the US$100 bill.
Thus the volatility of bourses, in combination with various other factors, makes investment a truly tough task. To win this money game at most times, you need to be sensible and careful and possess sound knowledge of what’s happening around you. You should always be on the vigil like a soldier guarding his country’s border. You should constantly do market research, watch business news and read newspapers everyday and rack your brain carefully evaluating risks and rewards. You should keep track of every movement in the stocks and make your move in the right manner and at the right time.
It is more than a proven fact and less than a universal truth that money makes money. But how, when and under what circumstances does your money grow? Although it is easy to say, how your money makes more money and at what rate it grows depends on innumerable number of fixed and variable factors - economical, social, political, and of every other nature one can imagine.
That seems to be an extremely demanding job, isn’t it? After all, the game of investment is a non-regular/ additional activity for many of us. If it is too much and you can’t take it, the best thing you can do is to find a trusted financial partner with all those abilities and skills plus the eyes of an eagle, the nose of a sniffer dog and the brain (CPU) of a supercomputer! So to say, your financial planner or stockbroker, who manages your money with meticulous care and utmost wisdom, is the key to your financial success. Ayudhya Securities PCL (AYS), is one such financial partner, in whose hands your money can grow not only safely but soundly. Established in 1975, AYS is the securities arm of the Bangkok of Ayudhya PCL that adopts a customer-centric approach with a view to meeting the unique and specific needs of every one of its clients. AYS is engaged in brokerage of shares and stocks, investment advisory services, securities underwriting and private fund management. It also officiates as a selling agent for various mutual funds. With its fast, reliable and modernized services that fit the lifestyle of the new generation coupled with its focus on providing in-depth but easy-to-understand information both online and offline, AYS walks along with you to be your cool financial partner! AYS Managing Director Khun Monkhol Kittipoomvong recently spoke to RBSC ELITE about why prospective investors should choose AYS to be their financial partner. Khun Monkhol also shared his insights into the current trends in the stock market and the investment outlook for the year ahead. Highlights of the interview:
We have seen stock markets plummeting and people losing their fortunes just because of trivial reasons – their country’s president catching a cold or their prime minister slipping in the bathroom. We also have witnessed some guys making a fast buck when markets overreacted to the news of their top lawmaker’s daughter delivering a healthy baby. If such news comes from the US, it will have maximum impact causing markets across the globe to crash or surge, staying true to the age-old saying that ‘when America sneezes, the world catches a cold’.
Why should people who want to invest their money look to AYS? We endeavor to ensure that all types of investors, whether foreign or local, institutional or individual, are satisfied with the benefits obtained from using our services. Our experienced and highly talented professional marketing staff can provide brokering services and timely investment advice based on both fundamentals and technicals.
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Besides being able to place orders through our marketing staff, our clients have the option of trading online via our website - www.ays.co.th. Taking advantage of our state-ofthe-art technology, they can place sell or buy orders around the clock and monitor stock prices on a real-time basis on a user-friendly screen exclusively designed for them.
the fixed income side, equities side, derivatives side or commodities side – offering very good returns but, of course, with some associated risks. The bottom line is that investors have to adapt to the changing climate and choose the products in line with their risk profile. Since we are one of the established financial intermediaries in Thailand, we are trying to expand the investment opportunities for our clients based on this investment Philosophy.
How reliable is your market information? We compile news and information relating to securities and investments from a wide variety of reliable sources to keep our customers up to date on what’s happening in the realm of securities investments. Our website is equipped with a number of tools that will help you make precise and correct investment decisions, such as technical analysis charts and research reports. You can also monitor the market’s every move and place orders via your mobile phone or PDA so that you never miss an investment opportunity!
Do you offer any special services to HNW individuals? In addition to our brokerage business, we also offer special fund management to HNW individuals. It is a sort of boutique service on the private fund management side where our clients are offered tailor-made opportunities. The clients can direct us or have a say in making investment decisions. As you know, there are two extremes in the fund management – one is investor making his own decision as to where to invest and the other is investor depositing his money with the fund manager and giving complete discretion to the latter (as in the case of mutual funds). As a private fund manager, we stand in between the two extremes. We custom-make opportunities to suit the specific needs of every one of our clients. If our client asks us to avoid a certain sector/business, we can do so and manage his portfolio accordingly. We can set up this special fund management for the client with a minimum investment of 20 million baht.
What’s the investment outlook for the second half of the year? If you have been following the current trends in the developing world, including Thailand, you will understand that the investment scenario has changed substantially now. The Bank of Thailand’s Deposit Guarantee Scheme, which offered maximum guarantee for bank deposits for many years irrespective of the money deposited, is now fading away. The central bank has decided to phase out the scheme to weaken the Thai baht and boost exports. The final phase is scheduled for the next year where the guarantee will be reduced to just one million baht per person, per bank. This means that investors certainly have to look for alternatives. To prevent the Thai baht from strengthening, the apex bank is also encouraging Thai people to invest abroad.
Any special promotions for investors intending to become your clients? We are launching a truly special promotion for our clients from 1 September 2011. They can trade stocks and accumulate reward points that can be redeemed for gift vouchers, iPad2, iPhone4, gold fund, Rolex watch and Nissan March 1.2LE car. This apart, there is a lucky draw in which five Sony notebook computers are being offered as the prizes. The promotion is valid until 30 November 2011. Ayudhya Securities offers one-stop service providing investors with a diverse range of opportunities that are safe and sound. So, make more money from the money that money makes with AYS – your cool financial partner!
What sort of asset allocation you recommend in the current situation? In the light of the phasing out of Deposit Guarantee Scheme, investors should divest part of their money out of the typical bank deposits to be able to capitalize on what other classes of assets are offering. Now in Thailand itself, the investment products are plentiful – no matter on
To open an account with AYS or for more information about its products, services and promotions, please call 02–659-7391/7397, e-mail to prayoon@ays.co.th or visit www.ays.co.th.
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Money Matters
Have You Ever Thought of Paying Yourself First? - By Suthipong Sucharittanonta, CFPTM
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hat do you do first after receiving your salary or pay check at the end of the month? The answer is that most people pay various kinds of bills, credit cards, debts, loans and other expenses. Then, they buy unnecessary things or go to have nice and expensive dinner. After paying all bills and using the money for a few days, there will be a little left to be saved!
For working people, most of the companies have retirement savings scheme called Provident fund which enforces you to contribute a certain percent from your salary and the company contribute the same amount or more. The provident fund can be withdrawn after retirement without tax. However, for those who work for the company that does not have a provident fund or a freelance worker, they can invest in the Retirement Mutual Fund or RMF which gives the tax benefit and forces an investor to save the investment money until 55 years old or retirement. In order to start the savings plan you have to make it automatic by authorizing the bank or the mutual fund company to debit certain amount that you want to save each month from your bank account after you receive your salary and invest in a mutual fund account. This method of investing at the same period and the same amount each month is called the Dollar Cost Averaging.
This kind of behaviour makes spending, rather than saving, your top priority. You have to reverse your mindset to save first, and then spend what is remaining. Why don’t you pay yourself first before paying others? Have you ever thought of paying yourself first? It means that before paying all your bills and debt, buying essential things or, let us say ‘before doing anything’, just set aside some money from your salary for saving. This saving habit sounds easy to do. However, it is quite difficult to follow along with. We normally accustom to the habit of spending first and save what is left. Paying yourself first does not require any special tool or discipline. Moreover, it helps you to force yourself to save money. When deposits are made into a savings or investment account automatically and regularly you don’t have to think about it and the money is deposited before you have time to worry about expenses or how much money will be left over.
The cost of your investment will be averaged over a certain period of time. It works well with the mutual fund investment. The risk of buying at the top of the market will be eliminated and the average price will also be reduced. Most mutual fund companies can set up this plan for you. If you invest in the Retirement Mutual Fund (RMF) or Long-term Equity Fund, you will also have the tax benefit. An automatic savings plan is a great way to make saving a habit. Thanks to modern technology and financial tools, saving has become easy and consistent. After you consider your savings goal as you set up your plan, you will soon find your savings account growing.
What can you do to set up the savings plan? The best and easiest way is to make your savings automatic by allocating a portion from your salary each month and transfer to your real savings account which can be a bank account or a mutual fund account. For example, if you have a salary of Baht 80,000, you set aside 10 percent for your savings each month which is Baht 8,000. In one year, it will be the sum of Baht 96,000, Baht 960,000 in ten years, Baht 1,920,000 in 20 years, Baht 2,880,000 in 30 years and Baht 3,840,000 in 40 years.
Apart from your savings account, you should also consider setting up another savings plan for a rainy day or an emergency. An automatic savings plan can be use to create a rainy day fund. Who knows? One day, you might need to use it for an emergency.
You will not only get this amount of money you have saved, but you also gain an interest from the investment of this money.
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August 2011