escape thailand Golf Experience A new must-play layout in Bangkok by Paul Myers 64 Golf Asia

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "escape thailand Golf Experience A new must-play layout in Bangkok by Paul Myers 64 Golf Asia"

Ezra Lyons
5 years ago
Views:

1 escape thailand An Enlightened Golf Experience A new must-play layout in Bangkok by Paul Myers 64 Golf Asia

Nikanti Golf Club, Asia s newest golf course located an hour s drive west of Bangkok, is on a mission of enlightenment, but only to a point.

Part of the explanation comes in Nikanti s name, derived from an ancient Balinese language that roughly means the last step before enlightenment.

The other part of the explanation lies in Nikanti s unique format three six-hole loops, each with two par-3, two par-4 and two par-5 holes. It still adds up to a par-72, 18-hole golf course.

2 Nikanti Golf Club, Asia s newest golf course located an hour s drive west of Bangkok, is on a mission of enlightenment, but only to a point. In the words of its managing director, Khun Warawit (Nick) Sasomsub, We don t want players to be too enlightened, otherwise they won t want to come to play at Nikanti any more. What does he mean? Part of the explanation comes in Nikanti s name, derived from an ancient Balinese language that roughly means the last step before enlightenment. In Buddhist culture, once you attain enlightenment you are, literally, beyond nikanti. Hence Khun Nick s desire for golfers who play at Nikanti to not quite reach enlightenment. The other part of the explanation lies in Nikanti s unique format three six-hole loops, each with two par-3, two par-4 and two par-5 holes. It still adds up to a par-72, 18-hole golf course. But as far as Khun Nick and Nikanti s architect, Khun Pirapon (Ope) Namatra, are aware, no other course in the world has been designed this way. This, surely, is enlightened! As if to further emphasise the 6,6,6 format, Nikanti s logo is the number 6 as written in Thai. There s a lot more enlightening about Nikanti: an immaculate layout with perhaps more risk and reward options than you ll find on any other 18-hole course in Asia, an enormous modern clubhouse that seems destined to win numerous architectural and interior design awards, and an all-inclusive visitor rate that includes green fee, cart and caddie fees, The 17 th tee 1 st hole Golf Asia 65

escape thailand The 6 th caddie tip, lunch or dinner (depending on when you play) and soft drinks. One more feature: Nikanti is pitched only at visitors. There won t be any members.

Irrespective of this, Nikanti is set to be high on the list of must play layouts in Bangkok when it fully opens for play at the end of 2014.

3 escape thailand The 6 th caddie tip, lunch or dinner (depending on when you play) and soft drinks. One more feature: Nikanti is pitched only at visitors. There won t be any members. We want people to really enjoy the course, Khun Nick says modestly. In Buddhist culture we are taught not to hope for too much, so we don t have other aspirations. Irrespective of this, Nikanti is set to be high on the list of must play layouts in Bangkok when it fully opens for play at the end of Until then, Nikanti is in soft-opening mode, welcoming local corporates, golf tour operators and others who want an insight into the course near Nakhon Pathom coincidentally, the town where more than 2000 years ago Buddhism was introduced to the country now known as Thailand. With its 6,6,6 format, players can start their round at either the first, 7th or 13th hole. Two of these options, the first and 13th are tough with challenging par-5s with sloping fairways and greens heavily guarded by water. Indeed, the approach shot to both holes test the nerves of all players, with greens precariously located by the water s edge. Both are followed by a mid-length par-3, also with water next to the green, before progressing to more benign par-4s. While a start on hole 7 also features a par-5 followed by a par-3 and par-4, there is no water to be seen until the 10th hole. This interesting mix of par-5, followed by par-3 and par-4 to open each loop is just one of the intriguing aspects of the course. So too are the many standout holes the par-5 first, 13th and 18th in particular, the latter being one of the best finishing holes in Thailand. Designer, Khun Ope, whose home course Bangsai near Bangkok and Banyan at Hua Hin are among his many claims to fame, says he was given the task 66 Golf Asia

As far as we know, Nikanti is the first course in the world to adopt a six-hole format and I think it works very well.

4 4 th hole green of doing something different and unique when he took on the challenge at Nikanti. We wanted to create something interesting and special, he explains. As far as we know, Nikanti is the first course in the world to adopt a six-hole format and I think it works very well. Khun Ope believes the course with paspalum tees, Bermuda Tifway fairways and rough and Tifway greens looks harder than it actually plays. This was borne out by the performances of Asian golf media who played Nikanti in late May and early June. At first glance, you probably think where am I going Golf Asia 67

escape thailand The par 3 8 th to hit it, Khun Ope says, But once you play the course and see that there are ample landing areas, it s not such a huge challenge.

5 escape thailand The par 3 8 th to hit it, Khun Ope says, But once you play the course and see that there are ample landing areas, it s not such a huge challenge. You just have to think your way around, which is what we set out to achieve. Even so, Nikanti is no pushover. Granted, it isn t long with some quite reachable (in two shots for better players) par-5 holes and no excessively long par-4s. There is, however, some serious bunkering on some holes, the 7th being an example that discourages attempts to reach the elevated green in two. Additionally, the greens are fast and, in some cases, extremely undulating. None more so than the par-3 5 th that has two distinct areas, separated by a large valley. Managing director, Khun Nick Sasomsub, says Nikanti s 6,6,6 format is not only different, but provides operational flexibility with a three-tee start. Quite deliberately, each of the starting tees is next to the clubhouse, as are the greens of the final holes in each six-hole loop. Nikanti s clubhouse is one of its many attributes. Elevated to provide superb views over the course and surrounding area, it features the most modern and comfortable lounges, restaurant and locker room facilities to be found anywhere in Asia. Not only has no expense been spared in creating a special environment, the quality of furnishings and fittings is equivalent to the best five-star hotels in major cities. As Khun Nick says, Nikanti is more than golf. It s a whole experience of the best food and beverage, meeting facilities, lounges and relaxation. That is what we set out to achieve and now we are asking people to come and experience it for themselves. If you are ever in or near Bangkok, make a beeline for this course. You may remain one step short of enlightenment, but chances are you will be enlightened in other ways. 68 Golf Asia

GM, Kelly Cherkowski Nikanti is more than

That is what we set out to achieve and now we

Pathom, Bangkok A: Ekamai 63 Road, Klongtan

6 GM, Kelly Cherkowski Nikanti is more than golf. It s a whole experience of the best food and beverage, meeting facilities, lounges and relaxation. That is what we set out to achieve and now we are asking people to come and experience it for themselves. Nikanti Golf Club - located near Nakhon Pathom, Bangkok A: Ekamai 63 Road, Klongtan Nua, Wattana, Bangkok, Thailand W: / NikantiGolfClub Golf Asia 69

GOLFING IN THE. KINGDOM by Paul Myers

GOLFING IN THE. KINGDOM by Paul Myers GOLFING IN THE KINGDOM by Paul Myers Thailand s nearly 300 top-of-the-line golf courses and its reputation as a fun and friendly destination have made the Kingdom the world s third largest destination