GOLF

As you may know I appreciate the game of golf. Since I have been out of the working world I have played a fair amount. Coming to Thailand was to be an extension of that appreciation what with all the cheap golf courses over here and all. Well I found out that cheap is in the eye of the beholder. My first encounter with golf here was anything but cheap. And this with a special being offered to me through the contacts at Thanachart. So I had to set out on my own to see if I could find something a little more to my frugal tastes.
I canvassed a number of courses to see if I could get a one year membership or something that would bring my golf costs down to reasonable. Remeber that at home I am paying something in the area of $30 a round plus having the convenience of not having to stand in line or line up on the phone because I am a member. This is big! Ask anyone who has to call ahead two weeks to get a tee time and then curse a streak when Saturday comes around and its pouring rain. Not me! Play when I want. Hehehehe!
So my queries were answered when I found Bangkok Golf Club. About one hour from our place, most courses are well outside Bangkok, and actually kinda on the way past one of Deeds offices. So I ride to work with her in the morning, cup of coffee, little plate of fruit, someone else doing the driving and a kiss on the cheek and I am off to golf. Way cool!
BGC hosted the 2003 Volvo Master of Asia as well as numerous Thai tournaments. Click Here    Bangkok Golf Club
A short track by todays standards, the course is dotted with water and sand. Accuracy off the tee, not my strength, is a necessity. I have had some trouble getting accustomed to this course. The grass is very different here than that back home. Especially the rough. Is very puffy and you must be careful not to ground your club before you stike the ball. The ball has a tendancy to sit on top of the grass, meaning your feet are slightly below the ball. Not mindful of this fact you will hit the ball fat, kinda like being in a fairway bunker, you have to choke down just a little.
But that is something I know already. My biggest problem is the greens.
When I first played the course I noticed a sign on the edge of the practice green that gave the cut height of the rough, the fairway and a distance for the greens. That day and most others it has been 11.3 to 11.7. Now I didn't actually know what that was. I thought "Well it could be a stimp meter reading, but really, an everyday golf course with greens running between 11 and 12 on the stimp? That is PGA speed, or even US Open speed greens. Not something you would do to an everyday club golfer. Right? Wrongo.
The greens are lightning. Table top fast. Slick. Shiny, Superquick Glass like. And they are killing me. I am hitting putts past the hole 10 feet. Brutal.
But it is still golf. I walk 18 holes. My only fee since I am a member is 250 baht for a caddy and then a 250 baht tip for the caddy at the end of the round. $15 cash per round. Don't get me goin on the caddies, they do drag your clubs around in the heat and they are a reference for the break in the green, up or down hill. But that is pretty much it. No Father Patrick or farmers daughter jokes. Nothing to really talk about. But I still have stories.
#1 The day I went to check out the course I was playing by myself. I was actually talking to my mom on the second hole when I notice a single on a cart behind me. Caddy drives the cart, you just sit there. I told my caddy we would wait for him and also gave me a chance to have a word with ma. When he approached I went over and introduced myself, he was Khun John. An owner / executive of an armaments company. John of course isn't his given name as he is a native Thai, but it is a Thai tradition to give your sons a nickname. So John it is. We seemed to hit it off and chatted as best we could for a few holes. At the point that I told him I was very interested to join the club he jumped right in and said, "Let me call the pro and get you the discount" Well very nice of you Kuhn John I said thinking to myself that he is just being a bit of a blowhard, showing off a bit. He had already played nine when he joined me so he peeled off after number 9, wishing me well and telling me that he had got me 5,000 Baht off the price and don't be a stranger we can get a game together. We traded mobile numbers and I finished with a group of Swedes that were playing in front of us. Met another member in that group.
Well when I went into the club house I bumped into the Club Manager who is from Vancouver. His grandparents had actually founded the club and he had mover to Van to go to school, now was back trying to make a go of the club. I talked about K Johns offer. He looked at me like I was a highwayman and said no discount was offered. The price was the price.
Now I am in a pickle. Cause I wanted to join the club at the price. But now K John has me thinking I can get it 5K cheaper. So now I am wondering, do I join at the price or stand for the discount? Isn't that always the way. I would have been happy paying the 40,000 Baht (1,300 CDN) for a one year membership.
So a phone call to K John on Monday and he swears that Tony, the Club Manager has nothing to do with it. Go to the pro shop. They know who you are, because of me says John.
Next time in I walk up to the pros shop counter and say, with chest puffed out, " I'm Kuhn Jerry, Kuhn John has left you a note. Ohhhh yes Kuhn Jerry, no trouble, 35,000. Very nice of you to join our club, so nice to have you!  ????????????????????
Reallly. I'm thinking really. Paid the money and walked out like a somebody.
Just goes to show you that even a rugged adventurer from Thunder Bay can get a break every now and then.
Fariways and greens!
Sawadee Krup