Centara World Masters Championship beckons Indian Golfers to Hua Hin

They will have the opportunity to compete with 600 golfers across Asia, Australia, Europe and the US

Mumbai, April 02 2015: Hua Hin’s greens are sprucing up, readying for the resort town’s appointment with the golfers from all over the world at the Centara World Masters Golf Championship. From 14 June to 20 June, participants will compete in four rounds at four of Hua Hin’s finest golf courses: Banyan Golf Club, Black Mountain Golf Club, Imperial Lake View Golf Club and Majestic Creek Golf Club.

This is the first year that Hua Hin is playing host to the tournament, which had previously spent 18 years drawing the world’s golfers to Australia’s turf. “This is a testimony to Thailand’s rising role as a golfing destination. We are witnessing a growing number of golfers from India

There are seventeen handicaps under which 600 men and women hailing from various parts of Asia, Europe, the US and Australia will compete. “So long as you are over 35 and have an official golf handicap, you can tee it up at the Masters. Playing with golfers your own age and standard is one of the event’s great traditions,” says Peter McCarthy, tournament director. The event will feature 72-hotels of stableford competition besides lots of other gifts and prizes.

Besides the draw of teeing off overseas, lively social and entertainment events take place every night to offer participants a wholesome holiday. Additionally, the hosts promise that the golfers will be treated to international acts at welcome and farewell celebrations. “Thailand’s biggest 19th hole moves each night to stunning rooftop, beach, and poolside settings. A decadent farewell dinner caps off the fun filled week,” McCarthy adds.

Moreover, the event is pegged to be Thailand’s richest amateur tournament with US $30,000 in prizes to be won.

Indian golfers wishing to participate can opt for packages being promoted by Golf Travel Agent My Golf Tours. Package prices start at at THB 44,000 (approx INR 88,000) and include accommodation, airport transfers, ground transportation, four tournament rounds and participation in the tournament’s gala dinner.

Thailand as a whole is earning the attention of the global golfing fraternity. Hua Hin bagged 2014 Golf Destination of the year award for Asia and Australia by IAGTO (International Association of golf Tour Operators). The win was the second major golf award for Thailand: In 2012 Pattaya won this award. Back home in India, the seaside town received the Best Golf Destination accolade at the Safari India National Tourism Awards 2013. Additionally, Thailand was conferred the Best International Golfing Destination award by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at its 6th Asia Golf Industry Show in March, 2014.

Other popular golfing destinations in Thailand are Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Kanchanaburi, Khao Yai and of course, Bangkok. With over 230 golf courses, Thailand is the third-busiest international golf vacation destination globally. Thailand’s first ever golf course opened in Hua Hin – The Royal Hua Hin Golf Club was built in 1924 and was a stomping ground for the Kingdom’s royals. The Black Mountain Golf Club and Banyan Golf Club opened in 2007-08. Majestic Creek and Imperial Lake View skirt Hua Hin. Moreover, the courses themselves are award-winning: Black Mountain has been named for each of the past three years at the Asia Pacific Golf Summit, including again last week in Jakarta, as the top course in Thailand.

TAT is going all out to drive golf-focussed travel from India to Thailand: Among other initiatives, last year it appointed Gaganjeet Bhullar as its brand ambassador among golfing enthusiasts in India. “Thailand is really an amazing golf paradise,” he says.