Airline opens Bangkok's golf courses to Indonesian golfer

Airline opens Bangkok's golf courses to Indonesian golfer

JAKARTA (JP): A new and unique golf holiday package was
announced by Thai Airways International (THAI) on Tuesday. It
enables Indonesian enthusiasts to play at Bangkok's exclusive
golf courses while entertaining the family with fantastic tours
of the city.

The uniqueness of the program is that it caters not only to
golfers but also to their non-playing family and friends, said
Thai Airways general manager for Indonesia, Agkarajit Panomwon,
when launching the tour called THAI's Amazing Family Golf 2000.

"Any sporting holiday can be a disaster if not everyone is
into the swing of things and Golf 2000 avoids that by making sure
there are plenty of options off the golf course for spouses and
children," he said.

He said that in the 4-day package, available from July to
December 2000, golfers have the choice of playing at no less than
five superb courses. While the sport's enthusiasts are out on the
course, non-golfers will be offered a wide selection of optional
sightseeing trips.

In Thailand, with its 200 courses, golf tours are not new and
one of THAI's own golf programs called 'Amazing Golf in Thailand'
last year drew almost 500 participants from Indonesia.

Agkarajit said he is optimistic that the family-attentive
"Golf 2000" will attract more than 1000 golfers with their
families in view of the fast recovery of the Indonesian economy.

His optimism is also based on positive reactions from
executives on golf courses at a meeting here last week. The get-
together was attended by representatives of several Jakarta and
Bogor golf clubs, such as the Imperial, Damai Indah, Senayan,
Pondok Indah, Sedana, Rancamaya and Gading Raya.

He said the hazards of Thai golf courses are known to be very
challenging. But less challenging is the fact that this unique
program is only priced at US$ 555 for accompanying non-golfers
and US$ 867 for golfers - the same amount required for a similar
golf tour to Bali.

The package offers exceptional facilities and services for
players and their families: air tickets, luxurious hotel,
fantastic culinary delights, exciting tours and marvelous golf
courses.

World's top

"Golf 2000" provides non-playing visitors with a chance to
discover the best of Bangkok and its nearby attractions with a
choice of half and full-day optional tours, visiting must-see
sights such as the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha and
the ancient capital of Ayutthaya.

Golfers will be taken to Bangkok's top courses for tournament
play at three of five different courses. The golfers can choose
rounds on the first two full days of the program, while the
competition culminates on the final day with everyone playing at
the Rose Garden.

Voted one of the world's top 20 golf courses by Golf Magazine,
the Rose Garden is recommended as the top all-around place to
play. The course is not the most difficult, but it certainly is
the most attractive. Playing its narrow fairways and demanding
greens while avoiding lakes that are magnets for errant balls,
provides golfing enthusiasts with great tales to share with the
group back home.

For the first two days, golfers may choose to test their
skills at any of four other fine courses - the Navatanee,
Rajpreuk, Laern Chabang or the Thai Country Club. All the courses
are international standard designed by famous golfers like Jack
Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Robert Trent Jones, Jr.

Each has its own characteristics and challenges to ensure a
satisfying game. The Rajpreuk course, for example, is normally
open to members only, and so "Golf 2000" provides a rare
opportunity for the visitors to play at what is one of Bangkok's
most exclusive courses.

Although golf was a popular pastime in Thailand for much of
the last century, the last decade witnessed the largest increase
in the number of golf courses. Of its 200 courses, 36 can be
found near Bangkok and the rest scattered in or around tourist
destinations such as Pattaya, Kanchanaburi, Phuket, Hua Hin and
Chiang Mai.

"THAI's Amazing Family Golf 2000" program will occur in 12
series starting July 23 and ending on Dec. 17. Interested golfers
can contact any leading tour operator in Jakarta to learn more
about the offer. (yan/ivy/rsl)