Pattaya's scenic stunners

WITH close to 30 golf courses spread out on the eastern seaboard of Thailand, the areas of Chonburi and Pattaya have long been a destination of choice with domestic golfers as well as those in the region.

And in an indication of their growing popularity, other golf course projects are also being planned.

Many layouts have been designed to championship standards and have involved some of the top golf-course architects in the world, namely Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Desmond Muirhead and Schmidt/Curley.

We checked out a few must-play courses in the Pattaya area.

Laem Chabang International Country Club

Designed by Jack Nicklaus, this 27-hole course consists of the Mountain, Lake and Valley nine-hole layouts. On the Mountain, golfers have to cross over several hills with sloping fairways; in contrast, the Lake has water hazards on its nine holes. Its par-four sixth is an outstanding hole, as you will need to hit over water with your second shot to get onto the green. Low handicappers will want to hit their tee shots to the right side of the fairway which will leave a shot directly over the lake to the green, while higher handicappers may want to hit left to the fairway pad in front of the …