If there is a sure-fire way to put your course on the global map, it’s getting Tiger Woods to prowl your fairways. The Big Cat did just that with aplomb in 1998, winning the middle of three Johnnie Walker Classic’s hosted by Blue Canyon Country Club.
Set in an abandoned tin mine, streams filled with rust-coloured water, canyons with sheer cliffs exposing red and white tin ore-laden rock, and tailings from former mining operations are a few of the many throwbacks to days of time gone by.
The front nine plays up and through palm-oil tree-lined fairways. The back nine gets even better with holes 11-15 arguably the best five stretch in Thailand, if not all Asia. These five memorable golf holes will undoubtedly be the centre of the post-round sundowner.
The par-5 11th is a challenging 600-yard par 5 with water crossing the fairway on the first shot and water guarding the green left and right on the third shot. Even a penalty-free bogey is a good score here. The famous par 4 13th over a canyon tempts the daredevil while the par 3 14th from an elevated tee to an island green is one of the most beautiful. The 17th is also one of the most intimidating par 3’s anywhere, and even from the white tees, it’s a long iron or fairway wood to a partially hidden green that tucked behind the canyon on the right.
Blue Canyon has a large clubhouse with three restaurants, well-stocked pro shop, lockers and shower facilities, massage and spa. In its glory days of the 90’s, it set the standard for golf club excellence. While the onsite resort is a lovely option, don’t discount the many accommodation choices on nearby Mai Khao Beach.
