No 'tricks' on Asian Tour's best course

As a former Asian Tour player what do you look at in a course before a tournament?

Most players will focus on the greens – speed, slope, firmness, grain. Approximately 26 to 34 shots per round are spent on the greens so it is very important to spend the majority time on and around the greens for preparation.

 

Generally, what do the Tour players expect from a course?

A fair, challenging course in good condition.

 

Now you are on the other side, in charge of the course, what do you like to give to the Tour professionals?

We want to make sure the course is prepared better than any other in Asia. We want to set the course up in a manner which will identify the best players in the field. We have been successful in all three years of our event, with Lee Westwood, Charl Schwartzel and Sergio Garcia as our champions

 

Wind is a big factor at Amata that stops players like Westwood and Schwartzel running away with the title. Have you factored in windless days in setting up the course?

The course is prepared fairly every year. We have difficult pin locations for each of the four days. If we do not have wind then there is little “defence” against the best players in the world. There is no need to “trick up” a golf course. Let the players shoot a good score if they drive the ball in the fairway, hit quality iron shots and putt well. Let them be rewarded for their good play. It will be a different story this year if players do not drive the ball well. The rough will be more challenging this year

 

Just a week before the tournament, the roughs by the fairways were quite punishing. Will you be keeping that as it is, or go easier on players who stray a little bit off the fairway?

The rough at this year’s tournament will rival a traditional US Open-style set-up. You will see players hitting wedges out of the rough just to put the ball back into play.

 

Any advice for the pros playing this week at Amata?

Drive the ball well! Enjoy the opportunity to play a true championship course in perfect condition

 

Amata Spring looks beautiful. Any plans to do anything different in the future to enhance the golfing experience?

We are continually trying to improve our facility. I am sure there will be more changes over the next few years

 

Thailand has become the hub for golf in this region, boasting plenty of tournaments. In what way is the Thailand Golf Championship different from others such as the King’s Cup, the Queen’s Cup or the Chiang Mai Classic.

The Thailand Golf Championship has a stronger field with more world ranking points on offer. We have a great date and is the most prominent professional men’s event in the world the week of December 8-14.

 

What is the unique selling point of the Thailand Golf Championship?

We are happy that we give the best players in Thailand and the best players from the Asian Tour the opportunity to play against the best players in the world on possibly the best championship course in Asia. We are also happy that we give the Thai fans an opportunity to see not only regional stars but also the best players in the world. This year, we will be hosting major champions, Ryder Cup stars, European and Asian Tour winners and the three of the top five players from Japan.

 

Does the new initiative of offering four places at the British Open next year boosts the image of the tournament?

Absolutely. This is the first year of a three-year partnership with the R&A. We are the first ever event in Asia to have this association with the R&A. The Thailand Golf Championship is the only pathway event into the Open Championship in Asia. We will have more qualifying spots than the French Open, the Irish Open and the Scottish Open. The association with the R&A puts our event in esteemed company with other globally established events and also affords us the possibility of playing a role in the shaping of major championship history.

 

Will incorporating the Open Qualifying Series in the event help Asian Tour players?

Yes. The tournament provides great opportunity for players who play well. 

 

Do you think golf courses in Thailand, in general, are doing their bit to help juniors in the country?

I would say there are a few courses which do a great job in support, and there a number of courses that should re-evaluate their position of how they view younger players.