Mike Clark in Thailand: Chapter 19

Early departure from Hua Hin and I’ve got my original driver from Bangkok picking me up and in no time we are flying north on open road toward the province of Ratchaburi and the Royal Ratchaburi golf club. By flying I mean over 90mph. 

I verified thru google that 147klm per hour is getting it. I’ve got to keep my eyes front so as not to get car sick sitting in the back seat as scenery flys by. In an hour we have arrived. This is an old course and a bit rough around the edges but overall in very good condition with quality holes. 

“Lao” is my caddie today and we hit it off splendidly as her read on the first hole yields a birdie.

 

Three more birdies today against a painful double yields a -2 round. The real entertainment today are the monkeys. To say they are mischievous is an understatement. If the cart is left unattended they are on it and in it looking for food. Caddies carry homemade fashioned slingshots to keep them at bay. Unfortunately I didn’t get pic of “Lao” and her slingshot as her preferred method of determent was wildly swinging around the rake. Of course I didn’t help the situation one bit and got scolded by throwing a banana chip to a lucky primate.

 

I will always make this an interim stop when I’m in Thailand between Hua Hin and Bangkok. The course has teeth and despite some grainy Bermuda greens it’s a pleasure to play. Some places just suit your eye better than others.

 

As I write this I’m all checked into my Hilton room for the last 9 nights in Bangkok with a full agenda of great courses coming up.

"Lao" the caddie of the day and Monkey deterrent

They are everywhere

Lovely par 3

Range, not all that bad!

Lao says "it's the driver"

Course view

Course view

Course view

Course view

Waiting for a banana chip

Mike Clark in Thailand: Chapter 18

Pretty light day today here in Hua Hin. Unlike Bangkok it’s less than a 20 minute scenic drive to the golf course through the old town flower lined streets, where I get my second crack at Pineapple Valley. 

My playing partners are Robert and Heinrich from Sweden. Nice guys for certain but not great players. Still much better than the Australian beginner twosome that topped and chunked their entire way around here with me last time. 

Great ball striking but poor putting keeps me from being under par. That and the smooth double bogey 5 I took on 15 after flying a 9 over the green and into an impossible short sided up and down scenario.

This is my last night in this quaint beach town area that caters to expats. I’ll pack up tonight and be ready for an 800 am pickup for the drive back to Bangkok, but not before a stop at Royal Ratchaburi, which lies about half way between here and the city. I had asked to play it, as the last time here I found it to be somewhat of a hidden gem and a great test. Plus it’s loaded with monkeys which you just don’t see everyday.

I’ve just finished my “Porn” massage and have said my farewells and am now nursing a nice cup of coffee as I write this. 

I ate in the night market last night and as always it was great but tonight I might just have a pizza!

Lek on the bag for round 2 at Pinapple.  I was happy that she was here again to help me around.  She's a sweetheart.

Swedes in action

The gals having fun

Robert & his caddie

Just this small stand of trees between Robert & the hole

Temple on the course

It's perched up on the hill & Lek said 4 monks take care of it.

Clubhouse views of Pineapple

Bougainvillea flowers, they love the hot & dry of this area & are everywhere

Street view in front of my coffee shop

Market scene last night