Krakow Old Timers Golf Group Blog: Clark in Thailand: Chapter 6

While here in Thailand, there are a few exclusive clubs that I want to play. One is public….“ Nikanti” but difficult to get on, the other one is “Robinswood.”

I passed Robinswood on the way to the Cascata club a couple days ago and all I can say is that it’s “blow you away Impressive”. As we passed it, I thought it was the grand entrance to some type of Thai Royalty palace but my driver quickly cleared things up….. and softly said the word “Robinswood” like it had some type of mystical power behind the gates. All I know is that it looks exclusive and I want “IN”

I love starting the day off with good news, and I was pleasantly surprised when I got the early email that I now get to play Nikanti.

Today finds me at the Vintage club after a rather long car ride out of Bangkok. It’s a really nice club designed by Arthur Hills, an architect I’m familiar with as I worked at an Arthur Hills layout when I lived in Hilton Head.

My caddie today is another sweetheart by the name of “Bo”. This course has a driving range and Bo has me loaded up and off in the cart to use it right away. It turns out that the hitting area is mostly sand, but it’s better than nothing. I dump out my trays of Easter egg colored balls and have at it. Bo loves the translation ear piece and we are chatting back and forth like old friends. It’s just she and I today, but at every refreshment stop she eagerly shows the other caddies the device and how it works and everyone is impressed. It’s not an expensive item and I can’t believe others before me have not tried it. It’s not perfect technology but it sure is helpful.

This layout is challenging and I played one set up from the tips at 6,600 yards. Fairways and par 3s are nicely framed with flowers and mature landscaping and the place is aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

It was quite windy today and hot so the ball was flying well with some roll out which was helpful on those longer holes. There was no shortage of water here either and I managed to rinse a couple shots but scoring was good and I ended up +1 for the day. Bo was exceptionally happy that I played well as I get the feeling it’s certainly not the norm. I told her the story of yesterday‘s phone trauma which judging from her expression only reiterated the dire consequences of such a loss for not only me but for the caddie. That was not going to happen today as she held onto that IPhone like it was a $20 gold piece.

Nice relaxing stress free day ends with some Krab Kapow lunch which is a minced pork dish accompanied by a fried egg and rice. Thai food can come very spicey hot if not careful. I ordered not too spicey and all was well until I ate what I thought was 1/2 a cherry tomato…. Incredibly bad move on my part. The other half of it I left on my plate as I attempted to ease the inferno in my mouth with nearly a full glass of beer.

I’m sure there’s going to be a price to be paid for that error later.