Hua Hin, Thailand, 25 February 2015 — The Amari Pattaya and Amari Hua Hin Golf weeks held in two beach side resorts of Thailand have been an overwhelming success with a sellout in Pattaya, and close to record numbers in Hua Hin this 2016 season. An added bonus for players attending this year is the inclusion of an exhibition by the 2013 World Long Driver Champion, Stephen Kennedy from Australia.
Stephen has been competing in the REMAX WORLD LONG DRIVER SERIES for a number of years now and in 2013 finally cracked the big one (so to speak) by winning the seniors division with a might drive of 369 yards off his last ball of the tournament.
When speaking to Stephen about Thailand, he says, ”I have travelled the world to play golf and do Long Drive Clinics, but never in Thailand, so when the opportunity arose I jumped at the opportunity to come. I’m looking forward to conducting a few clinics and sharing my secrets for hitting the long ball; hitting a few over the driving ranges’ back fences and cracking a few drives onto the par 4s in Thailand.”
Stephens average swing speed is 217km/h, rocketing the ball at 321km/h which gives him distances of between 370-430 yards depending on conditions of the day. To put those sorts of numbers into perspective, the fastest club head speed so far on the PGA Tour in the 2016 season has been 207 km/h, and Bubba Watson’s best this year has been recorded at 194 Km/h. As for that question about “how far can you hit a driver?” – the best Stephen has recorded in competition is 425 yards( 387metres). Admittedly, Stephen says with a wide smile “that hit was with a long-drive driver, which are allowed longer shafts for greater club-head speed than standard clubs, but my best-ever drive was a 424m cannon during a pennant trial – with regulation equipment” (maybe downwind I think !!)
Not just “A Happy Gilmore” Stephen can also putt, and plays from a tidy 2 handicap at his home club, so not only does he knock it past you 150 yards, he beats you into the hole as well.
The golf courses being played in both Amari Golf Weeks include Siam Old Course which is hosting the LPGA the week prior, and Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin which is hosting their European tour event in early March.
To get full details of the great tournaments that are being held throughout Asia during 2016, please see asiagolfweek.com.
- great coarses get to meet people from everywhere,and very well organised by mark penfold and his staff.if your thinking of doing it just do it you wont regret it.i'm doing my 4th trip in march2016
Kelvin Harvey - Just back from a 4 night trip to Phuket for 54 holes of golf, at Blue Canyon (Lakes Course), Laguna and Loch Palm. All fantastically organised (flights excluded) by Win. We started with 7 people went down to 5 and then back up to six, and then 1 departing a day early. All the changes were handled smoothly and with out complaint by the Golfasian team. From arrival to departure everything was smooth and on time. I've already recommended their services to another group looking for a trip later in the year. This group will be back again. Thank you to all involved.
Ian Dixon - Played 5 courses in Bali over our 10 day stay. Golf and transfers all organised by Golfasian and had no problems. Very well organised. Would highly recommend.
Russell Mathews - We have used Golf Asian for 7 years in a row for our ASIAN Golf Trips, we have played Thailand 4 times, Vietnam, and Indonesia twice
Their service is of the highest quality, their knowledge of the market is second to none, and most importantly their staff, we have dealt with Lit extensively and she is amazing, and so are all the other staff, including the drivers, and airport meet and greet staff
Most importantly the value for money you get is second to none
Keep up the good work
Will use them again next year
Joseph R Peries - Our small party of 4 did a 4 day golf tour, 1 day at Thai Country Club in Bangkok, then 3 days in Hua Hin covering Imperial Lakeview Resort, Banyan and Black Mountain. Golf Asian did a 1st class job of all the arrangements including golf bookings, hotels and transportation. Their service is highly recommended and at a reasonable cost. Well done to all the staff at Golf Asian tour company. We will be back.
Stuart Taylor - The most professional golf events I have ever played in, highly recommend Mark and the crew
Phil Smith - I have booked several golf trips for me and my friends in bali and Vietnam and they were nothing but professional and alot of laughs and great memories, very highly recommended we will now book every year
Mark Kovacevic - Excellent service wouldn't look anywhere else nothing is a problem & always just a ph call away.
Judi McKeown - Despite the weather delay we had great time playing Loch Palm and Red Mountain over the weekend. Arrangement was on point. We will visit again. Thanks very much.
Edwin Wong - Just back from great 3 week trip with Golfasian, visiting Hua Hin, Bangkok and Pattaya. Golf Asian arranged everything from arrival at Bangkok airport to departure. All we had to do was turn up, play golf and have fun. Every transfer, hotel and golf course went smoothly. Every golfer should experience golf in Thailand. Golfasian highly recommended.
Mike Wills
