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Looking
over the site of Black Mountain Golf Club now, it is hard to
believe that just last December 2006, this was lush jungle and
pineapple plantations. Now the construction is completed and
the final grassing is being done. By the 1st of
March 2007 the course will be opening to the public, and
what a joy it will be for golf lovers.
The
course is located just 10 kilometres from the Royal seaside
resort of Hua Hin in Thailand, which is fast becoming the
choice retirement area of Thailand for Thais and expats
alike. This area is home to many wonderful 5 star hotels and
6 golf courses, but Black Mountain will be the 7th
in the area and due to it�s beauty and quality, will surely
become the most famous.
The aim
of the designer was to create a golf course that looks as
natural as possible and maintains many of the features of
the site. The most important features are the natural
creeks that run throughout the course and the natural rocks
that have been used as design features on many of the
holes. As many of the original trees as possible have been
kept and many new trees have been planted to frame the
holes. Very important in the design concept, was to create
a course that could be a test for the top golfers in the
world but also very playable and enjoyable to the average
golfer. All the holes provide the golfer with a safe route
but for the more adventurous player there is a higher risk
option with a potential greater reward. The design offers
generous fairways for the shorter hitter but becoming
narrower for the longer hitter. The greens are large with
many pin positions, with different degrees of difficulty,
and the course is well protected by beautifully sculptured
bunkers. Much thought went into the choice of grass, and it
was decided to use seashore paspalum for the tees, fairways
and rough. This grass gives a wonderful playing surface and
a beautiful emerald green colour. It was decided to use
tifeagle bermuda grass on the greens. This hybrid bermuda
grass is now recognized as the best putting surface in
tropical areas.
No
expense has been spared to make the golf course as good as
possible and the same is true of the clubhouse. The view
from the clubhouse is truly stunning, and gives a panoramic
view of the whole course. The clubhouse facilities on offer
include fine dining in the restaurant, a well stocked golf
shop and luxurious locker rooms. Black Mountain intends to
offer service and dining to a standard that is normally only
found in the finest hotels.
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