Victor Danko, a club golfer from Australia, is coming back to relive “the best week of his life” at this year’s Centara World Masters to be held from 11 to 17 June in Hua Hin Thailand.
Playing in the championship for the first time in 2016, Victor Danko declared it was the best week of his life. At 71 years of age, Victor, a member of Bayview Golf Club in Sydney, plays off a handicap of 10. He scored 136 points for the 4 rounds of Stableford competition to finish in second place in the 66+ A grade division.
“I have played lots of tournaments, but none better than this week. It will take some time for this smile to go away. I loved everything. The courses were so good, especially Banyan and Black Mountain. The caddies were spot on, took my golf to a new level, and the chatter between caddies and players was great fun. I have never felt better or more relaxed on a golf course and no doubt it helped my scores. The caddies found my ball even when I thought it was totally lost.”
“I came here on my own but it was so friendly that I never felt like I was on my own. I played golf with amazing people from all over the world who I will definitely keep in touch with. Every night we were entertained and the free drinks were a bonus.”
“The hotel (Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin) is just so beautiful and the staff treat you like royalty. It is just a 5-minute walk to the centre of town where you are spoilt for restaurants and bars. I had a massage most days for about $10 and everything is such great value.”
“I don’t know exactly how many players were here this week, but I know it was more than 400 golfers from 23 countries and we were all so spoilt. Go Golfing and Golfasian know how to look after golfers. It’s the little things like having buses taking me to and from the courses, having my golf clubs valeted everywhere I played, and having everything explained that made my holiday such a great holiday.”
“This has been the best week of my life. I will be back every year.”
Centara World Masters
The Centara World Masters Golf Championship is a week-long celebration of golf, social and entertainment events in the popular seaside resort town of Hua Hin. The event is open to all male and female golfers over the age of 35.
Hua Hin is about 2.5 hours south of Bangkok. It was awarded Asia’s Best Golf Destination in 2014 and serves up a winning combination for tournament participants. Drought conditions in Thailand required organisers to change the host courses and reduce the field from 650 golfers in 2015 to a capacity of just 430 this year.
Golfers played 2 rounds at Black Mountain, Asia’s number one ranked course, Banyan Resort and Sea Pines. Carts and caddies are included at all courses. Each player has a caddy wearing a bib with their name and country flag.
Luxury Accommodation
Centara Hotels & Resorts is the major sponsor. They have confirmed their involvement through to 2019. Most golfers stay at the ideally located Centara Grand Beach Resort and Villas. Established in the 1920’s, the resort offers modern luxuries while retaining its bygone age of elegance.
Taking full advantage of Centara’s beachfront location, the opening night welcome dinner and gala presentation dinners are hosted around the resort pool with the beach and ocean as a stunning backdrop. Golfers gather in the evening for 19th Hole festivities to celebrate the daily winners. There is no shortage of fun and food with Thai nibblies and Chang beer.
Big Prizes
There’s more than US$30,000 in golf prizes and lucky prizes. Big winners were:
- Eric Butler (Australia) won a return trip to the 2017 Centara Masters
- Irene Goh (Malaysia) won a trip to the 2016 Ladbrokes World Masters on the Gold Coast (Australia). Irene was also the champion for the ladies 60+ A grade.
There were 2 holes in one at the tournament, both by Australians:
- Richard Mittra (Beaconhills) scored a hole in one on the 17th at Banyan,
- Mark McDougall aced the 11th hole at Black Mountain. Sponsored by TaylorMade, Mark also received a bonus of a 30,000 Baht set of golf clubs.
A Tournament Like No Other
The Centara World Masters is co-hosted by Australian-based Go Golfing and Golfasian. In addition to Centara Hotels and Resorts, TaylorMade, Coca-Cola, Chang and Tourism Authority of Thailand proudly contribute to the ongoing success of the tournament.
The event raised 109,500 Baht for Jungle Aid, a charity providing a better future for displaced Thai children in remote communities.
The 2017 Centara World Masters Golf Championship will be held from 11 to 17 June 2017. For complete event information and to book visit www.thailandworldmasters.com