2008-01-16

Palm Hills

The clubhouse is superb and one of the most beautiful in Thailand. The architect has ignored the present trend of polished marble edifices and designed a quality building which incorporates all the lavish American-styled country club facilities, while retaining the warmth of a welcoming atmosphere. With a large limestone hill towering behind it, the clubhouse clearly "belongs" in tits setting. Its irregular yet undemanding rooflines are in perfect accord with the peaks of surrounding mountains. The semi formal gardens are strewn with massive boulders interspersed with many species of tropical plants and hundreds of bougainvillaea in an extensive array of vivid colours.
Designed by the American golf course architect Max Wexler the 18 holes are arranged in two distinctive nine hole sections, separated by the clubhouse and a rocky outcrop extending from the mountain range. These escarpments strongly influence the topography, which the designer has exploited so that gently undulating slopes and sidehill lies are very much the main features of the course. Water can come into play on twelve of the holes, but in the majority of cases it requires an unusually poor golf shot before justice is served.
The exceptions are the 2nd, 8th, 11th and 14th holes, where habitual "toppers" should be particularly wary. Predominantly, the course is fairly open and easy going on the legs as well as the nervous system, with generous fairways leading to receptive greens.
Palm Hills is a garden paradise where over 40,000 mature palms and broadleaf trees complement the brightly coloured bougainvillaeas and other flowering shrubs. With mountains all around and, at times, an integral part of the course, the resort is a fine example of tasteful development blending perfectly with the natural environment.

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