Taste of orient on offer for golfer's special day

Aug 27 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

THE HOME of golf rolled out the green carpet for what has been described as the heaven of golf this week after Thailand came to West Lothian.

Scotland has long been accepted as the home of the game but Thailand is quickly emerging as a golfers’ nirvana.

And Douglas McCarthy and David McMillan of Bill McCarthy Travel joined forces with Deer Park Golf and Country Club to host a special Thai Golf Day this week.

A remarkable 136 golfers signed up for the Thai Golf Day where there were several immense prizes by those taking part to be won including a luxury trip to Thailand.

Before competition even teed off, golfers and guests were greeted by a selection of Thai beauties offering traditional Thai massages before being treated to a delicious Thai breakfast.

Then it was down to the serious business of action on the fairways and greens of Livingston’s Deer Park which is one of the jewels in Scotland’s golfing crown.

There was also a special guest on the day with the Ambassador of Thailand to the United Kingdom, Mr Kitti Wasinondh, enjoying a round of golf.

Speaking to the Courier he admitted he was thrilled at getting the chance to take to the fairways of West Lothian.

He said: “My golf is improving all the time but it should be better as I don’t play as often as I should.

“My handicap is presently 18 but it could be lower if I played more regularly.

“I expect the course to be quite challenging and unfortunately it is windy but it will be a great challenge.

“I have been in Scotland before but never here at Deer Park which seems a great place. I am delighted to be here.”

Also taking to the fairways was Tourism Authority of Thailand UK and Ireland Director, Khun Tanes Petsuwan and other members of the Thai Tourism Authority.

Once all the scorecards of the special guests and the groups of local golfers were in and counted there was a full Thai dinner in the evening before the prizegiving where the prizes included a 10-day trip to Thailand as well as an all inclusive break in Tenerife and an Amsterdam mini-cruise.

The first ever Thai Golf day proved to be a resounding success and organiser Douglas McCarthy revealed his hopes the event could be an annual one.

He said: “We had an amazing 136 golfers on the day and we had to close the books and turn people away in the few days before the event as we had so many.

“ We had originally set a limit of 30 teams but brought that up to 34 before having to reluctantly say no more.

“It was a really great day and everyone had a great time. Hopefully this can become an annual even which is played one year here in West Lothian and the next over in Thailand.”