The original Ryder Cup from the Sugar Shack was thought up by JJ Wright (USA) and Lee Adelly (Eng) in 2002. On that occasion we travelled to Soi Dao in cars and pickups piled up with all manner of food and enough booze to sink a battleship. The management at Soi Dao did not bat an eyelid as we used their half oil drum barbecue and patio for free, drank our ship dry and theirs. How times have changed. It would be a massive corkage charge these days.
Forward to 2015, and off we went again, this time to Grand Prix Golf Club in Kanchanaburi. 48 people were on the tour and each day’s golf was preceded with a draw of the teams early in the evening (before too much grog was consumed). At 8 a.m. each day we were conveyed to the course, and the drive up to the clubhouse had every golfer drooling with anticipation, 18 holes manicured to perfection. This is clearly the best course in the Kanchanaburi area and would not look out of place next to Black Mountain and Amata Spring. Set in a tranquil and picturesque 2400 acres and measuring 7,111yds, the course is so named due to its close links to prestige car brands who sponsor certain holes.
Both teams pose for a group photo prior to the commencement of battle.
The staff and management here cater for all your needs, securing our golf clubs in the locker room each night only to have them ready in carts with the same caddies the next morning. Then it was off to either the first or tenth tees – another offer made to the group so we could all finish together.
From any tee box the undulating fairways hugging the early morning mist gave an awe inspiring sight; to the more experienced golfers the anticipation of matching their skills against this masterpiece of golf design consumed them more than the match they were involved in.
My name is “Papa” Peacock and I had the privilege this year of captaining a group of diverse golfers from different parts of the world, in what is regarded as the Sugar Shack bar’s version of the Ryder Cup. This tournament is arranged and played annually at various locations throughout beautiful Thailand. My group was populated with Canadians (10), Americans (3), Aussies (2) and a couple of adopted Brits (just to even out the sides). Our team was aptly named: Team RoW a.k.a. Rest of the World.
Our opposition, GB (aka Great Britain) was captained by PGA caddy, Lee Adelly. The team was made up of English, Scottish and hybrids from “the island”. Both team captains were assisted by chosen assistant captains: Brent Shaw (RoW) and Andy Spence (GB). Lee and I did our best to keep things simple and ensure that things were done fairly … but most importantly – make sure it was a “fun” experience without too many “rules”.
The Grand Prix Golf Club offers plenty of challenge for all levels of golfers as there are many strategically placed bunkers and water hazards. “Risk and reward” was the order of the day and the scenery, as mentioned, is breathtaking. The consensus was that we will definitely return to this club again, my new personal favourite golf course in all of Thailand.
Grand Prix Golf Club in Kanchanaburi provided a superb venue for the event.
The “One More” Bar served as our nineteenth hole. It is run by the very gracious Rob and his beautiful wife. The food in this bar is some of the best in Kanchanaburi.
This year Team RoW won the “coveted” trophy but somehow this seemed of secondary importance. The camaraderie, frivolity and enlightenment became the main order of the day.
“You play the golf course of life once, and on this occasion we enjoyed every hole.”
