The 2018 Amazing Thailand Invitational By The Tourism Authority of Thailand
Of golf and gastronomy with TAT ambassadors Mo and May
In women’s golf, 2018 is the year for Thailand. And is the world ready for the phenomenon of having not just one, but two Thai women within Top 10 of the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings? And Sisters no less. While 24-year old Moriya Jutanugarn experienced her breakout year with her first victory at this year’s Hugel JTBC L.A. Open, Her younger sister Ariya, the first Thai person ever to reach World No. 1 back in 2017, chalked up 3 more wins to make it 10 victories on the LPGA Tour including the 2018 US Women’s Open, her second major victory.
Moriya and Ariya Jutanugarn were appointed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) as ambassadors for the
2018 Amazing Thailand Invitational held at the Alpine Golf Club in Bangkok. And close to 160 golfers from Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan and the Philippines were treated to an up close and personal experience with ‘Mo' (Moriya) and ‘May' (Ariya), who conducted a putting clinic and tirelessly obliged fans with autographs and photographs over the course of the event. The tournament itself was based on the equitable System 36 stableford format of play. Ayon Stephen Sanchez from the Philippines shot a commendable gross score of 77, amassing 41-stableford points to clinch the championship trophy.
Beyond golf, the TAT also organised a som tam (spicy papaya salad) cooking class. Moriya, who loves to cook in her free time, shared tips on how to make her version of that dish. As if that wasn't enough, several lucky participants were selected to be seated with the Jutanugarns during a gala dinner. Social golfer Eliza Lau from Singapore shared, “Coming face to face with Ariya Jutanugarn left me speechless. She is simply beautiful with her large exquisite eyes and gorgeous skin. Over the course of the evening, I learned that she has an equally beautiful heart, devoid of arrogance. She spoke warmly of her supportive father and family, and how they ‘do not allow papa to travel anymore due to his health condition'. I also learned about the foundation that she and her sister Moriya set up, and saw photos of the house they are building for a homeless family outside of Bangkok.”
Just as golf and Thailand are inevitably connected, ‘Golf and Gastronomy' are the perfect partnering ingredients for the ideal travel experience. Bangkok released its inaugural Michelin Guide in 2017, ahead of the Phuket and Phang Nga editions due to be released in 2019, underlining the richness of the country's ever-changing culinary scene. And In recent years, the golfing scene has also evolved with the addition of new courses like the Nikanti Golf Club in Bangkok, the Chan Chee Golf Resort in Pattaya and the Katathong Golf Resort and Spa in Phuket.
The dynamic and ever growing combination of the new and the familiar in golf and gastronomy continues to draw even the most seasoned of golf travellers back to Amazing Thailand.