With the ‘better half’ off for the October school half term, we are spoilt for choice in Southeast Asia when it comes to finding a quick plane ride destination away for a relaxing bit of R&R and a few rounds of golf.
Phuket is one of the most popular destinations in SEA with a vast beautiful beaches and great amount of Hotels, Villas and amazing local food on offer. There are not many golf clubs in the world located so close to an international airport where your backswing may be interrupted by the occasional jet engine (that's the excuse I used!) - Blue Canyon Country Club is located right next to Phuket International Airport.
I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to play with a big group of ‘Hong Kong Old Boys’ who swapped the busy Hong Kong City Lifestyle for the relaxing paradise of Phuket retirement - not only did I get a personal history lesson of the club but we swapped stories of hong kong from ‘back in their day’ to how the city lives and breathes now in the modern era.
Once an abandoned tin mine, Blue Canyon is a beautiful course developed in 1988 by one of Japan's most creative golf course architects Yoshikazu Kato. Both the Canyon Course (1991) and the Lakes Course (1999) integrate seamlessly with the existing canyons and woodlands, spotlighting the natural landscape and wildlife. The property is a stunning example of design, featuring impressive and challenging natural hazards, including multiple water features and towering trees that provide a test for golfers of all skill levels. The historic club offers luxurious boutique hotel accommodations and award-winning Spa facilities and scenic property available.
This iconic course has a wealth of history hosting legends of the game, International dignitaries, world leaders and heads of state including Bill Clinton, George Bush Sr and greats of the game like Greg Norman, Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Ian Woosnam, Gary Player, Nick Faldo, Grace Park, Colin Montgomerie, Thomas Bjorn, and Retief Goosen, all of whom are celebrated in the clubs hall of fame.
Blue Canyon Country Club first made a name for itself with its hosting of numerous world golf events such as Johnnie Walker Classics and is the only venue to host the historic event 3 times (1994, 1998, 2007), Omega Tour Honda invitational (1996) and most recently Asian Tour (2021) and KLPGA (2024).
With one of the best finishing 9 holes I have played, the back 9 guides you back to the picturesque clubhouse with a number of signatures holes. The 13th Hole is a true risk and reward hole being a full 90 degree dogleg right, enticing the longer hitters to drive straight over the large canyon to the green (I gave it a go and made the green side trees… just about).
The 14th hole is a beautiful downhill par 3 island green overlooking the large lake that sits below the clubhouse, a long iron into the small upturned bowl green offers no relief to a slightly offline tee shot.
A short but picturesque 18th hole finishes off just below the overlooking clubhouse, so best finish strong! A plaque is placed along the fairway noting Tiger Woods’ phenomenal 338 yard drive in the 1998 JWC which surprisingly I got close to (off the social tees, that is..) - Tap in par and now time for a drink overlooking the beautiful course on the overlooking terrace.
