Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects (RTJ II) has officially unveiled the design for a new 18-hole members-only course and accompanying practice facility at Thai Country Club, marking the addition of a second championship layout at the long-established Thai golf destination.
The project aims to elevate Thai Country Club’s offering by creating a distinct, high-quality golf experience that complements the existing course while carving out its own identity.
“This is about creating one of Thailand’s absolute best golf experiences,” said Robert Trent Jones, COO of RTJ II. “We’re adding a new course to complement Thai Country Club’s storied reputation while establishing its own distinct character.”
Rich Heritage
Since opening in 1996, Thai Country Club has maintained a strong association with professional golf in Asia. The club has hosted major events including the 1997 Asian Honda Classic (won by Tiger Woods), the Volvo Masters on four occasions, and the Thailand Open three times.
Design Philosophy
The new course draws inspiration from the fundamental principles of traditional golf design, prioritising strategy, shot variety, and ground game options over penal, artificial hazards.
Mike Gorman, Senior Project Architect at RTJ II, explained the approach: “We wanted to flip the script of what one expects when playing golf in the tropics and bring something new to the region. This course allows golfers to use the terrain to their advantage. We call it ‘lay of the land’ golf, following the existing terrain and emphasising the ground game over artificial hazards.”
Key design features include:
Gorman noted that the routing was developed by closely studying the natural topography of the selected land in collaboration with club ownership. The design makes use of subtle elevation changes and natural contours that influence ball movement, with daily pin positions ensuring the course plays differently each round.
Sand bunkers will be used sparingly. Instead, strategic fairway shaping and positioning will serve as the primary challenge. This approach is intended to create a more equitable and engaging test for players of all abilities — challenging for low handicappers while remaining enjoyable and fair for higher handicappers.
Long-Term Vision
Robert Trent Jones added: “Great golf courses feel timeless. They’re rooted in their landscape and offer something new each time you play. We’re creating a course that honours Thai Country Club’s championship heritage while expanding its reputation as one of Southeast Asia’s premier golf destinations.”
Prasong Phataraprasit, Chairman of Thai Country Club, said: “We were drawn to Robert Trent Jones II for the firm’s long-standing design legacy and global reputation for creating courses that stand the test of time. As a club with a proud history, it was important for us to work with a partner that shares our values and vision for the future. We believe this collaboration will deliver something truly special for generations to come."
Construction is scheduled to commence later this year, with the first nine holes targeted for completion in 2027 and the second nine to follow shortly thereafter.
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