Samui Explorer

This month the Samui Explorer team set out to answer the question, where can you go if you are interested in golf on Koh Samui? In order to bring you the answer to this question I spent an hour with Alex and Greg Lester at their pro golf shop, The Samui Golf and Sport Centre, located on the main ring road between Tesco Lotus and Bandon Hospital.

Alex, originally from the UK, first arrived on Koh Samui in October 2000, on route to a friends wedding in Australia. He immediately fell in love with the island, so much so in fact he decided to return after the wedding and make his permanent home here in paradise. In the year 2000 Samui was yet to open its doors to the first golf club but did have a driving range, which is located behind Bandon Hospital. Alex decided to put his talents as a golf pro to use and started coaching locals and visitors to the island.

While on the driving range Alex met Judy and after a golfing romance the couple were married at the Christian church in Nathon on the 24th of December 2004. The reception was held at the stunning Jungle Club hill side resort and while watching a spectacular fire work display on the beaches below, one of the guests to the wedding was also starting to plan a future here on Koh Samui, Alex's brother Greg.

After several visits to the island Greg joined his brother in a permanent move to Thailand. After hearing on the grape vine there was soon to be a world class golf course opening on the island, the brothers took the plunge and opened the first ever golf shop on Koh Samui, which was at that time located in the Tesco Lotus supermarket complex. It was a very exciting time for the brothers, who had correctly assessed the market and were now the first people to introduce the game of golf to the residents and visitors to the island.

When the Santiburi Samui Country Club opened its championship course Alex could not only offer golf instruction at the driving range, but playing lessons on the beautifully landscaped mountain of Koh Samui. The Santiburi is an 18 hole 6930 yards, par 72 course that cuts into the coconut forest to cliffs and mountain creeks, built in perfect harmony with its natural settings it was certainly a big change from Alex's previous appointments at the UK's Silvermere, Pyrford, Milford and Wisley golf courses.

Business was now really starting to take off and having outgrown their Tesco Lotus shop location the brothers moved the shop to its present location and stock everything you could possibly need to play golf as a new comer to the sport or a seasoned golfer. With Alex out teaching Greg got his teeth into the day to day running of the shop and established a booking service for the Santiburi. Once your booking has been taken you will qualify for a discount within the shop, as well as a low cost transfer service from your hotel to the golf club and 30% reduced cost club rental on brands such as Callaway and Titleist.

With the recent opening of the Bophut Hills ,9 hole, par three golf course, there is even more opportunity to enjoy the game, fine tune your skills or learn to play this popular and rewarding sport. If you have never played golf before you have come to the right place. Alex offers one on one instruction as well as group lessons that can be arranged for between two and four players, which is perfect for a group of friends and complete beginners to the sport. All of the fundamentals of golf are covered in the introductory package, which entails five, one hour, sessions. Conducted on the driving range you will learn the golf stance and posture, how to aim your body and club, ball position and grip and alignment to build your swing. All you need to take is some enthusiasm and a good pair of sneakers and Alex will lead you through the rest. It is not just adults that can benefit from instruction; Alex also offers junior courses and grades his lessons to suit different levels according to age and ability.

For those of you that already play golf, to any standard, the brothers organise a twice monthly tournament held at the Santiburi course. Trophies are awarded to the winners and there is a particular system in place that gives everybody a chance to win. The tournament continues to increase in popularity as do the presentation nights which are held in a various venues around the island. If you would like to book to play or get further information on the tournament you can do so by visiting the shop or calling either Alex or Greg.

As well as the booking services the Samui Golf Centre also offers a gripping service and sound advice on purchasing the right type of equipment for your swing style and level of experience. The shop stocks a range of bags and golf shoes as well as all other golfing essentials and is open seven days a week from 8-30 am until 7 pm. Both golf courses are open from 6-30 am until 6-30 pm. Pick up times depend on where you are staying on the island.

Both Greg and Alex are as extremely professional and very friendly. It is easy to see why Alex has a reputation for making newcomers to this sport feel completely at ease. His professional experience and easy going nature really does keep you well within your comfort zone while discovering a whole new world and a sport that can not only be enjoyed here on the island but literally the world over. You can contact the shop directly on 0 7724 6191, or Greg on 08 9874 2735. There is also a comprehensive website that can be reached at www.samuigolf.com or you can email the brothers at samuigolf@yahoo.com. Happy Golfing!