The popularity of golf has increased hugely in Asia over recent years, resulting in many new world-class courses, resorts and facilities.
Some of the best golf courses in the world can now be found in Asia and, while they may not have such a long history as more well-established counterparts, their extensive facilities are more than adequate compensation. This makes the region a prime option for those looking for a home beside the fairways with easy access to everything needed to enjoy the sport to the full.
Chris Delaney, managing director of Sunplay Asia, affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate, says buyers are Thai and expatriate residents from Bangkok, also expats based in regional cities such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, as well as Europeans and Australians looking for second or retirement homes.
“The Eastern Seaboard in areas outside Pattaya are currently investment and development hotspots,” he says. “These include locations such as Bangsaray and Na Jomtien where highway access from the capital is being upgraded, boosting demand. Sunplay Bangsaray is the only integrated active lifestyle community in this part of Thailand and offers a combination of condos and villas enhanced by the Sunplay Club.
“Developments such as this offer residents a combination of active pursuits, including golf, and peaceful relaxation away from the city with tropical views and healthy ocean breezes. More than 10 golf courses are located within a 30-minute radius, including Siam Country Club, which boasts 63 holes over different types of terrain, and an additional 18 holes under construction. Other courses within easy reach include Pattaya Country Club & Resort, Phoenix Golf & Country Club, and the new Khao Chee Chan course at Silver Lake.”
Mr Delaney advises that property prices around the Eastern Seaboard have expected year on year increases of three to five per cent. This is due to improvements in infrastructure and accessibility with the expansion of U-Tapao airport and large-scale public and private sector investment into the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
World record breaking
Mission Hills has been a pioneer in the China golf industry, investing in a sport that was hardly known in the country at the time. Founded in 1992 and still 100% owned and operated by the Chu family, it has grown to become one of China’s most remarkable success stories. Mission Hills has two high-end resorts (one in Shenzhen and one on Hainan Island) spanning 40 square kilometres and 22 golf courses designed by golfing legends including Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Vijay Singh, among others. This makes it the largest golf facility in the world (a Guinness World Record). The group has hosted more than 100 world-class events dating back to the World Cup of Golf in 1995 (the first televised golf event in China) and Tiger Wood’s first visit to China in 2001.
Having expanded into a world-class destination, Mission Hills offers fully-integrated facilities ranging from 168 volcanic mineral springs (yet another Guinness World Record) to 980,000 square feet of retail, dining and entertainment over two shopping malls; two international schools; partnerships with hotel brands Ritz Carlton, Renaissance and Hard Rock (the first Hard Rock Hotel in China); Asia’s largest tennis academy with 52 courts; a movie town and four film studios (including the world’s largest); and China’s first Wet’n’Wild water park.
