New 18-hole layout will be laid out around the perimeter of the club’s property and encircle its existing course
By Richard Humphreys |
Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects (RTJ II) has developed a masterplan for a new course and practice facility for Thai Country Club, near Bangkok, Thailand.
“This is about creating one of Thailand’s absolute best golf experiences,” said Trent Jones, chief operating officer at RTJ II. “We’re adding a new course to complement Thai Country Club’s storied reputation while establishing its own distinct character.”
The club’s existing course opened in 1996 and has hosted the 1997 Asian Honda Classic, won by Tiger Woods, the Volvo Masters four times and the Thailand Open on three occasions.
“We wanted to flip the script of what one expects when playing golf in the tropics and bring something new to the region,” said Mike Gorman, senior project architect at RTJ II. “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.”
The design team’s plan calls for a layout that flows as a seamless loop around the perimeter of the property, encircling the club’s existing course.
“We studied how this land naturally wants to connect,” said Gorman. “The routing emerged from land we carefully selected in collaboration with the ownership. It emphasises subtle elevation changes, natural contours that feed balls toward and away from targets, and landforms that reward both strategic thinking and creative play. The playing strategy will change from day to day as hole positions change, emphasising the flow of the ground to get the ball close to the pin.”
The RTJ II team has not overly relied on bunkers in its plan, instead, having the shape and positioning of fairways as the primary forms of hazard. “By shifting the emphasis to strategic fairway design, the course will present an engaging challenge for the low-scoring golfer while remaining fun and approachable for those newer to the game,” said Gorman.
“Great golf courses feel timeless,” said Jones. “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 while expanding its reputation as one of Southeast Asia’s premier golf destinations.”
Prasong Phataraprasit, club chairman, 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 will begin in 2026, with the first nine expected to be complete for 2027.