Schmidt-Curley Design, a golf-course architecture, master-planning and construction-management firm, announced its major redesign of Siam Country Club (Old Course) in Pattaya, Thailand, which will be showcased during the Honda LPGA Thailand, Oct. 25-28.
Schmidt-Curley commenced the redesign in March 2006 and the course re-opened for member play in May 2007. Originally opened for play in 1971, designed by Mr. I. Izumi and founded by Dr. Thaworn Phornprapha, Siam C.C. is hemmed by lush, arching trees and features striking backdrops of pagodas (tiered towers) and giant statues of Buddha.
“The original routing remains intact, but the original layout was bulldozed and rebuilt from tee to green and edge to edge,” says Lee Schmidt.
The redesign involved construction of new greens and bunkers, installation of new turf, expansion of water hazards to bring them more into play and gain more water storage, removal of 20-30 percent of the course’s trees to allow for better air flow around greens and to reclaim playing corridors, and repaving of all cart paths.
“The original greens contained inadequate slope for purposes of drainage,” says Schmidt. “This often led to standing water on the surfaces, thereby limiting locations for pin placements. To alleviate this problem, 18 completely new greens were built using Novatek Ultra Dwarf Bermuda Grass.”
In addition to replacing the greens, the design team tiled every bunker and high-flashed sand on all bunker faces. All turf was replaced with the salt and brackish water tolerant Seashore Pasalum, a revolutionary strand typically used in tropical and subtropical climates in coastal areas.
“Working with mature trees in place was a real treat,” says Schmidt. “So often when building a new course it takes three to five years for its true character to shine through. At Siam we were essentially able to construct a brand new course that could be immediately appreciated by members and guests.”
Flagstick Golf Course Construction Management, Schmidt-Curley Design’s in-house construction arm, was an indispensable partner in the project. It handled all of the budgeting, staffing and scheduling for the redesign, thereby allowing Schmidt-Curley to focus on the more technical aspects of the work.
Siam C.C. is a par-72 that will play at 6,469 yards for the Honda LPGA Thailand. It is a four-day tournament with no cut and features a field comprised of the Top-50 on the money list plus 10 sponsor’s exemptions. Annika Sorenstam, Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel, and Ai Miyazato are among those who have already committed to play in the $1,300,000 event. Hee Won Han is the defending champion.