Bridge Over River Kwai | Hua Hin Golf

Bridge Over River Kwai Area


Heading north up the coast, into the province of Kanchanaburi through which runs the River Kwai and the infamous Death Railway and its bridge.

The latter is located at the town of Kanchanaburi, as are the World War II military cemeteries, the last resting place of 7,000 Allied prisoners who perished as slave laborers in the building of the railway.

There are two burial grounds, lovingly tended by the locals, and they attract thousands of visitors who come to pay their respects to the Allied dead, many of whose headstones carry no names, simply the legend "Known Unto God."

It's true to say that every day is Remembrance Day at Kanchanaburi. The cemeteries, the bridge and the nearby Death Railway Museum combine to make it an imperative stop for any visitor. Thus the town has become a mecca and the locality flourishes in consequence.

This is fitting because history and legend tell that more PoW's would have died but for the ministrations of the local people, many of whom gave their lives to help. A visit will be a moving experience, although whether you're moved to anger or tears only time will tell.

Set aside a day for the experience, have lunch or dinner on one of the floating restaurants within sight of the bridge that's still in daily use (it's actually a replacement: the original was destroyed by Allied bombers) and then wander off to your hotel nearby, on the riverbank.

The following day you can think about golf once more and you won't need to go far to stretch the legs and air the clubs.
There are seven courses within reach of the town and while we were able to see only two of them I gather they're all of a similarly high standard.

Nichigo Country Club, 12 miles from the bridge, where three loops of nine are set in 600 acres on the banks of the River Kwai (there's a footbridge that's a miniature replica) and overlooked by mountains.

It's a handsome course of sound design and outstanding presentation, thanks largely to a Korean grass known as Noshiba, which requires no insecticides or fertilizers and so is environmentally friendly. It flourishes year-round, likes the heat and makes for devilish rough! With cleverly configured greens of Tifdwarf 419 it all adds up to a fun day with some challenge.

It sets the scene nicely for what follows: a major test on a Nicklaus course that may be totally different to any other the great man has built. It, too, is part of an estate with a 98 roomed hotel alongside a classy clubhouse where resident guests take their meals. The hotel is a solid three star with large bedrooms and there are clusters of apart-hotel condominiums overlooking the course.

The latter is a big, muscular specimen so you'll need to let out a bit of shaft now and again. The fairways are 50 yards wide and there's virtually no rough: it would be extraneous. It's a placement course: be far from the ideal position and you'll be facing trees or water and bunkers in line astern, some of them of traditional-style cross bunkers which serve to fore-shorten approach shots to cunningly angled greens guarded by mounds and slopes. You'll get the picture. Great fun, although hookers should beware. With Bermuda fairways giving no run the ideal tee shot is a long, high fade. Remind you of anyone?