Golf Course Architecture - Issue 77, July 2024

Stonehill stands as an example of the amalgamation of modern design principles and the timeless elegance of Golden Age architecture. Hosting Asia’s inaugural LIV Golf event in October 2022, just a few months after opening, the 7,861yard Kyle Phillips layout received glowing reviews from the LIV pros for impeccable conditioning and providing a fair test of their golfing skills. With carefully contoured landforms that rise and fall to meet players as they traverse the course, Stonehill’s environment was crafted to provide an exceptional golfing experience. Two years on, it is considered among the very best layouts in Thailand. Much like the opulent clubhouse designed by Hart Howerton and built with Veronese limestone and local teak wood using the unique techniques of Thai craftmanship, Stonehill brings the old West of Europe and the new West of North America together in Southeast Asia. Owner Sarath Ratanavadi envisioned a world-class golf destination that would stand the test of time. It would be his golf legacy. He was also fully aware the 340-acre featureless clay site north of Bangkok was little to work with. It was his oldest son Ing, who was playing college golf at USC at that time, that had visited Yas Links and believed Phillips had what it would take to achieve his father’s vision and transform their land accordingly. Phillips is known for transforming mundane land into top-class golf. Take Bernardus in the Netherlands, for example, where outstanding results were STONEHILL The par-three seventh plays over a creek to an angled green fortified by several bunkers 62

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