A pure swing sends the ball soaring high against the sky, piloted from within, as it sweetly lands on the green. Such was the excitement at the recently concluded Volvo Masters of Asia 2005, featuring an elite field of the top 60 players from the Asian Tour Order of Merit, held at the panoramic Thai Golf and Country Club in Bangkok, Thailand. Golfing fervor and adrenaline ran high as 23-year-old Indian Shiv Kapur bagged the famous trophy and the $108,000 prize with a thrilling two-shot victory over defending champion Jyoti Randhawa. An invitation to play at the Volvo Masters of Asia Pro-Ams, wherein amateur golf enthusiasts play with professional golfers as a team, was the beginning of my royal holiday withVolvo.
Like the season of giving, the golf season never ends. Over foie gras and grilled sea bass at my sendoff lunch at The Tivoli of the Mandarin Oriental, Manila, the gracious Atty. Albert Arcilla, president and CEO of Viking Cars Inc., official authorized distributor of Volvo cars in the Philippines, together with vice president for marketing services Lyn Manalansang and corporate communications executive Loi Concepcion, said that for 75 years, the design of every Volvo vehicle has been guided by three core values: safety, quality and environmental care. The Volvo experience also includes attractive design, driving pleasure and enjoyable car ownership through all stages of life. Both aspects of the Volvo ethos – to protect and celebrate life – are expressed in the global brand tagline, "Volvo. For Life."
Through all kinds of terrain, the golfer braves golfing conditions – very much like a Volvo accelerating with seamless power and control. Since 1988 in Europe and 1994 in Asia, Volvo has been one of the most prolific sponsors of world-class professional golf, investing over 100 million euros in flagship projects. Indeed, it was an honor to take part in this significant event in the City of Angels, Bangkok.
Volvo pampering was what we experienced when a sleek S60 – uncompromised performance, technology and safety in the body of a stylish sedan – fetched us from our home to bring us to the NAIA-Centennial terminal. Public relations executives Juraruk Cholharn and Sommai Yocapajorn welcomed my sisters Yvonne D. Romualdez, Michelle D. Soliven, and me at the posh Dusit Thani Hotel in Bangkok, which is known for its heavenly Devarana Spa and specialty restaurants Benjarong (Thai), Mayflower (Chinese), Hamilton’s Steak House, D’Sens (French), Il Cielo (Italian), Thien Duong (Vietnamese), and Champagne Bar. The stunning new Dusit Club and Dusit grand rooms redefine world-class leisure and business accommodation with the latest wireless Internet access and efficient business center. As if that wasn’t enough, upon arriving in Manila from Bangkok, an XC90 – the Volvo SUV which provides intelligent transportation for families that value performance, safety and the environment – was proudly waiting for us like a gallant knight ready to take us for a smooth ride. Yvonne, who brought along her four-month-old baby boy Cito and four-year-old daughter Carin, attested, "When traveling in and outside the country, there is no other vehicle as child friendly. " Michelle and I, on the other hand, appreciated the heavy holiday traffic aboard a Volvo, simply because more traffic means more time to bask in such luxurious comfort. In fact, when we arrived home, a hilarious scenario ensued because Michelle refused to get out of the car, as though there was Velcro fabric on her car seat. She later confessed the Volvo XC 90 is her dream car.
Like the exhilarating experience of riding a Volvo, playing golf gives one a certain high in Thailand. With many courses designed by the biggest names in golf – such as Robert Trent Jones, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus – Asia’s golf epicenter has everything a golfer could ever want, coupled with fine golf academies and driving ranges at extremely reasonable prices. American pro Doug Hood, who runs his own golf school at the driving range of the Dusit Thani Hotel, generously shared some key swing tips. Incidentally, Doug was the teacher of champion golfer Se Ri Pak when she was only 15 years old.
The night before the Volvo Pro Ams, Sommai toured us around the Dusit Thani Hotel and we dined at the Benjarong Restaurant where sophisticated Thai cuisine is served in elegant surroundings overlooking a sparkling waterfall. Before bedtime, royalty at its finest was further enhanced. Taking inspiration from the concept of a garden in heaven, serenity and tranquility pervaded the hotel’s Devarana Spa. Here, interiors featuring contemporary Thai design framed by tropical lotus blossoms, orchids and gently flowing water create an oasis of calm. A chocolada scrub, inspired by one of the colada virgin cocktails, is a dreamy way to end the day. Imagine this irresistible recipe of smooth chocolate mixed with creamy coconut and fresh milk gently slathered onto your skin before an exhilarating massage. Like content butterflies, we retreated into our suites with duvet comforters and soft fluffy pillows, truly a relaxing cocoon of luxurious indulgence.
The sun was rising above the trees as we excitedly scampered to our respective holes for the Texas Scramble formatted Pro-Ams. Each player of a flight hits off the tee, then the best ball is chosen. Affable 27-year-old Philippine pro Angelo Que, who led our team, shot a handsome 330-yard drive of buoyancy and exaltation deep into the fairways. I imagined the roaring applause when Tiger Woods thrilled the crowd on this same spot in 1997 by driving the 389-yard 10th hole during the third round, cruising to a commanding 10-stroke victory. Our team proved to be a formidable one as we scored a 10 under, while the winning team with its Thai pro Thaworn Wiratchant scored 20 under.
Voted best par 3, together with our very own Mt. Malarayat, the 218-yard 6th hole is beautifully deceptive and an arduous challenge to get the ball to hang on to the sloping green.
Golfing pleasure was further heightened as we admired the many Volvo vehicles displayed on the course. The S80, the Volvo interpretation of a comfortable, intelligent and powerful sedan, an XC70, a cross-country vehicle that brings civilized luxury to the far reaches of the earth or to the world just beyond your driveway, and the V70, an extremely spirited sports estate loaded with high-performance entertainment for the driver who demands more power and refinement.
In golf, every good stroke you make, regardless of your score, breathes new life into your game. With all the frustrating moments in golf, you will always have a comeback shot, a shot you want to remember and you want to be remembered for.
To complement this sport, be the king of the road as you drive only the best. You can feel like a king for a day or live like one forever. Welcome the New Year with a stylish salvo. ’Tis the season for a Volvo.
For Dusit Thani Hotel Bangkok, visit its website at www.dusit.com or e-mail dusitbkk.com.