Golf Course Architecture - Issue 58 October 2019

36 TEE BOX Curley designs ‘Wall of Death’ for Siam’s new layout A fourth course at Siam Country Club in Pattaya, Thailand, is set for a soft opening this year. The layout has been designed by Brian Curley and it features a 19-foot-deep bunker complex called the ‘Wall of Death’. The course, named Rolling Hills, joins the club’s other three layouts – Old course, Plantation and Waterside. Siam CC also has a fifth course in the works, the solo design debut for Toby Cobb, on a site southeast of Bangkok. “As is the case with all the Siam CC courses, the layout is a ‘core’ design with no real estate element,” said Curley. “This is further enhanced with a generous amount of land dedicated to the design, resulting in a very comfortable and playable feeling for players. “Like the Old course, the annual site of the Honda LPGA Thailand, there will be an abundance of trees planted to create deep forested framing on some holes and offering desired shade for players and spectators when hosting large events. “The course differs from the others in its attempt to emulate a more irregular and natural use of turf and bunker lines, transitional bunker edges and mini-fairway tee complexes as opposed to typical individual tees,” continued Curley. “While the course design is far removed from many of the rugged and natural designs in fashion today, it is a bit of a hybrid between formal and natural design, especially with its dominant transitional bunkering edges employing native carpet grass that produce a strong contrast in colour and texture.” Curley has designed the course to ensure players find their ball. “The large property enabled us to route holes that leave massive areas in between holes, sometimes planted in thickets of trees and sometimes left open in wide corridors for long views,” said Curley. “The result is a widely varied sequence of holes that are easily distinguished and memorable. “Green sites are quite varied in their design with some at grade, some built up, and some with strong fall away grades. Also incorporated are distinct lobes set in bowls, kick slopes, Photos: Schmidt-Curley Design