Bangpra was one of the first golf courses in the Pattaya area, having opened in 1958. The course and amenities were then entirely renovated in 1988 as part of a cooperative effort between Thailand's Tourism Authority and Japan Golf Professional Incorporated. This was the first project as a purpose-built golf facility in Thailand, and it is still one of the best-kept mature courses in the Pattaya area today.
The visitor to this challenging golf course will be greeted by a beautiful parkland setting, complete with towering, mature trees of various species. Bangpra is spread out on undulating territory in a gently sloping valley bordered by densely forested mountains. Every hole is surrounded by tropical flora and bougainvillea shrubs of various colors, making Bangpra one of Pattaya's most beautiful golf courses.
The front nine, which is laid out in a highly natural domain at the foot of little tree-clad hills, has the more fascinating holes at Bangpra. On the outward nine, the lengthy par-4 3rd and the par-3 2nd across water are appealing highlights, with great bunkering and dangerous water hazards combining to terrific effect. The short par-4 6th makes a leisurely ascent up the wooded hillside, only to be followed by the monstrously long par-5 7th (622 yards from the tips), which softly returns you down the slope.
The back nine, which is flatter, doesn't quite live up to the high expectations set by the terrific front nine. Even if numerous good-width fairways bordered by light semi-rough appear generously wide on occasion, the inward holes are not without their problems. The challenging 12th, 13th, and 15th holes all need tee-to-green shots over water, while the par-3 12th, 13th, and 15th holes all require approach shots over water to reach the safety of the uniformly circular, somewhat raised, and frequently dome-shaped greens. The par-4 18th serves as a reminder that not all fairways appear "comfortably wide" from the tee, as well as an opportunity to reflect on what a nice and varied parkland course this is.
A magnificent modern clubhouse is elaborately equipped, including Japanese-style baths in the locker rooms. The clubhouse restaurant specializes in Japanese cuisine, making after-golf dining especially appealing to people who enjoy this cuisine.
Bangpra's mature course is a wonderful departure from Pattaya's newer and more aggressively publicized golf courses, and it's a fantastic alternative for Pattaya golfers who prefer well-established golf courses over modern man-made links.
