Published on January 11, 2006
The rich can do no wrong. As Tiger Woods ranked No 1 in 2005 among top earners in the sport according to Golf Digest 50, he shelled out US$40 million (Bt1.6 billion) for an estate in Florida. The new residence, which complements his houses in California, Sweden and Wyoming, was his 30th birthday present to himself. After spending two years seeking out the perfect property in the area, the golfing ace and his wife Elin finally splurged for a 10-acre holding on exclusive Jupiter Island, on the Atlantic coastline 40 kilometres from Palm Beach. The estate includes four houses and two boat moorings, meaning Tiger will have no problem parking his 47-metre yacht “Privacy”. But despite his wealth, Woods has small chance of a warm welcome on the fairways of the local golf course, although he is eligible to play as a guest.
“They don’t want anyone famous,” said a local player opining about the current membership. “They are as low-key and unassuming as it gets. No stars, fame, publicity or press.”
Considering his high profile and status as the world’s top-earning sportsman, it still shouldn’t be very difficult to secure a membership. Just buy the place! -------------------------------------------- Striker sounds likes he strikes out No matter how tough he looks on the pitch, star striker Teeratep Winothai is still vulnerable, when it comes to women at least. He might be able to find the back of the net when he’s kicking goals, but when it comes to finding a window into a women’s heart he seems to be fighting an uphill battle. The 20-year-old conceded that between shooting a penalty kick in a finals match and hitting on a girl, the latter challenge exerts a lot more pressure on him. “Soccer is what I’m more used to. But when you try to work on a girl, it’s a lot of pressure. Each girl is different and it’s not easy to find out what she likes or dislikes.” -------------------------------------------- Waiting to buy a real Ferrari It is normally a father that buys toys for his son, but in the case of national tennis player Danai Udomchoke the opposite proved true. Before he flew to India to take part in the Chennai Open, Danai bought his old man Wuttipan, a former attorney, an unexpected New Year’s present: a state-of-the-art Ferrari model. It could be that the Thai No-2 tennis player already had covered the familiar ground by buying his dad a Rolex and sundry golden accessories like bracelets and rings in previous years, so he this time he opted for a surprise. Of course, he likely would love to buy a real Ferrari for his father but, while he is still trying to crack the top 100 worldwide, for the time being the model car will have to do. -------------------------------------------- Trinidad gobbles up the tickets Tickets for the forthcoming 2006 German World Cup are worth more than gold to Trinidad and Tobago fans. The team representing the two islands has earned the chance to do battle in the same group as England, Sweden and Paraguay in the football finals, which will run from June 9 to July 9. But the Trinidadians have pushed hard to acquire tickets for their own - even Roger Boynes, Trinidad’s Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, has pitched in to support his team. He sent a letter to Oliver Camps, the head of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation, asking for a numerous specially priced tickets. If Tobagonian fans do not book the tickets at FIFA’s website, they will have to pay tourist agencies as much as US$4,785 (Bt190,000) for a package deal including three matches and twelve nights’ accommodation to see their national team’s matches. Let the readers imagine what it will be like if Thailand makes it to the finals of the World Cup for the first time.
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