Summit Group moves into outdoor sport
Auto-parts manufacturer the Summit Group has stepped into the golf and sport business by developing the Pattana Golf and Sport Resort in Chon Buri province at a total cost of Bt1.5 billion.
It is the first such facility to combine a golf course, other sporting activities and accommodation all within the same area on a huge 1,000-rai plot in Sri Racha district. The golf course alone is among the four largest along the Eastern Seaboard. The Bt1.5 billion does not include the cost of purchasing the land. The Summit Group is owned by Somporn Jungrungreangkit, sister-in-law of caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and caretaker Industry Minister Suriya and manages more than 40 auto-parts companies. Somporn started the project a few years ago, just after her husband Pattana passed away. She dedicated to him when it opened two years ago. Vice president Thawee Jarungsathitphong said the project was aimed at expats working in industrial estates along the Eastern Seaboard, particularly in Chon Buri, Rayong and Chanthaburi provinces, as well as at local golfers. The project consists of a 27-hole golf course, 70 serviced apartments, 35 villas, a hotel, convention rooms, a clubhouse and a stadium. There are three levels of accommodation. The room rate for the hotel is Bt2,000 per night, for a villa Bt3,000 and serviced apartment Bt1,500. "The group plans to add more outdoor sport facilities, including a badminton court. Together, that is expected to cost us Bt200 million to Bt300 million. The group will expand the stadium, as well," said Thawee. Last year, the course welcomed 4,000 golfers. Thawee said business remained slow, it being the low season. But he believes it will pick up once the new Suvarnabhumi Airport opens. The number of golfers should then increase 50 per cent to 6,000. "Those working at Don Muang Airport and in the airline industry will be a new market. They'll soon move to Suvarnabhumi and come here to golf instead of north Bangkok," said Thawee. Despite there being about 50 golf courses in the three Eastern Seaboard provinces mentioned above, the group has made itself competitive by formulating a joint strategy with Thailand Privilege Card Co, issuer of the Thailand Elite Card, that will appeal to high-end foreign customers. Apart from building more sport facilities and expanding the stadium, the group is preparing its own football team, with an eye towards national competition. Suchat Sritama The Nation
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