With the first four editions of the Royal Trophy attracting large crowds, it was a bold step by organisers to move this popular matchplay tournament away from the Bangkok area to a new location at the Swedish owned Black Mountain Golf Club near this seaside resort.
But judging from the enthusiastic crowds that attended the opening day of the fifth tournament, the decision looks like it will be well rewarded.
It helps that the splendid Black Mountain layout, which is set in a valley, is a very pleasant course to walk around and provides plenty of good viewing areas for spectators.
If it wasn’t for the sublime weather, the Swedish players could have been forgiven for thinking they were playing at home, such was the vociferous support from the large Swedish community that lives in the Hua Hin area.
But they knew their golf too, and roundly applauded good shots from all players, regardless of which team they were representing.
As in previous years there were large contingents of Japanese spectators with some of the ladies in magnificent eye-catching attire.
Equally easy on the eye were the dozens of pretty Thai cheerleaders carrying banners supporting both the European and Asian teams. However they could be forgiven for looking a trifle weary after trudging around the first nine holes as they followed the four groups.
Even the McDonalds clown, dressed in his full outfit, put in an appearance and was spotted at the ninth green closely following the putts and practising his swing.
