Loch Palm and Red Mountain join IGOLF Laureate Course program

Loch Palm and Red Mountain, two of the best known golf courses on the resort island of Phuket, were awarded IGOLF Laureate Course certificates during a presentation ceremony today.

Loch Palm and Red Mountain, like most of the Phuket golf courses, were built on an abandoned tin mine, an act of “ecological restoration” according to Paul Sochaczewski, IGOLF chairman. What was a wasteland is now a productive ecosystem and successful business that generates income, jobs and pays a substantial amount of taxes, he noted.

Saradej Sudasna, managing director of MBK Resort Public Company Ltd, which owns and operates the two courses,  noted “It is our obligation in the golf industry to understand and reduce the environmental footprint we leave. It only makes sense to do what is best for the surrounding ecosystems and wildlife, because without them our operation would simply not exist.”

Mr Sudasna added that Loch Palm and Red Mountain plan to stage a wildlife census,  and plan to create renewable water systems, and other energy and water saving programs.  They also have an active support program for local schools.

Suwalai Pinpradab, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Southern Region, congratulated the two courses, noting that “Phuket has become world famous as a tourist destination, but that has come at a price in terms of environmental destruction and social change.  The TAT policy is to promote good practice in the environmental and social sectors, as exemplified by Loch Palm and Red Mountain, and we are pleased to work with IGOLF and leading golf courses in this beautiful island and nearby provinces for the benefit of nature and people.”