In an exclusive interaction with 4moles.com, Thailand’s young, professional Golfer Poom Saksansin talks about how stunning Golf courses motivated him to pursue the game, how the business of Golf is getting bigger and better in Thailand and more.

 

 

By Priyanka Sen Sarkar

 

 

Only 24, Thailand’s Poom Saksansin is already a towering presence in the international Golf landscape. Known as the baby-faced assassin by his peers, the Thai young talent has always proved that it’s not that easy to rout the guts and gumption of a true athlete.

 

The 24-year-old Golfer became the toast of the nation in 2016 when he brilliantly produced a five-shot victory at the 2016 BNI Indonesian Masters presented by Zurich to earn his first Asian Tour title.

 

 

                                  Poom Saksansin's stature in the Golf circuit is growing with each game 

 

From completing a convincing wire-to-wire victory at the inaugural 2017 TAKE Solutions Masters by two shots to helping Thailand claim the team gold medal at the Southeast Asian Games in 2013, Poom has come a long way. Currently, all set to make his debut at the CIMB Classic at Kuala Lumpur, the promising Golfer shares his thoughts in an exclusive interaction with 4moles.com.

 

 

When lush green Golf courses inspire you to take up the game

 

How many of us are captivated with lush green Golf courses so much so that they serve as an inspiration to take up the game as a professional career? But that’s exactly the story of Poom, who developed a penchant towards Golf after getting entranced with the Golf courses. “I belong to Chanthaburi, a town in the east of Thailand. My father often played Golf with one of his friends and I always accompanied him when I was 10 years old. I was so enchanted with the sprawling and breath-taking Golf course that I decided to take up the game professionally. I loved hitting the ball with my father’s club. Seeing my interest, he took me to learn Golf in a nearby coaching club,” says Poom.

 

The 24-year-old Golfer added, “When I was 13, I was already winning many Junior Golf events in Thailand and I was extremely happy about it. Since I always wanted to serve the nation, I turned a Pro at the age of 20.”

 

 

‘Pressure to deliver doesn’t work for me’

 

The fast-rising Thai professional Golfer, who wears confidence around him with elan and finesse, minces no words when he says that pressure to perform hampers his game.

 

 

                                     A walk around the Golf courses soothes my frazzled nerves, says Poom

 

So, he does not mentally or physically prepare for a particular game. “I don't exactly like competition and don’t love the pressure to deliver. It never works for me. I love visiting varied Golf courses and play Golf for fun. A walk around the Golf courses soothes my frazzled nerves. So before any major tournament, I stick to my routine of remaining calm and happy.  I never push my programme harder just before the major tournament,” shares Poom.

 

 

Golf business in Thailand: Getting bigger and better

 

The 24-year-old Golfer says that factors such as colossal promotion campaigns, well-maintained courses, great weather, safety and the hospitality of Thai people have contributed to the popularity of the game in Thailand. And what’s his take on Thailand increasingly becoming a great golf holiday destination? “It’s definitely playing a vital role in the promotion of Thai tourism. Golf tourism has experienced a positive outswing in the past few years. Golf, being an incredible destination in Thailand, it’s good to see that the business of Golf getting bigger and better day by day,” adds Poom.

 

 

On making the game more accessible

 

Golf is considered to be a luxurious sport. Does he think there are enough funding or opportunities for budding golfers in Thailand to take up the sport?

 

 

                                                       Poom has always proved his detractors wrong 

 

And what are the steps that can be taken to make the game accessible? “It’s true that Golf is expensive but the prize money is also high if you compare it with other professional sports. If anyone wants to be successful, he has to invest. Here sponsors can play a crucial role. However, I also feel that the game should be affordable and accessible so that more and more young players can take up the game. Affordability and accessibility to the game will help drive profit in the Thailand’s Golf industry,” says Poom as he signs off.