By Priyanka Sen Sarkar

 

 

In an exclusive straight-from-the-heart interview with 4moles.com, Danthai Boonma talks about Hua Hin as a perfect golfing destination, his stint with Golf and more. 

 

 

 

 

Only a few years ago, not many Thai Golfers except legend Thongchai Jaidee were painting the charts anywhere on the international Golfing circuit.  However, the arrival of red-hot, talented Thai Golfers now has been a harbinger of a new wave for the game of Golf in Thailand. And Thailand’s 22-year-old young gun Danthai Boonma is a part of the talent bandwagon who know to stir up passions every time they don their Golf gear. The young Golfer, who has secured his spot for the forthcoming Open Championship, is looking forward to making a great debut.

 

 

‘In the footsteps of my father & Tiger Woods’

 

 

 

 

 

Having represented Thailand as an amateur, he won the bronze medal at the 2013 Asian Youth Games, 2014 Youth Olympics and 2014 Asian Games. Having turned professional at the end of that season, he triumphed at the Asian Tour’s World Classic Championship the following November and on Christmas Day 2016 added the Asian Development Tour’s Boonchu Ruangkit Championship by beating Janewattananond at the fourth playoff hole after they finished with rounds of 65 and 64 respectively. His best European Tour performance was a tie for third after a closing 64 in the 2016 King’s Cup in his home country earlier the same season.

 

 

So, what inspired him to take up the game? “My dad played Golf with great regularity. I followed him to the golf course and found out that there it was fun hitting balls. So you could say my Dad introduced me to the game and I am really grateful towards him for the same. Also, when I started Tiger Woods was at his best. So that goes without a saying that he was my second inspiration,” says he.

 

 

 

On the biggest turning point

 

 

 

 

Boonma has been a part of the Thailand Golf growth story. So what was his biggest turning point in Golf? “The biggest turning point in my golfing career was 2 times when I won The World Classic Championship at the Laguna National for my first year on tour. It secured me for standing on the Asian Tour fully. The second one was when I qualified for the Open 2018. It is great that I can start with the Open at Carnoustie. I will not only gain a lot of experience but this will a be a big building block of my career.”

 

 

 

‘Getting sponsors is difficult’

 

 

Golf is considered to be an expensive sport. Does he think there are enough funding or opportunities for budding golfers to take up the sport? What are steps that can be taken to make the game accessible?  He shares, “I think it is still hard getting sponsors these days but I am lucky having SINGHA as the main sponsor. So I work really harder to take a plunge. I think other players are doing the same thing as they start from small and get some earning so that they are able to go to the next step.” 

 

 

 

On Thailand becoming a popular holiday destination

 

 

 

 

When we talk about golf holiday destinations, Thailand is just unmissable. The gorgeous country will entrance you with its stunning landscapes, lush-green golf courses, picturesque beaches, captivating climate and an intriguing Thai culture. Quiz Danthai on this and he enthuses, “Yes, I am happy to be a part of such a popular Golf holiday destination.”

 

 

And which is his favourite Golf Holiday destination? “I think it’s Hua Hin. Hua Hin has all the right ingredients for a fantastic golf holiday. Hua Hin has perfect year-round golf weather and great courses that appeal to golfers of all levels as well as families, “shares he. 

 

Before the young gun signs off, he comes up with an interesting revelation.  “I like cooking. And I really love when people love to taste my culinary delights,” shares he.