I signed up for Asian Tour Q-School this winter not knowing what the future would hold for me. Ever since I came over to Bangkok on January 2nd 2015, I have been in love with the country. The people are very kind, the weather is nice, the food is great, and the golf is some of the best in the world.
After realizing the hidden gem of Thailand in 2015, I was eager to regain my Asian Tour card for 2016 and give myself another full season in Asia and Thailand.
I had good memories to draw upon from last year’s Q-School where I finished 12th at First Stage and 7th at Finals to earn full playing privileges on the Asian Tour. I also had played well two weeks prior at Boonchu Ruangkit Championship at Rancho Charnvee golf course in Thailand.
I genuinely think my best golf in Asia is played on Thai soil. This proved to be true at First Stage where I shot 66 72 73 69 to tie for medalist honors and move onto Final Stage of Q-School. Final Stage brought stiffer competition and thus the scores were much lower. I started off in the middle of the pack shooting 72 69. However, I fell way behind the eight ball with a third round 75 and knew I needed a round in the mid 60’s if I wanted to keep my card. I absolutely have fallen in love with Springfield Royal Country Club and knew that I could shoot it that final round as I had done three times prior in Q-School. This love and previous experience would prove vital for me on the final round. I put my head down that final round and when I looked up I had shot a 64 to earn my Asian Tour card back again.
It was a feeling unlike any I had previously. Especially to share it with my lovely caddie Mai from Springfield. She was very happy to be a part of me earning my card the last two years on the third biggest tour in the world of professional golf.
I am excited to have started my 2016 season in Singapore this week and I am very excited to see what this season holds for me. I have had a lot of success playing on PGA Tour Canada and I hope to bring more of that over to the biggest market that is the Asian continent. I am also very excited to be living in Thailand this year. I am hoping that living amongst the great culture and atmosphere that this will pay dividends for my golf career this year and going forward. As we all know golf is a very mental game and to be around the positive and smiling culture and beautiful places of Thailand I am sure will pay big for my mental well-being.
If you would like to follow my progress throughout the season please check out my website at johncatlinprogolf.com.
Thank you for your interest in my golf career and the great country of Thailand.
Yours,
John Catlin
