AG204 September2017 by Asia Pacific Golf Group

ISSUE

SEPTEMBER 2017

For 2017, the spotlight will be trained on a select number of men and women from the Asian golf industry who have been singled out for induction into the ASIA PACIFIC GOLF HALL OF FAME. The induction will be part of the annual celebration connected with the staging of the ASIAN GOLF AWARDS, widely recognized as the “Oscars” for the Asian golf industry.

FASHION TREND

EQUIPMENT FOCUS

42 THE GLOVES ARE OFF!

52 COBRA’S F-MAX ARE SO GOOD YOU JUST WANT TO SMACK ‘EM A KISS!

The Danish footwear company ECCO has rolled out its most revolutionary golf shoe that is certainly going to make a lot of heads turn. It’s newest golf shoe, the ECCO S-DRIVE deﬁes convention. It does not sit inside the realm of traditional golf shoes. The Danish company’s design team has set new standards, presenting a shoe that has on-course playability at its core and a palette of colours that is bound to be a hit with golfers.

204

COBRA Golf is out with new clubs. The F-Max clubs make up a whole new family which includes drivers, fairway woods, hybrids and irons and it is living proof of COBRA’s continued commitment to slower-speed golfers who need golf clubs that make the game easier to play.

62 LONG IRONS WITH LOVE FROM PXG! The newest and hottest high-performance driving irons to hit the market are from Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG), the young upstart golf equipment company compan ny from Scottsdale that has turned ed the ene tire industry on its head! The new clubs b are the PXG 0311X driving irons. ns.

66 MAESTRO UNVEILS NEW POWER FLAT-STICKS New from Scotty Cameron - The Futura 5.5M is a high-MOI mallet with enhanced toe ﬂow – it combines the forgiveness of a mallet with the feel of a blade. Inspired by Scotty’s Scotty s work with players on the worldwide professional tours.

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Hire a PGA of America Professional at PGA.org/globalemployment or by contacting Adam Keable, Colt McKenzie McNair akeable@coltmm.com The PGA of America name, logos, and marks are a trademark of the Professional Golfersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association of America

26 SPECIAL FEATURE 26 THE RENOVATION BUG – DON’T SNUFF IT OUT! Why renovate? The proverbial sixty-four thousand dollar question. Renovations are a reality for every golf course at some point. The fact that golf courses involve living and growing components as well as things that simply wear out over time, means that every course will need to plan for this eventuality. The spotlight will be focused on this topic at the 2017 Asia Paciﬁc Golf Summit.

32 COME OUT OF THE DARK AGES This is 2017. The age of the connected generation and if your club’s thinking is still stuck in 2010 you might as well light your clubhouse with candles! The mobile phone is now king and apps are the driving force of the mobile phone experience, which is the very reason that all smart, savvy club general managers should stop and take note.

72 PRESIDENTS CUP – WILL THE MATSUYAMA FACTOR SWING IT FOR THE INTERNATIONALS? For the last two decades, the International Team has not had any success in the Presidents Cup. Will this change this year? Can Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama and the other 11 players - several others from Asia – work together

to ﬁgure out how to stop the proverbial bleeding and pull off a win for the Internationals – read our preview.

78 MYANMAR EMERGES FROM THE DARK AGES Today, Myanmar is well on its way to catching up against lost time and against this backdrop of rapid change, golf is also beginning to see some very encouraging signs of development and growth. The newest and most spectacular golf course that is coming nal Golf on-stream is the Myotha National award Course designed by the multi-award winning design ﬁrm of Schmidtt Curley Design. ASIAN GOLF provides a peek at this new course.

12 REGULARS 10 EDITORIAL TEAM 12 SHARED THOUGHTS | ASIA TO THE FORE ASIAN GOLF kicked off 2017 with a prediction that Asian professional golfers, both men and women, would start making their presence felt on the p tours. We are now eight g world’s top months into 2017, and that prediction is looking good.

86 GOLFERS – IT’S TIME TO STOP OP ALL THESE NONSENSICAL COSTS! Who is responsible for the out-ofofolfers control golf course costs that golfers around the world are ultimatelyy forced ge to pay for? What can the average golfer and club member do to ce reverse the waste, incompetence and costly mistakes that make golf courses such expensive operations? Can we reduce golf course operating costs ay while concurrently improving play gned conditions and access? We assigned onASIAN GOLF’S Roving International Editor, James Graham Prusa to look into this matter.

GAME-IMPROVEMENT 94 THE PERFECT TEN

In this exclusive Asian Golf Monthly series, respected coach Iain Roberts is teaching golf novice Niall Donnelly to play the game in 10 one-hour sessions. After last week’s opening lesson, Niall picks up a club for the ﬁrst time.

Mike Sebastian Editor/Chief Executive Ofﬁcer [mike@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

INTERNATIONAL ROVING EDITORS

James Graham Prusa Correspondent

Angela Raymond President [angela@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

Alan Campbell (China/Middle East) Correspondent

Andy Stangenberg Club Services Advisor

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS

Raquel Arcega

Tony Meechai (Black Hat Golf Tips -Thailand)

Executive Creative Art Director [raquel@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

,DLQ 5REHUWV (7KH 3HUIHFW )

INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES

Alice Ho Business Executive [alice@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

Alice Ho Email: alice@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com

ASIA PACIFIC GOLF GROUP(2014) PTE LTD

Wayne Lwee Head, Digital Network/Video Editor [wayne@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

1 Yishun Industrial Street 1, #07-23 A’posh Bizhub, Singapore 768160 Tel: +65 6323 2800 | Fax: +65 6323 2838 Company Registration No.: 201405689G

Myra Paras Accounts Executive [myra@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

No part of Asian Golf may be reproduced in any other publications, printed or published without the written permission of the publisher. Opinions in Asian Golf are the writers’ and are not necessarily endorsed by Asian Golf. Asian Golf accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies or other materials. Manuscripts, photographs and artwork will not be returned unless accompanied by appropriate postage.

FROM THE PUBLISHER SHARED THOUGHTS

XIN-KYUNG KIM

SARIYA JUTANUGARN

SHIDEKI MATSUYAMA asiangolf 204 201

Does the headline look familiar? Well it should because ASIAN GOLF kicked off 2017 with a prediction that Asian professional golfers, both men and women, would start making their presence felt on the world’s top tours. We are now eight months into 2017, and that prediction is looking good.

t’s not about us wanting to gloat about our success or being narcissistic. We just want the opportunity to celebrate the success of Asian golfers, both men and women on the world’s top professional tours. This past month was truly a historic month – historic in that South Korea’s I.K. Kim pulled off a spectacular win at the British Women’s Open. What made this victory really a sweet deal was that the British Open title, one of the major tournaments on the LPGA calendar, came as icing on the cake for two other wins that she recorded in the space of two months for a total of three wins on the highly competitive LPGA Tour.

july 2017 2017 september

Matching Kim’s win in England was the total obliteration of a very powerful field of big names on the PGA Tour’s WGC Bridgestone Invitational where 25-year-old Japanese super-star, Hideki Matsuyama lifted the title and the winner’s check for US$1.66 million, to record two WGC wins in the same season. What we are now seeing happen on the professional tours was something that ASIAN GOLF called for back in 2015 where an urgent call was made for Asia to take charge of its own destiny in golf. Since that call, last year was a banner year for Asian golf and in the ensuing months since, there has been no looking back. Our men and women have been holding their own and scoring great wins. Never before in the history of golf have we had a front row seat to stand witness to Asian players driving their way to glory – just not glory within our shores but glory on the global stage of golf. Perhaps the most significant development was the staggering rise to the absolute top of the ranks in the women’s professional game – the LPGA Tour. The climb to the pinnacle of glory by Thailand’s “Queen of Golf”, Ariya Jutanugarn shocked many in the golf world and the subdued coverage to her success bears testimony to this shock. She dazzled her way to claim her first major victory

NEVER BEFORE IN THE HISTORY OF GOLF HAVE WE HAD A FRONT ROW SEAT TO STAND WITNESS TO ASIAN PLAYERS DRIVING THEIR WAY TO GLORY – JUST NOT GLORY WITHIN OUR SHORES BUT GLORY ON THE GLOBAL STAGE OF GOLF. – the British Open and followed this by making a clean sweep of the LPGA’s 2016 Player Of The Year title and the 2016 Tour Money winner for 2016. What Ariya has achieved in the short time span of a few months in 2016 is an achievement that would have taken a whole career for many others. What is important to remember is that she has demonstrated to many young girls in Southeast Asia in particular and Asia in general that if one sets one’s sights high, nothing is impossible! So far this year, Asian players continue to dominate the LPGA’s top ranks. In the Top Thirty for 2017, a total of 31 spots are occupied by Asian players. This dominance is prevalent throughout the LPGA’s ﬁeld of qualiﬁed players made up of more South Koreans, Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese, Thais and an Indian. The South Koreans will continue to enjoy the

biggest presence on the LPGA Tour in 2017 and that country’s output of quality players is not expected to ease up any time soon. Shifting from Asia’s golf sirens, Asian men have done very well in the last twelve months and based on the tournament statistics in 2017, we believe that this year will be a stellar year for Asian stars on the professional men’s tours. Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama stunned the golfing world when he took apart a star-studded field to hoist the 2017 WGC Bridgestone Invitational by five-clear strokes. Based on this performance, the 25-year old Japanese superstar has a lot more left in his tank to go after a major victory in the next twelve months. We’re counting on it! Another emerging star is South Korea’s Si Woo Kim who claimed his first win on the PGA Tour this year by beating the field at the Player’s Championship. The 22-year old is destined for bigger things in the next 12 months. India’s Anirban Lahiri is also chasing after his first win on the PGA Tour. His best result so far in 2017 was ending up second in The Memorial which is without doubt, the best result ever secured by an Indian player on the PGA Tour. And then there is South Korea’s Sung Kang who was runner-up in the 2017 Shell Houston Open. There has never been a better time for Asian men and women to shine on the world’s stage. There is really no looking back from this point on – the battle cry is going to be Asia forever onward and forward! Shoot for the stars!

asiangolf 204

COVER STORY

2017 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

For time immemorial, Man has always reserved a special place for those amongst us who have gone that extra mile, who have reached beyond the norm and who have challenged the impossible. Every walk of life, every profession, every industry and every sport has its heroes and champions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; men and women who are celebrated and honoured for their work, their achievements and their contributions towards their speciďŹ c ďŹ eld of endeavour.

september 2017

The golf industry in Asia is no

Invariably they are entrepreneurs who have earned

exception. The industry has its

their stripes in the world of business and who have ploughed

champions; oftentimes they remain

investments into golf because of a myriad of considerations.

below the radar and do not court wide

However, these movers and shakers of golf in Asia have one

media publicity. They are not the Tiger Woods or Lydia Ko’s who enjoy global

common passion which is their love for the game of golf. Each year, the Asia Paciﬁc Golf Group (APGG), the parent

attention and adulation for what they do

company of ASIAN GOLF, embarks on a mission to identify

on the professional circuits of golf. Asia’s

those amongst the select group of golf entrepreneurs with

champions are made up of a tightly knit group of individuals who have invested billions of dol-

the aim of selecting deserving candidates to be recognized and honoured. This mission started back in 2008 and

lars in developing world class golf facilities throughout

resulted in the birth of the highly prestigious ASIA PACIFIC

the Continent and who have helped to promote the game of golf

GOLF HALL OF FAME. Since its inception, major golf lumi-

and to grow it.

naries who have been inducted into the shrine of fame have

THE ASIAN GOLF AWARDS WILL BE CELEBRATED ON NOVEMBER 16, 201 POMP AND STYLE AT THE BRAND NEW SHERATON HOTEL AND RESORT IN D

VIETNAM. IT WILL BE STAGED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE 2017 ASIA PACIFIC GOLF UNDER U NDER T THE HE P PATRONAGE ATRONAGE O OF FT THE HE

B BRG RG GRROUP OUP. IT W WILL ILL B BE E THE 11TH IN THE CURRENT

hen he en you you ttalk yo allk about a passion for golf, there is perhaps alk a Asi As A ssia w ho h o possesses pos po o os Asia who a greater burning passion for the

South Vietnam’s Madame Nguyen Thi Nga. S So Sou ou uth h Vie V Vietna Vi etn tna nam m’s ’ss M Ma ad of the BRG Group, the single largest She She Sh he is is the th he cchairman ha hai air

oper and oper ope and n ow o own wner er of of go g o courses in the country. Madame Nga is owner golf

regarded rre reg ega ard rd de ded ed d as as one on on ne e of o Vietnam’s V top women entrepreneurs and h

billion bil b bi illio lio on d on dollar ollllar oll ol lar ar b bu bus business usine us usine in nes empire includes extensive interests in b ne

re rea real ea e al e esta estate sttta sta atte e dev d development, evelo eve ellopm elo pm hotels, tourism, automobiles and gol

He He Her er iin initiatives niiti itti tiati attiives at ve ve ess in in golf development over the past few years

study st sstu tudy tu dy of dy of a well-thought well well elll-th tth hou ou oug ug up strategy to grow the game of golf in

IItt iss no nott jju not just ust st about abo ab bo b ou utt op o opening p new golf courses but more of a hol

programme pro pr p rro ogra gramme gr rra amme mm mm me e de d designed esig s gne si ne to develop facilities throughout the coun ne expose e ex exp xp xpo osse ose se as as many many ma ny V Vie Vietnamese iet iet people to the game and to provid me m men en e nt to to the the he people pe p eople eo op plle ple eo ment of the nation and to generate revenue, esp the th the e tto ou uri ri ris ism sm sector sse sec e tor ec to or through th th tourism the promotion of golf tourism. In t

she entered s e ha sh has ente has e nte nt tered red into in nto t a strategic alliance with Nicklaus Design

the to develop ten new golf courses i the legendary th le egen ge g endar da ary Jack Jack ack Nicklaus ac N

has unanimously qualiﬁed Madam ing ing ng ye yyears. yea ears arrs a rs. T This hiss commitment his com comm co mm m

be inducted be ind in ind nduct ucctted uc ed into in in ntto the the prestigious Asia Paciﬁc Golf Hall Of Fame

asiangolf 204

included the late Dr. David Chu, the founder of the world’s

an all-time record with more than 100,024 votes cast cover-

largest golf resort, Mission Hills China, Jack Nicklaus, the

ing over 40 award categories.

world’s greatest professional golfer, Gary Player, the irre-

The Asian Golf Awards will be celebrated on November

pressible champion golfer and Dr. Ken Chu, the chairman of

16, 2017 in grand pomp and style at the brand new Sheraton

the Mission Hills Group in China amongst others.

Hotel and Resort in Danang, Vietnam. It will be staged in

For 2017, the spotlight will be trained on a select num-

conjunction with the 2017 Asia Paciﬁc Golf Summit under

ber of men and one woman from the Asian golf industry

the patronage of the BRG Group. It will be the 11th in the

who have been singled out for induction. The induction will

current series.

be part of the annual celebration connected with the staging

The Asia Paciﬁc Golf Hall Of Fame inductees for 2017 are:

of the ASIAN GOLF AWARDS, widely recognized as the “Os-

■ Madame Nguyen Thi Nga

cars” for the Asian golf industry. This recognition event is

■ Mr. Stig Notlov

now in its eighteenth year. The on-line polling for the 2017

■ Dr. Haruhisa Handa

Asian Golf Awards ended in June and this year’s polling hit

17 IN GGRAND RAND DANANG NG, F SUMMIT MIT T SERIES ES. an iin n no woman

game than an n devel-

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n Vietnam. m. m.

listic

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e employy-

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his context, e t, ex t, owned by by n the commm-

me Nga to o

e for 2017. 7.

MADAME NGUYEN THI NGA CHAIRMAN, BRG GROUP, HANOI, VIETNAM

september 2017

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MR. STIG NOTLOV ENTREPRENUER AND OWNER OF BLACK MOUNTAIN GOLF CLUB, HUA HIN, THAILAND

r. Handa has been described by Forbes Magazine as r.

ccinating and beguiling ﬁgures in Japan. He is not on

ma man ma an na an and nd philanthropist but is also a Shinto priest, an opera ccalligraphist, cal ca a alligrap lliig lig i ra rap ap a p artist, specialist in poetry and an avid golfer.

His ssupport for golf stems from a ﬁrm belief in the “po Hi His belief b bel elief iie eff th tthat tha ha has led to Dr Handa’s interest and philanthropic

vid vid iding ing ng opportunities op op viding for blind and disabled golfers worldwid

of tthe of th their heir he ir w wider mission for golf to become a Paralympic spor

ISPS ISP IS SP S PS HANDA has collaborated with almost every major

cluding cclu lu udin udi diiin d ng tthe European Tour, European Senior Tour, Asian Tou

PGA PG PGA GA T To Tour, our ur Ladies European Tour, Japan PGA, Sunshine Tour

Australian A Aus ustra ussttra trra rali alia lia li ia PGA. By fostering partnerships with some of gol

bodies, bo bod odie od iess, fo ies ffoundations o and programmes worldwide, ISPS HAN ment m me men ent en ent o off tthe game at every level to promote blind and disab

T Th Thi his commitment has unanimously qualiﬁed Dr. Handa hi This prestigious p pr pre rre resti esst sti tig ti gio gi iio o Asia Paciﬁc Golf Hall Of Fame for 2017.

asiangolf 204

t is an acknowledged fact that everything that we see, use, feel and experience today is the end product of a dream … a vision. Something that was thought up by someone who had the conviction, drive and the panache to

d dream and a vision become a reality.

ne such man who saw his vision transformed into reality is the Swedish golf entrepreneur Stig Notlov. Back in n e decided to build a golf course in Hua Hin in Thailand. Driven by a burning passion and a focused conviction, uted u around the landscape for an ideal location amidst light and densely vegetated forests that was home to ous snakes and other perilous creatures. He ﬁnally had that special aha moment on a parcel of land surrounded o

e ea eapple plantations and a backdrop of spectacular mountains. This was it! The ideal setting for the realisation of a and a vision. a

he birth of what will go forward to mark the creation of one of the great golf courses of Asia if not the whole he He H is a man who shares a unique name with the world renowned tamer of ferocious super cars on the cult

ccar a television programme, Top Gear. Like “Stig” the fearless race car driver who knows no limits when it comes to Stig Notlöv, the Swedish entrepreneur set a very lofty goal for his vision which has now manifested itself in the S nd shape of the award winning 27-hole championship golf course – Black Mountain Golf Club. Not only did he n

to o life a dream but he helped p open p up p the Thai cityy of Hua Hin to the world.

s “one of the most fas-

nly a wealthy business-

atic baritone, an expert

ower of sport”. It is this contribution to golf, pro-

de and on the foundation

rt.

r golf tour globally, in-

ur, Legends Tour, LPGA,

r, Golf Australia and the

lf’s largest governing

NDA aids the develop-

led golf.

a to be inducted into the

september 2017

DR. HARUHISA HANDA HONORARY PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL BLIND GOLF ASSOCIATION AND CHAIRMAN OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPORTS PROMOTION SOCIETY, TOKYO, JAPAN

Besides the 2017

ttheir achievements an

The recipients are ■ M T

he enterprising

campaign to pr

iing passion with excel

rranks to become the u

Being a former UA

cclub in the UAE (Emira

Mr. Buamaim, alo

destination and the org d

An irrepressible m

((Middle East and North

In 2011, he also la ccially in the UAE.

MR. MOHAMED JUMA BUAMAIM FORMER VICE-CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF GOLF IN DUBAI AND CURRENTLY CHAIRMAN OF GOLF CITIZEN AND THE MENA PROFESSIONAL TOUR T

e recently acquired the highest qualification as a Certified G tendent (CGCS), making his mark as the first Malaysian to

certiﬁcation.

The 44-year old who hails from the Malaysian state of Johor, w

green-keeping experience, saw his hard work pay off when he prou tion in February 2017 in Florida, USA. The certiﬁcate was awarded

intendents Association of America (GCSAA) and it came less than a

Class-A qualiﬁcation with the same association. The CGCS qualiﬁc recognised in the golf industry and the highest level of recognition

a green keeper. Approximately 25% of GCSAA Class ‘A’ members a

Superintendents. There are a total of 1,800 CGCS professionals, m Nizam completed an extensive course that covers theoretical golf course management. After a thorough selection process, less selected for the ﬁnal examinations in San Antonio, Texas. All these heroes will be recognized and installed as the Asian achievers for the year. They will be presented with their awards at ceremony in Danang, Vietnam on November 16, 2017.

7 Asia Paciﬁc Golf Hall of Fame, the Asia Paciﬁc Golf Group will also be honoring two exceptional individuals for

nd contributions to golf. They will be awarded the Asia Paciﬁc Life-Time Achievement Award.

Mr. Mohamed Juma Buamain and ■ Mr. Mohd Nizam Othman, CGCS.

g son of the desert has carved a niche for himself in the Arab golf world by single-handedly spearheading an ambitious

romote and develop the game of golf in the region with the aim of producing a future generation of champions. Combin-

lent planning and organisational skills, Mr. Buamain, who was born and brought up in Dubai, quickly rose through the

unmistakable face of UAE golf.

AE national golfer, an Emirates Golf Federation board member, the ﬁrst Arab to become general manager of any golf

ates Golf Club), Buamaim’s contribution in streamlining the affairs of the game is well recognised – and respected.

ong with Mohamed Alabbar (the Chairman of Emaar), created ‘Golf in Dubai’ to promote Dubai as a leading global golf

ganization and promotion of the highly successful Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.

man not known for resting on his laurels, he took up the biggest challenge of his career when he launched the MENA

h Africa) Golf Tour in 2011.

aunched GOLF CITIZEN, an innovative golf reservation website aimed at promoting golf courses on its network, espe-

Golf Course Superin-

receive the professional

with over 20 years of

udly received the recogniby the Golf Course Super--

a year after he attained hiss

cation is the most widely that can be achieved by re Certiﬁed Golf Course

mostly based in the US. and practical aspects of than 50 candidates were

MR. MOHD NIZAM OTHMAN CGCS IS TPC KUALA LUMPUR’S GREEN KEEPER

golf industry’s highest the Asian Golf Awards

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APGS 2017 SPECIAL FEATURE

There are roughly 1000 golf clubs in Southeast Asia and a good number of these clubs ar well over thirty years in age. Many of these clubs are in dire need of renovation but often times, owners try to relegate this to the back burner. The longer the delay to make-over ageing clubs can and will result in further decay setting in to a clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entire infrastructure and this invariably will translate into additional costs when the renovation cycle comes around. The importance of renovation and re-invention is a topic that will receive thorough examination under the microscope at the 2017 Asia PaciďŹ c Golf Summit scheduled to be held in the Vietnamese city of Danang on November 14 -16.

e -

PAUL STRINGER PRESIDENT OF NICKLAUS COMPANIES, ASIA PACIFIC

hy renovate? The proverbial sixty-four thousand dollar question. Renovations are a reality for every golf course at some point. The fact that golf courses involve living and growing components as well as things that simply wear out over time, means that every course will need to plan for this eventuality. Such items as irrigation system components, drainage pipes, pump stations, cart paths, bunkers and greens complexes are examples of things that will have to be replaced. Growth of trees, infestation of greens with other types of grasses, the need to reduce cost of water and maintenance in general are all reasons to renovate a course. With the need to renovate established, when is a club to renovate? Choosing the right time to do a major renovation is always a hard decision. Waiting until conditions have deteriorated to the point of the course losing members or rounds each year or until complete failure of main parts is not usually the best situation. Instead, realizing that there is an expected life span of golf course parts and planning for replacement of these parts ahead of time will help to set long-term budgets and operations of a club.

RICH CENTOLELLA PRINCIPAL OF EDSA

What are the benefits of renovation? Replacing older components of an existing course that require constant repair can save money in the long term. Overall conditions of maintenance can be better if the superintendent does not have to spend so much time fixing broken parts. Renovations can be planned to save water, make greens more useable, cure drainage issues, replace worn cart paths and give an older course new character. Such improvements can increase membership, create greater player satisfaction and often justify an increase in fees for a better product. Finally, once a decision is taken to renovate a golf club, what is the best route to take to start the renovation process? Spending time working with an experienced architect early in the process so that a well-organized program is implemented is a first step. Not only identifying things that need to be done, but recognizing the proper order of work is essential, especially renovations that will be done in phases. Set realistic goals for the renovation based on the budget and schedule available. Given the set of circumstances described, it is only natural that clubs should embark on some soul-searching and start asking when is it time to get cracking with renovation. It’s not just about renovation alone. It is also about the re-invention of clubs because over the years, the whole club experience has changed radically and coupled with this is

THE 2017 ASIA PACIFIC GOLF SUMMIT (APGS 2017) WILL DO A SERIOUS DRILL DOWN ON RENOVATION AND REINVENTION AND AS THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT MATTER FOR THE FUTURE OF THE GOLF CLUB INDUSTRY IN

SOUTHEAST ASIA,

THE ORGANISERS HAVE REACHED OUT TO SOME OF THE MOST RESPECTED NAMES IN THE BUSINESS TO ASSEMBLE A HIGH-POWERED TEAM TO ADDRESS THE TOPIC.

the demographic shift in the make-up of both club members and golfers alike in general. The 2017 Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS 2017) will do a serious drill down on renovation and reinvention and as this is a very important matter for the future of the golf club industry in Southeast Asia, the organisers have reached out to some of the most respected names in the business to assemble a high-powered team to address the topic. Leading the panel will be Paul Stringer, president of Nicklaus Companies, Asia Pacific, a seasoned expert on the industry in Asia. On the panel will be Rich Centolella, principal of EDSA, a globally renowned name in creating sustainable places to live, work, learn and play. As stewards of the land and the built environment, EDSA has for the past 50 years worked at improving the way the world looks. The other panelist is Jeff Fossum principal at Z Design Group, a major American architectural firm specializing in golf club and resort design including clubhouses, golf academies, hotels etc. This panel session is an event not to be missed by golf course owners, developers, operators and club managers. The session will cover a wide spectrum of topics including the following: How to determine when it is time to renovate?

What to renovate, (golf course, clubhouse, amenities)? How to determine costs of the renovation? How is the club or owner to fund the renovation? What resources or personnel are needed, (ie: external consultants and internal staff). What will the beneﬁt be to the club in the short term/long term? Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be part of a very topical discussion impacting the golf club industry in Asia. The panel is made up of world-class experts who will collectively bring to the table a whole new perspective of breathing new life into your golf club. Be part of the exciting NEW DIRECTION that is transforming the golf club industry in Asia! Visit the Summit’s web site at http://www.golfconference.org

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SPECIAL FEATURE

SMART APPS

Smartphones have become an inseparable part of our daily lives. Waking up with a morning alarm, using Whatsapp, listening to music, reading news, watching YouTube videos, checking mail, updating project statuses, and so on â&#x20AC;&#x201D; everything is seamlessly executed from our mobile devices. Currently, over 2.1 billion people worldwide own a smartphone. The golf club industry needs to wake up to this fact because it is not a trend that can be ignored or conveniently swept under the rug. This is no doomsday forecast. It is a simple statement of fact. ASIAN GOLF commissioned London-based Apps expert Jenni Biggs to ďŹ nd out what she thinks about this matter. 33

september 2017

JENNI BIGGS

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his is 2017. The age of the connected generation h a and if your club’s thinking is still stuck in 2010 you m might as well light your clubhouse with candles! The mobile phone is now king and just last ye year a Google and TNS study discovered apps are the driving force of the mobile phone experience, which is the very reason that all smart, savvy club general managers should stop and take note. It isn’t enough for clubs to just have a great looking website and a social feed; clubs need to focus upon engagement both on and off the course to ensure retention, increased spend per golfer and to attract the younger generation. Smart apps are the perfect tool. The “there-is-an-app-for-that” moment has gone several years ago, the focus from novelty has shifted to innovation and long-term profitability - smart club apps are about improvement, driving additional revenues, communicating effectively and cutting costs. Apps are extremely flexible business tools and the very first thing a club general manager needs to decide upon are features and functions. It has to be a win-win for both the club and its targeted audience to ensure maximum downloads and return-on-investment (ROI). It must be appealing and useful for the golfer (so they will download it and use it!) It must generate income and pay back its initial set up cost in the shortest time possible From our extensive research, if you choose an app that only has a few options like contact details, course guides and flyovers, whilst they are very useful to the golfer, the app, by themselves, do not generate income. It is the unique combination of having the following five main features that makes an app a powerful marketing tool: DATA CAPTURE Not only can you get a better picture of your cliental but you can use the information to aid all areas of your business’s marketing

SCORECARDS, COURSE GUIDES AND GPS LOCATION

This is many golfers’ number one reason for downloading the app, enhancing their gaming, keeping track of, and help lower their scores. BOOKINGS An easy, convenient way for your members and guests to remotely book your course, hotel, spa or restaurant. Having instant access also encourages “in the moment” booking, for

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example after a round with friends they can book another round together whilst relaxing at the clubhouse. CLUB EVENT CALENDAR From the latest ﬁxtures to family fun days, up-to-date event sections keeps your resort at the front of their mind, increasing turnout, accessing their own networks and enhancing your club’s image, vibe and income. PROMOTION AND SPONSORSHIP Your resort is not just the golf course. Ensure you are getting the very maximum return by cross promoting all aspects of your business. Teaming up with a credible sponsor is yet another way your app can give value to your members and generate your club a rolling income. Smart general managers know that every contact with their clientele reﬂects upon the club, its image and its reputation and nothing can ruin that quicker than a cheap, poorly made app.

A GOOD CLUB APP WILL ALWAYS RESIDE IN THE SMARTPHONE OF YOUR MEMBERS THEREFORE IT PAYS TO ENSURE IT LOOKS GOOD AND OPERATES SMOOTHLY AND ABOVE ALL BE AN EXCELLENT REFLECTION OF THE RESORT. A good club app will always reside in the smartphone of your members therefore it pays to ensure it looks good and operates smoothly and above all be an excellent reﬂection of the resort. There are a few apps being offered to clubs out on the market now, all with a different focus and tools for both the resort and golfer. Predominately these apps are tailored towards data-mining the golfer and not giving a lot back to the club. Business savvy managers know that any business tool which they have very little say in or day-to-day control over will not produce any sustainable form of revenue. At the very minimum, your team will need to be able to use a very quick and easy system to update events, promotions, etc and be able to notify your clientele of these changes via an integrated push notiﬁcation system, keeping your app current and engaging. It’s time to blast out of the dark ages and plunge into the world of Smart Apps!

3 4 5

ore than most industries, the golf industry has had its fair share of doom and gloom stories. The golf business landscape has been inundated by news about golf course closures, declining incomes, equipment manufacturers shutting down and a litany of such dismal news. The time has come to put this all behind and look ahead. Asia has entered an exciting era of dynamic growth with most of the Continent’s economies reﬂecting good health. More Asian corporates are moving up the ladder of success on the For-

tune and Forbes list of billion-dollar conglomerates. This is an excellent measure of the powerhouse that Asia is. Populations are becoming better educated, more afﬂuent and ready for new and exciting experiences. While the Baby-Boomers may be on the decline, the younger population demographics including the much talked about Millennials have matured and moved up the consumer pyramid. There has never been a better time than NOW for the golf industry to take stock of all the positives and prepare itself to tap into new opportunities for improved business and greater earnings.

New technologies like Mobile Ap to be brought on board to improve t member experience. New and exciti of play need to be introduced that is consuming, more fun and more affo Service standards need to be stepp fold. New and improved ways of ren efﬁciently maintaining golf courses fast-tracked. It’s all about NEW DIRECTIONS b herein lies the future of golf and its g in Asia. There’s a NEW AGE of oppor awaiting the golf club industry in Asia

|1| ADAM HARRIS |2| ANDREW WOOD |3| ANDY STANGENBERG |4| PAUL STRINGER |5| STEVEN FREUND |6| GREGG PATT |8| ROBERT PARSONS |9| ZACH SHOR |10| ARJUN CHOWDRI |11| TODD RHINEHART |12| DR. MILTON ENGELKE |13| DAVID D

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adopters of the emerging changes will be set and ready to reap harvests brought about by the paradigm shifts. Be part of the ENLIGHTENED COMMUNITY and be at the 2017 Asia Paciﬁc Golf Summit (APGS 2017). No other golf business event in the world can offer you a road map to prepare for the exciting times ahead. Come and listen to the architects of change who will be piloting Asia’s thrust forward.

TERSON |7| TENNIEL CHU DOUGET |14| BRAD BURGESS

F GROUP (2014) PTE LTD.

1 Yishun Industrial Street 1, Singapore 768160 xÊÈÎÓÎÊÓnÎnÊUÊ7iLÃ Ìi\ÊÜÜÜ°>Ã >«>V wV} v}À Õ«°V

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PRESENTED BY:

ECCO GOLF FASHION TREND

It is sort of strange that we should kick off an article about shoes by making reference to gloves. Well, after we are done with this fascinating story, you will understand why we chose the fighting words to spin our yarn. It is really about a bare-knuckle, no-holds barred battle launched by one of the biggest and most respected names in the footwear industry, more specifically, the golf footwear business. The brand is the top quality house of ECCO, the Danish power-house whose products are worn by some of the biggest names in golf – stars like Fred Couples, Ernie Els, Thomas Bjørn and Lydia Ko. The very DNA of ECCO has always been firmly grounded in quality, quality and quality. Nothing is compromised in the company’s pursuit to design, engineer, develop and produce the best golf shoe. This has been its tradition.

n many ways, ECCO has been looked upon as being conservative especially in terms of design but with the launch of its Autumn/Winter 2017 collection, the company has burst forth with a new design that shatters all reference to design conservatism. ECCO has blasted off with a bold and futuristic look – an absolute paradigm shift that will rock the world. Ladies and gentlemen, feast

your eyes on the ECCO S-DRIVE, the latest revolution in golf footwear! ECCO S-DRIVE deﬁes convention. It does not sit inside the realm of traditional golf shoes. The Danish company’s design team has set new standards, presenting a shoe that has on-course playability at its core and a palette of colours that is bound to be a hit with golfers. The man who has led this revolution is lead Designer Andrzej Bikowski who is totally asiangolf 203

ECCO S-DRIVE LUX

september 2017

ECCO S-DRIVE

ECCO BIOMG2

committed to pushing boundaries in golf shoe design. “The

the real thing in that everything needed to play golf at the

golf world has never seen anything like ECCO S-DRIVE. It’s a concept that is way outside the box, and could never be described as ordinary,” declared an ebullient Bikowski.

highest level, including stability, support and ECCO’s quintessential comfort is built into the ECCO S-Drive.” This design is inﬂuenced by the best elements of

“We’ve taken inspiration from the best features of modern running shoes to make a golf shoe that is unlike anything

running and performance footwear. The result is a superlightweight structure that delivers exceptional agility and

else on the market and, fundamentally, it will really perform,” he pointed out. Echoing the positivity surrounding the ECCO S-DRIVE,

dynamic performance. The shoe’s brilliance stems from its alternative inﬂuence. Unlike some traditional golf shoes, ECCO S-DRIVE

Jesper Thuen, Head of ECCO Golf, Asia Paciﬁc said, “It is

has a simpliﬁed sock construction with fewer lace loops

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ECCO COOL

ECCO S-DRIVE DEFIES CONVENTION. IT DOES NOT SIT INSIDE THE REALM OF TRADITIONAL GOLF SHOES. THE DANISH COMPANYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DESIGN TEAM HAS SET NEW STANDARDS, PRESENTING A SHOE THAT HAS ON-COURSE PLAYABILITY AT ITS CORE AND A PALETTE OF COLOURS THAT IS BOUND TO BE A HIT WITH GOLFERS.

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ECCO CASUALHYBRID

ECCO BIOMHYBRID2

and no toe cap which makes for a superbly snug yet comfortable ﬁt that cradles the foot. And guess what? The ECCO S-Drive has done away

premium leather. It has all of the features found in the ECCO S-DRIVE but

with the tongue, thereby reducing the amount of material needed facilitating a smoother closure. A smoother transition from heel to forefoot

is different in that it is made of luxurious, breathable, DRITTON leather uppers which offer supreme comfort and support.

is enabled by a running shoe-inspired design concept that should ultimately allow a golfer to

Other iterations include upgrades to the highly popular ECCO CAGE PRO family

save energy during a round. How cool is that! The ultra-lightweight upper mesh is stabilised by bonded microﬁber, offering stability,

which now offers four upper colours to choose from. Spun off from the success of the 2009 ground-breaking hybrid golf shoe, ECCO

support and ﬂexibility – resulting in unmatched comfort! It does not stop there - the midsole is reinforced with a stability wing that is intended to

GOLF STREET, the ECCO CAGE PRO now comes equipped with ECCO SPYDR-GRIP™, an outsole which provides out-

prevent the foot from rolling during the swing. The innovative asymmetrical closure system creates exceptional support and stability with no

standing grip and performance. The multi-award winning ECCO BIOM Hybrid 2 has also

compromise on comfort. The shoe also holds a removable leather inlay sole that offers the op-

seen an upgrade. The new features include a new

tion of extra width. A direct injected TPU outsole featuring ECCO Golf’s multi-award-winning E-DTS® sole technology delivers supreme trac-

premium upper design and the introduction of several new colours.

tion. And something that Asian golfers would be pleased to note – the ECCO S-DRIVE comes complete with ECCO Golf’s HYDROMAX® upper treatment which enhances resistance against weather and perspiration. There is no doubt that this new-comer is going to ﬂy off the shelves all over the world and watch as the ECCO S-DRIVE adds a whole new dimension of fun, colour and superior footwear technology to golf. Besides the ECCO S-DRIVE, the company has also launched the ECCO S-DRIVE Leather; a comfort-oriented golf shoe formed from

ANDRZEJ BIKOWSKI

THE GOLF WORLD HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE ECCO S-DRIVE. IT’S A CONCEPT THAT IS WAY OUTSIDE THE BOX, AND COULD NEVER BE DESCRIBED AS ORDINARY,” DECLARED AND EBULLIENT BIKOWSKI. “WE’VE TAKEN INSPIRATION FROM THE BEST FEATURES OF MODERN RUNNING SHOES TO MAKE A GOLF SHOE THAT IS UNLIKE ANYTHING ELSE ON THE MARKET AND, FUNDAMENTALLY, IT WILL REALLY PERFORM.

ECCO CAGEPRO

These shoes, incorporating the company’s patented BIOM® NATURAL MOTION® and E-DTS® outsole technologies provide the ultimate blend of comfort and performance. For those of you who appreciate premium leather, then you have to check out the ECCO CLASSIC LUX, a beautifully crafted cleated golf shoe. It is a truly highquality shoe that features leather upper and lining, combined with a traditional leather welt, while a second-skin leather lining with micro perforation provides breathability. It is all about sophisticated style! The highly successful ECCO COOL range of golf shoes has also been upgrade for the new season. The groundbreaking cleated models featuring GORE-TEX® SURROUND® technology, is now available in new eye-catching colours. The ECCO COOL range features revolutionary an advanced air channeling system within a grid-shaped sole structure that provides 360° breathability without compromising on waterproof protection and in turn, this helps keep feet dry in all conditions. It’s a golf shoe that combines enhanced walking pleasure and climate comfort, as well as exceptional protection from the elements. And how many of you remember the ECCO GOLF STREET, the shoe that Fred Couples helped make famous at the 2010 Masters in Augusta. Well, it’s back with the RETRO look, a design that successfully combines timeless styling with an array of advanced performance technologies. ECCO has not forgotten lady golfers. For its new season, the company has updated its best-selling Women’s BIOM G2 range. The range now comes with a variety of

ECCO BIOMHYBRID2

THE ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT UPPER MESH IS STABILISED BY BONDED MICROFIBER, OFFERING STABILITY, SUPPORT AND FLEXIBILITY

– RESULT-

ING IN UNMATCHED COMFORT! IT DOES NOT STOP THERE

- THE MIDSOLE IS

REINFORCED WITH A STABILITY WING THAT IS INTENDED TO PREVENT THE FOOT FROM ROLLING DURING THE SWING. colours and the same applies to its Women’s BIOM® Hybrid 2 Design. ECCO is one of the world’s leading shoe brands owns and manages every aspect of the value chain from tanneries and shoe manufacturing to wholesale and retail activities. ECCO’s products are sold in 88 countries from over 2,000 ECCO shops and more than 14,000 sales points. ECCO is family-owned, founded in Denmark in 1963, and employs more than 20,000 people worldwide.

COBRA GOLF

EQUIPMENT FOCUS

For those of you who have memories that can track back a few decades, you would recall that the brand COBRA had a very loyal following amongst senior golfers. In fact, this writer remembers many of his senior golﬁng friends being “armed” with COBRA equipment. They were known as the “venomous vipers” and they were killers when it came to paying up at the 19th hole. The old guys used to rake in the cash and credit has to go the power they got from COBRA golf equipment. In a Delorean moment, COBRA has gone back to the future to tap on this great heritage that the brand enjoyed with seniors and out of this has emerged COBRA’s F-Max golf clubs.

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WATCH VIDEO

he F-Max clubs make up a whole new

committed to back in 2015 and that promise was “to

part in achieving

family which includes drivers, fairway woods, hybrids and irons and it is living proof of COBRA’s continued com-

make golf fun and to bring new people to the game.” Today Philion has been kicked upstairs and installed as the president of Puma North America, the parent

full of goodies th envelope and ma of players.”

mitment to slower-speed golfers who need golf clubs that make the game easier to play. ASIAN GOLF sees the arrival of the F-Max

company of COBRA Golf, obviously a sign of conﬁdence in his ability to get a job done! In that interview, Philion boldly declared, “We’re

With Philion big picture busin the dynamic Tom

clubs as the brand delivering on a promise that its former president and chief executive, Robert Philion

trying to be the best game enjoyment brand in the game and technology will continue to play a major

for COBRA. He h clubs with techn

asiangolf 203

g that goal. Our pipeline is hat will continue to push the ake the game more fun for all types

n now in charge of the organisationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ness, the man in the driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seat is m Olsavsky, vice president of R&D has led his team to pack the F-Max ologies that help launch the ball

The F-MAX Driver features a forged Titanium 6-4 face, delivering improved ball speeds on off-center hits.

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higher, straighter and with more speed. Another signiﬁcant

has been shifted more toward the rear and heel of the club

point to note is that the F-Max line, has made material changes and technological improvements to make the clubs more forgiving and longer than COBRA’s previous Max line. Sounds like FUN!

and this should help slicers turn the ball over a bit easier. Other changes include a new alignment feature on the crown, a new black PVD ﬁnish, and two different hosel

Leading the pack is the big boy of the F-Max line – the driver. It’s really a light driver in terms of weight and put simply, a lighter driver means that it’s easier to hit. The FMax drivers are built with COBRA Superlite 50-gram shafts and have reduced swing weights compared to the previous Max driver.

options for golfers; an “offset” neck for those who need additional draw bias, and a straight neck for a relatively straighter ﬂight. The F-Max Drivers are available in 9.5, 10.5 and 11.5-degree lofts. The super-game improvement technology of the F-Max driver carries through to the fairway woods. The lightweight construction with the fairway woods has been engineered

“When it comes to the super game-improvement category, it can’t be overstated how important lightweight construction is to this category of player,” Olsavsky said . “With

to help golfers hit the ball higher and straighter. The F-Max fairway woods are available in 16-, 20- and 23-degree lofts. Likewise, the F-Max hybrids are designed to blend with

the creation of F-Max, we have focused on the concept that lighter means easier to hit and we have gone to great lengths to ensure that even our components deliver superiority when

the F-Max drivers and fairway woods due to the similarity in construction. The hybrids are available in 19-, 22-, 25- and 28-degree lofts.

it comes to reduced weight.” The F-Max drivers have a forged Ti-6-4 titanium face in-

What about the F-Max irons? Well, these beauties also continue with the power of light . They have lighter heads,

sert that is designed to create more distance on mis-hits. For more forgiveness and a higher launch, the centre of gravity

lighter shafts, lighter swing weights and COBRA has proudly declared that the F-Max irons are the lightest irons in company history! Other features of the new irons include a deeper undercut design behind the faces for more ﬂex at impact and greater ball speeds across the face, as well as lower-proﬁle heads to help with the launch. The sets also have a progressive design, meaning the long irons (4-7 iron) are made with 17-4 stainless steel for more distance. The

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WATCH VIDEO

WE ARE EXCITED TO BE THE FIRST TO BRING ONE-LENGTH IRON TECHNOLOGY TO THE SUPER GAME-IMPROVEMENT SEGMENT OF THE MARKET,” OLSAVSKY SAID. “ALLOWING SENIOR AND WOMEN PLAYERS THE SIMPLICITY OF HAVING ONE SWING AND ONE SET-UP FOR THEIR IRONS HELPS MAKE GOLF A LITTLE EASIER AND MORE FUN.

AND FOR THOSE PLAYERS WHO AREN’T QUITE

READY TO TAKE THE ONE-LENGTH IRON PLUNGE, WE ARE CONFIDENT OUR NEW

F-MAX VARIABLE LENGTH IRONS WILL

PROVIDE AN UNMATCHED LEVEL OF CONSISTENCY AND ACCURACY.

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shorter irons (8-PW, GW, SW) are made with 431 stainless steel for more feel. Like the drivers and woods, ds, the irons also have back-heel weighting to encourage a higher launch unch and more forgiveness, and are built with hosel offset to help golfers olfers reduce a slice. To round off the new line-up from rom COBRA, we check out what golf’s Einstein aka Bryson Dechambeau chambeau has brought to the COBRA pit. “We are excited to o be the first to bring one-length iron technology to the super game-improvement segment of the market,” Olsavsky avsky said. “Allowing senior and women players the simplicity plicity of having one swing and one set-up for their ironss helps make golf a little easier and more fun. And for those e players who aren’t quite ready to take the one-length iron plunge, lunge, we are confident our new F-Max variable length irons will ill provide an unmatched level of consistency and accuracy.” All in all, the F-Max line of clubs bs is a terrific innovation especially when viewed in the context that hat lighter means easier to hit for golfers with slower swing speeds. ds.

WE AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY. AT COBRA, WE HAVE ALWAYS MADE GREAT PRODUCT FOR THESE TYPES OF GOLFERS, AND WE STRONGLY BELIEVE

F-MAX IS,

BY FAR, THE BEST WE HAVE MADE FOR WOMEN AND SENIOR GOLFERS. product, we are helping make golf more fun for the golfer who needs help in hitting it far and straight. And we know that there are thousands, if not millions of golfers, who can beneﬁt from the performance of F-MAX.

he F-Max line of products being a major step forward for COBRA, ASIAN GOLF had a chat with Tom Olsavsky, vice president of R&D for COBRA. The following are excerpts form that discussion:

ASIAN GOLF: COBRA Golf is about the importance of making golf fun to play. With the launch of the F-Max, it’s evident that you have lived up to your promise – can you comment on this? TOM OLSAVSKY: With the F-MAX

ASIAN GOLF: Is “light-weight” the trend in golf club design? OLSAVSKY: Light-weight has always been a trend. But light-weight now, versus 20 years ago is not the same weight. Technology has advanced quite a bit in recent years, in some cases exponentially. Any design must take many tradeoffs into account, in golf it still has to feel and play properly as a lighter club. For example, we could make them even lighter by reducing the headweight in half, but then the ball wouldn’t go far or be controllable. A designer must balance the human and performance needs together.

ASIAN GOLF: With F-Max, COBRA is taking the lead to bring the game of golf to a wider audience of women and senior golfers. Looks like the FMax is a godsent for these consumer groups? OLSAVSKY: We agree wholeheartedly. At Cobra, we have always made great product for these types of golfers, and we strongly believe F-MAX is, by far, the best we have made for women and senior golfers. ASIAN GOLF: The F-Max technology is also being extended to irons – what sort of market reaction do you expect? OLSAVSKY: We expect golfers to love the new Cobra F-MAX irons. They have been upgraded in looks and performance, and we are hearing great things already from the retailers, media and other insiders who we work asiangolf 203

with i h throughout h h the h planning l i stages off launching products.

ASIAN GOLF: Many golfers are intrigued by COBRA’s ONE –Length irons – how do you see these irons ﬁtting into the market place? Are these irons going to be niche or do you see them having a wide appeal?

OLSAVSKY: ONE Length has been OLSAVSKY a great success for us in many ways. Golfers have been excited about the concept and are seeing the performance beneﬁts and our sales are up nicely. With Bryson leading the way and winning on tour, we are conﬁdent that ONE Length irons will continue to

WATCH VIDEO

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b h l f l for f many golfer lf to improve i be helpful their iron play. Some external testing in the US suggest that the improved consistency of ONE length could beneﬁt between 30-50% of golfers and so is would indicate that it will continue to be popular for many golfers.

PXG 0311X DRIVING IRON EQUIPMENT FOCUS

Remember the days when golf equipment manufacturers supplied 3-irons with any new set of clubs that you bought off the shelf? Do you also remember your wondering what the heck you were going to do with an iron that was virtually impossible to hit for many club golfers? This writer still has in his possession 3-irons that have never seen the light of day and look as good as when they ďŹ rst rolled off the production line some two decades ago. asiangolf 204 203

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o much for a blast-from-the-past – the long iron issue has not gone away. In fact, it is still around and the long irons of today are said to be great clubs. Why so, you may ask? A good response would be to re-visit the recent Open at Royal Birkdale. The winds made it very testy to go for the greens with fairway woods or hybrids. So, what was the option? Simple, use a “driving iron”, a club that has been designed to be hit as easily as any of your modern-day clubs in your bag. Driving irons are bulked-up players irons that are designed to hit the ball higher and farther than standard 1, 2 or 3 irons. Their trajectory will be lower than most similarly lofted fairway woods and hybrids; however, their lower launch angles and landing angles lead to a huge amount of roll. That’s perfect for windy conditions and fast, ﬁrm fairways. That about says it all for long irons or “driving irons”. The newest and hottest high-performance driving irons to hit the market are from Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG), the young upstart golf equipment company from Scottsdale that has turned the entire industry on its head! The new clubs are the PXG 0311X driving irons and PXG is billing these driving irons as “the Best Clubs for the Worst Conditions!” Put simply, this is yet another case of PXG’s continuing effort to help avid golfers dial in their game with the introduction of new line of high-performance driving irons. “PXG makes the world’s ﬁnest golf equipment and our new 0311X driving iron is no exception,” American entrepreneur and PXG founder Bob Parsons stated. “It keeps

the ball low and sends it far … feels buttery smooth … and looks smoking hot.” The new PXG 0311X driving irons are an exceptional option for golfers who want to augment their bag for optimum performance under various playing conditions. A low spin club with a striking profile, PXG 0311X driving irons deliver a more penetrating ball flight, keeping the golf ball out of the wind and in the middle of the fairway. Like PXG’s celebrated irons, 0311X driving irons are forged and feature an ultra-thin face backed with a structural TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) material. The high-strength steel face paired with the TPE produces a more efficient energy transfer, resulting in increased ball speed and more distance. A wide sole design and minimal offset help create a CG position that sits low in the club head and closer to the shaft axis, creating less dynamic loft at impact. “The 0311X looks incredible at address,” shared PGA TOUR champion and PXG Tour professional Billy Horschel. “It really suits my eye. Off the tee, it launches low with little spin, which helps me avoid getting into some hairy spots on the course.” ASIAN GOLF’s position on long and driving irons has since changed. We in fact advocate driving irons and we feel that golfers should check out these driving irons and add them to the bag!

asiangolf 203

FEEL THE JOY OF THE FIRST TEE, EVERY TIME. Lydia Ko

ECCO BIOM HYBRID 2 ECCO BIOM Hybrid 2 combines soft, ultra-lightweight materials and a low profile midsole that brings you closer to the ground, taking the hard work out of walking. Experience ECCO BIOM Hybrid 2 at your local specialist golf store or online ecco.com.

SCOTTY CAMERON | FUTURA 5.5M EQUIPMENT FOCUS

Scotty Cameron, arguably one of the most respected names when it comes to putters, seems to have broken with tradition. The American master craftsman is not known for new product launches smack in the mid-season. With his newest line, the Future 5.5M, he seems to have thrown tradition to the wind and gone ahead with a out-of-cycle launch.

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september 2017

WATCH VIDEO

he Futura 5.5M is a high-MOI mallet with enhanced toe ﬂow – it combines the forgiveness of a mallet with the feel of a blade. Inspired by Scotty’s work with players on the worldwide professional tours, the Futura 5.5M offers a new mallet option featuring the alignment and high-MOI characteristics of the Futura

line coupled with a neck configuration that promotes a flowing, arced putting stroke more commonly associated with blade style putters. Speaking about being inspired by tour players, the new range was in fact inspired by a tour player – to be specific, it was four-time PGA Tour winner, Justin Thomas. “The idea for the Futura 5.5M began as a prototype when Justin Thomas came to the Putter Studio looking for a new option,” Cameron said. “He wanted a smaller mallet that he could align easily, but one that also promoted the arced putting stroke he preferred. We welded a flare neck to a Futura X5 Tour putter and sent him on his way. He went on to win three events, reporting back that some of his buddies wanted a putter like his. The wheels started turning from there.” Hence the birth of the Future 5.5M. The key characteristics of the Future 5.5M can be summed up as follows: The compact mallet – about 10 percent smaller than the similarly-shaped Futura 7M – is designed for easy alignment with builtin toe flow. Shorter single bend shaft configuration for additional toe hang, promoting an arced path and flowing putting stroke. Multi-material technology – featuring wrap-around face-sole construcasiangolf 203

THE IDEA FOR THE FUTURA 5.5M BEGAN AS A PROTOTYPE WHEN JUSTIN THOMAS CAME TO THE PUTTER STUDIO LOOKING FOR A NEW OPTION,” CAMERON SAID. “HE WANTED A SMALLER MALLET THAT HE COULD ALIGN EASILY, BUT ONE THAT ALSO PROMOTED THE ARCED PUTTING STROKE HE PREFERRED. WE WELDED A FLARE NECK TO A FUTURA X5 TOUR PUTTER AND SENT HIM ON HIS WAY. HE WENT ON TO WIN THREE EVENTS, REPORTING BACK THAT SOME OF HIS BUDDIES WANTED A PUTTER LIKE HIS. THE WHEELS STARTED TURNING FROM THERE.” HENCE THE BIRTH OF THE FUTURE 5.5M. tion milled from lightweight 6061 aircraft grade aluminum, integrated with precision-milled 303 stainless steel – moves weight back and to the perimeter, allowing for a larger putter head with enhanced high-MOI performance (resistance to twisting during the stroke). Mid-milled face with vibration dampening technology offers soft feel with 3.5 degrees of loft to deliver optimum roll characteristics From rounded mid-mallets to high-tech, high-MOI larger mallets, the 2017 Futura family melds design characteristics of the previous generation mallets with Cameron’s continued innovation in multimaterial putter constructions. The result is a cohesive lineup of tour-proven shapes and conﬁgurations.

september 2017

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PGA TOUR IN ASIA COLUMN

This editorial column has been made pos Given the growing presence in Asia of the to provide the PGA Tour with its own platf that what the PGA Tour is doing in Asia w every country in the region. As of now, the Korea and Japan and this role is expected Asian golf being a huge beneficiary insof good is going to come out of the PGAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s st

asiangolf 204 200

72 2

ssible through a collaboration between the PGA Tour of America and ASIAN GOLF. e largest professional golf tour in the world, we felt that it was incumbent upon us form to talk about its activities throughout this vast Continent. There is no denying will go a long way to expose the highest level of professional tournament golf to e PGA Tour has very high profile engagements in the ASEAN bloc, China, South d to grow progressively in the years to come. The bottom-line simply points to far as growing the game and uplifting the standard of play are concerned. Only ake in Asia. The following is the latest editorial contribution from the PGA Tour:

Japanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hideki Matsuyama is prepared to join South Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s K.J. Choi. The two will be in select company. Choi played in The Presidents Cup in 2003, 2007 and 2011. Matsuyama, a Presidents Cup participant in 2013 and 2015, will once again represent the International team in The Presidents Cup in 2017. With three appearances in the biennial event, Matsuyama and Choi are the only two Asian players with at least three Presidents Cup appearances.

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ith the way Matsuyama’s career arc is progressing, don’t expect this to be his last Presidents Cup. Matsuyama now just needs to figure out how to lead the International team to victory. Of the 12 Asians who have played in The Presidents Cup, only Japan’s Shigeki Maruyama and Joe Ozaki have tasted a team victory, a 20.511.5 International team triumph in 1998 in Melbourne, Australia. If the Internationals can’t find a way to defeat the U.S. squad at the upcoming Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey in late-September, early October, the next time the two teams go to battle—again in Melbourne, Australia—the Internationals will have gone a full two decades without a win. Matsuyama and the other 11 players—several others from Asia—need to figure out how to stop the proverbial bleeding. While the Asians’ combined 32-35-5 record is hovering around the break-even point, breaking even while playing against Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Brooks Koepka will be the challenge. Since 1994, when Japan’s Tsukasa Watanabe went 1-2-0 in his three matches, an Asian player has participated on every International team except the 2005 edition. Yet no Asian player has quite enjoyed the success of Maruyama. Overall, the three-time PGA TOUR winner from Ichikawa, compiled an overall 6-2-0 record in his two Presidents Cups, a sterling 5-0-0 record getting his career off to a rousing start in 1998. Maruyama went undefeated with partners Craig Parry and Joe Ozaki in both foursomes (alternate shot) and four-ball (best-ball) matches over two consecutive days. He then took down John Huston, 3 and 2, in his singles’ match in the Internationals’ complete domination of the U.S. team. “I really love match play,” said Maruyama, stating the obvious. In discussing why match play suits him, he broke it down to two points. “The first point is [you] can focus on just one person instead of worrying about the whole, big tournament. It is just concentrating and fighting with one person. I like that concentration. “And the other fact that I like is in each hole the result comes up right away,” he continued. “So when I make a mistake or something, I can just gear up for the next hole, and I can just keep going and playing.” Maruyama never did make many mistakes in The Presidents Cup. In 2000, he won his sixth consecutive match when he teamed with Paraguay’s Carlos Franco to defeat Tiger Woods and Notah Begay III in foursomes. Maruyama finally lost a match, also with Franco, in foursomes, before dropping a 5-and-4 decision to Jim Furyk in singles, thus concluding the most-successful individual career any International player has turned in. The Asian presence on the team has always been integral and will be again in 2017. Asia’s involvement in the tournament took on an entirely different tenor in 2015 when South Korea became the first Asian country to host a Presidents Cup. “The fact that [we’re]

I REALLY LOVE MATCH PLAY,” SA MARUYAMA, STATING THE OBVIO

IN DISCUSSING WHY MATCH PLAY SUITS HI HE BROKE IT DOWN TO TWO POINTS. “THE FIRST POINT IS [YOU] CAN FOCUS ON JUST O

PERSON INSTEAD OF WORRYING ABOUT THE

WHOLE, BIG TOURNAMENT. IT IS JUST CON CENTRATING AND FIGHTING WITH ONE PERSON.

I LIKE THAT CONCENTRATION. “A THE OTHER FACT THAT I LIKE IS IN EACH HOLE THE RESULT COMES UP RIGHT AWAY,” CONTINUED. “SO WHEN I MAKE A MISTAKE OR SOMETHING, I CAN JUST GEAR UP FOR NEXT HOLE, AND I CAN JUST KEEP GOING A PLAYING.

in Korea and in Asia for the first time . . . it’s going to be massive for what the event is going to do for golf in the region,” said India’s Anirban Lahiri prior to the 2015 tournament. Lahiri was playing in his first Presidents Cup the first Indian to make the team, and his first partner was Thongchai Jaidee, Thailand’s first participant. And that’s what has happened with The Presidents Cu since it entered the golf landscape in 1994. In those early years, the Asian players came strictly from Japan and Sou Korea. Of the 12 total who have played, only Jaidee and La are from Asian countries other than Japan and South Kore Emerging Asian golf countries are just waiting to make so noise. Haotong Li is China’s No. 1-ranked player, and his third-place finish in The Open Championship in July prove The Presidents Cup is a likely destination in the 22-year-o future—if not this year then soon. Chinese Taipei’s Cheng Tsung Pan is a PGA TOUR rookie and was at one time the 1-ranked amateur in the world during a two-month stretc in 2013. Looking further into the future, the Junior Presidents Cup is a good indicator of what is to come. And Maruyama undoubtedly smiling. His son, Sean, will be playing on Cap tain Trevor Immelman’s International team that takes on t U.S. the week before The Presidents Cup in Edison, New J sey. Among Maruyama’s teammates are Asian players Ati Winaicharoenchai of Thailand, Naraajie Emerald Ramadha of Indonesia and Wocheng Ye from China. Going forward, perhaps 6, 2 and 0 should be numbers with which the younger Maruyama acquaints himself. asiangolf 204 200

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asiangolf 204

SPECIAL FEATURE

COUNTRY REPORT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MYANMAR

When there is any discussion about golf in Asia, very rarely is there any mention about Myanmar, once known as Burma. This was mainly due to the fact that the country was widely considered a pariah state while under the rule of an oppressive military junta from 1962 to 2011. While under the rule of the generals who ran the country, virtually all forms of human freedom was suppressed and the renowned opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was held under house arrest. After decades of human rights abuses and international condemnation and sanctions, the harsh military junta embarked on a gradual liberalisation process in 2010. Since then, the nation has seen widespread change as it started on a race to catch up with the progress and development of its neighbours.

september 2017

oday, Myanmar is well on its way to catching

Mandalay, the second-largest city and the last royal capital

up on lost time and against this backdrop of

of Myanmar.

rapid change, golf is also beginning to see

Not only is this new course about to stir up global

some very encouraging signs of develop-

interest in Myanmar but it is also reported to be the longest

ment and growth. It is really ironic when one

course in Asia – 8,000 yards from its tips! “At 8000 yards

considers that Myanmar was amongst the ﬁrst countries in

from the tips, the course will be one of the toughest in all of

Southeast to be introduced to the game of golf during the

Asia for those who venture there,” exclaimed a very proud

British colonial era. Historical records reveal that a British

Brian Curley, the man who designed the new Myotha Na-

military engineer by the name of Richard Barwell created

tional Golf Course. Curley is the principal of Schmidt Curley

the 9-hole Thayet Golf Club. This was back in 1887.

Design, the multi-award winning golf architectural ﬁrm

It is a country that has a legacy in golf that goes back a long time and it is good to know that in the second decade of the new millennium, golf is witnessing a re-

responsible for the design of all the courses at the giant Mission Hills Resort in China. Grassing (a term used to describe the last stages of

birth in Myanmar. Amongst the new genre of golf courses

construction of a golf course) has been completed and

that have sprung up in the country, are modern courses

ASIAN GOLF decided to be amongst the ﬁrst to take a peek

developed by big name architects including the legendary

at what many say is destined to become one of Asia’s true

Gary Player. However, the one new course that is set to

golf gems. We sat down with Curley to pick his brains on the

place Myanmar on the global golﬁng map is a brand new

Myotha National Golf Course and the following are excerpts

facility that has just been completed not too far away from

from that discussion:

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THE SITE IS VERY UNIQUE AND REMINDS ME OF THE ARID ARIZONA DESERT WHERE MUCH OF THE YEAR REMAINS QUITE WARM AND DRY YET IS VEGETATED WITH THICK DESERT PLANT MATERIAL AND SCRUBBY ROCK AT THE SURFACE.

THE CON-

TRAST OF THE ARID VEGETATION AND TURF WILL PROVE TO BE VERY DIFFERENT FOR THE

ASIAN GOLF MARKET.

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asiangolf 204

ASIAN GOLF: The Myotha National Golf Course is quite a project – looks like it is set to herald a whole new era for golf in Myanmar. Your thoughts? BRIAN CURLEY: Yes, at the moment, golf in the country

industrial portion of the project has already started and is

is quite limited in quantity and quality. Many courses are

park that surrounds Amata Springs Golf Course outside

very old, ﬂat and with few features. Some are exceptionally

Bangkok.

quirky with odd shaping and blind shots. Most have endured with modest maintenance practices so conditioning is often far from desired. The move to more reﬁned golf courses is just now taking place and, in time, there should be more available helping to create new players. In addition, new courses will certainly emerge that cater to the golﬁng tourist who wish to explore a very unique and exotic country that is a far cry from most golf destinations.

from many different countries. One of the key investors in the project is one of the original investors in the industrial

ASIAN GOLF: The course looks relatively ﬂat from what we have seen – give us a sense of the type of terrain and topography that you had to work with to carve out this course? CURLEY: Actually the site has a very strong terrain change from top to bottom, dropping some 40 meters. Within the site are two very deep and dramatic arroyos (steep-sided gullies) that wind through the course. The site is very

ASIAN GOLF: Looking at the overall development plan, it looks like the golf course is part of a massive economic development programme – talk to this? CURLEY: Yes, the golf course lies within a very large

unique and reminds me of the arid Arizona desert where

overall development about 30 miles south of Mandalay that

prove to be very different for the Asian golf market.

is earmarked to become one of the great industrial zones in all of Asia. Just as China produced products for export and, now Vietnam and Thailand are key players, Myanmar will in due course become a strong player in the export business and this project will become one of the main sources for companies of all types producing products of all types. The

well on its way to incorporating many different factories

september 2017

much of the year remains quite warm and dry yet is vegetated with thick desert plant material and scrubby rock at the surface. The contrast of the arid vegetation and turf will

ASIAN GOLF: From a design standpoint, what is unique about this golf course? CURLEY: The site is quite unique to Asia which has numerous courses in very wet areas that create poor turf conditions. Here, the dry climate will enable us to create turf conditions that will promote hard and fast conditions

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS QUITE NOTICEABLE IS THE VARIETY OF HOLES THAT CREATE A VERY MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE FOR THE FIRST and plenty of roll. In addition, we have incorporated wide fairways and a number of speed slots, kick slopes etc; that will help the player advance the ball on the ground.

TIME PLAYER.

WHILE THE COURSE READS

AS A WHOLE WITH A COMMON PLAYBOOK

With this conditioning, and with the desire to host events

OF DESIGN THOUGHTS AND EXECUTION,

the way that Amata Spring has to date, the course is VERY

THE INDIVIDUAL HOLES BENEFIT FROM VERY

long from the tips at over 8000 yards. While this is the case

DIFFERENT TERRAIN, BACKDROPS, ARROYOS,

for the back tees, the average player will be able to easily negotiate the course at reasonable lengths. Being that there is strong terrain and the need to cross the arroyos,

ETC AND THERE WILL BE GREAT DEBATE ABOUT WHICH HOLES ARE BEST.

and the fact that the weather will quite often be on the warm side, the majority of play will certainly be in carts.

ence for the ﬁrst time player. While the course reads as

But, unlike most Asian courses where carts are regulated

a whole with a common playbook of design thoughts and

to the paths, we have wide fairways of Zeon Zoysia that

execution, the individual holes beneﬁt from very different

will easily accommodate cart trafﬁc so players will be able

terrain, backdrops, arroyos, etc and there will be great

to drive right to their ball. This is quite an anomaly in Asia

debate about which holes are best.

and will be a welcomed way to play in the heat.

is quite manageable. In that regard, I would consider it

ASIAN GOLF: What is the Myotha National Golf Course going to mean to the future of the game in Myanmar – are we on the verge of witnessing another golf explosion along the lines of what happened in China and what is currently happening In Vietnam? CURLEY: I think that golf has room to grow and will do so

one of the few courses in the World that can be managed

but at nowhere near the fevered pace that those countries

by most any level of player. Most courses state this, but

experienced. I see a reasonable growth that parallels

few pull it off. One of the things that is quite noticeable is

proper business development and the market needs, not

the variety of holes that create a very memorable experi-

an over- extended burst that hopes to ﬁnd players.

ASIAN GOLF: From a playability perspective, how would you rate the course? CURLEY: At 8000 yards from the tips, the course will be one of the toughest in all of Asia for those who venture there. At the same time, from the forward tees, the course

asiangolf 204

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SPECIAL FOCUS COLUMN

Golf continues to experience grow sluggishly. We also share some co place in occidental nations that re key factor contributing to the lowe golf is that many radical changes h that are detrimental to golf.

asiangolf 201

wth and potential in Asia, albeit ommon threats with what has taken educe duce the health of the game. One ering participation rates in western have taken place in western cultures

june 2017

G PART 4. GOLF COURSE COSTS ARE DESTROYING THE GAME – WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? What you are about to read is the latest instalment on ASIAN GOLF’s on-going in-depth probe into what is causing the cost of operating golf courses in Asia to keep on rising. Controversial as the truth may be, it has to be uncovered and told because the future of the game and the industry is contingent on how these out-of-control costs can be checked. So, who is responsible for the out-of-control golf course

olf remains a sport built upon virtuous ‘honour’ that teaches competition, conservative morals and universal truths of civility that are now under profound attack in the west. In Asian cultures polite behaviour, proper dress, and propriety at golf courses remain as high standards. Sizable portions of western middleclass populations seem to be sinking to ever-lower amoral levels – a good portion of western middle-class young people are now simply antagonistic to golf’s historical proprieties and no marketing schemes to attract them will ever change this. However, here in Asia, as throughout the world, the logarithmic rise in golf course costs is a shared detriment and threat to golf’s growth. So, who is responsible for the out-of-control golf course costs that golfers around the world are ultimately forced to pay for? What

can the aver incompetenc expensive op while concu There is letes receive with rare, un managemen ent, disciplin can attain. G (or CEO), go the other ke exceedingly latter! Even performing m conditions, t

GOLFERS WORLDWIDE PAY F

SHOULD ASSERT NEW DEMAN

NEW BUSINESS APPROACH AND LOOK T IN

ASIA WHEN HIRING HIGHLY PAI

AND ECONOMICALLY RUN T

HIGHEST Q LOWEST COST

AT THE

costs that golfers around the world are ultimately forced to pay for? What can the average golfer and club member do to reverse the waste, incompetence and costly mistakes that make golf courses such expensive operations? Can we reduce golf course operating costs while concurrently improving play conditions and access? We assigned ASIAN GOLF’S Roving International Editor, James Graham Prusa to look into this matter and the following is his report.

asiangolf 204

rage golfer and club member do to reverse the waste, ce and costly mistakes that make golf courses such perations? Can we reduce golf course operating costs rrently improving play conditions and access? s a reason why highly talented, constantly winning athe enormous prize money purses. They win consistently nique talent and high value. It is the same in golf course nt. Properly running a golf course demands natural talned competence, and professional preparation that few Golfers should demand a golf course’s general manager lf course superintendent, CFO, head professional and y executive staff are each exceptionally qualiﬁed and well paid. You cannot secure the former without the if your golf course is able to hire good talent of best managers who economically achieve excellent play they will surely not remain long if they are not highly

FOR ALL OF THIS NONSENSE AND

NDS.

GOLF COURSES NEED TO BEGIN A TO OTHER, LEADING-EDGE INDUSTRIES ID, TOP DOGS TO EFFICIENTLY

THEIR OPERATIONS SMARTLY

QUALITY AND !

september 2017

compensated. Only low ability people will stay forever at low pay. But how can you know you are paying exceptional management exceptionally well? While wage scales in Asia are generally lower than the west, don’t count on golf industry association remuneration surveys in North America to provide any guidance. Most of the big name golf associations skew their surveys for political reasons to create ‘average’ wage information intended to pander to all their ‘below average’ or ‘just average’ members. Quite small percentages of these course management associations’ members are in the ‘exceptional performer and highly paid’ range. Few of their members are exceptional talent - most are simply lower tier. This causes North American surveys to be skewed ridiculously low. If you seek a low qualified, below average person who can provide you with a poorly managed golf course and waste money, then pay Asian average wages. You won’t find western associations promoting how much the managers at the world’s Top 200 courses are being paid – even the so-called ‘certified’ member salaries with slightly higher salaries are skewed well below top talent! Golf course associations and their executive staffs are in a self-serving business after all - and it is all built on getting and keeping the ‘gross numbers of association members’ who pay dues into the treasury. Why is that? Simply analyzed, getting dues from 100 low tier people is more profitable for them than the dues paid from a handful of the best-qualified people – all pay the same dues. It’s a numbers game and they need to be exposed: they want more members – not to raise the professional quality bar of members to a much needed level. As Asian course management associations form, they need

to avoid how North American associations first and foremost serve their self-perpetuating interests and disconnect from promoting needed improvements in golf course management competency, productivity, and cost efficiency. It would be laughable today if it were not so sad. Golfers worldwide pay for all of this nonsense and should assert new demands. Golf courses need to begin a new business approach and look to other, leading-edge industries in Asia when hiring highly paid, top dogs to efficiently and economically run their operations smartly at the HIGHEST QUALITY and LOWEST COST! If 20 – 50 club members or golfers at a golf course speak up about operating costs and improving management then changes will start to take place one course at a time. In Asia and throughout the world, golf course maintenance expenses just keep forever rising and this is significantly impacting the price of golf upwards. As written in previous articles, there are many contributors causing this problem and few qualified people who can prevent it. In a previous article I pointed out how the high-expense operational mistakes start in the design and construction phase of a golf course with items such as the wrong grass species being specified with a myriad of design errors that predetermine costly operating inefficiencies forever. How can golf course developers buy a design to protect their future operations? How do other industries select designs? First, owners/developers should demand a designer provide them with multiple design routings and options along with definitive operation projections for each. Designers should be required to provide estimates of maintenance costs for each option too – along with pro forma operation budgets for at least a 10-20 year amortization period with empirical business data and not just sales talk. Architects should provide basic time-in-motion analysis of layouts and time-in-motion for routing of all routine daily equipment movements from the location of maintenance facility. If a design firm is incapable or refuses to provide this infor-

mation then ‘buyer beware!’ Many taut themselves as universal ‘experts’ in golf and they should be required to demonstrate such. We in the golf course business should begin to ask architects for ‘written guarantees’ on grass species selected; liability clauses for omissions & errors such as safety issues and failed grasses; specify liquidation of damages for design mistakes; require performance bonds; guarantees against excessive wear areas to turf (especially greens) due to poor design and concentrations of traffic patterns; and guarantees for meeting exactly specifications – such as exact 30cm root zone depths in ‘USGA greens’ (which I have rarely found on golf courses). Demand that professionals employed such as agronomists provide proof of credentials and references from successful courses. If you buy a house or build a commercial building, an expert inspection is usually required or even legally prescribed by local laws – but who inspects and signs off on golf courses? It is time also to demand that matters such as any recommendations for hugely expensive practices such as ‘sandcapping’ be validated and certified by a reputable soils laboratory and not opinionated recommendations of design firms. Sandcapping has become an abused, rubber-stamp practice with massive costs used to pick

DESIGNERS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ESTIMATES OF MAINTENANCE COSTS FOR EACH OPTION TOO – ALONG WITH PRO FORMA OPERATION BUDGETS FOR AT LEAST A 10-20 YEAR AMORTIZATION PERIOD WITH EMPIRICAL BUSINESS DATA AND NOT JUST SALES TALK. ARCHITECTS SHOULD PROVIDE BASIC TIME-IN-MOTION ANALYSIS OF LAYOUTS AND TIME-IN-MOTION FOR ROUTING OF ALL ROUTINE DAILY EQUIPMENT MOVEMENTS FROM THE LOCATION OF MAINTENANCE FACILITY. IF A DESIGN FIRM IS INCAPABLE OR REFUSES TO PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION THEN ‘BUYER BEWARE!’ MANY TAUT THEMSELVES AS UNIVERSAL ‘EXPERTS’ IN GOLF AND THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO DEMONSTRATE SUCH. asiangolf 204 201

the pockets of owners and developers. Sandcapping with sterile sand often only drives up irrigation and fertilizer costs for decades of operations – and it then takes 3-5 years for healthy soil biology to mature for turf growth. During the design phase engage operational practitioners to critique the design options and inspect the result - hire a competent golf course superintendent at the beginning of the design effort! All of the above also applies to designs of clubhouses & kitchens, maintenance facilities and other appurtenances on a golf course. All too often designs of clubhouses and maintenance facilities arrive to the developer’s office ‘3rd hand’ after passing through people who know little about the functional efficacy of these key facilities. Maintenance facility plans are notorious for being ‘replicated’ from other courses. All that is really accomplished is replicating of dysfunctional and inefficient facility designs. People pilfer intellectual property of blueprint concepts, because they have neither a functional understanding of operations, nor the intellectual abilities for original design. Too many so-called golf course superintendents today have a ‘throw-away’ approach to maintaining equipment. Few of them have any competencies in mechanical skills and rely totally on others. We need to get back

june 2017 2017 september

to where superintendents are also hands-on and can lift a wrench to rebuild a motor if necessary. Many will purchase outrageously expensive machines, run them improperly for five years with poor or no maintenance, and then replace them when they break down. Start insisting on proper preventative maintenance, repairs, and trained operators. Don’t be duped by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) threatening to void warranties unless you buy their OEM repair parts – voiding warranties for this reason is actually illegal. Aftermarket parts are near universally equal to or surpass OEM specs – at usually significantly lower prices. Shop around for parts and in some cases even locally build your own parts such as aerator tines or have a local machine shop make them! Golf in the west will continue to struggle with its growth stymied by a younger middleclass who turn away from historical morality. Asian cultures can continue to grow golf if the golfing public can press for lower priced golf and higher quality courses. The game can remain very popular with the majority of Asian populations for reasons of golf’s shared virtues, morality and cultural propriety – all we need to do is deliver great golf courses that are accessible and affordable for everyone.

STS SPORTS TURF SOLUTIONS CO., LTD

290 Jareonpattana Rd, Bangchan, Klongsamwa, Bangkok, Thailand, 10510 Tel: +66 2-540-3180 | Fax: +66 2-540-3181 | e-mail: Brad@sportsturfsolutions.com | www.sport

tsturfsolutions.com

PREVIEW GAME IMPROVEMENT

WARMING UP, THIS ONE IS FOR BALANCE – REACHING UP …

In this exclusive Asian Golf Monthly series, respected coach Iain Roberts is teaching golf novice Niall Donnelly to play the game in 10 one-hour sessions. After last month’s opening lesson, Niall picks up a club for the ﬁrst time.

t the beginning of our second hour,

up properly, no matter your level, so we go through

I learn that from now on, every

the routines. Then we repeat the posture, stance

session will start the same way –

and pivot drills from the ﬁrst week.

warming-up exercises followed by a review of the previous lesson. Iain

has already explained the importance of warming

Then he tells me to put on my golf glove and produces – cue drum roll – a 7-iron. “Now, before you swing this, you need to learn the grip,” he says. asiangolf 203

FOR IRONS, IT NEEDS TO BE CENTRAL, SO YOUR FEET ARE EQUAL DISTANCE EITHER SIDE OF IT. “POSTURE, STANCE, GRIP AND POSITION IN RELATION TO THE BALL ARE ALL CRUCIAL,” EXPLAINS IAIN. “GET JUST ONE OF THESE WRONG AND YOU ARE DOOMED BEFORE YOU EVEN TRY TO SWING.” I’M QUICKLY UNDERSTANDING THAT, IN GOLF, YOU NEED TO GET THE BASICS SPOT ON.

AND REACHING DOWN. TEN EACH SIDE

WARMING UP, THIS ONE IS TO august 2017 THE FOREARMS – LEVEL … STRENGTHEN

AND RAISE. REPEAT 10 TIMES.

WARMING UP, IMPROVING SHOULDER FLEXIBILITY – ARMS DOWN …

ARMS BEING RAISED …

“It’s astonishing how many players suffer because of an incorrect grip. If you don’t grip it properly, you can’t control the club, especially at point of impact with the ball.” I’m all ﬁngers and thumbs as he patiently puts my

ARMS UP. REPEAT 10 TIMES.

10, your grip needs to be around four,” Iain advises. Finally satisﬁed with my grip, we go through the process of standing behind the ball to identify the target, that is, where we wish to hit it, and then “measuring off” and ad-

hands in the correct positions. He outlines the three types of

dressing the ball. Ball positioning is vital. For irons, it needs

grip – interlocking ﬁngers, overlapping ﬁngers and adjacent

to be central, so your feet are equal distance either side of it.

ﬁngers – and says I will work out soon enough which I’m

“Posture, stance, grip and position in relation to the ball are

most comfortable with. I start with overlapping but quickly

all crucial,” explains Iain. “Get just one of these wrong and

settle on interlocking. It feels uncomfortable, with my left

you are doomed before you even try to swing.” I’m quickly un-

hand wrapped around on top of the club, but Iain explains

derstanding that, in golf, you need to get the basics spot on.

this is to combat the club face turning out at impact. “You’ll

Next, we go through the swing and the rotation of the

soon get used to it,” he says. Next is grip pressure. “If you

club on the backswing, down to impact and follow-through.

think of no grip as zero and holding the club very tightly as

We do half-swings, slowly and deliberately, and all the time asiangolf 203

LEARNING THE GRIP …

IT’S ASTONISHING HOW MANY PLAYERS SUFFER BECAUSE OF AN INCORRECT GRIP. IF YOU DON’T GRIP IT PROPERLY, YOU CAN’T CONTROL THE CLUB, ESPECIALLY AT POINT OF IMPACT WITH THE BALL. LEFT HAND FIRST …

THEN THE RIGHT.

august 2017

PREPARING TO SWING.

LEARNING THE BASIC STANCE, MEASURING OFF, AND FIRST SWINGS – PART ONE …

PART TWO …

Iain is correcting my posture, stance, pivot and grip. When I get one facet right, another one slips. There are so many things to think about, but Iain is patience personiﬁed. Finally, he places a ball in front of me and invites me to hit it. This is the big moment. I take an age to get ready, then swing, but I top it and it goes about ﬁve yards. We both laugh and Iain says comfortingly: “At least you made contact, many people don’t even manage that.” The remainder of the session is spent swinging and hitting, with Iain making constant corrections and offering endless encouragement. His mantra is: “Trust the swing, let the club do the work, don’t try to lift the ball.” The shots are a mix of awful, laughable, so-so and a few which take off and go in the general direction intended. After one particularly decent one, Iain calls a halt. “Always end on a good note,” he says.

AND THREE.

ABOUT IAIN ROBERTS Iain Roberts has spent a lifetime in golf since ﬁrst picking up a club at the age of 14. As player, coach, retailer, administrator and senior executive, he has vast experience in the game. His outstanding contribution to golf was given the ultimate recognition in 2015 when the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland awarded him Master Professional status. Iain is founder and operator of the Iain Roberts Golf School – www.iainrobertsgolfschool.com – which operates from three locations in Hong Kong.

www.iainrobertsgolfschool.com

FEEL THE JOY OF THE FIRST TEE, EVERY TIME. Lydia Ko