GLS Asia Limited, 5/F., BOC Group Life Assurance Tower, 136 Des Voeux Road Central Central, Hong Kong. Tel. +66 (0) 3261 6200 Email. info@gls.asia Web. www.gls.asia
ISSUE
216
SEPTEMBER 2018
There is nothing like team competition in golf to bring out emotion, valour, chutzpah and camaraderie amongst players representing the opposing teams. There is nothing to match the spirit of competition emoted by these tournaments. Soon, the Continent of Asia will have its very own team event that will bring top golfers from Japan and Thailand to do battle in a thrilling gladiatorial setting to be fought out in Thailand. While it is all about pitting the best from each competing nation in bitter battle, the tournament has been given a name that is all about the promotion of “friendship”. Welcome to the Amata Friendship Cup presented by TOYOTA!
14
Q SPECIAL FEATURE 26 APGS 2016: A GOOD HARD LOOK AT GOLF TOURISM – WARTS AND ALL!
26
34
The 2018 Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS 2018) is just about two months away and a truly impressive programme has been drawn up for what effectively ranks as one of the top conferences on the business of golf anywhere in the world. It will be staged on November 1 3 in Bangkok and the host venue is the brand new Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit. This will mark the fourth time that APGS has been staged in Thailand.
34 NORTH POINT EXPRESS – A LIFETIME BARGAIN! You’ve heard it all before. Lovely homes! Great resort! Awesome location! Unbeatable prices! That’s all fine and dandy but you’ve not heard the best deal of them all yet!
42 TIME TO WAKE UP!
42
It’s time to wake-up to smartphone apps designed exclusively for the golf club industry. Smartphone apps are here to stay. People want to have instant access to information from wherever they are. If you are a golf course, give your members and guests what they want – your golf course on their smartphone! Time to CONTACT, ENGAGE and IMPLEMENT - GOLF CITIZEN is tailormade to address the needs of all forward-looking golf clubs and it’s for FREE!
52 SETTING STANDARDS FOR GOLF CLUBS! The “Legion Of Leaders”, is a brand new award that serves as a universal industry recognition designed to single out outstanding men and women in the golf club management industry in Asia for the exemplary role they have played and continue to play in promoting all-round excellence in the club industry. The award is part of the prestigious Asian Golf Awards which will be staged in Bangkok on November 3.
58 THE GOOD TIMES ARE BACK! Acushnet has reported to Wall Street it expects consolidated net sales for the year to be approximately US$1.615 to US$1.635 billion. And Callaway has increased its full year 2018 sales guidance to US$1.210 billion - US$1.225 billion as compared to its prior guidance of US$1.170 billion - US$1.185 billion. Read the full report inside.
68 THE GOLD STANDARD IN GOLFING EXPERIENCES ASIAN GOLF has partnered with IMG which designs, operates and manages quality golf courses in Asia and elsewhere. As part of this collaboration, ASIAN GOLF will review a minimum of four golf courses in the IMG stable every month, starting with the first four in this issue. It is hoped that this will serve as a valuable guide to golfers who want to have a wonderful experience playing golf in some of the best courses on offer in Asia.
58
80 PGA TOUR: THE ASIAN SWING – SHOWCASE OF SKILL AND TALENT! Long before the calendar turns to spring, when blooming magnolias and azaleas dot pristine golf courses and sweltering heat occupies the PGA TOUR schedule, professionals must first conquer a three-week gauntlet on the opposite end of the world where they usually work.
68
86 PGA TOUR: ASIA’S FIRST MAJOR – ANY TAKERS? With the game of golf taking on greater prominence in Asia and with more Asian players displaying skills that are good enough to take them to the highest level of the professional game, the time has come for the powers that be who rule over golf to start seriously thinking about giving the Continent a fair shake at having one of its tournaments tagged as a “Major”. To discuss the prospects, ASIAN GOLF turned to its media partner, the PGA TOUR for its thoughts. Here’s a special report from the PGA TOUR’s Chuah Choo Chiang, senior communications director.
Q REGULARS 8 EDITORIAL TEAM
|
10 SHARED THOUGHTS: FROM PUBLISHER | GOLF TOURISM IN FOCUS!
Mike Sebastian Editor/Chief Executive Officer [mike@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
INTERNATIONAL ROVING EDITORS
James Graham Prusa Correspondent
Alan Campbell (China/Middle East) Correspondent
Angela Raymond President [angela@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
Andy Stangenberg Club Services Advisor
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS
Tony Meechai (Black Hat Golf Tips -Thailand) Raquel Arcega Executive Creative Art Director [raquel@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
Alice Ho Email: alice@asiapacificgolfgroup.com
ASIA PACIFIC GOLF GROUP(2014) PTE LTD
Alice Ho Business Executive [alice@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
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Wayne Lwee Head, Digital Network/Video Editor [wayne@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
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.
I
f you are a golf club owner, operator, a national
to the golf club industry. The bulk is swallowed up by air-
tourism organisation, a hotel or service provider,
travel, board and lodging, sight-seeing, shopping, food and
you have most probably heard industry gurus roll
beverage etc.
out claims that the “golf tourism industry” is worth US$250 billion dollars on a global scale. That’s a
Only a percentage finds its way into the pockets of golf clubs. The challenge and opportunity for golf clubs in Asia is
huge sum and in many instances, it’s greater than the GDP
to try and siphon off more dollars from the pot of gold that
of many nations!
is lumped under the broad expenditure category tagged as
The claim is not up for dispute, but it is most definitely up for some very precise clarification. While the figure of US$250 billion is plausible, not all of it finds its way directly
“Golf Tourism”. To start chomping away at the revenue pie, golf clubs need to polish up on their total act because it’s they who are
JAMES CRONK
going to be under scrutiny. There are quite a few hurdles to leap over but it can be done. With this in mind, the Asia Pacific Golf Group will be launching a half-day symposium on golf tourism under the auspices of the 2018 Asia Pacific Golf Summit to be held
TO START CHOMPING AWAY AT THE REVENUE PIE, GOLF CLUBS NEED TO POLISH UP ON THEIR TOTAL
on November 3 at the brand-new Hyatt Regency Bangkok
ACT BECAUSE IT’S THEY WHO ARE GOING
Sukhumvit.
TO BE UNDER SCRUTINY.
It will feature top speakers from the golf tourism indus-
THERE ARE
try and a special town-hall debate that will be moderated by
QUITE A FEW HURDLES TO LEAP OVER
James Cronk, president of the Cronk Group of Canada.
BUT IT CAN BE DONE.
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There is nothing like team competition in golf to bring out emotion, valour, chutzpah and cama teams. The game has seen these dominating human qualities every time teams have engaged in always been theatre for high-drama both for the players and spectators alike who get absorbe pride takes centre stage with boisterous support. This is what players feed off and it is a very eng ďŹ st pumps accompanied by shouts and yells that are reminiscent of primordial tribal war cries! feel the electrifying atmosphere of team events like the Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup and the So petition emoted by these tournaments. Soon, the Continent of Asia will have its very own team eve to do battle in a thrilling gladiatorial setting to be fought out in Thailand. While it is all about pitting the tournament has been given a name that is all about the promotion of “friendshipâ€?. Welcome
araderie amongst players representing the opposing combat with each other. Team competition in golf has ed into the thick of the action and invariably, national gaging spectacle to be witness to adrenaline-charged Over the years, golf fans have had front row seats to lheim Cup. There is nothing to match the spirit of coment that will bring top golfers from Japan and Thailand g the best from each competing nation in bitter battle, to the Amata Friendship Cup presented by TOYOTA!
BOONCHU RUANGKIT
VIRADA NIRAPATHPONGPORN
KIRADECH APHIBARNRAT
THONGCHAI JAIDEE
ARIYA JUTANUGARN
MORIYA JUTANUGARN
H
ats off to the people who have come
The driving
together to make this trail-blazing
force behind
tournament a reality. A team competition
this trend-setting tourna-
representing Asian nations has been long
ment is the award-winning Amata Spring
overdue in Asia and the forces who have
Country Club in Thailand.
worked hard at making the Amata Friendship Cup have done
Commenting on the tournament, Arsa Sarasin, chair-
well to work on a tournament that pits two of the game’s
man of the Tournament Committee and chairman of the
leading nations in Asia – Japan and Thailand.
Board of Governors of Amata Spring Country Club said,
JOE OZAKI MIHO KOGA
HIDETO TANIHARA
ERIKA HARA
NASA HATAOKA
MASAHIRO KAWAMURA
FUMIKA KAWAGISHI
RYUKO TOKIMATSU
SATOSHI KODAIRA
KODAI ICHIHARA
“Our vision has been focussed on developing a new event that will see men and women compete on the same teams and continue Amata Spring Country
The tournament dates are December 21 – 23, 2018 and it will be played at Amata Spring Country Club. The tournament will be contested by two teams of
Club’s long history of bringing world-class events to Thai-
12 comprising six men and six women golfers. It will also
land.” He added, “Our ambition is to grow this world first
include one male and female amateur on each side.
concept into a powerful showpiece for the great game of golf
Thailand will be captained by veteran professional
and a celebration of the strong relationship between Japan
Boonchu Ruangkit and Virada Nirapathpongporn – two
and Thailand in an event that engages all the community.”
of Thailand’s most successful players. They have already
WHICHEVER WAY ONE LOOKS AT THE AMATA FRIENDSHIP CUP, THERE IS NO DENYING THAT IT HERALDS A WHOLE NEW ERA FOR PROFESSIONAL GOLF IN
ASIA. IT IS ALSO VERY ENCOURAGING TO SEE A LEADING ASIAN GOLF CLUB TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO GET A TOURNAMENT OF THIS STATURE KICK-STARTED AND TO PROVIDE SOME OF ASIA’S TOP PROFESSIONALS TO PARTICIPATE IN A TEAM EVENT THAT PROMISES TO HAVE ALL THE EXCITEMENT THAT IS PART AND PARCEL OF TOURNAMENTS OF THIS GENRE.
swung into action and have named some of their top stars
all tours around the world right now and to bring them
which includes Thongchai Jaidee, Kiradech Aphibarnrat
together as one team will be something every golf and
and the world-renowned Jutanugarn sisters, Ariya and
sports fan in Thailand and Japan will love seeing,” said Ni-
Moriya.
rapathpongporn. “I think team Thailand will have a great
“This is one of the proudest days of my career and
line up – but we know the Japanese team will have equal
one I believe will have a great impact for golf bringing
strength and depth. It will be a great contest – played in a
mixed teams in this exciting nation versus nation team
great spirit.”
format,” exclaimed Ruangkit, regarded as the Godfather of golf in Thailand. Like the Ryder Cup and the Solheim Cup, the
Team Japan is led by the enigmatic Joe Ozaki and Miho Koga. “I congratulate Boonchu and Virada on their great selections. All of them are great players and
captains of both teams will have the responsibility for not
will provide a strong challenge for our team, but I have
only picking the team members but selecting the pairings
confidence in the talent we will have in Team Japan,” said
during the competition.
Ozaki.
“We have some of the most exciting players on
Japan’s team will include star players like Satoshi
Kodaira, Kodai Ichihara, Ryuko Tokimatsu, Masahiro
Whichever way one looks at the Amata Friendship
Kawamura, teenage phenom Nasa Hataoka, Hideto Tani-
Cup, there is no denying that it heralds a whole new era
hara , Fumika Kawagishi and Erika Hara.
for professional golf in Asia. It is also very encouraging
The format of play will follow that of the Ryder and
to see a leading Asian golf club take the initiative to get
Solheim Cups which will involve 3-day competition made
a tournament of this stature kick-started and to provide
up of team-based and individual sessions, with each team
some of Asia’s top professionals to participate in a team
amassing points based on the outcome of each match.
event that promises to have all the excitement that is part
The total prize purse is US$1.2m that will be broken down in favour of the winning team.
and parcel of tournaments of this genre. ASIAN GOLF met up with David Townend, general
THERE IS AMBITION TO CREATE AN ANNUAL EVENT SERIES. AMATA SPRING COUNTRY CLUB HAS ALWAYS STOOD AT THE FOREFRONT OF GOLF EVENTS IN
ASIA AND THIS IS A
SIGNIFICANT MOVE IN DEVELOPING A NEW TYPE OF EVENT PROPOSITION FOR GOLF IN THE REGION.
WE WILL SEE HOW THE
FIRST YEAR TRANSPIRES AND CONSIDER WHAT THE NEXT STEPS WILL BE. DAVID TOWNEND
WE HAVE SOME OF THE MOST EXCITING PLAYERS ON ALL TOURS AROUND THE WORLD RIGHT NOW AND TO BRING THEM TOGETHER AS ONE TEAM WILL BE SOMETHING EVERY GOLF AND SPORTS FAN IN
JAPAN WILL LOVE SEEING.
THAILAND AND
– VIRADA NIRAPATHPONGPORN
manager of Amata Spring Country Club for a greater
major catalyst for the event concept. By bringing together
insight to the tournament. The following are excerpts from
men and women, professionals and amateurs, we have
that exclusive interview:
been able to find a unique strand that will see the Amata
ASIAN GOLF: What was the vision behind the Amata
Friendship Cup stand out in the world of golf.
Friendship Cup?
ASIAN GOLF: In your view how important is the mixed
DAVID TOWNEND: The foundation of the event stems
component of the event?
from Amata Spring Country Club’s ambition to host
TOWNEND: It is a major feature of the event and one
and stage distinct, high profile professional events that
that received unanimous support when it was first intro-
showcase Thailand and engages all the community.
duced. The importance of equality in modern day society
Thailand has enjoyed a strong relationship with Japan for
can be positively enhanced by its inclusion in the world of
many years. This is emblematic of the club’s spirit, which
sport and we are determined to play our part in promoting
has a great Japanese membership contingent and was a
the equality message in golf.
THE TEAM CAPTAINS ARE JOINED BY KHUN ARSA SARASIN, TOURNAMENT CHAIRMAN, VUDHIGORN SURIYACHANTANANONT OF TOYOTA MOTORS THAILAND, AND DAVID TOWNEND, GENERAL MANAGER, ASCC
ASIAN GOLF: Is this planned as a one-off tournament
developments as and when they happen.
or will it be a regular event and what time cycle will it
ASIAN GOLF: Is this tournament being staged without
run on?
the involvement of any professional tours?
TOWNEND: There is ambition to create an annual event
TOWNEND: There isn’t a governing or sanction-
series. Amata Spring Country Club has always stood at
ing body that will preside over the event. Given team
the forefront of golf events in Asia and this is a significant
selection is based on subjectivity and no world-ranking
move in developing a new type of event proposition for golf
points at stake, it was not deemed necessary in this
in the region. We will see how the first year transpires and
instance.
consider what the next steps will be.
ASIAN GOLF: How different will an event like this be
ASIAN GOLF: What can spectators expect? TOWNEND: We will have a complete hospitality pro-
to the staging of a regular professional golf tournament under the auspices of any of the Tours?
gramme for our partners and their VIP guests. We will
TOWNEND: The independence of the event gives us
also be creating an interactive community event – giving
certain freedom when it comes to the staging and delivery.
the general public the chance to not only enjoy watching
We seek counsel from the Captains and the players with
the best players in the world go head to head, but also
whom we are close, to ensure that they are comfortable
enjoy a wide range of entertainment. We have launched
with some of the more creative suggestions.
an event website www.amatafriendshipcup.com where
ASIAN GOLF: The AMATA tournament really is an
guests can find all information and be kept up to date with
example of Asian organisers stepping up to the plate
and hitting the ball out of the park. This is big, ambitious
underwriters to generate the desired levels of returns,
thinking. Comments? Long overdue!
especially with the challenge of attracting the world’s
TOWNEND: Golf is going through a cycle of innova-
best players. Our thinking has been to create something
tion, which has ultimately been impressed upon by the
different for the region, based on the heritage and tradi-
current socio-political position of the game, but also
tions of the game. We do not want to reinvent the wheel,
the economics. There is an abundance of 72-hole stroke
just find new ways to harness the power of this great
play events, which make it harder for investors and
sport.
OUR VISION HAS BEEN FOCUSSED ON DEVELOPING A NEW EVENT THAT WILL SEE MEN AND WOMEN COMPETE ON THE SAME TEAMS
AMATA SPRING COUNTRY CLUB’S LONG HISTORY OF BRINGING WORLD-CLASS EVENTS TO THAILAND. OUR AMBITION IS TO GROW THIS WORLD FIRST CONCEPT INTO A POWERFUL SHOWPIECE FOR THE GREAT GAME OF GOLF AND A CELAND CONTINUE
EBRATION OF THE STRONG RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
JAPAN AND THAILAND IN AN EVENT THAT ENGAGES ALL THE COMMUNITY. – ARSA SARASIN asiangolf asi as asia sia s iian ngol ng ngo gol g go ollf 203 o 20 03
22 22
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The 2018 Asia PaciďŹ c Golf Summit (APGS 2018) is just about two months away and a truly impressive programme has been drawn up for what effectively ranks as one of the top conferences on the business of golf anywhere in the world. APGS 2018, owned and produced by the Asia PaciďŹ c Golf Group, the publisher of ASIAN GOLF, is now in its twelfth year. It will be staged on November 1 - 3 in Bangkok and the host venue is the brand new Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit. This will mark the fourth time that APGS has been staged in Thailand.
O
ne of the key topics to be brought under focus at APGS 2018 will be golf tourism.
The purveyors of golf tourism have done
a real bang-up job in creating an awareness for this sector of tourism. That’s
great and no one can fault them for a job well done. But while there is good and growing awareness of golf tourism and it’s potential to generate income for a whole bunch of stake-holders, one must not forget that famous idiom from Aesop’s Fables – “To kill the Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs“. While stake-holders are waxing lyrical about golf tourism, there must be a realisation of the pitfalls that
can wrangle golf tourism by its neck and wrestle it down This force is what is called “the experience factor” – like all services today, one bad experience is all you need to get the thumbs down from the customer and GILES GREENWOOD MANAGING DIRECTOR SEVENTY2 GOLF LTD
you’ve had it. Also, in this day and age of empowered communications and social media, it’s deadlier than the old-fashioned word-of-mouth put downs. Having a golf course is not good enough. Having a travel agency is not good enough. Having transport and logistical services is not good enough.
THE MISSION OF THE APGS 2018 SYMPOSIUM IS TO HELP
e
CREATE A UNIVERSAL PLATFORM FOR GOLF
ASIA – A SORT OF ROAD-MAP THAT WILL HELP ALL STAKE-HOLDERS TO DIAL-IN, GET ORGANISED AND HELP TO TOURISM IN
GROW GOLF TOURISM IN A SUSTAINABLE MANNER.
With the above as the working scenario, the 2018 Asia Pacific Golf Summit will be staging a half-day symposium on golf tourism. Put simply, the session is structured to re-visit the sector and examine from a stake-holders’ perspective as to how to get things done right, the next time around. The tone will be set by a man who has been on both sides of the fence – as a global promoter of golf tourism and someone who is now actively involved in assisting the industry on how to prepare, manage and tap the full potential of golf tourism. He is Giles Greenwood, one half of the team that established IAGTO and now, the managing director of Seventy2 Golf Limited. While it is an acknowledged fact that there are national
.
Golf tourism is not about having a flag and a whistle and a tour guide. It does not work that way! For a sustainable growth industry, national tourism organisations, golf course owners and operators, tour agents and down-stream suppliers of services must come
tourism organisations, golf course owners/operators and travel agents who understand and get it that a golf tourist is a special sort of person, sadly, they are not in the majority. This is where the challenge is presented. The good work of a few stand threatened to be destroyed
together to provide a service that fully meets the expecta-
by the element of greed of many, hence the stark reminder
tions of a golf tourist, especially an avid golf tourist who
of the Aesop’s Fables idiom relating to the goose that laid the
visits a destination with just one objective in mind – to play
golden eggs!
as much golf as possible and to have good, all round experiences. This is what a high yield golf tourist is all about!
The mission of the APGS 2018 symposium is to help create a universal platform for golf tourism in Asia – a sort of road-map that will help all stake-holders to dial-in, get organised and help to grow golf tourism in a sustainable manner. The sector needs to get properly organised if Asia is to be able to realise and tap the full potential of golf tourism. We have the courses but we need to get better. We need to train our manpower. We need to get our soft-skills polished and sharpened. We need to be the best in the business. The golf tourism symposium will be a half-day session that will include three renowned experts and a town-hall session. CLICK TO VIEW THE VIDEO PRESENTATTION
Related to preparing Asia to get up to speed to tap into golf tourism is the need to create a higher international profile for Asia’s golf clubs. How often have you heard it said that a golf club was not good enough to go international? Most probably quite often. But it’s nice to know that there are some amongst us who are prepared to buck conventional thinking and bust forth and show the world what they’ve got. Not only does this display an attitude of confidence but it is a great way to showcase to the world that it is world class in every sense of the term! The one club that is a shining example of all-round excellence from a global perspective is Sentosa Golf Club nestled on the resort island bearing the same name, just minutes away from Singapore. Without a doubt, Sentosa is the best golf club in Singapore and the proud custodian of the Asia Pacific Order Of ZENITH, the highest ANDY JOHNSTON GENERAL MANAGER / DIRECTOR OF AGRONOMY AT SENTOSA GOLF CLUB
award bestowed on golf clubs in the region.
The Asia Pacific Amateur Championship;
THE TIME HAS COME FOR MORE ASIAN-BASED GOLF CLUBS TO THINK BIG – TO THINK BEYOND LOCAL
The Open Championship qualifier venue;
BOUNDARIES AND SEEK RECOGNITION
The LPGA Women’s Champions;
AMONGST THE BEST IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF GOLF CLUBS.
The long-standing Singapore Open; Woman’s Asia Pacific Amateur Championship;
What Sentosa has done to “internationalise” the club serves as an excellent template for others in Asia to aspire to. Attaining international recognition is akin to a
Its huge collection of awards fills up rows of handsome
club gaining a badge of approval that serves as testimony
cabinets in the clubhouse and while this stand as tangible
to its commitment to quality that meets the bar set for
proof of its unending quest for excellence, the club maintains
the best clubs in the world.
an incessant drive to stay ahead and shoot for the stars!
Sentosa’s drive to take local global just does not
It is perhaps the only golf club in the Asia
end with the staging of major tournaments. It has a very
Pacific region that is host to a number
comprehensive maintenance and cultural practice which
of major international tournaments amongst which are:
it shares with interested clubs who show a keen desire to want to upgrade their standards. “The physical condition of our two championship courses serve as hallmarks of our commitment to excellence and we are glad to share our know-how to help elevate standards in the region,” explained Andy Johnston, general manager of Sentosa. Yet another measure of Sentosa’s quest to be counted amongst the best in the world is its food and beverage services. It is amongst one of the early adopters that placed tremendous importance on the quality of food and beverage service extended to its members and guests. “We have invested in the services of a top-notch executive chef whose sole responsibility is to provide a food and beverage service that is both matching and becoming of a prestigious hospitality institution like ours – F&B is without a doubt central to our success as an internationally recognised golf club,” Johnston added. The 2018 Asia Pacific Golf Summit’s spotlight is being trained on Sentosa Golf Club with one specific objective in mind which is to articulate a success story of how a local golf club has gone global. The time has come for more Asian-based golf clubs to think big – to think beyond local boundaries and seek recognition amongst the best in the international community of golf clubs.
You’ve heard it all before. Lovely homes! Great resort! Awesome location! Unbeatable prices! That’s all fine and dandy but you’ve not heard the best deal of them all yet!
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ave we got some deals that will blow you away and we are not kidding you. What we
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BLACK MOUNTAIN. THE VERY BEST GOLF COMMUNITY IN ALL OF ASIA!
estate deal that you just can’t afford to walk away from! It’s set in a glorious tropical environment with all the creature
development – North Point – an exclusive parcel of land
comforts within your reach. A home that you will never
located at the highest point on the golf property with
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sweeping panoramic views of the stunning surrounding
Now, have we got your attention? We are just beginning to unravel that biggest real estate story of the year. It’s the latest hot news from Asia’s top award-winning
vista. So, what is North Point? Great question! It is made up of a select number of exquisitely designed three-storey vil-
golf club, the Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin,
las with four rooms and each purchase of a villa will come
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complete with two life-time memberships to the golf club.
Already recognised as one of the best golf communities in Asia, it is proud to bring you its newest property
The villas at North Point are complimented with twostorey twin-houses that are sited along the West Course,
WE WANT GOLF TO BE ONE OF THE BONDING FACTORS OF LIVING IN
BLACK MOUNTAIN BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT HAS MADE BLACK MOUNTAIN THE MOST DESIRED GOLFING COMMUNITY IN ASIA. the newest part of the 27-hole spread of Black Mountain. Like the villas, the twin-houses will also come with four rooms and two life-time golf club memberships. Now, this is the best of the great new offer. The villas are priced at 39 million TBHT (US$1.2 million approximate) and the twin-houses will be sold at 19 million TBHT (US$600,000 approximate). “We have designed the homes at North Point to be spacious and to take optimum advantage of the surroundings which are both natural and specially landscaped to fit in with our plans for gracious living,” according to Harald Elisson, managing director of Black Mountain Golf Club. Commenting on the life-time golf club membership Elisson said, “We want golf to be one of the bonding factors of living in Black Mountain because this is what has made Black Mountain the most desired golfing community in Asia.” Bookings for North Point are now open and interested parties are welcome to contact Black Mountain to discuss their intentions.
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golf.ecco.com
Tof the 21st Century is just around he end of the second decade
the corner. It’s a time during which the world has witnessed change and disruption on a scale never experienced before. Dominant old technologies have been unceremoniously dumped making way for new technologies that were never envisioned until recent times. Corporate behemoths like General Motors and IBM have been pushed off their lofty pedestals to make way for fastcharging corporate upstarts like Apple, Amazon and Google. The world and everything on it has been turned on its head – but it has all proved to be for the better. It has brought about change on an unprecedented scale. Individuals, corporations and nations that have been quick to Ãi âi > ` i }>}i Ü Ì V > } } ÌÀi `Ã] >Ûi Lii Ài>« } Ì i Li iwÌÃ v disruption. The pace of change is something that the golf industry needs to seize and i }>}i Ü Ì }Ài>Ì }ÕÃÌ ° Ì ii`Ã Ì w ` iÜ > ` iÝV Ì } Ü>ÞÃ Ì V «i younger generations to take up the game and replace the rapidly depleting legions of older players from past generations. New formats of play must be
explored; the must be factored young; costs of equip must be made affordable a must be reduced. Golf needs a new cater and retain new blood.
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Asia is a Continent renowned for its vibrance and dynamism. Some of the fastest cated within the sprawling geographical spread of this giant land mass. Most of t make up the world’s ceaseless production lines which make and assemble everyt virtually everything else that one can think off. So, if Asia is such a dynamic force to the adoption of a purpose-built Smartphone App for golf clubs? It’s an oxymoro would imagine that given the get-up-and-go gusto that is so prevalent in Asia, the would be a given. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. The bulk of the 5000 over gol ages with antiquated methods of dealing and communicating with their member b and it is hoped that 2018 will be that special watershed year for golf clubs and Sm
T
he SOLU CITIZEN
marketp reservat offer a u
as part of an ambitious d
“In today’s digital-c
made perfect sense to d
Mohamed Juma Buamai
“We have made a st
and now each club that i
be downloaded free,” Mo Now, you heard the
that the GOLF CITIZEN c CITIZEN,” he stressed.
Heavy financial inve
services provided by GOL
from the iOS App Store a
Some of the special
t growing economies in the world are lothe countries that make up Asia collectively thing from automobiles to smartphones and e why is it such a laggard when it comes on in the classic sense of the word! One e use of Smartphone Apps in golf clubs f clubs in Asia are still stuck in the dark base and guests. This has got to change, martphone Apps!
UTION is starring at golf clubs in their very faces. It is GOLF - a designed-for-golf-clubs Smartphone App that hit the lace back in 2011. Launched initially as an on-line tee-time
ion service, the online golf booking platform has expanded to
nique all-inclusive free mobile application for its partner clubs
drive to fast-track traffic to an array of courses on its network.
centric world, most of our traffic comes from mobile and it esign and develop apps for our member clubs,” explained
im, founder and chairman of GOLF CITIZEN. art by developing a special app for one of our member clubs s on GOLF CITIZEN’s network has its dedicated app which can
ohamed pointed out. man correct – the app can be downloaded for FREE! “I believe
club app is a good enough incentive for clubs to join GOLF
estments have been made in developing the broad range of
LF CITIZEN. The GOLF CITIZEN club app can be downloaded
and Android Play Store and remember that it’s for FREE!
l features of the GOLF CITIZEN club app include:
MOHAMED JUMA BUAMAIM
IT’S TIME TO WAKE-UP TO SMARTPHONE APPS DESIGNED EXCLUSIVELY F INDUSTRY. SMARTPHONE APPS ARE HERE TO STAY. PEOPLE WANT TO HA ACCESS TO INFORMATION FROM WHEREVER THEY ARE. IF YOU ARE A GOLF COUR MEMBERS AND GUESTS WHAT THEY WANT – YOUR GOLF COURSE ON THEIR SMART
The provision of informa
amenities and course infor
The provision of contact The privilege of GOLF C
login and book tee times at tively.
All information displaye
real-time, directly by the c
The app will be maintain
so long as a club remains a
work and maintains tee-tim
Updates and customisat
features from time to time time.
Since the launch of the
olutionary service is now av
Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Ch further expand its network
leader in the provision of sp
“I can say with a sense
ways for golfers to SEARCH their next round of golf – it access to tee times and inc
them to book and manage t
With online payment an
offers a seamless booking p
their operators leverage the
and generate more revenue For example, availabili basis and discounted rates
FOR THE GOLF CLUB
AVE INSTANT
RSE, GIVE YOUR
TPHONE!
ation about a club through club information,
‘no-shows’ are some of the other attractive features of the tee-time book-
rmation icons in the app.
ing and smartphone app.
t and location information to the club.
A new feature is Golf Citizen – Events, a full event management
ITIZEN users and associated club members to
module which allows tournament organizers to set up, share, manage and
t GOLF CITIZEN or member rates respec-
publish events while Golf Citizens can learn more about the events happening near them, explore, register and even receive live scoring updates.
ed on the partner club app can be updated
In addition, Golf Citizen – Buy is a one of its kind, FREE online GOLF
club.
classifieds website. Citizens can take advantage of the platform to either
ned on the App Store or Play Store for FREE
list their underused golf related items for sale or learn about other items
an active partner on the GOLF CITIZEN net-
available on sale from other users, with the intent of purchasing them.
mes on the GOLF CITIZEN platform.
Combine this with Golf Citizen – Play, the existing live tee time booking
tion will be made to the apps to include more
service and you will have an ideal online golfing solution.
e so that it remains current at all points in
If there is an important point to note it’s that GOLF CITIZEN is a very comprehensive service designed specifically for golf clubs. It is a sophis-
e club-specific smart app, GOLF CITIZEN’s rev-
ticated web site, an excellent on-line tee-time reservation service and a
vailable in the United Arab Emirates, Thailand,
smartphone app for golf clubs to offer an efficient and seamless service to
hina and Singapore. There are plans afoot to
members and guests.
globally with the aim of becoming the market
pecialised smart apps and tee-time bookings. of satisfaction that our app is one of the best
H. BOOK. PLAY and more importantly, save on
gives golfers from across the world immediate
Another important consideration to remember is that GOLF CITIZEN has been conceived and developed in-house by the Golf Citizen Information Technology team which is constantly working with its partner clubs to upgrade and advance features on the smartphone app. It’s time to wake-up to smartphone apps designed exclusively for the
redible deals, making it easier than ever for
golf club industry. Smartphone apps are here to stay. People want to have
their rounds,” said Mohamed.
instant access to information from wherever they are. If you are a golf
nd instant email confirmations, GOLF CITIZEN
course, give your members and guests what they want – your golf course
process while helping participating clubs and
on their smartphone!
e service to market their courses effectively
Time to CONTACT, ENGAGE and IMPLEMENT - GOLF CITIZEN is
e from visiting golfers.
tailormade to address the needs of all forward-looking golf clubs and it’s
ty of tee time bookings is offered on a 24/7
for FREE!
for registered users and protection against
I
t’s a known fact that people are always curious about something new. Human nature is such where everyone wants in on the experience and this is especially so with products and services related to technology. Smartphone Apps are a classic example where service providers and end-users seek testimonials attesting to the importance and value-add of the
service. This being the case, ASIAN GOLF turned to one of the early adopters of the GOLF CITIZEN Smartphone App for a sense of how it has worked for the club. Responding to our query about the App, Stuart Daly, Director of Golf Operations at Banyan Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand said, “By utilizing the GOLF CITIZEN, we have set ourselves apart from other operations relying purely on office hours and email to manage and accept tee time reservations. Many of our App bookings come in outside of office hours and our customers get instant confirmation, as do we as a Club.” Daly went on to add, “With simple planning and five minutes of daily tee-sheet
updates, we can use the App for revenue management and the weekly or monthly club updates to users. We can even set Members Only tee times and/or events that public users will not see. First time visitors can get directions to the club and weather forecasts for their chosen day of play. This is only a few of the features of the App.” “We are able to ensure that the information and tee times listed are fully up to date, accurate and most of all convenient at all times,” Daly explained. “In the golf industry, we use industry Apps for all sorts of reasons such as turf management, GPS tracking, F&B orders, but not many clubs are advertising and accepting tee time bookings and payment via their very own club branded Apps. Not yet anyway!” he concluded.
BY UTILIZING THE GOLF CITIZEN, WE HAVE SET OURSELVES APART FROM OTHER OPERATIONS RELYING PURELY ON OFFICE HOURS AND EMAIL TO MANAGE AND ACCEPT TEE TIME RESERVATIONS.
MANY OF OUR APP BOOKINGS COME IN OUTSIDE OF OFFICE HOURS AND OUR CUSTOMERS GET INSTANT CONFIRMATION, AS DO WE AS A
CLUB.
STUART DALY
A truly stunning golf vista that undulating landscape.
White frothy lined waves rolli onto a brilliant white sandy b gently rolling hills.
Running through this gift from ticulously manicured green tu and native shrubbery. A mast
KN Royal Golf Links Ca Hotline: (+84) 0989 79787
t rises and falls in an almost never-ending
ing in from the South China Sea lapping each set against a distant backdrop of
m the heavens are verdant pathways of meurf carefully punctuated by pockets of sand terful tapestry of a classic work of art.
The artist behind this spell-binding creation is one of golf’s greatest legends – champion golfer and golf course architect extraordinaire Greg Norman. One look at this landscape was all that Norman needed to transform it into Asia’s only true links golf course. A course that is already destined to earn its right to be ranked amongst the world’s best. KN Royal Golf Links Cam Ranh – opening soon for play. The game the way it should be played in the true traditions of links golf.
am Ranh - Long Beach, Northern Peninsula Cam Ranh - Khanh Hoa, Vietnam. 78 | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Camranhlinks/
Leadership is the major factor that makes everything work together seamlessly in business. Without leadership, all business resources are ineffective. Switched-on business leaders are aware of the concerns of their customer base, their employees, their environment, and are on top of new developments to create more effective working environments. All successful organisations and businesses need effective leaders. Leaders are invaluable when it comes to formulating and communicating new strategic directions, as well as communicating with and motivating employees to increase dedication to organizational goals. It is this that sets apart businesses that are leaders in their respective field.
T
he golf club industry in Asia is no exception. Asia has more than 5000 golf
clubs operating across the vast Continent and with the rapid progress,
THIS SPECIAL TRIBUTE IS THE “LEGION OF LEADERS”, A UNIVERSAL INDUSTRY
development and economic growth being experi-
RECOGNITION DESIGNED TO SINGLE
enced throughout Asia, golf clubs in the region are
OUT OUTSTANDING MEN AND WOMEN
coming into greater focus.
IN THE GOLF CLUB MANAGEMENT
For nineteen years, the Asia Pacific Golf Group has kept the spotlight trained on the best in the
INDUSTRY FOR THE EXEMPLARY
business through its coveted Asian Golf Awards, the
ROLE THEY HAVE PLAYED AND
absolute pinnacle amongst the industry’s recogni-
CONTINUE TO PLAY IN PROMOTING
tion events.
ALL-ROUND EXCELLENCE IN THE
One award category that has always been keenly contested is that of the Best Club General
CLUB INDUSTRY.
Manager Of The Year. Over the years, this prestigious award has been granted to an elite group of
For the inaugural launch of this award pro-
general managers and it is now felt that the time
gramme, the Asia Pacific Golf Group, the custodian
has come to install a select few in a permanent
of the Asian Golf Awards, the following practising
award category.
club general managers have been selected to be
This special tribute is the “Legion Of Leaders”,
inducted into the “Legion Of Leaders”. The official
a universal industry recognition designed to single
induction ceremony will be staged at the 2018 Asian
out outstanding men and women in the golf club
Golf Awards in Bangkok on November 3, 2018.
management industry for the exemplary role they have played and continue to play in promoting allround excellence in the club industry. Once anointed to this level, the honourees will not be voted upon again in the annual Asian Golf Awards as the “Legion Of Leaders” award will serve as the ultimate recognition of Asia’s Best!
2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS – LEGION OF LEADERS
JOHN BLANCH
STACEY WALTON
HARALD ELISSON
THAI COUNTRY CLUB (THAILAND)
BANYAN GOLF CLUB (THAILAND)
BLACK MOUNTAIN GOLF CLUB (THAILAND)
VISHAL BHARTI
TANG MENG LOON
STEVEN THIELKE
DLF GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB (INDIA)
KOTA PERMAI GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB (MALAYSIA)
TPC KUALA LUMPUR (MALAYSIA)
MARK HOLLAND
ANDY JOHNSTON
HAN ZHISHAN
BALI NATIONAL GOLF CLUB (INDONESIA)
SENTOSA GOLF CLUB (SINGAPORE)
MISSION HILLS GOLF CLUB DONGGUAN (CHINA)
I am Johan Edfors and my life revolves around Black Mountain. As a professional golfer, I have constant access to a world class golf course that helps me stay at the top of my game. ČąÂ•Â˜Â&#x;Žȹ•’Â?ŽȹŠ—Â?Čą Â•ÂŠÂŒÂ”Čą ˜ž—Â?ÂŠÂ’Â—ČąÂ˜Ä›ÂŽÂ›ÂœČąÂ?‘Žȹ’Â?ÂŽÂŠÂ•ČąÂœÂŽÄ´Â’Â—Â?ČąÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂšÂžÂŠÂ•Â’Â?¢ȹ•’Â&#x;’—Â?ȹ’—ȹŠȹ™Ž›fectly managed and well-balanced environment. As a family man, Black Mountain is safe and a perfect place to grow my family. What more can I ask for? Come and be part of Black Mountain. Black Mountain Golf Club – a small piece of heaven on earth.
Black Mountain Golf Club – Asia’s Winningest Golf Club
Petchakasem Rd, Hua Hin, Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan 77110, Thailand Tel: +66 32 618 666 | Email: proshop@bmghuahin.com | www.blackmountainhuahin.com
For a number of years, one would not be wrong to say that the golf industry as a whole in the doldrums. Golf clubs have been regularly reporting depressed rounds played and on operating revenues. Equipment manufacturers have also been having a rough ride w going totally out of business. The golf retail trade, especially in North America has been mered with big names like Dicks Sporting Goods, Golfsmith and a host of others who ha been forced out of business, changed hands or have been pared down. Overall, the ind has taken quite a beating. While the general trends in the industry have been moribund very bluntly, not all pundits were painting a gloomy picture. There were some who held for a turn-around and those long awaited signs for a real upward swing is beginning to apparent. ASIAN GOLF takes a long hard look at some of the factors that have started to back the good times again! We are doing this because we feel that golfers need to know driving the industry because they are the main drivers of growth!
has been d a drain with some n hamave either ustry , to put it out hope become o bring w what’s
O
ne of the perennial behemoths of the golf
US$478.1 million, which is up 11.7% from a year ago and
equipment industry is without doubt the
9.0% when factoring out the inuence of foreign currency
Acushnet Company, the company that
uctuations.
owns super brands like Titleist, Pro V1 and Pro V1x and FootJoy. These are all
It reported income from operations of US$64.57 million for the quarter compared to US$57.9 million last year. Sec-
marquee names which have been industry category leaders
ond quarter net income was US$39.9 million versus US$33
for a long time.
million in 2017.
Acushnet, now a publicly listed company has to lay
Titleist golf ball sales were up 11.1%, for the quarter,
bare all of its business details and the latest set of numbers
while Titleist golf clubs improved 26.3%. Golf gear was off
reported to the stock exchange clearly indicates that the
3.1% for the quarter and FootJoy sales were higher by 6.2%.
company is on a growth trend. It has just reported second quarter net sales of
By region, sales in the United States were up 12.7% in the second quarter, while Europe, Middle-East and Africa were higher by 16.9%. For Asia, Japan edged up 2.4% and Korean sales were up 10.7%. Looking at the six-month picture, sales are US$919.9 million compared to US$861.6 million in 2017. The company said golf ball sales were up 2.8% (0.3%
increase on a constant currency basis), primarily
first time at the U.S. Open, and with TS representing
driven by a sales volume increase attributed to the
60% of all Titleist drivers in play at the Open champi-
new AVX balls and Titleist balls launched in the sec-
onship,” said David Maher, Acushnet’s President and
ond quarter and first quarter, respectively. It largely
Chief Executive Officer.
offset a sales volume decline in Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls, which were in their second model year. Titleist golf clubs grew by 20.2% (16.6% increase on a constant currency basis),
“We expect adoption to steadily increase as we are able to fit more players into these exciting new products. You will hear more about the Titleist Speed project over the next several weeks as we ramp
due to higher sales volumes its iron
up our communication plans for the TS driver and
series introduced in the third quar-
fairway launch in late September.”
ter of 2017 and wedges launched in the first quarter of 2018. “Early adoption by professionals eclipsed our high expectations with 17 players putting the TS (driver) in play for the very
Meanwhile, FootJoy’s second quarter sales were US$119.5 million, an improvement of 6.2%. Six-month sales are US$260.2 million, an increase of 2.1% from a year ago. While things are looking up for Acushnet, its
DAVID MAHER PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER ACUSHNET
WE EXPECT ADOPTION TO STEADILY INCREASE AS WE ARE ABLE TO FIT MORE PLAYERS INTO THESE EXCITING NEW PRODUCTS. YOU WILL HEAR MORE ABOUT THE TITLEIST SPEED PROJECT OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS AS WE RAMP UP OUR COMMUNICATION PLANS FOR THE TS DRIVER AND FAIRWAY LAUNCH IN LATE SEPTEMBER.
main rival, Callaway Golf reported record sales
all major regions reporting significant sales growth
and earnings for the second quarter and first half
and our new businesses, particularly TravisMathew,
of 2018 and increased its full year 2018 sales and
performing at or above plan.”
earnings guidance.
Brewer went on to add, “On the product side,
Second quarter net sales increased US$91
we have strength across the entire line, especially
million (30%) to US$396 million, which delivered
with the Rogue line of woods and irons as well as
pre-tax income of US$78 million and net income of
the new Chrome Soft golf balls. We also continued
US$61 million. A year ago, Callaway reported sec-
to benefit from favourable market conditions. I con-
ond quarter sales of US$305 million, pre-tax income
tinue to be extremely pleased with our performance
of US$48 million and net income of US$31 million
and our long term outlook.”
for the second quarter.
Callaway said its metal woods business grew
“The excellent start in Q1 has continued
by 5.2% in the second quarter and 13.2% for six
through Q2,” said Chip Brewer, President and
months. Iron sales were up 35% in the quarter and
Chief Executive Officer of Callaway Golf Company.
46%, year-to-date. Golf balls jumped 35.1% in the
“Business around the globe remains strong with
quarter and 24.6% for six months. Putter sales were
CHIP BREWER PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
ON THE PRODUCT SIDE, WE HAVE STRENGTH ACROSS THE ENTIRE LINE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE ROGUE LINE OF WOODS AND IRONS AS WELL AS THE NEW CHROME SOFT GOLF BALLS. WE ALSO CONTINUED TO BENEFIT FROM FAVOURABLE MARKET CONDITIONS. I CONTINUE TO BE EXTREMELY PLEASED WITH OUR PERFORMANCE AND OUR LONG TERM OUTLOOK.
up by 12.4% in the quarter and 18.3% year-to-date. The category of gear and other was up 64.1% in the second quarter and 48.9% for the six months of 2018. The U.S market was up 38.7% for the quarter, 8% in Europe, 24.5% in Japan and 36.5% in the rest of Asia. On a six-month basis, American sales are up 35.2%, Europe 11.4%, Japan 36.6%, and Rest of Asia by 35.9%. The results for both Acushnet and Callaway are impressive. Acushnet has reported to Wall Street it expects consolidated net sales for the year to be approximately US$1.615 to US$1.635 billion. And Callaway has increased its full year 2018 sales guidance to US$1.210 billion - US$1.225 billion as compared to its prior guidance of US$1.170 billion - US$1.185 billion. Looks like the good times are back again!
EQUIPMENT SALES ON THE COMEBACK! U.S. retail sales for golf equipment has made a comeback in the 12 months ending June 2018, with golf experiencing dollar sales increases of 8 percent. This is according to the NPD Group. According to the NDP Group golf sales reached US$2.5 billion in the 12 months ending June 2018, after a 6 percent sales decline experienced the prior year. Golf products for all users grew, including women’s sales increasing by 7 percent and juniors being the smallest yet growing the fastest, +31 percent. “About 10,000 Baby Boomers reach retirement age every day, and as more retire, the golf business is benefiting primarily from the many individuals who now have more recreational time on their hands. The quickly growing retiree community is seeking ways to stay busy and fit,” said Matt Powell, vice president and senior industry advisor, Sports, The NPD Group.
We are reaching out to the best golfers in the golf club industry to come and do battle at one of Asia’s premier golf clubs – the award-winning Thai Country Club. The gem of Bangkok will be the host venue for the only golf tournament specially organized for golf club owners, operators and managers. The Asia Pacific Golf Group together with the Thai Country Club will be hosting the 2018 Asia Pacific Inter-Club Golf Tournament. The tournament will be staged in conjunction with the 2018 Asia Pacific Golf Summit. It will be played with two-man teams drawn from clubs within the Asia Pacific footprint. This tournament is all about good, clean fun and more importantly, it is about networking. It’s the fourth in the series. The tournament will be run on November 1, 2018. There is no entry-fee to participate in this tournament. To qualify, players need to register as delegates to attend the 2018 Asia Pacific Golf Summit and there are 80 slots available. Entry will be on a first-come-first-serve basis and a two-man team from each club can register on-line through the APGS website.
For more information please visit www.golfconference.org or email to Alice Ho at alice@asiapacificgolfgroup.com or call +65 6323 2800 for more details
With over 30,000 golf courses in the world, it cannot be said that golfers are not spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding where to play a round of golf. Although there are many to choose from, it always helps if there is a way to make a good decision and pick the right course to play at. Given this scenario, ASIAN GOLF has partnered with IMG which designs, operates and manages quality golf courses in Asia and elsewhere.
w w w.im g p re s t ige .c om
A
s part of this collaboration, ASIAN GOLF will review a minimum of four golf courses in the IMG
stable every month, starting with the first four in this issue. It is hoped that this will serve as a valuable guide to golfers who want to have a wonderful experience playing golf in some of the best courses on offer in Asia.
W
e ďŹ rst travel to Cambodia to visit the Garden City Golf Club
located in Phnom Penh. Cambodia is a growing golf destination in Southeast Asia and Garden City Golf Club is an 18hole course that was opened in 2013. It offers service levels and course conditioning that is widely regarded as the best in Cambodia. The course provides golfers of all abilities with a good test and is a very enjoyable experience that is setting new standards in Cambodia. The 5-star Garden City hotel located adjacent to the golf course offers golfers the perfect place to stay and play. IMG provide golf management services to Garden City Golf Club. http://gardencityclub.com/
N
ext, we trot across to the Vietnamese capital city of Hanoi to
check out Sky Lake Resort & Golf Club. It is located close to Van Son Lake and just 45 km from Hanoi and offers 36 holes of championship golf. The club is set on 192 hectares of stunning scenery that includes beautiful native ora, mountains, trees and water features. The Lake Course is reserved for members and their guests, and the Sky Course is open to the public. A well-appointed clubhouse and driving range add to the world class facilities. The courses have contrasting design styles and both enjoy amazing views of the surrounding landscape. IMG provide golf management services to Sky Lake Resort & Golf Club. http://skylakegolfclub.vn/
T
he next course on the review schedule is located in Mauritius.
It is the Ile Aux Cerfs Golf Club located next to the Shangri-La Le Touessrok Resort on the East Coast of Mauritius. It is rated as one of the world’s most spectacular golf courses. Designed by golf legend Bernhard Langer and opened in 2003, the course is built on only 38 hectares, sits on its own island, and is accessible by a short 10-minute boat ride from the mainland. There are many outstanding holes and almost all offer views of the surrounding Indian Ocean. The course features a wide variety of natural tropical flora, trees and water features and can be enjoyed by players of all skill levels. It is a winner of numerous awards and a must play experience for anyone who loves the game. IMG provide golf management services to Ile Aux Cerfs Golf Club.
http://www.ileauxcerfsgolfclub.com/ play-golf-in-mauritius/
F
inally, we zoom across the Indian Ocean to an exotic loca-
tion in Australia. Noosa Springs Golf & Spa Resort located on the Sunshine Coast of Australia is a world class resort destination that offers 18 holes of championship golf, award winning spa, ďŹ rst class dining, luxury accommodation and outstanding conference and wedding facilities. The golf course provides an enjoyable golf experience and is a good challenge for all skill levels. Noosa Springs is regularly rated as one of the best courses in Australia, and offers beautiful scenery throughout, that includes playing through a lush rainforest and catching glimpses of Lake Weyba and Noosa National Park. A magniďŹ cent clubhouse adds to the exceptional experience at Noosa Springs. IMG provide golf management services to Noosa Springs Golf & Spa Resort. https://www.noosasprings.com.au/
NEW
JUNIOR CLUBS
GROWN-UP TECHNOLOGY FOR KIDS.
Engineered with the score-lowering technology and performance of our adult clubs and inspired by PING’s goal to introduce more boys and girls to golf, the custom-fit, custom-built Prodi G set makes the game easier and more enjoyable for juniors.
“GET GOLF GROWING” PROGRAM. As junior golfers grow, so does the need to ensure they are properly fit for their equipment. The PING Prodi G “Get Golf Growing” program offers a one-time, no-charge adjustment service*. It’s like buying two sets for the price of one. Ask a sales associate for more details. * To be eligible, consumer must purchase a minimum of five Prodi G junior clubs (any combination) in one transaction. Purchases of fewer than five clubs are not eligible. Consumer is entitled to a one-time, no-charge service to have the clubs re-shafted or lengthened, re-weighted, and re-gripped. See a sales associate for more details. ©2018 PING
OPTIMIZED ZED
FOR AGES GES
7- 13 3
NEW
PURE. FEEL. The new Glide Forged Wedge. A shot-maker’s wedge, made from 8620 carbon steel for a soft feel with a tour-inspired size and shape. Its compact head size and precisionmilled grooves ensure creativity and control around the green. Get fit today or visit ping.com.
CUSTOMIZE & PERSONALIZE. Design a one-of-a-kind Glide Forged wedge customized to your personal preferences. Various graphic, stamping and paint-fill options allow you to create a wedge totally unique to you and your game. Experience ping.com/glideforgedcustom.
CUSTOM GRAPHICS
PRECISION-MILLED, WHEEL-CUT GROOVES
CUSTOM STAMPING Scattered Mr. PING logo or 2 characters scattered.
Boomerang
Mr. PING
Up to 3 characters in one of three locations (heel, center or toe).
©2018 PING
Flag
Desert
12 color choices
Long before the calendar turns to spring, when blooming magnolias and azaleas dot prist TOUR schedule, professionals must first conquer a three-week gauntlet on the opposite e ly new tradition each year on TOUR, the start of another season for those looking to eithe most importantly, establish an early lead in the FedExCup Standings.
tine golf courses and sweltering heat occupies the PGA end of the world where they usually work. It’s a relativeer reverse their fortunes or build on past success, and,
It was not too long ago when golf fans in Asia did not have the privilege of seeing their favourite golfers up close and in action. The only chance was to catch them on “live television” broadcasts or at rare performances in some of the bigger tournaments in Asia. That has all since changed with the PGA TOUR growing its presence in Asia. Today, the world’s most powerful professional tour, renowned for its list of the best players in the world, has made it possible for golf fans in Asia to see some of the best the Tour has to offer in person. The PGA TOUR now has what is called the ASIAN SWING – a collection of highprofile tournaments staged back to back in Asian cities. As part of a special partnership between the PGA TOUR and ASIAN GOLF, we are proud to bring you a special written by Chris Cox, senior manager, Communications, PGA TOUR:
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report on the 2018 ASIAN SWING
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his leg of the schedule is often referred to as the “Asian Swing,” an October trip that guides players from Malaysia, through Korea and onto China. And while the two-word phrase is certainly a succinct summation of this expedition, it by no means serves as an accurate representation of the various cultures, history and people that occupy these three countries. “The game is so global now,” Pat Perez said. “ … I think it’s awesome that the TOUR’s expanded outside the United States. I think it’s important for the game. When I was coming up, the game wasn’t that global, it just wasn’t. The best player we had in the world was Tiger (Woods), and he was best by a mile and he rarely went out of the United States. But I think there’s so many great new, young players worldwide that it’s important to get all these kids or players together because you can see that there’s so much competition going on.” Perez would know as well as anyone how essential this road trip can be. After all, it was in Malaysia where the 41-year-old showed the world that his best days weren’t behind him just yet. The American, who had claimed just one PGA TOUR victory over his first 376 professional starts, revitalized his career when he took home the CIMB Classic, his second win in less than a year. It’s fitting that the colorful Perez—with his flowing locks, carefree attitude and honest approach to the game—was the one to hoist the CIMB Classic trophy last year at TPC Kuala Lumpur. The course in Malaysia’s capital, dubbed “KL” by the locals, is at the heart of one of Asia’s most vibrant cities, which shares more than just energy with its latest champion. Like Perez on the golf course, it rose from humble beginnings as a mining town into a bustling economic hub, complete with towering skyscrapers and an array of cultures and traditions. Sure does look a lot like Perez, who has risen to the top of the golf ranks all while proudly wearing a vivid personality on his sleeve. It’s no surprise, then, that the two sides developed an affinity for one another after Perez romped to a four-stroke victory over Keegan Bradley. “Oh, yeah, I’ll be here every year. Every year of the tournament, I’ll be here,” he said. “It’s been very good to me. The tournament’s been fantastic. CIMB, everybody’s been great. The fans are fantastic. Everybody that I’ve met, come in contact with, can’t do enough. It’s fun. The police escort is actually the most fun I have. In the air conditioning and we get to go fast, it’s nice.” A little more than 4,200 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur sits Jeju, a relatively small island in the East China Sea, directly south of Seoul, east of Shanghai and west of Fukuoka, Japan. The area is home to the swing’s second tournament, THE CJ CUP. Much like the event before it, THE CJ CUP also shares a bit in common with its most recent champion. The tournament, entering just its second year in existence, is undoubtedly the youngest of the Asian Swing’s three events. And while it has room to grow, mature and improve with time, it’s still established itself as one of the premier tournaments on the PGA TOUR schedule. Sure sounds a lot like Justin Thomas, right? It’s hard to remember sometimes that the eight-time PGA TOUR winner is still only 25 years old, only just now entering the prime of his career as one of a handful of new-wave stars seeking to become the next Woods. And while the youthful American is largely known for his 2017 PGA Championship win and his short stint as the No. 1-ranked player, he’s rapidly become known in the Eastern part of the world for his Asian dominance. His playoff victory over Marc Leishman at Nine Bridges last season was his third in Asia since 2015, as he also won back-to-back CIMB Classic titles in 2015 and 2016.
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I THINK IT’S AWESOME THAT THE TOUR’S EXPANDED OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES. I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT FOR THE GAME. WHEN I WAS COMING UP, THE GAME WASN’T THAT GLOBAL, IT JUST WASN’T. THE BEST PLAYER WE HAD IN THE WORLD WAS TIGER (WOODS), AND HE WAS BEST BY A MILE AND HE RARELY WENT OUT OF THE UNITED STATES. BUT I THINK THERE’S SO MANY GREAT NEW, YOUNG PLAYERS WORLDWIDE THAT IT’S IMPORTANT TO GET ALL THESE KIDS OR PLAYERS TOGETHER BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE THAT THERE’S SO MUCH COMPETITION GOING ON.
– PAT PEREZ
“It’s crazy how that works out,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s the time of the year while I’m here or what it is, I don’t know. Obviously, I have a lot of success, which is great. It’s kind of an added bonus, I think. The fact of the matter is that I just happened to play well on those weeks. But definitely, the fact that I have three of the seven wins in Asia, it definitely has a pretty good vibe every year.” Thomas will go for the Asian triple crown later this season at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions, the final event on the three-tournaments-in-three-weeks-run this November. The tournament is the grizzled veteran of the three events, dating to 2009 as a WGC, with China serving as the home for every tournament—Shanghai’s Sheshan International Golf Club the host for eight of the nine playings. It shares a striking resemblance in that regard to its most recent winner, the savvy and revered Justin Rose. And while THE CJ CUP is played in a more pastoral setting, the HSBC Champions offers a little of both worlds. Players fly into Shanghai, the third-largest city in the world,
PAT PEREZ
but bypass the skyscrapers on The Bund located along the Yangtze River and instead travel 68 kilometers by car to the golf course that is in something of a country setting. Obviously, Rose’s win last fall also had a bit of everything in it, too, as the 38-year-old Englishman paired an impressive final-round with a colleague’s collapse to pull off an improbable comeback victory. Rose trailed by a whopping eight shots entering final round last year, and he stared up in the standings at Dustin Johnson, the world’s No. 1 and unlikely candidate to succumb to the pressure of a PGA TOUR Sunday. But Johnson bogeyed his first two holes and failed to record a single birdie en route to a 5-over day. Rose, meanwhile, was one of just eight players to break 70 in the final round, doing so entirely on the back nine. He made the turn at even-par but registered five birdies over his final nine holes to complete the third-largest comeback in TOUR history. “WGCs, whenever you beat the top players in the world, that gives a tournament victory so much more meaning, and obviously with a leaderboard like we had today with Dustin, Brooks (Koepka), (Henrik) Stenson, I take a lot of pride in winning this tournament,” Rose said. “And winning in China, to travel, to take your game internationally I think is something that’s very important to do. Obviously, China is a very important golf nation, and a growing golf nation, so it’s very important to win in front of these fans.” It’s easy to lump the PGA TOUR’s three Asian tournaments all together and treat them the same. But that would be a mistake. Just like their three defending champions, each has carved out their own distinct presence in their respective countries, each with a rich personality of their own. And each doing their part to take the game of golf to a global scale.
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game of golf taking on greater prominence in Asia and with more Asian players
g skills that are good enough to take them to the highest level of the professional time has come for the powers that be who rule over golf to start seriously thinkgiving the Continent a fair shake at having one of its tournaments tagged as a
There are now quite a few big ticket tournaments staged in Asia and the one that
as a hot favourite is the WGC tournament in Shanghai. It has the track record and
ree to lay stake to the claim as the most deserving tournament to claim the title
fifth major.” To discuss the prospects, ASIAN GOLF turned to its media partner,
OUR for its thoughts. Here’s a special report from the PGA TOUR’s Chuah Choo
enior communications director.
ckelson calls it ‘Asia’s major’ while other global golf superstars have billed the ment as ‘first-class’ and representing the forefront of the game. Indeed, the World ampionships-HSBC Champions in China is playing its part in driving professional golf sively forward in the Far East.
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ay hello to Asia’s golf showpiece which boasts an illustrious roll of honour comprising of an array of major winners and a colossal US$10 million prize pot that cements its stature as the region’s richest tournament. Launched in 2005, it began as a tournament of champions where winners from the international tours around the world gathered annually to vie for the honour of becoming undisputed king of the HSBC Champions. It burst onto the global golf scene with plenty of fanfare as Tiger-mania took Shanghai by storm during the event’s first two years to ensure the global spotlight was firmly on the HSBC Champions. The great Tiger Woods finished runner-up twice in those early years but his star presence, along with
other big names including Mickelson, Ernie Els and Adam Scott, formed the cornerstone for the tournament to eventually become Asia’s sole World Golf Championships event. While Woods played the bridesmaid role twice, Mickelson, who is a 43-time PGA TOUR winner, scored two popular wins in 2007 and 2009 with massive galleries looking on. He has raved about the growing presence of the tournament over the years. “The fans in China are like nowhere else in the world in terms of their energy and enthusiasm … so many refer to (it) as ‘Asia’s Major,’” he said. The dashing Scott, a former world No. 1 from Australia, has also been impressed through his previous appearances in Shanghai: “The HSBC Champions is a first-class event that always attracts the very best players from all over the world.
THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE. FOR THE MODERN GOLFER AND THE MODERN GAME,
CHINA IS HERE TO STAY
AND THIS TOURNAMENT HAS ACTED AS A BEACON TO THE VERY BEST PLAYERS AROUND THE WORLD.
JUSTIN ROSE
The first 10 years of the HSBC Champions have been incredibly successful and I am sure the next 10 and beyond will be even better!” This year will mark the tournament’s 14th edition at Sheshan International Golf Club and fans in China and around Asia should pencil down the dates, October 25 to 28, in their calendars as it promises to be another cracker. England’s Justin Rose, currently No. 3 in the world, delivered a famous victory in 2017, coming from eight shots back on the last day to beat World No. 1 Dustin Johnson to lift his first WGC-HSBC Champions title by two shots following a closing five-under-par 67 under blustery conditions. “… WGCs, whenever you beat the top players in the world, that gives a tournament victory so much more meaning, and
obviously with a leaderboard like we had with Dustin, Brooks (Koepka) and (Henrik) Stenson, I take a lot of pride in winning this tournament,” said Rose, whose 22 international victories include nine PGA TOUR triumphs and two WGC wins. “And winning in China, to travel and to take your game internationally I think is something that’s very important to do. Obviously, China is a very important golf nation and a growing golf nation, so it’s very important to win in front of these fans.” Rose’s sentiments are echoed by another American superstar, Rickie Fowler. During one of his visits several years ago, he said: “This is the place to be. For the modern golfer and the modern game, China is here to stay and this tournament has acted as a beacon to the very best players around the world. We love to play here and the support from the fans in Shanghai is something really special too.” Special is certainly linked closely to Fowler’s good friend, Bubba Watson who produced one of the most spectacular victories in 2014. After a bogey and double bogey on the 70th and 71st holes, the mercurial left-handed holed out an improbable bunker shot for an eagle three on the last hole to force a playoff with Tim Clark which he would go on to win with a long birdie putt on the first extra hole. “I am so proud to have won such a prestigious event. It is a special tournament at the forefront of golf in Asia and it has the potential to inspire a generation of golfers here. It’s an exciting time for golf in the region and I think HSBC has done a fantastic job in opening up the world of golf and helping to establish China on the world map of golf,” he said. The likes of China’s Haotong Li, Zecheng Dou and Xinjung Zhang have since emerged onto the scene in a big way recently, contributed in part by the development efforts of the China Golf Association and HSBC, who jointly embarked on a junior golf program in 2007 and stretches through 2020. The advent of the PGA TOUR Series-China has also been a boon for the game as China, and Asia in general, seek to produce many more rising stars to join Dou and Zhang full-time on the PGA TOUR.
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