Asian Golf - Issue 220 - January 2019 by Asia Pacific Golf Group

She’s just turned 23 years old and she is the “Most Dominant Golfer Of The Year”! Thailand’s hugely talented Ariya Jutanugarn is without doubt the LPGA’s single most dominant star and a super-star in global sports! Her achievements in 2018 have been stellar - she won three tournaments. One of those wins was her dramatic triumph in U.S. Women’s Open, which took four playoff holes to secure. She also won every year-end LPGA award she was eligible for: the Annika Rolex Major award, the Leader’s Top 10 award (for ﬁnishing in the top 10, seventeen times), the CME Race to the Globe and its US$1 million bonus, the Vere Trophy (lowest scoring average), and the money leader title. Ariya - A shining global star in sports! You go girl!

ISSUE

220

JANUARY 2019

For time immemorial, Man has always held in the highest esteem those amongst the species who were the strongest, the toughest, the bravest and the best. Like all industries that strive to showcase their best, the golf industry is no exception. For close to twenty years, the golf industry in the Asia Pacific has had its own recognition event which became formalised and christened in 2007 as the ASIAN GOLF AWARDS, arguably the biggest and the best of its kind in the world. The latest in this long-running series was staged in Bangkok Thailand where top performers in a total of 46 categories were recognised by the industry in a glitzy celebration. Here’s an invitation to re-live the spectacle which was a huge celebration honouring the high standards of excellence in the Asian golf industry.

10 SPECIAL FEATURE 90 PACIFIC LINKS – A GODSEND FOR GOLF CLUBS! Since 2009, the golf club industry has been shaken by some seismic tremors of change and the organisation behind this disruptive force was Paciﬁc Links International (PLI). This dynamic agent of change has been bucking the golf industry trend and, in the process, it has attracted and continues to attract interest amongst some of the world’s best-known private golf clubs, resorts and destinations. Read more.

90 98

98 2019 IS SET TO BE A HIGH-OCTANE SEASON

A revamped PGA TOUR Schedule which now features a blockbuster tournament each month from March to August plus more cash than ever before following a hike in the FedExCup bonus payout and the introduction of the Wyndham Rewards scheme, will all but guarantee the New Year heralds plenty of thrills, spills and drama for both players, fans and TV viewers alike.

104 GOLF AWAITS THE “YAO MING” MOMENT IN CHINA Is China on the cusp of producing a professional golfer who can become a dominant force on the world’s most competitive professional stage? Can China repeat what it achieved through the basketball legend Yao Ming in golf? The PGA TOUR’s Commissioner Jay Monahan is optimistic that golf will be able to produce a “Yao Ming” moment for golf in China. Read what he has to say in an exclusive interview with ASIAN GOLF.

Q REGULARS 4 EDITORIAL TEAM

6 SHARED THOUGHTS: FROM PUBLISHER

104

Mike Sebastian

INTERNATIONAL ROVING EDITOR

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

Alan Campbell (China/Middle East) Correspondent

GLOBAL EDITORIAL ADVISORY PANEL

Angela Raymond

President [angela@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

Gregg Patterson

President, Tribal Magic Inc.

Andrew Wood Founder/President, Legendary Marketing

James Prusa

Raquel Arcega

Executive Creative Art Director [raquel@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

President, James Graham Prusa Associates

James Cronk President, Cronk Group

Digital Services

Alice Ho

Tech-Know Integrators

Business Executive [alice@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR

Tony Meechai (Black Hat Golf Tips -Thailand Myra Paras

INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES

Accounts Executive [myra@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

Alice Ho

Email: alice@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com

ASIA PACIFIC GOLF GROUP(2014) PTE LTD Singapore Post Centre Post Ofﬁce, P.O. Box 532, Singapore 914018 Tel: +65 6323 2800 | Fax: +65 6323 2838 Company Registration No.: 201405689G

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 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.

For time immemorial, Man has always held in the highest esteem those amongst the species who were the strongest, the toughest, the bravest and the best. In ancient Rome, gladiators who were professional ďŹ ghters, locked in deadly combat for top honours. Although brutal, only the best survived. Similarly, the ancient Greeks had their way to separate heroes from amongst mere mortals in a sporting event which is now known as the Olympic Games. These early quests to seek out the best have evolved over the years and today, in the 21st Millennium, virtually every human enterprise has a major recogni-

tion event to seek out and honour its high achievers. The motion picture industry has its famous “Academy Awards” to recognise excellence in cinematic achievements. The television industry has the “Emmy Awards” that recognizes excellence in the television industry. And the music industry has the “Grammy Award” which is an award presented to recognize achievements in the music industry. Likewise, the sports industry has the “Laureus World Sports Awards” which honours individuals and teams from the world of sports.

ike all of these universal recognition programmes of notable achievements, the golf industry is no exception. For close to twenty years, the golf industry in the Asia Pacific has had its own recognition event which became formalised and christened in 2007 as the ASIAN GOLF AWARDS, arguably the biggest and the best of its kind in the world. This fact was confirmed by the world-renowned Legendary Marketing guru Andrew Wood who said, “I have now had the pleasure of attending three Asia Pacific Golf summits and I can say without a doubt it’s the best run of all the events I have spoken at around the world including the PGA show, UKPGA, CNGCOA Show and others. Mike and his team go to great lengths to insure everything is perfect from the impressive staging and lighting to the food and beverages. It’s also the only place you will meet the best of the best in the Asian golf world and the networking alone is worth the long trip!” The award programme, owned and produced by the ASIA PACIFIC GOLF GROUP and its flagship magazine, ASIAN GOLF. The selection of award winners is determined by an annual on-line poll that is carried out over a three-month period. The

golﬁng public votes on their favourites in 46 award catego and for any club or award winner to make the grade, it is contingent on the votes cast. “It’s no different to a popula where the largest number of valid votes in each category on to be declared winners,” explained the project coordin Alice Ho who has administered the programme for the pa decade. For the 2018 polls, more than 200,000 valid votes were counted, making the year a record. “This is proof as to how polls are viewed by the Asian golf industry – there is no de that all the major players in the golf industry hold the prog in very high regard, Ho added. For sheer longevity, the Asian Golf Awards is peerless cleared a full nineteen years and it will be entering its sec decade in 2019 when the show goes to India for the ﬁrst tim Scheduled to be held at the award-winning DLF Golf Club futuristic Indian city of Gurgaon, Aakash Ohri, senior execu director of the giant multi-billion dollar DLF Home Develo Limited said, “The Asian Golf Awards are truly the ‘Oscars Asian golf industry. Over the last nineteen years the award

AS ONE OF THE MOST PRES PRESTIGIOUS US SA AND ND L LONG ONG STANDING BODIES WHICH RECOGN RECOGNIZES NIZES ST THE HE DEVOTION AND HARD WORK PUT IN BY GOL GOLF LF IN INDUSTRY NDUSTRY PERSONNEL, IT IS AN HONOUR TO RECEIVE THE E

BEEST ST GO OLF LF CLUB EXPERIENCE IN ASIA PACIFIC AWARDD AN AND ND IIT TW WILL ILL MOST DEFINITELY INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE OU OUR O UR S STAFF TAFF T TO O AIM HIGHER! BANGKOK, THAILAND

WARAWIT SASOMSUB, MANAGING DIRECTOR, DIRECCTOR, R NIKANTI NIIKAN KAANTI GOLF GOOL GOL OLF CLUB, CLUB LUUUBB,

ories all arity poll goes nator, ast

e w the nying gramme

s. It has ond me. in the utive pers ’ of the ds have

consistently recognised the best in the business. We, at the DLF Golf & Country Club are deeply honoured for being awarded the Order of Zenith at this year’s awards. Being recognised for our pursuit of excellence only encourages us to work harder and raise the bar even further.” The sentiment expressed by Ohri is shared right across the Continent in South Korea by James Graham Prusa, Director, Golf Courses and Laboratory, Sky72 Golf & Resort Company, LTD. who said, “The annual Asian Golf Awards have become the most coveted awards for golf courses in the entire region of Asia. At Sky72 they are a bigger ‘brand’ than the Academy Awards to our staff and business. The gala banquet plays as a major reward and recognition for our many staff who now attend. Vying for an annual award or more helps us keep a sharp, competitive edge in our tough marketplace and it motivates our staff too. This year’s event was better than ever!” More than 250 delegates attended the 2018 Asian Golf Awards gala banquet which was staged at the prestigious 5-star Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit hotel in Thailand. The delegate turn-out packed the hotel’s grand ballroom which

prompted Choo Wee Khiang, general manager of the award-winning Marina Bay Golf Course in Singapore to remark, “In recognition of the best in the golf industry across the Asia Paciﬁc region, the Asian Golf Awards this year marks an important milestone of success for the award recipients and the organising team! Marina Bay Golf Course is honoured to win three prestigious awards this year and will strive to deliver another year of experience par excellence!” A regular at the Asian Golf Awards is another veteran golf club executive, Jose Dagdagan, general manager of the award-winning Southlinks Golf Club in Manila, Philippines. “The Asian Golf Awards is another great story that doesn’t need a story to describe what it is! It’s simply the BEST AWARDS VENUE for the BEST of the BESTS in the golf industry period! Asian Golf Awards validate excellence. Excellence serves as inspiration for others to aspire for greater heights of achievement. That is what the Asian Golf Awards is all about, that is what it is for!”

Commenting on the 2018 Asian Golf Awards, Angela Raymond, President of APGG said, “It is very heartening to note that every year, we add one or two new award categories and this serves as a beacon to us to continue seeking out and ﬁnding new areas to shine the spotlight on and to bring recognition to deserving men and women and golf clubs.” With this continuing mission in mind, Stacey Walton, general manager of the award-winning Banyan Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand had this to say about the Asian Golf Awards: “We see that there are several conferences in the industry for club managers in Europe, Middle East. However, APGS is simply hands down the best golf conference going and what sets you apart is the quality and attention to detail in your summit production and the awards are absolutely priceless! As I quoted before, they are the “Oscars of the Golf Industry in Asia Paciﬁc” – nothing else comes close. To sustain our “Number One” – Best in Asia position we will achieve this by promoting excellence with

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). Flag

Desert

12 color choices

NEW

SOFTER FEEL

NEW

ADJUSTABLE LENGTH

8 OF 10 GOLFERS

A FEEL-GOOD STORY

are playing the wrong-length putter. Are you one of them? Our new adjustable length putter shaft is simple and intuitive, allowing you to customize a Sigma 2 putter to ﬁt your stroke and posture. * PING research study

32"- 36" RANGE

An innovative dual-durometer PEBAX insert provides a softer feel and a lively response to ensure consistency on short and long putts – giving golfers the precision and control they need to lower their scores. Ten options, including four new designs, ensure a putter to ﬁt the eye and stroke type of every golfer. Get ﬁt today or visit ping.com.

The ﬁrst batch of golf clubs to be honoured with this very distinguished award include the following: Q Anvaya Cove Golf & Sports Club (Philippines) Q Banyan Golf Club (Thailand) Q Black Mountain Golf Club (Thailand) Q BRG Kings’ Island Golf Resort (Vietnam) Q DLF Golf & Country Club (India) Q Hirono Golf Club (Japan) Q Long Thanh Golf Resort (Vietnam) Q Mission Hills Golf Club Haikou, Blackstone Course (China) Q Ria Bintan Golf Club (Indonesia) Q Sentosa Golf Club (Singapore) Q Sky72 Golf & Resort (South Korea) Q Thai Country Club (Thailand) Q TPC Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) Each of the premier clubs on the award list has distinguished and excelled itself in terms of operating a golf club noted for the quality of its golf course, its club house facilities and services and its commitment to deliver a quality golﬁng experience to both members and guests alike.

RECEIVING THE ASIA PACIFIC ORDER OF ZENITH AWA WAS CERTAINLY INCREDIBLE! NOT ONLY IS IT A MORAL BOOSTER FOR THE RIA BINTAN GOLF CLUB TEAM, BUT IT HAS

GIVEN US ANOTHER REASON TO SHOUT OUT TO THE WORLD WHO ARE!

THE WHOLE EVENT AND THE AWARD NIGHT WAS SO WONDE

AND EXCITING ESPECIALLY MEETING WITH ALL THE LIKED MINDE GOLFING PROFESSIONALS IN THE WORLD AND THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS WAS UNBELIEVABLE!

ALL THE GOLF CLUB ASIA SHOULD PARTICIPATE!

– JOHN YAP, GENERAL MANAGER, RIA BINTAN G CLUB, INDONESIA

ARD

O WE

ERFUL

BS IN

GOLF

I’M VERY PROUD THAT MY BRG KINGS’ ISLAND GOLF COURSES HAVE BEEN HONOURED WITH THE

ASIA PACIFIC ORDER OF ZENITH. THIS IS YET AGAIN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT OUR COURSES ARE CONSIDERED THE BEST IN VIETNAM. I LOVE GOLF. IT’S MY PASSION. AND THIS VERY SPECIAL ‘PERSONAL GIFT’ FROM MY FRIENDS IN THE ASIA PACIFIC GOLF INDUSTRY MAKES ME VERY HAPPY. – MADAME NGUYEN THI NGA, CHAIRMAN, BRG GROUP, VIETNAM

For 2018 Thai Country Club is proud to accept awards for The Zenith Award The 101 Sustainability Citation Best Food & Beverage Experience ƂÃ > *>V wV Best Locker Room (Male & Female) ƂÃ > *>V wV £ÃÌ ,Õ iÀ 1«® Best Managed Golf Club ƂÃ > *>V wV £ÃÌ ,Õ iÀ 1«® Best Pro-Shop ƂÃ > *>V wV Ó ` ,Õ iÀ 1«® From all of us at Thai Country Club... Thank You!

The

BEST

Owned & Managed by The Peninsula Hotels Thai Country Club www.thaicountryclub.com

Tel: +66 (38) 562-700 inquiry@thaicountryclub.com

AS PER ITS USUAL EXCELLENT STANDARD, THE 2018 ASIA PACIFIC GOLF SUMMIT ALWAYS MANAGES TO SCALE NEW HEIGHTS. I WOULD SAY Y THAT THIS YEAR’S EDITION WAS A GREAT SUCCESS, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE OVERWHELMING HELMING RESPONSE THE EVENT GARNERED BY WAY OF THE NUMBERS CLOCKED ON DELEGATES’ PARTICIPATION.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE APGS TEAM FOR YET ANOTHER AMAZING EVENT AND WE ARE VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR’S EVENT! – TANG MENG LOON, DIRECTOR, CLUB OPERATIONS, KOTA PERMAI GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB & HORIZON HILLS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, MALAYSIA The “Legion Of Leaders” award serves as universal industry recognition designed to single out outstanding men and women in the golf club management industry for the exemplary role they have played and continue to play in promoting all-round 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! The following are the ﬁrst batch of general managers who have the unique honour of belonging to the “Legion of Leaders”: Q John Blanch, Thai Country Club (Thailand) Q Stacey Walton, Banyan Golf Club (Thailand) Q Tang Meng Loon, Kota Permai Golf & Country Club (Malaysia) Q Vishal Bharti, DLF Golf & Country Club (India) Q Harald Elisson, Black Mountain Golf Club (Thailand) Q Mark Holland, Bali National Golf Club (Indonesia) Q Steven Thielke, TPC Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) Q Andy Johnston, Sentosa Golf Club (Singapore) Q Han ZhiShan, Mission Hills Golf Club Dongguan (China)

THE ASIAN GOLF AWARDS ARE THE MOST ESTABLISHED AND RESPECTED

GOLF INDUSTRY WITH ALL GOLF CLUBS

ANNUAL AWARDS IN THE

ASPIRING TO BE BESTOWED ONE OF THE COVETED AWARDS.

FOR A CLUB

TO RECEIVE SUCH ACCOLADES THROUGH THE

ASIAN GOLF

AWARDS IS VERY POWERFUL AS IT IMMEDIATELY SHOWS A LEVEL OF QUALITY, RESPECT AND RECOGNITION FROM THE DISCERNING GOLFING COMMUNITY.

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MARK HOLLAND,

GENERAL MANAGER, BALI NATIONAL GOLF CLUB, INDONESIA

AWARD WINNING

VENUE

Sentosa Golf Club. Home to two of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest championship golf courses. Host to world-renowned tournaments.

ASIAN HOME OF THE R&A AND ASIAN TOUR Sentosa Golf Club, 27 Bukit Manis Road, Singapore, 099892

T: (65) 6275 0090 | WWW.SENTOSAGOLFCLUB.COM @SentosaGolfClub

@sentosagolfclub

Singapore's Best Golf Course

GREG NORMAN

Founder, Greg Norman Golf Course Design, USA

KIM YOUNG-CHAN Founder & Chairman, GOLFZON YUWON HOLDINGS, South Korea

GOLFZON’S FOUNDER KIM INDUCTED TO ASIAN HALL OF FAME Y

ou’ve got to hand it to Mr. Kim Young-Chan. He started a company called GOLFZON in the year 2000 and rapidly grew it into a power-house in the highly competitive golf simulator industry. Under two decades, he has grown GOLFZON into a multi-million-dollar industry giant who business spans the entire world today. As he puts it, his mission from the outset was to make golf more enjoyable for everyone. “At GOLFZON, we’re growing the popularity of golf through our products, services and technology. GOLFZON’s simulators have made the playing of indoor “screen golf” a sensation in South Korea. Young people are ﬂocking to the game, and GOLFZON cafés have become social hubs and after-hours meeting points for workers of all ages,” he said. Statistics show that approximately 50 million people around the world are playing screen golf at least once a year. Since its founding in 2000, GOLFZON has grown annual sales by leaps and bounds and additionally, some 40,000 workers are employed in the screen golf industry. For his achievements in promoting the game of golf, Mr. Kim has been inducted into the 2018 Asia Paciﬁc Golf Hall Of Fame.

GREG NORMAN INDUCTED TO ASIAN HALL OF FAME T

he great white shark aka Greg Norman was granted the highest honour bestowed upon a golfer in the Asia Pacific during the staging of the 2018 Asian Golf Awards. Norman was inducted into the 2018 Asia Pacific Golf Hall Of Fame. Norman dominated the golf world for much of the 1980s and early 1990s with his aggressive game and charismatic demeanour. He got his nickname the “Great White Shark” from a newspaper columnist during the 1981 Masters and is globally renowned as one of the most recognisable sports figures whose professional career produced 86 international victories, including two British Opens. Norman topped the World Ranking for a total of six years and he represented his country Australia in three Presidents Cups. Norman won 20 times on the PGA Tour and was the first to surpass the US$10 million mark in career earnings.

ASIA PACIFIC GOLF

GLOBAL VISION

GLOBAL VISION AWARD O I AM VERY PROUD THAT KN GOLF LINKS – CAM RANH HAS BEEN RECOGNISED AS THE BEST NEW GOLF COURSE IN ASIA PACIFIC 2018. I AM EXTRAORDINARILY PROUD THAT KN GOLF LINKS – CAM RANH IS AMONGST FEW GOLF LINKS IN VIETNAM TO RECEIVE THIS LOFTY RECOGNITION AND THIS NOW SERVES AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO STRIVE TO CONTINUOUSLY ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF OUR FACILITIES AND SERVICES TO SERVE GOLFERS BETTER. – MR. LE VAN KIEM, CHAIRMAN, KN INVESTMENT GROUP, VIETNAM

ne of Vietnam’s most forward looking and enterprising business leade who adores the game of golf. He is an avid golfer and once represented his country at the Southeast As in golf. The man in question is Le Van Kiem, the owner of three golf courses in and one in Laos. Mr. Kiem’s course in Ho Chi Minh City is the award-winning L Golf Course and the Long Vien Golf Club in Vientiane is another award-winnin His newest courses, KN Golf Links are located in the spectacular region o Ranh in Vietnam and are now open for play. KN Golf Links is part of KN Paradise, an 800-hectare integrated resort ve that is also slated to include an array of upscale villas for sale, a gaming com private beach club. Under the watch of Mr. Kiem, more than 30 hospitality pro been licensed for development along the gently curving strip. Many are hotels will carry a world-renowned brand name. “Cam Ranh is on the cusp of becoming the next great hot spot in Southe said Mr. Kiem. “Having a golf course the calibre of KN Golf Links is only going that process.” Arguably, the entire KN Paradise project ranks amongst the biggest deve projects in Vietnam. Mr. Kiem has been recognised for this with the Global Vis

rs is a man

sian Games n Vietnam Long Thanh ng course. of Cam

enture plex and a ojects have s that do or

ast Asia,â&#x20AC;? g to speed

elopment sion Award.

CUSTODIAN OF THE ENVIRONMENT AWARD T

he giant Mission Hills Group which operates 22-golf courses in China has invested many millions of dollars for the implementation of an environmental sustainability programme that encompasses everything from air quality monitoring to energy, water, waste, and carbon emissions management. The Group is committed to building a sustainable and environmentally responsible leisure and tourism business that makes a positive economic, cultural and environmental impact on the local community and region. It is encouraging to see how Mission Hills is leading the thrust towards setting new standards and achievements in environmental sustainability. The Group is working interminably to improve its sustainability, ecological and environmental records and contributions. This effort has earned the Group the prestigious Custodian Of The Environment award.

THE ASIAN GOLF AWARDS ARE TRULY THE ‘OSCARS’ OF THE ASIAN GOLF INDUSTRY. OVER THE LAST NINETEEN YEARS THE AWARDS HAVE CONSISTENTLY RECOGNISED THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS.

WE, AT THE DLF GOLF &

COUNTRY CLUB ARE DEEPLY HONOURED ON BEING AWARDED THE ORDER OF ZENITH AT THIS YEAR’S AWARDS. BEING RECOGNISED FOR OUR PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE ONLY ENCOURAGES US TO WORK HARDER AND RAISE THE BAR EVEN FURTHER. – AAKASH OHRI, SENIOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DLF GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, INDIA

GOLF PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR! I

f there is one man who personiﬁes the standard of excellence that is the mark of the award-winning DLF Golf Club in India, it has got to be Aakash Ohri. He has been associated with the club from its early days and he is the man who ensured that the vision of the owner to have a club that was “better than the best” was realised. For his sterling work and leadership, Aakash was honoured with the Asia Paciﬁc Golf Personality Of The Year award for 2018.

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY

1 BEST COURSE IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM 1. 2. 3. 4.

The Empire Hotel & Country Club Royal Brunei Golf & Country Club Jerudong Park Country Club Pantai Mentiri Golf Club

1 BEST COURSE IN CAMBODIA 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Angkor Golf Resort Phokeethra Country Club Siem Reap Booyoung Country Club Garden City Golf Club Grand Phnom Penh Golf Club Royal Cambodia Phnom Penh Golf Club Cambodia Golf & Country Club

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY

BEST COURSE IN CHINA (INCLUDING HONG KONG AND MACAU) 1. Mission Hills Golf Club Shenzhen (World Cup Course) 2. Sheshan International Golf Club 3. Spring City Golf & Lake Resort 4. The Dunes at Shenzhou Peninsula 5. Tianma Golf & Country Club

6. Xili Golf & Country Club 7. Jinshi Golf Club 8. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club 9. Shanghai Links Golf & Country Club 10. Pine Valley Golf & Country Club

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY BEST COURSE IN INDIA 1. Oxford Golf Resort 2. Eagleton - The Golf Village 3. Delhi Golf Club 4. Kalhaar Blues and Greens Golf Club 5. The Royal Calcutta Golf Club 6. Jaypee Greens Golf Course 7. Karma Lakelands Resort 8. Karnataka Golf Association (KGA) Golf Club 9. Aamby Valley Golf Course 10. Royal Springs Golf Course

BEST COURSE IN CHINESE TAIPEI 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Ta Shee Golf & Country Club Taiwan Golf & Country Club Miramar Golf Country Club Sunrise Golf & Country Club The Orient Golf & Country Club

6. National Golf Country Club 7. Yung Han Golf Club 8. Nan Fong Golf Club 9. Linkou Golf Course 10. Kaohsiung Golf & Country Club

1 BEST COURSE IN INDONESIA 1. Bali National Golf Club 2. Riverside Golf Club 3. Rainbow Hills Golf Club 4. Taman Dayu Golf Club & Resort 5. Royale Jakarta Golf Club 6. Rancamaya Golf & Country Club 7. Jagorawi Golf & Country Club 8. Damai Indah Golf Club (BSD Course) 9. New Kuta Golf Club 10. Emeralda Golf Club

ASIAN GOLF AWARDS HAS LONG BEEN THE BENCH MARK BY WHICH GOLF CLUBS IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION USE TO MEASURE THEIR SUCCESS. RAINBOW HILLS GOLF CLUB, VOTED AMONGST THE TOP THREE BEST COURSE IN INDONESIA IN 2017 AND 2018 SERVES AS A STRONG ENDORSEMENT OF OUR STANDING AND WE USE THIS RECOGNITION TO DRIVE

RAINBOW HILLS TO ALL GOLFERS IN THE REGION. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ADRIAN WAHYUDI, ADVISOR, RAINBOW HILLS GOLF CLUB , INDONESIA

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY THE ANNUAL ASIAN GOLF AWARDS HAVE BECOME THE MOST COVETED AWARDS FOR GOLF COURSES IN THE ENTIRE REGION OF

ASIA. AT SKY72 GOLF & RESORT, THEY ARE A BIGGER ‘BRAND’ THAN THE ACADEMY AWARDS TO OUR STAFF AND BUSINESS. THE GALA BANQUET PLAYS AS A MAJOR REWARD AND RECOGNITION FOR OUR MANY STAFF WHO NOW ATTEND. – JAMES PRUSA, DIRECTOR, SKY72 GOLF & RESORT, SOUTH KOREA

BEST COURSE IN JAPAN 1. 2. 3. 4.

Kawana Hotel Golf Course Phoenix Seagaia Resort Niseko Village Golf Course Yokohama International Golf Club, West Course 5. Naruo Golf Club 6. Kasumigaseki Country Club, East Course 7. Tokyo Golf Club 8. Ono Golf Club 9. Abiko Golf Club 10. Koga Golf Club

BEST COURSE IN SOUTH KOREA 1. Sky72 Golf & Resort, Hanul Course 2. The Club at Nine Bridges 3. Black Stone Exclusive Golf Club 4. South Cape Owners Club 5. Whistling Rock Country Club 6. Jade Palace Golf Club 7. Jack Nicklaus Golf Club 8. Anyang Country Club 9. Woo Jeong Hills Country Club 10. Trinity Country Club

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY LAOS IS A NEWCOMER TO GOLF IN ASIA AND WITH THIS IN MIND, IT IS REALLY AN HONOUR FOR LONG VIEN TO BE RECOGNISED AS THE BEST CLUB IN THE COUNTRY.

THIS WILL INSPIRE AND

HELP TO GROW THE GAME OF GOLF IN

LAOS.

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MR. LE VAN KIEM, CHAIRMAN, KN

INVESTMENT GROUP, VIETNAM

BEST COURSE IN LAOS

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Long Vien Golf Club SEA Games Golf Club Luang Prabang Golf Club Lakeview Vientiane Golf Club Lao Country Club DanSavanh Nam Ngum Resort Mekong Golf & Resort Santisuk Lang Xang Golf Club Youth Garden Golf Course KM

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY

BEST COURSE IN MALAYSIA 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Kota Permai Golf & Country Club Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club The Mines Resort & Golf Club The Els Club Teluk Datai Saujana Golf & Country Club

6. The Els Club Desaru Coast, Ocean 7. Glenmarie Golf & Country Club 8. The Els Club Desaru Coast - Valley 9. Tiara Melaka Golf & Country Club 10. Royal Selangor Golf Club

1 BEST COURSE IN MIDDLE EAST Course

y Course

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Yas Links Abu Dhabi Saadiyat Beach Golf Club Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club Al Mouj Golf, Championship Course Emirates Golf Club, Majlis Course Abu Dhabi City Golf Club Doha Golf Club Jumeirah Golf Estates (East Course)

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY

1 BEST COURSE IN MYANMAR 1. 2. 3. 4.

Myotha National Golf Club Pun Hlaing Golf Club Royal Myanmar Golf Club Royal Mingalardon Golf & Country Club

5. Bagan Golf Resort 6. Yangon Golf Club 7. Yay Dagon Taung Golf Club

1 BEST COURSE IN THE PHILIPPINES 1. Mt. Malarayat Golf & Country Club 2. Sta. Elena Golf & Country Estate 3. Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club 4. Sherwood Hills Golf Club 5. Wack Wack Golf & Country Club 6. The Country Club Philippines 7. Canlubang Golf & Country Club 8. Eagle Ridge Golf & Country Club 9. Tagaytay Highlands International Golf Club 10. Luisita Golf & Country Club

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY

3 BEST COURSE IN SINGAPORE 1. Tanah Merah Country Club 2. Singapore Island Country Club, New Course 3. Marina Bay Golf Course 4. Laguna National Golf & Country Club 5. Seletar Golf Club 6. Sembawang Country Club 7. Warren Golf & Country Club 8. Orchid Country Club 9. National Service Resort & Country Club 10. Keppel Golf Club

7$1$+ 0

&/8% 5<

Tampines voted the Best Renovated Course in Asia-Pacific by Asian Golf

$+ &2817 (5

1*$325(

The

PERFECT venue to impress your clients at your next corporate

GOLF DAY,

banquet or private function ... For bookings and enquiries, please contact Marketing Department (Corporate Golf Events) I Tel: 6592 0305 I Email: marketing@tmcc.org.sg F&B Department I Tel: 6592 0386 / 6592 0388 I Email: nana@tmcc.org.sg

Tanah Merah Country Club 1 Tanah Merah Coast Road, Singapore 498722 Tel: (65) 6542 3040 (Main line) Fax: (65) 6542 9294 Website: www.tmcc.org.sg

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY

2 BEST COURSE IN THAILAND

1. Amata Spring Country Club 2. Laguna Golf Phuket 3. Siam Country Club 4. Ayodhya Links 5. Alpine Golf & Sports Club 6. Laem Chabang International Country Club 7. Nikanti Golf Club 8. Blue Canyon Golf & Country Club 9. Santiburi Country Club 10. Thana City Golf & Sports Club

BEST COURSE ON THE SUB-CONTINENT (INCLUDING BANGLADESH, NEPAL, PAKISTAN AND SRI LANKA)

1. 2. 3. 4.

Victoria Golf & Country Resort (Sri Lanka) Karachi Golf Club, Blue & Red Courses (Pakistan) Royal Colombo Golf Club (Sri Lanka) Kurmitola Golf Club (Bangladesh)

1 BEST COURSE IN VIETNAM 1. Montgomerie Links 2. Ba Na Hills Golf Club 3. BRG Ruby Tree Golf Resort 4. FLC Quy Nhon Golf Links 5. Laguna Golf Lang Co 6. BRG Da Nang Golf Resort 7. Vinpearl Nha Trang Golf Resort 8. BRG Legend Hill Golf Resort 9. Van Tri Golf Club 10. Dalat Palace Golf Club

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

BEST IN ASIA PACIFIC

2 BEST GOLF RESORT IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. 2. 3. 4.

Mission Hills Golf Club Haikou (China) Bali National Golf Club (Indonesia) Laguna Golf Phuket (Thailand) The Els Club Desaru Coast, Ocean Course (Malaysia) 5. FLC Sam Son Beach & Golf Resort (Vietnam) 6. Vinpearl Resort & Golf Phú Quoc (Vietnam) 7. Soﬁtel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort (Cambodia) 8. Blue Canyon Country Club (Thailand) 9. Laguna Golf Bintan (Indonesia) 10. Lotus Valley Golf Resort (Thailand)

BEST GOLF DESTINATION IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. Thailand 2. China 3. Malaysia

4. Vietnam 5. Indonesia 6. Philippines

7. Dubai 8. New Zealand 9. Australia 10. Chinese Taipei

WE ARE INCREDIBLY HONOURED THAT T THE JOCKEY CLUB KAU SAI CHAU PUBLIC GOLF COURSE HAS ONCE AGAIN BEEN VOTED BEST PUBLIC GOLF COURSE IN ASIA PACIFIC AT THE 2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS. THE ASIAN GOLF AWARDS HAVE A HARD EARNED REPUTATION AS THE PREMIER AWARDS FOR GOLFING FACILITIES IN THE REGION AND WE ARE PROUD TO FEATURE ONCE AGAIN. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; CAMERON HALLIDAY, GENERAL MANAGER, THE JOCKEY CLUB KAU SAI

CHAU PUBLIC GOLF COURSE, HONG KONG

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

BEST IN ASIA PACIFIC

BEST CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. TPC Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) 2. Black Mountain Golf Club (Thailand) 3. Sentosa Golf Club (Singapore) 4. Mission Hills Golf Club Haikou, Blackstone Course (China) 5. Amata Spring Country Club (Thailand) 6. Sky72 Golf Club, Ocean Course (South Korea) 7. Kota Permai Golf & Country Club (Malaysia) 8. Sheshan International Golf Club (China) 9. Montgomerie Links (Vietnam) 10. Laguna Golf Lang Co (Vietnam)

It is no idle boast! Black Mountain Golf Club has reached the ultimate pinnacle of excellence. By being manifested with the XZM[\QOQW][ )[QI 8IKQÅK 7ZLMZ 7N BMVQ\P W]Z KT]J Q[ VW_ IV M`KT][Q^M UMUJMZ WN IV MTQ\M OZW]XQVO WN \PM JM[\ OWTN KT]J[ QV \PM )[QI 8IKQÅK <PM BMVQ\P )_IZL XZM[MV\ML \W ][ I\ \PM ¹7[KIZ[º WN \PM OWTN industry is acknowledgement of our all-round standard of excellence in all operational aspects of the club. )\ *TIKS 5W]V\IQV _M LMTQ^MZ LIa IN\MZ LIa I [\IVLIZL WN M`KMTTMVKM Ja which we are judged by our members and patrons. ?M IZM <PM =T\QUI\M /WTÅVO -`XMZQMVKM *IZ 6WVM

Black Mountain Golf Club. Nothing Gets Better!

565 Moo7, Nong Hieng Road, Hin LekFai, Hua Hin, Prachaubkirikhan 77110, Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 32 618 666 or Email: sales@bmghuahin.com | realestate@bmghuahin.com

www.blackmountainhuahin.com

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

BEST IN ASIA PACIFIC

1 BEST CLUBHOUSE IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. Mission Hills Golf Club Haikou (China) 2. Black Mountain Golf Club (Thailand) 3. TPC Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) 4. Oxford Golf Resort (India) 5. Thai Country Club (Thailand) 6. Banyan Golf Club (Thailand) 7. Nikanti Golf Club (Thailand) 8. Singapore Island Country Club, Island Course (Singapore) 9. Jagorawi Golf & Country Club (Indonesia) 10. The Els Club Desaru Coast, Ocean Course (Malaysia)

1 BEST MAINTAINED COURSE IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. Banyan Golf Club (Thailand) 2. TPC Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) 3. Black Mountain Golf Club (Thailand) 4. Sentosa Golf Club (Singapore) 5. Mission Hills Golf Club Haikou, Blackstone Course (China) 6. Thai Country Club (Thailand) 7. Amata Spring Country Club (Thailand) 8. Sheshan International Golf Club (China) 9. Tanah Merah Country Club (Singapore) 10. Trump International Golf Club (Dubai)

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

BEST IN ASIA PACIFIC

1 BEST PRO-SHOP IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. Mission Hills Golf Club Shenzhen (China) 2. TPC Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) 3. Thai Country Club (Thailand) 4. Mission Hills Golf Club Haikou (China) 5. Banyan Golf Club (Thailand) 6. Sentosa Golf Club (Singapore) 7. Marina Bay Golf Club (Singapore) 8. Singapore Island Country Club (Singapore) 9. Laguna National Golf & Country Club (Singapore) 10. Saujana Golf & Country Club (Malaysia)

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

BEST IN ASIA PACIFIC

BEST MANAGED GOLF CLUB IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. Banyan Golf Club (Thailand) 2. Thai Country Club (Thailand) 3. Marina Bay Golf Course (Singapore) 4. Sentosa Golf Club (Singapore) 5. Amata Spring Country Club (Thailand) 6. Mt. Malarayat Golf & Country Club (Philippines) 7. Ba Na Hills Golf Club (Vietnam) 8. Nikanti Golf Club (Thailand) 9. Singapore Island Country Club (Singapore) 10. The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course Limited (Hong Kong)

1 BEST LOCKER ROOM (MALE & FEMALE) IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. DLF Golf & Country Club (India) 2. Thai Country Club (Thailand) 3. TPC Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) 4. Kota Permai Golf & Country Club (Malaysia) 5. Mission Hills Golf Club Haikou (China) 6. Banyan Golf Club (Thailand) 7. Sentosa Golf Club (Singapore) 8. Black Mountain Golf Club (Thailand) 9. Singapore Island Country Club (Singapore) 10. Oxford Golf Resort (India)

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

BEST IN ASIA PACIFIC

1 BEST COURSE ARCHITECT IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. Greg Norman Golf Course Design 2. IMG Golf Course Services 3. Schmidt-Curley Design Inc. 4. Nicklaus Design 5. Golfplan 6. Faldo Design 7. Ernie Els Design 8. JMP Golf Design Group/Costello Hollinger Moore 9. PaciďŹ c Coast Design 10. Pirapon Namatra

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

BEST IN ASIA PACIFIC

BEST RENOVATED COURSE IN ASIA PACIFIC Tanah Merah Country Club (Singapore)

BEST NEW COURSE IN ASIA PACIFIC KN Golf Links â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cam Ranh (Vietnam)

BEST VALUE FOR MONEY EXPERIENCE IN ASIA PACIFIC Banyan Golf Club (Thailand) Lotus Valley Golf Resort (Thailand) Nikanti Golf Club (Thailand)

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

BEST IN ASIA PACIFIC

BEST PUBLIC GOLF COURSE IN ASIA PACIFIC Marina Bay Golf Course (Singapore) The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course Limited (Hong Kong) Southlinks Golf Club (Philippines)

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

BEST IN ASIA PACIFIC

BEST GOLF CLUB EXPERIENCE IN ASIA PACIFIC Mission Hills Golf Club Haikou (China) Black Mountain Golf Club (Thailand) Nikanti Golf Club (Thailand)

BEST FOOD AND BEVERAGE EXPERIENCE IN ASIA PACIFIC Banyan Golf Club (Thailand) Thai Country Club (Thailand) Sentosa Golf Club (Singapore)

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

BEST IN ASIA PACIFIC

1 BEST DRIVING RANGE IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. Mission Hills Public Driving Range (China) 2. TPC Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) 3. Phothalai Leisure Park (Thailand) 4. Marina Bay Golf Course (Singapore) 5. Thana City Golf & Sports Club (Thailand) 6. Sentosa Golf Club (Singapore) 7. Sky72 Golf & Resort (South Korea) 8. Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club (Malaysia) 9. Oxford Golf Resort (India) 10. Banyan Golf Club (Thailand)

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

BEST IN ASIA PACIFIC

1 BEST GOLF ACADEMY IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. Mission Hills Golf Academy (China) 2. MST Golf Academy (Malaysia) 3. Sentosa International Academy (Singapore) 4. Oxford Golf Resort (India) 5. Laguna Golf Phuket (Thailand) 6. Black Mountain Golf Academy (Thailand) 7. Banyan Golf Club (Thailand) 8. Kota Permai Golf & Country Club (Malaysia) 9. Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club (Philippines) 10. Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club (Malaysia)

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

SPECIAL CATEGORIES

BEST CLUB GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR 1. David Townend, Amata Spring Country Club (Thailand) 2. Romeo V. Garcia Jr., Mt. Malarayat Golf & Country Club (Philippines) 3. Derek Schade, Lotus Valley Golf Resort (Thailand)

1 BEST GOLF MANAGER OF THE YEAR 1. Stuart Daly, Banyan Golf Club (Thailand) 2. Ong Seng Kiat, Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club (Malaysia) 3. Stanley Ho, Marina Bay Golf Course (Singapore)

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

SPECIAL CATEGORIES

BEST FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGER OF THE YEAR YEA 1. Danny Liu, Mission Hills Golf Club Shenzhen (China) 2. Jintanna Zinn, Thai Country Club (Thailand) 3. Ramiriz Osman, TPC Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

1 BEST PROFESSIONAL GOLF COACH IN ASIA PACIFIC 1. Tony Meechai, TMG Group Asia (Thailand) 2. Michael Owen, Mission Hills Golf Club (China) 3. John Wither, Banyan Golf Club (Thailand)

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

SPECIAL CATEGORIES

BEST GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YE YEAR 1. Mohd Nizam Othman, CGCS, TPC Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) 2. Richard Halls, Black Mountain Golf Club (Thailand) 3. Minachai Srichanya, Banyan Golf Club (Thailand)

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

SPECIAL CATEGORIES

1 BEST CADDIE OF THE YEAR

1. Gedsarin Pummarin, Banyan Golf Club (Thailand) 2. Kwon Oh Young, Sky72 Golf & Resort (South Korea) 3. Emia Nawarita, Kota Permai Golf & Country Club (Malaysia)

1 BEST MARCOMM MANAGER OF THE YEAR 1. Loh Chyi Jen, TPC Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) 2. Bhanujsaya Dangsuwan, Banyan Golf Club (Thailand) 3. Wathinee Suwannakit, Lotus Valley Golf Resort (Thailand)

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

SPECIAL CATEGORIES

1 BEST HR MANAGER OF THE YEAR 1. Azhan Abdul Kadir, TPC Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) 2. Evelyn Wong, Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club (Malaysia) 3. Kwandee Thanontip, Banyan Golf Club (Thailand)

MOST POPULAR GOLF APPAREL /GOLF SHOES/ACCESSORIES 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Footjoy Adidas ECCO Nike Under Armour

6. Fenix 7. PUMA 8. Callaway 9. Oakley 10. Performance Gear (PG)

2018 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS

SPECIAL CATEGORIES

SPECIAL THANKS AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ASIA PACIFIC GOLF GROUP FOR YET ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL ASIAN GOLF AWARDS EDITION. IT IS MY PLEASURE TO RECEIVE THE AWARD FOR SICC AND TO MEET ALL FELLOW PROFESSIONALS AT THE SUMMIT.

MOST POPULAR GOLF EQUIPMENT BRAND (DRIVER, WOODS/HYBRIDS, PUTTERS)

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; DESMOND TAY, GENERAL MANAGER, SINGAPORE ISLAND COUNTRY CLUB, SINGAPORE

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Titleist PING TaylorMade Callaway Mizuno

6. Srixon 7. Cobra 8. Honma 9. PXG 10. Wilson

MOST POPULAR GOLF BALL 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Titleist Bridgestone Srixon Wilson Callaway TaylorMade

| PLEASE VISIT ASIANGOLFAWARDS.COM TO DOWNLOAD THE PHOTOS |

The world of golf club membership continues to be faced with an ever-growing onus on adapting to meet modern-day societal trends. Clubs, resorts and destinations are continually on the look-out for effective measures in targeting the lucrative international golfer market, in particular the swelling sector made up of the Asian golf traveller. The importance of tourism income and access-controlled feepaying visitor numbers, along with the valuable peripheral revenue beneďŹ ts, has made PaciďŹ c Links one of the golf worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most soughtafter service. With its active International Members and global hub of Network Golfers and partner clubs, ASIAN GOLF takes a look at how PLI has grown its business internationally.

hank goodness for disruptors. Without disruptors industries and businesses normally

said, Rudy Anderson, President and CEO Paciﬁc Links International.

tend to just languish and stay satisﬁed with organic growth in their respective businesses. But since 2009, the golf club industry has

The growth of the PLI network since its launch has been exceptional and it is showing no signs of abating. With a roster

been shaken by some seismic tremors of change and the

of 340 plus participating clubs in 33 countries and its International Member number, expected to break through the 16,000

organisation behind this disruptive force was Paciﬁc Links International (PLI). This dynamic agent of change has been

mark before the end of 2018 (with great strides being made in China and more recently Korea), PLI is becoming an essential

bucking the golf industry trend and, in the process, it has

part of business for a growing number of private and resort

attracted and continues to attract interest amongst some of the world’s best-known private golf clubs, resorts and

golf clubs internationally.

destinations. A decade later, PLI has created a global network of clubs

”Among our Network Clubs we have over 120,000 active Network Members, providing attractive interaction and access for our partner clubs, creating not only a valuable revenue

ARGENTARIO GOLF RESORT & SPA, ITALY

that provides access to its 15,000+ strong Asia-based interna-

source, but an opportunity to drive qualiﬁed visitors from our

tional members, as well as providing a string of beneﬁts for clubs that belong to its network and their members, known as

group of like-minded, premium venues,” Anderson added. There is no cost for clubs to participate or sign up and,

Network Golfers. In doing so, the business has created a new market segment and proven its dynamic concept through not

for many, PLI has become a valuable add-on for members, assisting in both attracting and retaining interest, by providing

only its own performance, but the advantages it brings to all those it engages with.

reduced cost access to the world’s most diverse portfolio of golﬁng venues.

“Our network provides an opportunity for participating clubs to give their membership a new, relevant beneﬁt of local

The company prides itself on its commitment to creating this win-win scenario; whereby Network Clubs enhance their

membership and to realize new inbound revenue from our Network Club partners, in addition to targeting our high net

commercial control and opportunity, whilst International Members and Network Members obtain easy and beneﬁcial

worth Asian golf members via our concierge travel service,”

access, enhancing their golﬁng lives.

Anderson continued: “Our network is undoubtedly a feature of many of our partner clubs’ strategies, and

worldwide have come to recognise the revenue opportunities the PLI helps to unlock in the young, afﬂuent and avid

allows them to attract and retain members, by acknowledging the changing habits of the modern golfer.” He went on to explain, “In the 21st Century, clubs have to adapt and

golfer market. The outbound potential from China is considerable for many destinations and has become a primary focus

acknowledge the shift in lifestyle and preferences we’ve

for many golf resorts and clubs when considering their

seen among golf club members, and we have created a product and service that assists in doing so, by offering an

international tourism strategies. PLI provides a readymade and targeted partnership opportunity, providing a

opportunity to sample new courses in exciting destinations

clear pathway in a complex and sizeable market. With the

without having to look outside of the PLI network.” The growth of the Paciﬁc Links network remains on a positive trajectory and it is expected to continue to

volume of Chinese members attracted by PLI’s proposition, a host of high-proﬁle golf destinations have taken proactive measures to directly promote their experiences

experience exponential growth. Over the past years, clubs

and are already yielding major results.

OUR NETWORK PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTICIPATING CLUBS TO GIVE THEIR MEMBERSHIP A NEW, RELEVANT BENEFIT OF LOCAL MEMBERSHIP AND TO REALIZE NEW INBOUND REVENUE FROM OUR

NETWORK CLUB

PARTNERS, IN ADDITION TO TARGETING OUR HIGH NET WORTH

ASIAN GOLF MEMBERS VIA OUR CONCIERGE TRAVEL

SERVICE.

– RUDY ANDERSON

WITH A ROSTER OF 340 IN 33 COUNTRIES AND IT NUMBER, EXPECTED TO BREAK TH

2018 (WITH CHINA AND MORE RECENTLY K

BEFORE THE END OF IN

ESSENTIAL PART OF BUSINESS FOR

PRIVATE AND RESORT GOLF CLUBS

SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB, ABU DHABI

moment enquiries are made to the mom

Lawrence Zhong, Paciﬁc Links Vice President of Members Services and Travel Programming stated, “Our goal is to provide our members with unfor-

service and knowledge of our travel tea

gettable travel experiences inspired by golf in China and around the globe that offer great value, without sacriﬁcing quality.” He continued, “Paciﬁc Links works

and continues to serve all facets of our emphasised Anderson.

directly with hotels, tourism experience providers and ground service operators to negotiate best rates that are packaged and passed directly to our members without mark-up.” Zhong added, “Guests of members are welcome on these trips

With over 400 outbound packages b involving over 5,000 golfers in 2018 (to da providing a tailored service for larger gro

but do not benefit from this value-pricing, thus further promoting the benefits of a Pacific Links International membership.”

a major player in outbound travel service marketplace and the golf sector the nee

“The business has tailored its travel service by ﬁrstly adhering to the desires and demands of our Chinese members, but secondly working with our

never been more crucial. Paciﬁc Links h leader in this ﬁeld but is pioneering a ne

destination and partner clubs in creating a world class experience, from the

ers to consider and ultimately beneﬁt fro

0 PLUS PARTICIPATING CLUBS TS INTERNATIONAL MEMBER ROUGH THE 16,000 MARK GREAT STRIDES BEING MADE

KOREA), PLI IS BECOMING AN

R A GROWING NUMBER OF INTERNATIONALLY.

FACTS AT A GLANCE: - Network Clubs have access to two membership categories:

1) AFFILIATE CLUBS (AC)

Q Cart-fee only golf access Q International Members receive 50% discounted green fee and Reciprocal Access Clubs (certain geographic restrictions apply)

2) RECIPROCAL ACCESS CLUB (RAC)

Q Network Members will receive 50% discounted green fee access at all Affiliate and Reciprocal Access Clubs in the Pacific Links Golf Network (certain geographic restrictions apply) Q Each RAC accepts controlled and limited inbound play on a 50% discounted green fee basis for all members. Cart fees are mandatory for all players. Using state-of-the-art technology, all tee times are booked and coordinated through the Pacific Links ‘Links2Golf’ Call Center making the program convenient for members and easy to administrate for the club’s staff. Pacific Links does not seek commissions typical of the travel agent business. www.pacificlinks.com

ment guests return. It is this concierge ms that differentiates the PLI brand and our partners business interests,” ooked from International Members,

ate) and the unique Travel Butler service oups, Paciﬁc Links is quickly emerging as es. With the continued evolution of the d for modern membership options has as not only established itself as the clear ew ecosystem for golf industry stakeholdom.

PURE. PRECISION.

NEW The new i210 iron. Its softer insert ensures a feel you’ve never felt before with the distance and precision to play shots you’ve never tried before. It’ll change your entire approach to the game. Get ﬁt today or visit ping.com.

PURE. DISTANCE.

TRUE INNOVATION. NEW The new i500 iron. Its massive distance and towering ball ﬂight come from a forged face and metal-woodlike construction. Its look appeals to players who put a premium on performance. Get ﬁt today or visit ping.com..

PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

Buckle up and hold on to your seats as the PGA TOUR is poised to deliver a spectacular extravaganza in 2019 with golf’s newest and rising stars colliding with the legends of the game, headlined by none-other-than Tiger Woods and Phil “The Thrill” Mickelson. A revamped PGA TOUR Schedule which now features a blockbuster tournament each month from March to August plus more cash than ever before following a hike in the FedExCup bonus payout and the introduction of the Wyndham Rewards scheme will all but guarantee the New Year heralds plenty of thrills, spills and drama for both players, fans and TV viewers alike. The PGA TOUR’s Chuah Choo Chiang reports on what fans can expect in the new season.

nside the ropes, the growing strength of the TOUR’s talent pool – there were

by players 25 years or younger last sea has commentators brimming with ant

as the new generation of global golf st as Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Dustin Joh

Ram, Jason Day, Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, X Schauffele, Francesco Molinari and 2018 FedE

champion Justin Rose continue to captivate wi class performances.

The exciting emergence of Bryson “The Sc DeChambeau, who won the ﬁrst two FedExCup

events last season, and long-hitting sensation eron Champ will further add to the growing an

tion while much is expected from Jordan Spiet New Year following a frustrating winless camp

season. The old boys including Mickelson and Woo KIRADECH APHIBARNRAT

in depth 10 wins ason – icipation tars such nson, Jon Xander ExCup th world-

cientist” p Playoff Camnticipa-

th in the paign last

ods have

JUSTIN ROSE

spiced things up by showing the young guns they are still very capable of winning the ones that matter. Mickelson, 48, claimed victory at the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship by beating Thomas, the 2017 FedExCup winner, in a playoff. Ultimately, all eyes will very much be on Woods, who produced a fairytale comeback by claiming an 80th PGA TOUR title at the TOUR Championship in August – a year after he told the world’s media, he wasn’t sure if he would be competing again after undergoing a fourth back injury. Winner of the inaugural FedExCup and holder of 14 major titles, the 43-year-old delivered one of the most extraordinary storylines witnessed in sport. He ﬁnished T2 in his only fourth start of his comeback before contending at The Open Championship and PGA Championship, ﬁnishing T6 and runner-up respectively. With each passing week, the roars grew louder and his

remarkable victory at Eastlake, his first in five years, sparked wild scenes which ended with Woods holding back tears on the 18th green. NBC reported its TV ratings spiked by 206% compared to the 2017 TOUR Championship, prompting observers to say Woods doesn’t just move the needle, he is in fact the needle. In the New Year, a fit-again Woods will resume his chase towards Sam Snead’s all-time 82 wins record on the PGA TOUR and also Jack Nicklaus’s 18 major titles. He is also keen to lock horns with his younger contemporaries. “The younger guys were on their way in when I was on my way out. You know, they had never really played against me when I was playing well. Whether it’s J.T. (Thomas), Jordan, now Bryson, Brooksy, it was just getting out here, getting started. I think that when my game is there, I feel like I’ve always been a tough person to beat,” said Woods. “They have jokingly been

SI-WOO-KIM

THESE CHANGES ALLOW FOR MORE VOLATILITY AND DRAMA AND THE OPTION FOR THE

TOUR TO PUT FORTH

ADDITIONAL ENHANCEMENTS TO MAKE THE SEASON INCREDIBLY COMPELLING, AGAIN, FROM START TO FINISH. saying that, “We want to go against you.” All right … here you go.” Asia’s charge in 2019 will very much be led by its highest ranked player in the world, Japanese star Hideki

– JAY MONAHAN

PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan believes changes to the TOUR Schedule, which effectively sees the TOUR’s ﬂagship event, THE PLAYERS Championship moving into a

March slot, proceeded by The Masters Tournament in April, PGA Championship in May, U.S. Open in June, The Open Championship in July and the FedExCup Playoffs, which culminates with

Matsuyama, who at 26 years of age is already a ﬁve-time PGA TOUR champion. The focus will also be on new kid

the season-ﬁnale TOUR Championship in August, will provide the drama and excitement so often associated to the world’s leading professional golf tour.

on the block, Kiradech Aphibarnrat who is the ﬁrst golfer from Thailand to earn a PGA TOUR card. “I’m looking

“These changes allow for more volatility and drama and the option for the TOUR to put forth additional en-

forward to playing my best golf on the PGA TOUR. It is a dream come true and I hope I can make my country

hancements to make the season incredibly compelling, again, from start to ﬁnish,” said Monahan.

proud,” said the 29-year-old, who posted three top-ﬁves in the World Golf Championships events last year.

The new FedExCup champion in 2019 will earn a whopping US$15 million in bonus after FedEx doubled

Korea’s Si Woo Kim, the youngest winner at THE PLAYERS Championship in 2017, Byeonghun An, India’s

its bonus pool from US$35 million to US$70 million. “You’ll see comprehensive player earnings jump to

Anirban Lahiri and C.T. Pan of Chinese Taipei are amongst those touted as potential winners on the PGA TOUR. They

over $500 million in 2019, a jump of 12%, something that we’re proud of. They’ve got to go out and they’ve

also share a common goal of trying to make the International Team to face the United States in the Presidents

got to earn it. The No. 1 player in the FedExCup (in 2019) will earn roughly US$27 million. Lots on the

Cup at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Australia from December 9 to 15, 2019.

line; every single shot in the FedExCup season every week.”

Now, based on Yao Mingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success, can golf expect to generate the same sort o in China? The likelihood of this happening is very real given the growing interes game in China and the work that the giant PGA TOUR is doing to grow the game in direct collaboration with the Chinese PGA.

of results st of the e in China

How many of you recall when the Chinese gentle giant Yao Ming hit the basketball court in America? It was historic both for the game and for China! More people were amazed by the Chinese import’s size than his ability to play the game at the highest level in the world which is the NBA. Yao Ming had a stellar career with the Houston Rockets and is now retired from the game but his star-studded career in America has resulted in some 300 million people playing basketball in China today. That is the size of the population of the United States, and, in large part, the game owes it to Yao Ming. Yao Ming, often referred to as “The Moving Great Wall,” stands at a towering 7ft 6in. and has accomplished more on the international sports scene in a few short years than any other Chinese athlete before or since. Through his basketball achievements, he set off a new wave of excitement and interest and became a symbol of China’s basketball hopes for generations to come. The NBA took full advantage of the Yao Ming craze to expand growth of the league and to promote basketball in China. The Yao Ming effect has extended beyond the game and its players. His name and his popularity have brought huge profits to the NBA. Today, the NBA brand is alive and well in the world’s most populous nation and merchandise with the NBA logo is everywhere. China has become the NBA’s biggest market after North America – thanks to Yao Ming.

JAY MONAHAN AND DAVID ZASLAV

THERE’S NO QUESTION THAT THE SKY IS THE LIMIT WITH AN EMERGING GOLF MARKET

CHINA. I READ THE OTHER DAY THAT AS MANY 300 MILLION PEOPLE IN CHINA WATCHED THE NBA’S HOUSTON ROCKETS RETIRE YAO MING’S NO. 11 JERSEY TO COINCIDE WITH THE CHINESE LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE IMPACT A GOLFER WITH YAO MING’S STAR POWER WOULD HAVE ON THE PGA TOUR’S GROWTH IN CHINA. – YAO MING LIKE AS

n a wide-ranging discussion that ASIAN GOLF conducted with the PGA TOUR’s Commissioner Jay Monahan, the game’s top honcho observed: “We see continued strides for the PGA TOUR China, which has done wonders for growth and awareness of the game throughout China.” In reference to Yao Ming’s effect on on the growth of basketball in China, Monahan said, “There’s no question that the sky is the limit with an emerging golf market like China. I read the other day that as many as 300 million people in China watched the NBA’s Houston Rockets retire Yao Ming’s No. 11 jersey to coincide with the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration. I can only imagine the impact a golfer with Yao Ming’s star power would have on the PGA TOUR’s growth in China.” The odyssey to create a Chinese golf super-star seems to have started. “Just last year, we had our ﬁrst-ever PGA TOUR members from China, Zhang Xinjun and Marty Dou Zecheng, who matriculated through the PGA TOUR China and the Web. com Tour and China’s current top player, Haotong Li, is a member of the European Tour but got his professional start on PGA TOUR China in 2014, capturing the Order of Merit,” Monahan explained. The pathway has already been created and with the legions of young promising talent amongst golfers in China, the special “Yao Ming” moment may not be too far away! ASIAN GOLF, a media partner with the PGA TOUR is proud to present excerpts from its exclusive interview with Monahan which serves as an excellent curtain raiser for the 2019/2020 PGA TOUR season:

ASIAN GOLF: How do you look back on 2018? Would you describe it as a good year for the PGA TOUR? JAY MONAHAN: Competitively, I can’t remember having more storylines on a weekly basis and our attendance, television ratings, media coverage and our trafﬁc on social media

reflected that. Our fields were certainly deeper, more international and packed with more star power and drama week-toweek. Justin Rose edged Tiger Woods at the TOUR Championship to win his first-ever FedExCup, and now has the FedExCup, an Olympic Gold Medal, a major championship and five Ryder Cup appearances on his resume, not to mention eight other PGA TOUR wins. Tiger’s re-emergence into the winner’s circle at the TOUR Championship furthered an existing storyline, one of golf’s all-time greats competing against the current generation of stars he inspired to take up the game with his on-course heroics – Hideki Matsuyama, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Jason Day, Brooks Koepka and many more. I’m also very proud of the role our players have taken in engaging our fans, on and off the course. Fans are our No. 1 priority – they are passionate about golf and the PGA TOUR. Our players recognize this and have gone above and beyond in connecting with our fans throughout the world.

ASIAN GOLF: Looking ahead into 2019 and beyond, what do you see as some of the key developments to look forward to insofar as the PGA TOUR is concerned? MONAHAN: From a competitions standpoint, there were several significant announcements made in 2018 that will positively impact the PGA TOUR in 2019. The first announcement we made in July was our new schedule starting in 2018-19 with an improved flow, from start-to-finish – the lynchpin being THE PLAYERS moving to March and the PGA Championship to May, creating five straight months of significant championships, with three FedExCup Playoffs events to follow as we conclude the season in August with the TOUR Championship. We’ve also added a Regular Season Bonus to our season-long FedExCup competition, the Wyndham Rewards Top 10 – with $2 million being awarded to the Regular Season FedExCup points leader with a total of 10 players earning bonuses. The Wyndham Rewards will provide extra incen-

JAY MONAHAN AND HIDEKI MATSUYAMA

WE EMBRACE THE INCREDIBLY DEEP POOL OF TALENT WE HAVE ON THE

PGA TOUR AND THAT INCLUDES TIGER. THE STARS OF TODAY – HIDEKI MATSUYAMA, JORDAN SPIETH, BROOKS KOEPKA, JUSTIN THOMAS, RORY MCILROY AND OTHERS - GREW UP IDOLIZING TIGER AND SOME ARE PLAYING GOLF SOLELY BECAUSE OF HIM. FOR THEM, MATCHING UP AGAINST A HEALTHY AND COMPETITIVE TIGER IS A DREAM COME TRUE – THAT STORYLINE IS SOMETHING NO OTHER SPORT CAN OFFER TO ITS FANS.

NOW THAT HE HAS WIN NO. 80 IN THE BOOKS, AN ADDITIONAL STORYLINE IN 2019 WILL BE HIS PURSUIT OF SAM SNEAD’S PGA TOUR-RECORD 82 VICTORIES AGAINST THIS STABLE OF STARS.

tive to our membership and will add excitement for fans throughout the Regular Season. Finally, we made significa changes to the TOUR Championship scoring structure, crea ing a simplified, strokes-based scoring system that crowns a singular champion – win the TOUR Championship and yo are the FedExCup champion. It’s that simple, and we have doubt it will create a compelling, dramatic conclusion for t TOUR’s ultimate prize. The new schedule – coupled with the Wyndham Rewards Top 10 and the significant competitive changes we’ve made to the TOUR Championship -- will allow our fans to better follow and engage in the PGA TOUR throughout the Regular Season and the FedExCup Playoffs. Growing and diversifying our fan base while keeping the core fan engage is at the top of our ‘to do’ list and an improved schedule wi help in that regard. On the international front, we had a significant announcement last June, a partnership with Discovery. This 12-year agreement will manage multi-platform live rights, outside the U.S. starting in January of 2019 under the bran GOLFTV powered by the PGA TOUR. On the day of the announcement, David Zaslav, Discovery CEO, was quoted as saying that “The PGA TOUR is the most compelling interna tional sports IP in the world.”

We agree, and we’re thrilled to kick off this partnership in 2019 with Discovery, a world leader in managing global sports rights, optimizing viewership and engagement on its own and partner platforms. This is an unprecedented opportunity for the TOUR to exponentially grow its international media business and brand, reach a global audience including Asia and impact the game of golf as a whole. We also announced the creation of the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, the first-ever official PGA TOUR event in Japan, to be played in 2019. Japan was one of the original pioneers for golf in Asia and has an incredibly rich history in professional golf dating around the world thanks to World Golf Hall of Fame members Isao Ioki and Jumbo Ozaki, along with Tommy Nakajima and many others. Hideki Matsuyama, carries the torch today for Japan, having won five PGA TOUR events and represented Japan at the Presidents Cup on two occasions. This is two years down the road, but we’re excited for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Having made a significant worldwide splash in golf’s return to the Olympics in 2016, we’re looking forward to building on that success in a country that embraces the game.

nt ats u no he

ed ll

ASIAN GOLF: The bulk of the PGA TOUR’s annual schedule is driven by stroke-play tournaments. While this has been the hallmark of the TOUR, do you feel that the time has come for the TOUR to consider changes in the form of new formats of play? MONAHAN: We’ve had an incredibly successful first two years with the two-man team format at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, this year instituting music as the players walk to the first tee. This year, at the TOUR Championship, we will introduce a strokes-based scoring system at the FedExCup Playoff finale that rewards players at the outset of the competition for outstanding play throughout the season. We’re excited about this new format as it simplifies the competition for players and fans alike and crowns a singular champion. These two examples are in addition to our existing match-play event (World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play) and Modified Stableford Event (Reno-Tahoe Tournament) that have also enjoyed success. In the future, while 72hole stroke play will always be the staple of our competitions, we’re looking at additional formats and tournamentrelated innovations that will present the PGA TOUR as the tremendous entertainment vehicle it is and build a larger and more diverse fan base.

ASIAN GOLF: Talking about fan interests in the professional game, there seems to be a preponderance of attention focused on Tiger Woods

– do you feel that in the greater interest of the professional game, the focus should be shifted to paying more attention to the depth of new talent on TOUR. Never has there been so much diversity on TOUR and it is only justiﬁable that everyone should move on beyond Tiger. What are your thoughts? MONAHAN: We embrace the incredibly deep pool of talent we have on the PGA TOUR and that includes Tiger. The stars of today – Hideki Matsuyama, Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy and others - grew up idolizing Tiger and some are playing golf solely because of him. For them, matching up against a healthy and competitive Tiger is a dream come true – that storyline is something no other sport can offer to its fans. Now that he has win No. 80 in the books, an additional storyline in 2019 will be his pursuit of Sam Snead’s PGA TOURrecord 82 victories against this stable of stars.

ASIAN GOLF: Shifting gears, the PGA TOUR is now effectively a true “global tour” by virtue of the fact that you are in Canada, Latin America and Asia. Talk about how the TOUR has gone global and where you see this trend going in the years ahead? MONAHAN: Not only does the PGA TOUR play globally, with tournaments in seven countries or territories outside the United States, but our PGA TOUR Champions and Web.com Tour compete in international locales, too. It only made sense several years ago to extend our footprint with tours in Canada, China and throughout Latin America. We’ve seen tremendous dividends there and the reality is, there are one or two generations of players and fans who’ve only known this international look and feel. Why wouldn’t we continue to support it?

ASIAN GOLF: You have a very visible presence in Asia with three PGA TOUR tournaments and one Champions TOUR event amounting to some US $30 million in total prize monies. From this base, where do you see the PGA TOUR going in Asia? MONAHAN: We’ve been thrilled with the way the tournaments have performed in Asia in a relatively short period of time. Not just with the fans, who’ve been enthusiastic and supportive, but with our players. Look at the roster of winners in Malaysia, South Korea and China – names like Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Justin Rose, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Hideki Matsuyama, Ian Poulter, and Marc Leishman. These are world-class players who’ve grown up in this era of global golf and they embrace the opportunity to explore new

JAY MONAHAN AND TIGER WOODS

GIVING PLAYERS A STRONG, TOP-NOTCH TOUR WHERE THEY ARE ABLE TO PLAY CAN ONLY HELP TO STRENGTHEN GOLF IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD.

THE TOUR BRINGS SO MUCH

TALENT TOGETHER EACH WEEK THAT IT ALLOWS PLAYERS TO MEASURE THEIR GAMES IN A MEANINGFUL WAY AGAINST OTHER GIFTED COMPETITORS. frontiers, if you will, for their sport. Our Presidents Cup in South Korea in 2015 was a massive positive experience and undoubtably we’ll be back in Asia at some point with the event. As I mentioned earlier, we’re also excited about our ﬁrst-ever ofﬁcial PGA TOUR tournament in Japan next with the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP as the event joins our events in South Korea and China.

ASIAN GOLF: Some observers feel that the “open status” of the China PGA TOUR will go beyond just developing Chinese professional talent. This is good, and do you see it in the same light?

MONAHAN: While players from China have won more tournaments than players from any other country, winners on this Tour have come from nine different countries since 2014. Because of where the Tour is located as the only PGA TOUR-afﬁliated Tour in this part of the world, we attract players from all of Asia as well as Australia, New Zealand and other Paciﬁc Rim countries. Yechun Yuan had a solid season, playing half the year as an amateur and the other half as a professional. The fact he won as an amateur underscores his ability. Nick Voke also came to China from New Zealand and immediately made his presence felt, winning three times this past season. He’s now on his way to the Web.com Tour. Guys want to measure their games against the best possible competition, and Yechun and Nick—and everybody else—were able to do that. Giving players a strong, topnotch Tour where they are able to play can only help to strengthen golf in this part of the world. The Tour brings so much talent together each week that it allows players to measure their games in a meaningful way against other gifted competitors. I really feel we have the best of both worlds on PGA TOUR Series-China, with players from China like Haotong Li, Zecheng Dou and Xinjun Zhang really thriving on this Tour and those from other countries having the opportunity to do the same thing.

The Asia PaciÄc Golf Group (APGG), the

Commenting on the award, CEO Mike

publisher of ASIAN GOLF and the owner/ producer of the highly regarded Asia PaciÄc Golf Summit (APGS) and the Asian Golf

Sebastian said, “It is indeed an honour to be recognised for the work that we do and

Awards has received an international award of its own.

it is a humbling experience to be selected for this award – if anything at all, this award will inspire and motivate us to raise the benchmark and try to do better.”

The British-based APAC Insider organization has recognised APGG as the “Most Dynamic Sports Growth Company 2018 – Asia”.

ASIAN GOLF was awarded the “Best Golf Publication In The Asia PaciÄc for 2017/2018” for APAC Insider also.

www.asiapaciÄcgolfgroup.com | www.golfconference.org | www.asiangolfawards.com