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Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage site is set to become the home for Vietnam’s and Asia’s newest golf course. It is a spell-binding setting for what is perhaps going to be the finest show-piece for a full links type course not only in Vietnam but in all of Asia! It is designed by the award-winning legendary golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr and the entire project will be Vietnam’s largest development, occupying some 985 hectares in total with more than 4 km of beach. Once completed, this will be one of Vietnam’s most significant tourism destinations involving a total investment of some US$4 billion. This is an ASIAN GOLF exclusive.
18 FASHION TREND
GAME-IMPROVEMENT
A FOOTJOY BUILT FOR USAIN BOLT
56 BLACK HAT TIPS: HOW GOOD IS YOUR AIM?
FootJoy, the reputed number one shoe in golf has turned the golf shoe industry on its head with the launch of its latest model. Branded as the “FJ FURY” the all new sensation is being billed as a performance product like none other.
This month’s Black Hat Golf Tip places special emphasis on “getting your aim right”. What resident golf guru Tony Meechai has to offer will help you rack up better scores and to enjoy your game in the process!
12
STYLE ROLLS INTO ASIA! The new Spring Summer 2019 men’s collection of Peter Millar features an extensive line-up of essential on and off-course garments. The collection includes everything from classic polos and second layers to trousers, shorts, outerwear and accessories in an assortment of fashion-driven designs, attractive colours and variety of fit options.
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EQUIPMENT FOCUS BOOSTER POWER FOR NEW PING IRONS One manufacturer that has taken the quest for more distance with irons is PING, arguably one of the top brands for irons. On the market right now is the brand new G410 irons and not only are these beauties but the clubs also are hot when it comes to distance play. Together with these power irons, PING has also launched its full range of G410 woods, hybrids and cross-overs.
48 SPECIAL FEATURE PGA TOUR: ISHIKAWA AWAITS THE “SNOW-WHITE” KISS!
REGULARS 8 EDITORIAL TEAM 10 SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER
Ryo Ishikawa, the one-time teenage golf sensation from Japan seems to have lost his Midas touch ever since he took his game to North America. He got onto the PGA Tour and shortly thereafter, seemed to fall into a deep slumber. Is he ready to be given a “Snow White” kiss to get him back on track? The PGA Tour’s Chuah Choo Chiang reports.
APGS 2019 IS INDIA-BOUND!
The Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS), the longest running summit on the business of golf is now in its thirteenth year and it is only fitting that it is headed to one of the Planet’s oldest civilisation – INDIA!
62
PGA TOUR: THE ‘SPECIAL ONE’ IS SET TO RETURN Hot or cold, rain or shine, March or May, the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass doesn’t much care where it rests on the calendar. It still plans on testing the limits of the world’s top golfers no matter when they arrive in Ponte Vedra Beach. Here’s a preview to the ‘Fifth Major’ – the Players Championship.
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Mike Sebastian
INTERNATIONAL ROVING EDITOR
Editor/Chief Executive Officer [mike@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
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The Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS), the longest running summit on the business of golf is now in its thirteenth year and it is only fitting that it is headed to one of the Planet’s oldest civilisation – INDIA! India is no stranger to golf when you consider that it is home to the Royal Calcutta Golf Club which was established in 1829 and is the oldest golf club in India and the first outside Britain. This is some testimony to golf and to India.
THE PARADOX OF INDIA IS THAT WHILE IT IS WRAPPED UP IN A MYTHICAL VEIL OF MAGICAL WONDER DATING BACK TO CENTURIES, IT IS ALSO A NATION THAT IS RIGHT IN THE MIDST OF THE
21ST CENTURY AND ACTIVELY MAKING MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS MODERN CIVILISATION. IT POSSESSES THE HUNGER AND DRIVE TO EMBRACE WHAT IS NEW AND TO DRIVE CURRENT TRENDS IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE TO NEW HEIGHTS.
ILKA SIN JEEV M
JUN AR
AL ATW
GH
A
gainst this backdrop, the staging of APGS 2019 is both historic and a milestone. The Summit could not have asked for a more colourful and historic setting than India which offers a spectacular tapestry of rich and exotic culture and tradition that spans a period of more than 5,000 years. Unlike past Summits, APGS 2019 aims to look at the future of golf through the prism of the vision and wisdom of an ancient land with the hope of drawing new inspiration to guide the industry forward into the future. The paradox of India is that while it is wrapped up in a mythical veil of magical wonder dating back to centuries, it is also a nation that is right in the midst of the 21st century and actively making major contributions towards modern civilisation. It possesses the hunger and drive to embrace what is new and to drive current trends in all walks of life to new heights. It is this vibrance that prompted APGS 2019 to select India to be the venue for the Summit. “We have considered India as a possible venue since 2012 but we did not have the fortitude to take on the challenge of staging APGS in a nation as vast and diverse as
JYOTI RANDHAWA
SHIV KAPUR
India,” said Mike Sebastian, chief executive officer of the Asia Pacific Golf Group, the owner and producer of APGS. “We believe that we have a venue and a country that is going to lead the thrust and growth of golf in Asia and together with China and the rest of Asia, we will see a whole new world centre for golf emerge in the not too distant future,” declared Sebastian. India is already a force especially in professional golf with the likes of early pioneers like Jeev Milka Singh and Arjun Atwal who took Indian golf to the world stage. Arjun has gone down in history as the first Indian who earned full playing rights on the PGA Tour and won a tournament on that Tour. He was also the first man to win over US$1 million on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit in 2003. Collectively, Atwal together with Singh, Jyoti Randhawa, Shiv Kapur and Shubhankar Sharma have demonstrated to the world that the second world’s most populous nation in the world has the pedigree and the game to play host to APGS 2019. The venue for APGS 2019 will be the stunning cyber-city of Gurugram which serves as a spectacular show-piece of the new face of India. It is also the home to DLF Golf Club, the nation’s foremost golf club and arguably amongst the best in the world.
M AR SHAR SHUBHANK
A
The show-dates will be in the last week of October and the first week of November 2019 and will be confirmed in early March. “We can assure you that in keeping to the true form of APGS, we will unveil some of the industry’s biggest names and the programme will feature a fascinating blend of new speakers and some of the favourite stalwarts of the Summit,” said Sebastian. According to Sebastian, while there is an official Summit hotel, the luxurious Taj City Centre Hotel, the Summit proper will be staged on the sprawling gardens of the DLF Golf Club. “A giant air-conditioned marquee tent will be constructed, complete with sophisticated sound and lighting systems and it will be the setting for APGS 2019 – it will be the first time that the Summit will actually be staged in and on a golf course,” Sebastian pointed out. A full infrastructure will be assembled to address all the needs of delegates and with DLF playing host, international delegates can look forward to a splendid “Maharajah’s” experience. Their aim is to stage the ‘biggest and the best’ Summit to date! The theme for APGS 2019 will be centred around “A 5G - Mindset For Golf’s Future”. It is analogous to the mind-numbing disruptive changes
that the much awaited 5G technology is going to bring to the world. What is happening in the telco industry sets the stage on why and how the golf industry needs to adapt and cope with the hyper change that is looming! The Summit will draw experts from all over the world and their prime focus will be to share proven best practices in the field of golf club and golf course management and like in the past, APGS 2019, will show-case leading edge know-how designed to help Asian operators to be the best that they can be! Besides the Summit, India will also play host to the grand 20th Anniversary of the prestigious ASIAN GOLF AWARDS, the industry’s version of the ‘Oscars’. The Asian Golf Awards on-line poll will be activated on April 1, 2019 and will be “live” for three months. THE BOLD DECISION has been taken and with the pace of golf course development hitting a frenetic pace in China, South Korea, Vietnam and India, there has never been a better time for the golf industry to come together and prepare for a road map to make Asia the new home of golf in the world! The official web site of APGS 2019 will be going “live” on March 20,2019 and you can check it out at www.golfconference.org India is all set to welcome you for a wonderful and colourful experience like no other!
A FULL INFRASTRUCTURE WILL BE ASSEMBLED TO ADDRESS ALL THE NEEDS OF DELEGATES AND WITH DLF PLAYING HOST, INTERNATIONAL DELEGATES CAN LOOK FORWARD TO A SPLENDID “MAHARAJAH’S” EXPERIENCE. THEIR AIM IS TO STAGE THE ‘BIGGEST AND THE BEST’ SUMMIT TO DATE!
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The headline reads like a prelude saw and how he sculptured what mation started some three years be more speciďŹ c, the land is in H living museum that houses old-to wooden shop-houses, French-col longer a large-scale trading centr UNESCO World Heritage site. This considered one of the most beaut for Vietnam’s newest golf course a
e to a development of biblical proportions. In many ways it is because it deals with what one man t was already a natural work of art by Mother Nature into a stunning masterpiece. The transforago on an idyllic strip of land along a coastline stretching over 3,260 kilometres of Vietnam. To oi An, once a major Southeast Asian trading post in the 16th and 17th centuries. It is basically a own architecture some of which are notable heritage buildings made up of old Chinese temples, lonial style houses, old canals, a Japanese-designed bridge and quaint pagodas. Today Hoi An, no re, has been successful in preserving and restoring its charming roots and in 1999 was declared a s land has left many impressions on travellers with its immensely beautiful Cua Dai beach which is tiful beaches on the coastline of not only Vietnam but also in Asia. This is the spell-binding setting and perhaps the ďŹ nest show-piece for a full links type course not only in Vietnam but in all of Asia!
The sign of a great golf course is that you finish and want to come back again. – ROBERT TRENT JONES JR.
T
he master craftsman who brought this course to life against a stunning natural backdrop is the legendary golf course architect
Robert Trent Jones Jr. The course has been named Hoiana Shores and not only is it Trent Jones’s first foray into Vietnam, but it also joins the company of other historic courses designed by the award-winning architect like the now famous Chambers Bay, a tour de force for by Jones. Hoiana Shores is located just 30 km south of Danang City and the International Airport and fifteen minutes from the centre of the Ancient town of Hoi An. While everyone waits with bated breath for the soft opening of Hoiana Shores in Q3, 2019, a grand official opening is scheduled for late 2019, along with all the elements of Phase One of this fully integrated resort. ASIAN GOLF decided to sit down with the man who has been nurturing this project like an expectant father – Ben Styles, Vice President of Golf. The following are excerpts from the discussion:
FROM A GOLF PERSPECTIVE, THE NEW COURSE PAYS UNSTINTING HOMAGE TO GOLF’S OWN HISTORY, ITS OWN TIME-HONOURED TRADITIONS - FROM THE PURE LINKS DESIGN, TO THE 19TH CENTURY-STYLE CLUBHOUSE, TO OUR EXPERT CADDIE CORPS, TO THE EMPHASIS ON HITTING SHOTS AND WATCHING THE BALL ROLL. IN OUR OWN SMALL WAY, WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO INTEGRATE GOLF’S HISTORY WITH HOI AN’S HISTORY. ASIAN GOLF: What exactly were the factors that prompted the construction of a golf course in what effectively is a quiet and historic ancient city? Why Hoi An?
BEN STYLES: Well, on an elemental level, great golf courses are produced by great terrain and the site here on the beach, just south of Hoi An, is the stuff of golfers’ dreams. The finest links courses on the planet require sand, enormous quantities of sand - above ground, to account for the natural landforms that makes for compelling golf holes, but also beneath the turf layer to create the firm, fast, bouncy conditions on which links design elements rely. Sand has a partner above ground – the wind. Together they create the dunescape, the natural corridors for fairways, the nooks for greens to sit in, the outcrops where tees are perched. Hoiana Shores is no different. Golfers will instantly recognize they are playing across terrain formed eons ago, terrain largely untouched by Man. When I first visited this site in 2016, I could see all these elements in place. Anyone could. The fact that it’s a stone’s throw from the ancient town of Hoi An is just a bonus.
B BEN STYLES STYL ES
ROBERT ROBE RT TRENT T JON NES II II
ASIAN GOLF: There is no denying that the
cially when viewed in the context of its stat How will the addition of the new golf cours
STYLES: We have strongly embraced the essen
and traditions - we see our golf course as a furthe
a breath-taking heritage city lost in time. I would a
another UNESCO site anywhere in Asia where hist
closely beside a golf experience as good as Hoiana
tive, the new course pays unstinting homage to go
honoured traditions - from the pure links design, t house, to our expert caddie corps, to the emphasi the ball roll. In our own small way, we have attem
with Hoi An’s history. For example, there are no fla will be adorned with red lanterns, the likes of whi
night. After all, there is a reason why it’s called ‘Th
HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN
e setting is unique espetus as a UN Heritage Site. se change things in Hoi An?
nce of Hoi An, its culture
er enhancement of what is
add that I cannot think of
tory, culture and tradition sit so
a Shores. From a golf perspec-
olf’s own history, its own time-
to the 19th century-style club-
s on hitting shots and watching
pted to integrate golf’s history
ags on the course. The pins
ch illuminate the Old Town at
he City of Lanterns’.
HOI AN RIVER
THESE TYPES OF BEACHFRONT SITES ARE SO RARE
- MOST ARCHITECTS
WORK AN ENTIRE LIFETIME AND NEVER GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK AN ALL-SAND ENVIRONMENT LIKE THIS ONE. ASIAN GOLF: You have engaged the services of the leg-
an entire lifetime and never get the opportunity to w environment like this one.
ASIAN GOLF: How did Robert Trent Jones
first set foot on the site for the new course?
STYLES: He was impressed. If there was ever a
how to create and recreate such a natural golf cour excellent example is Chambers Bay in America wh
gravel pit that was transformed into a links on Pug
endary Robert Trent Jones Jr. to design and build the new course. What was the rationale behind selecting RTJII?
Hoiana Shores is just pure sand - 80 hectares of sa
STYLES: Robert Trent Jones Jnr. has created dozens and dozens
and build golf courses go crazy for sand because th
of world-class courses around the world, in every imaginable envi-
golf; they want a chance at creating the next Machr
ronment. He created a links courses at Chambers Bay that hosted
the next Ballybunion (Ireland), the next Royal Melbo
the 2015 U.S. Open (just 8 years after it opened). He just christened
But sand is also the most manipulatable soil mediu
a new links course in Ireland, Hogs Head. We knew he was the man
so much natural terrain here, shaped by the wind a
to get the most from this piece of terrain and make the same sort
But where something needs creating, it can be don
of global impression with his first Vietnamese design. Furthermore,
ily. It’s an architect’s dream. Something the legend
these types of beachfront sites are so rare - most architects work
resonated with me that this truly is a great sympho
lapped by the East Sea. It’s all about the sand. The
work an all-sand
II react when he
? designer that knew
rse its RTJ. An
ich was a former et Sound. Similarly,
andy dunescape folks who design
hey all adore links
rihanish (Scotland),
ourne (Austalia).
um there is. There is
and sea over eons.
ne quickly and eas-
ary architect said
ony of golf.
ASIAN GOLF: What sort of a course can we expect to see?
STYLES: Well, it’s a full-on links course, mostly treeless and carved right from the dunes. We have 5 holes that come in direct contact with sea, but I must tell you, some of my favourite holes are inland — though when I say inland, it’s all relative. Even on 6 and 7, the furthest one ever gets from the East Sea, you’re only half a kilometre from the surf.
ASIAN GOLF: The fact that it’s an all-links course skirting the coastline, wind and the elements are going to be major factors affecting play. That said, are we looking at a user-friendly course or one designed for serious and avid golfer?
STYLES: In my opinion, most golf courses designed in the
modern era do their best to cater for both a Championship
STYLES: Every course construction effort has challenges
Tour event and everyday play. We want golfers to feel chal-
- this is my third time being involved in a build project of this
lenged and if they play well, then they will be rewarded. If
scale in Vietnam and while it’s fascinating and rewarding
their game is off, then they can take measures around the
work, sometimes I watch the process and marvel at the
course to play ‘sound golf’ and look for pars rather than the
magnitude of the undertaking. And it must be said, while this
aggressive lines and pin locations. Like many of the world’s
site was undeveloped when we started our work, it had been
top Links courses, Hoiana Shores has generous fairways, it
degraded in any number of ways through hundreds of years
needs to do with the prevailing winds the blow on shore and
of local deforestation, fish farming and erosion. In the golf
then turn around 180 degrees for other months of the year.
context, at the seaside, the big challenges are always wind
Additionally, Bobby has designed long ribbon tees that allow a
and erosion. A natural feature that may have been here when
huge flexibility in the hole length and playability.
Jones was on site last September, might be quite different
ASIAN GOLF: Let’s shift gears and talk about the
just two months later — on account of the unceasing wind!
challenges involved in designing and building the course. If there were challenges, what were they and how did you overcome them?
Methodically keeping all the shaping moist and in place - on a site of some 80 hectares - is an extraordinary undertaking. As it can be during any round of golf (but especially here), the wind can be your worst enemy and your best friend.
THERE WILL BE THREE HOTELS WITH 1,321 ROOMS, SUITES AND VILLAS, IN ADDITION TO HOIANA SHORES GC, IN THE FIRST OPERATIONAL PHASE. THERE ARE ADDITIONAL FACILITIES IN PLANNING, AS PART OF FUTURE PHASES - A RETAIL VILLAGE, AND MORE ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS.
tain the beach they have. Shaping then grassing a golf course is about the most effective anti-erosion strategy you could hope for, and we’ll be using the new Zeon Zoysia turfgrass, one of the least thirsty strains of turf ever developed. In the outlying dune areas, we’ve used a collection of native grasses that, when they mature and spider out, will really hold that sand in place - in addition to being gorgeous.
ASIAN GOLF: How much of the natural topography
ASIAN GOLF: Staying with the big picture, we have been given to understand that this develop-
and landscape were changed as a result of the new golf course being built?
ment is an integrated resort. Besides the golf course, what else is being planned?
STYLES: Most of the big shapes you see out there, the big
STYLES: There will be three hotels with 1,321 rooms,
rolls of dunes across the site, shaped by prevailing winds
suites and villas, in addition to Hoiana Shores GC, in the
over decades, were utterly natural and preserved. The fine
first operational phase. There are additional facilities in
details, the green and tee pads, the bunkering - these were
planning, as part of future phases - a retail village, and
all created by the artistry of Jones and his team and the golf
more entertainment options. It’s all very exciting to be a
construction team. But look, these sandy, seaside expanses
part of and when all is said and done, this will be Vietnam’s
are all constantly shifting and changing over time. And let’s
largest development, occupying some 985 hectares in total
be honest, they’re continually eroding as well. There are
with more than 4 km of beach. Once completed, this will
dozens of spots along the Vietnamese coast - some quite
be one of Vietnam’s most significant tourism destinations
prominent resort areas - where it’s a struggle to main-
involving a total investment of some US$4 billion.
ASIAN GOLF: How would you describe the new
ence, something new and exotic. That’s changed. There’s
course against a backdrop of active golf course development in Vietnam? What sets your course apart from the rest of the pack?
been an evolution here, a maturation if you will. Today, this is
STYLES: Well, that’s part of the story we’ll be telling in
one of the planet’s most ambitious, fast-growing course development markets. We see Hoiana Shores as a culmination of this evolution, a synthesis of everything Vietnamese golf has been building toward these last 20 years, and on account
the coming months. Fifteen years ago, what few golf courses
of the traditional golf experience on offer here, we see it as
existed in Vietnam were, in essence, selling a cultural experi-
something utterly unique.
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What sort of a golf shoe would a champion athlete want to wear when he plays golf? If it is Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest sprinter, he is obviously going to want a pair that will suit his game and like the winner that he is, he is going to want a shoe that will not only match his performance but also give him that something extra that will take him over the edge in his game. Champions, especially super athletes like Bolt want and demand the best in anything when it comes to issues relating to performance. It is no secret that Bolt plays golf and, in this context, what we are about to introduce to you may be that ideal pair of golf shoes that would turn him on!
F
ootJoy, the reputed number one shoe in
responsive support with a new dynamic outsole that
golf has turned the golf shoe industry
delivers comfort and stability throughout your round,”
on its head with the launch of its lat-
Fryer added.
est model. The shoe of choice of more professional tour players in the world is
So what’s the hot scoop with the FURY being designed from the inside-out? Well, to start with, it
out with its most advanced shoe to date and based on
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all the hype around the product, it’s set to be a real
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Branded as the “FJ FURY” the all new sensation is
“Inside the shoe is a soft, stretch, one-piece Inner
being billed as a performance product like none other.
Fit Sleeve lasted underneath the insole board to provide
“We are really excited with the new FJ FURY,”
a secure fit with no tongue slippage, enveloping the foot
said Timothy Yoong, FJ’s regional brand manager. “It’s an exceptional combination of athletic styling with
in comfort and control,” explained Fryer. He went on to explain, that the FURY’s external
outstanding athletic performance and infused with
FlexGrid MLC cage system adds structure to the upper
superb in-shoe comfort. Everything that the athleti-
and locks the user in as he laces up, offering medial and
cally inspired golfer is looking for to help him play his
lateral support and motion control through the swing.
best round ever.” Besides the athletic styling, the FURY comes
Another unique feature of the FURY is that it generates custom comfort with an OrthoLite
completely loaded with the most feature-laden compo-
Impressions FitBed which
nent package in its class. “It is important to note that
is comprised of
this has resulted in the FURY being designed, devel-
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oped and engineered to deliver all-around comfort and
foam - an Open
performance”, declared Yoong.
Cell PU Foam that
The FURY is the latest addition to FJ’s perfor-
maintains its mechani-
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cal properties and
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cushion throughout
includes an internal fit system that focuses on fit,
its life cycle, and an
comfort and support.
Impressions Foam that
“With the FURY, we created a product that was designed from the inside-out,” said Richard Fryer,
takes an impression of your foot, creating a custom fit.
director of Product Management at FJ Footwear. “As a
If you are wondering how so
result, the FURY’s TruFit System balances lightweight,
much technology has been packaged
I PUT THESE INTO PLAY IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE THEY LOOK AND FEEL SO ATHLETIC.
I’M
AMAZED THAT A SHOE THAT IS SO COMFORTABLE CAN ALSO OFFER SO MUCH STABILITY.
– RAFA CABRERA BELLO
in a shoe, just hold on, because there’s more to come!
Bello. “I’m amazed that a shoe that is so comfortable can
The all-new D3 Outsole on the FURY ensures a solid,
also offer so much stability.” Another professional, Brandon
rigid platform for lateral in-swing stability and turf-grab-
Stone chipped in by stating, “I’m into my fitness so I love the
bing traction, while the FTF+ (Fine Tuned Foam) infused
athletic look ….. I’m amazed with the breathability.”
midsole delivers incredible comfort and cushioning. The Liquid Metal-inspired Flex Layer of TPU and Dy-
Well, what more can be said! If it is performance that you are looking for that comes packaged in
namic Low Profile Pulsar Cleats deliver heel-to-toe walk-
what is perhaps the most comfortable
ing flexibility and crouch flex when reading putts, providing
golf shoe available today, trot on
the most flexible, green-friendly cleat on the market. Now, you should understand why the FURY is a performance golf shoe – it’s a winner through and through! The FURY’s athletic-inspired design features a full grain, waterproof leather upper, waterproof membrane and a vented toe for breathability that is coated for protection. Now you understand why the FURY would be a perfect fit for Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man! It is engineered and designed to provide the ultimate athletic performance and Tour players have already made the switch to wear FURY in practice and in play at tournaments around the world. “I put these into play immediately because they look and feel so athletic,” said Spanish ace Rafa Cabrera
over to your nearest FJ stockist, get fitted and charge right out onto the golf course!
The most domin are the usual ma and a bunch of o ket place. Given for another play answer is a very high-end of the golfers who seek ity, style and ele Peter Millar to it brand to grow bo begins to pick u veiled its new S and it features a and sophisticate
ant brands when it comes to golf apparel ainstays made up of Nike, Adidas, FootJoy others. It is without doubt a crowded marthis setting, one wonders if there is room yer in the Asian golf apparel market? The y afďŹ rmative YES! And that market is at the supply chain where there is a segment of k out apparel that is all about top-end qualegance. ASIAN GOLF is proud to welcome ts stomping ground and we expect this oth in presence and range as demand up pace. Peter Millar has just unSpring/Summer collection for 2019 pparel designed with performance fabrics ed style.
T
he new Spring Summer 2019 men’s
brand has grown into a premium international lifestyle
collection features an extensive line-up
brand featuring a wide range of casual sportswear, tai-
of essential on and off-course garments.
lored menswear and luxury performance golf apparel.
The collection includes everything
In 2012, the company was acquired by Richemont SA,
from classic polos and second layers to
a Swiss-based luxury goods holding company whose
trousers, shorts, outerwear and accessories in an as-
brands include Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Montblanc,
sortment of fashion-driven designs, attractive colours
Vacheron Constantin and Jaeger-LeCoultre.
and variety of fit options. Before we do a deep dive on the brand’s products,
Distributed across hundreds of the best speciality retail stores as well as the most prestigious resorts
let’s set-up the company behind the brand, Peter
and golf clubs around the world, the Peter Millar prod-
Millar. Peter Millar has become the standard bearer in
uct line embraces timeless style with a modern air and
golf lifestyle clothing for discerning and stylish individ-
keen attention to detail. It was official apparel licensee
uals who demand the very best in fit and performance.
for the 2018 Ryder Cup.
Founded in 2001 with a single cashmere sweater, the
Peter Millar is worn by some of the leading tour
professionals around the world, including the likes of profession Brandt Snedeker, Sn Bill Hass, Branden Grace, Si Woo Kim, Chez Rea Reavie, Matteo Manassero and Jamie Donaldson.
to
ne
that you have been given an Insight to the company, Now tha
th
let’s check che out the 2019 Spring/Summer range.
Pr
Embracing timeless style with modern air and a Em
ex
attention to detail, Peter Millar designers have keen at
de
delivered a collection that inspires with garments delivere
in
can be effortlessly coordinated and layered right that ca
se
through the range. Popular Peter Millar garments have throug
wi
with the addition of new colours as well been enhanced e as an array of new styles that showcase modern inter-
of
pretations of classic styles, playful embossed prints pretat
on
engineered stripes, all constructed using luxury and e
th
performance fabrics. perfo
clu
AS A PREMIUM CLOTHING BRAND, WE ARE COMMITTED TO DELIVERING THE BEST GOLF ATTIRE ON THE
SPRING SUMMER COLLECTION CERTAINMARKET AND OUR NEW
LY SHOWCASES THE BEST YET FROM
PETER MILLAR.
– ALLAN MARTIN
“As a premium clothing brand, we are committed delivering the best golf attire on the market and our
ew Spring Summer collection certainly showcases
e best yet from Peter Millar,” said Allan Martin,
resident, International Business. Martin brings
xperience, passion and strategic leadership
eveloped through more than 30 years the business, including a long stretch
erving as Senior Vice President of Worldde Sales for the FootJoy brand. “It’s testament to the quality and variety product our designers continue deliver year-
n-year that our brand can be found in some of
e most prestigious resorts and exclusive country
ubs around the world,” Martin said.
In conjunction with the lau
Spring/Summer 2019 collectio
that golf shoes, a wholly owned
2019 golf footwear collection. D
egance with the promise of lux
golf shoes are head-turners al
G/FORE, an edgy, more for
acquired by Peter Millar in 201 bought with it a more modern, golf shoes and golf accessorie
It’s a perfect match betwe
which represent apparel, golf f
For 2019 G/FORE has unve
‘Irreverent Elegance’ inspired S
lection. It features a stunning l styles in a variety of classic an
SS19 golf footwear collection e
and luxury comfort that has be Los Angeles-based brand.
IT’S TESTAME
AND VARIETY
DESIGNERS CONTINUE D
YEAR THAT OUR BRAND
SOME OF THE MOST PR
AND EXCLUSIVE COUNT THE WORLD.
The G/FORE SS19 footwea relevant street fashion and lux
embodies the G/FORE philosop
themselves whilst playing as w
fun and flair back into the gam Designed by G/FORE foun
Mossimo Giannulli, the new SS range of enhanced versions of Gallivanter models. These are
styles that showcase modern d superior performance and the style.
unch of the Peter Millar n, it has also been announced
d subsidiary, has launched its
Described as irreverent el-
xury performance, the GFORE
lright!
rward-thinking brand, was 8 and this acquisition has avant-garde outlook towards
s.
een two luxury lifestyle brands
footwear and accessories.
eiled its much-anticipated
Spring Summer footwear col-
line-up of men’s and women’s
d street inspired designs - the
exudes premium performance
ecome synonymous with the
ENT TO THE QUALITY
Y OF PRODUCT OUR
DELIVER YEAR-ON-
D CAN BE FOUND IN
RESTIGIOUS RESORTS
TRY CLUBS AROUND
ar collection fuses the most
ury engineering with golf and
phy of letting golfers express
well as injecting a little more
me.
der and creative visionary,
S19 collection features a core its popular Disruptor and in addition to an array of new
designs, premium detailing, perfect mix of street and
Whenever golfers get together, the focuses on how to hit the golf ball fur bad their standard of play, everyone like the constant search for the elusiv verbial fountain of youth, golf equipm envelope to produce equipment to ad matter of distance. There are numer new distance barriers and the same h how about irons? Good question be packing some power to generate mo the quest for more distance with iron irons. On the market right now is the beauties but the clubs also are hot w
one common topic of discussion invariably rther. Regardless of how good or mediocre or is in lock-step when it comes to distance. It’s ve fountain of youth. However, unlike the proment manufacturers are always pushing the ddress the needs of golfers as it relates to the rous drivers on the market that are breaking holds true for fairway woods and hybrids. But cause new generations of irons are also on re distance. One manufacturer that has taken ns is PING, arguably one of the top brands for brand new G410 irons and not only are these when it comes to distance play.
THE G410S ARE WITHOUT DOUBT THE MOST FORGIVING IRON OF ITS SIZE. IT WILL APPEAL TO A VERY WIDE RANGE OF GOLFERS AS IT PRODUCES FASTER BALL SPEEDS, MAXIMUM FORGIVENESS AND AMAZING FEEL AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT LOOKS GREAT!
A
SIAN GOLF checked out the G410 irons recently and
the way we engineer an iron. By increasing
while we were at it, we also put the G410 woods and hybrids on the test bed. Beginning with the G410
ball speed as much as we have in recent models, our irons launch much easier
irons, we discovered that these clubs are absolutely high-performance, game-improvement tools. “In the G410 iron, our engineers challenged the idea that
and higher than ever. As a result, we can experiment with the size and shape of the head while
you can’t make an iron smaller and increase the forgiveness at the same time,” said John K. Solheim, PING President. “They’ve developed a clean, highly appealing design with less offset and a
improving the MOI properties so critical to consistent performance.”
significantly higher MOI when compared to the G400 iron.” The G410s are without doubt the most forgiving iron of its size.
The clean, refined shape of the G410 iron results from
It will appeal to a very wide range of golfers as it produces faster ball speeds, maximum forgiveness and amazing feel and most importantly, it looks great! The G410s possess all the attributes
a slightly shorter blade length and 10% less offset compared to the G400 iron, creating an
needed for a golfer to hit iron shots higher, farther and straighter. With distance and forgiveness uppermost in their mind, PING’s engineering team created a face and cavity structure in
inspiring blade-iron-style look with broad appeal. Its resilient hydro pearl 2.0 finish provides an attractive appearance
the G410 iron that delivers faster ball speeds and saves weight to expand the perimeter weighting. The additional weight savings are
and contributes to smooth turf interaction. The full-cavity, co-molded aluminum and elastomer badge
concentrated in the toe and hosel to achieve an 8% increase in the moment of inertia (MOI) for more forgiveness and consistency. “The G410 iron represents several exciting iron design ad-
delivers a powerful, reassuring feel and sound. “We all know the first impression of any club design is
vancements for us,” said Solheim and he went on to add, “Our innovations like COR-Eye technology have allowed us to re-imagine
ues when the golfer solidly strikes that first shot,” said So “We’re seeing very positive results from our own data and
important. It starts with the appearance at address and co
s vitally ontinlheim. hearing
G410 IRON
outstanding feedback from others about every aspect of the design and performance of the G410 iron.” Like the new irons, PING has placed special emphasis on speed-generating face technology, maximized MOI’s and added adjustability as the cornerstones of its G410 fairway woods, hybrids and crossovers. One key point to note that in so doing, PING has worked at ensuring golfers have multiple options
“With maraging steel, we have a material that allows us to go extremely thin with the face to give us
fitters hav
the faster ball-speed gains we’re seeking for more
dial in the options in lie angle t Doing
distance and higher launch. The results have been amazing as we’re seeing face flexing equal to the thickness of the face,” explained Solheim. Touching on forgiveness, Solheim pointed out that in the G410 fairway woods, a low-back CG and
it to them
being pow
G410 fairw easily and
to properly gap their sets. “Our G410 fairways woods, hybrids and crossovers
high-density tungsten weight positioned at the extreme boundary of the head provides greater stability and
offer golfers multiple options to transition from their mid- and long-irons into clubs that are easier to hit and provide tremendous distance while maintaining the
forgiveness. A larger profile and high-density tungsten back weight in the G410 hybrid drive the MOI higher to ensure golfers the forgiveness they require while
necessary gapping benefits. They each provide varying performance features and launch characteristics. We’ve got everything from a low-spin 3-wood option
launching the ball higher. The G410 crossover, which has been streamlined to provide more iron-like performance, relies on a 30-gram dual-density tungsten toe
and a 2 crossover all the way to a 6 hybrid. We encourage all golfers to undergo a thorough gapping analysis
weight to maximize forgiveness. “Providing the most-forgiving clubs in the industry
with an authorized PING fitting specialist to determine their ideal set make-up,” said Solheim. To maximize distance in the G410 fairway woods,
remains a top priority for us,” Solheim stressed. “The use of multi-material construction and high-tech manufacturing processes allow us to consistently
hybrids and crossovers, PING has employed C300 maraging steel as the face material. One of the strongest alloys in the world, maraging steel is commonly used
increase the MOI and design clubs that fit the needs of all golfers. Whether they prefer the performance of a fairway wood, the reliability of a hybrid or the versatility
in the aerospace industry, where strength and flexibility are necessities. It’s those properties that also make it
of a crossover, golfers can always count on a certain level of forgiveness from our clubs.”
all-new, s and more shots high
an ideal face material to deliver more flexing for faster ball speeds that launch shots farther and higher.
“Loft and lie adjustability in the hybrids will greatly benefit golfers,” said Solheim. “It’s a technology our
that get ai swing spe
G410 HYBRID
trajectory positioned
model to d
while prov in the new able golfe
lie adjustm For th more heel
help squa (RH golfer
MOI highe launch. And fi
ve been asking for and we’re excited to bring to help golfers fine-tune their ball flight and ir gaps. We’ve also expanded the color code the crossover to further customize them for o better transition into an iron set.” g a deep-dive, ASIAN GOLF discovered that wered by a forged, maraging-steel face, the
way woods are engineered to launch the ball deliver faster ball speeds on a penetrating that maximizes distance. PING engineers d the low-back CG slightly forward of the G400 deliver more energy from the shallower face viding greater stability. Eight fitting positions w lightweight, aerodynamic hosel sleeve enrs to tune their trajectories through loft and ments. he G410 SFT (Straight Flight) Fairway Woods l-side weighting and a lighter swing weight re the face to create right-to-left shot bend rs). The heads are slightly larger to drive the er, and lofts are 1.5˚ higher to produce easier
finally, the G410 LST (Low Spin) 3-Wood, the lightly smaller head has a CG slightly lower forward than the standard head to launch her with less spin, resulting in longer shots rborne easily, a good fitting option for faster eds and high-spin golfers.
G410 FAIRWAY WOOD
WITH MARAGING STEEL, WE HAVE A MATERIAL THAT ALLOWS US TO GO EXTREMELY THIN WITH THE FACE TO GIVE US THE FASTER BALL-SPEED GAINS WE’RE SEEKING FOR MORE DISTANCE AND HIGHER LAUNCH.
THE RESULTS
HAVE BEEN AMAZING AS WE’RE SEEING FACE FLEXING EQUAL TO THE THICKNESS OF THE FACE.
Our resident golf guru and ambassador to the tee-time reservation service GOLF CITIZEN is bubbling with excitement. We wondered why and popped the question to him. The perpetually ebullient Tony Meechai shot right back and exclaimed, “Wow! The feedback from readers and students has been amazing with the new Black Hat Golf Tips! Keep them coming! I’ll keep replying to all the messages.” That’s good to know! Keep up the good work Tony and show the world why you have been voted the Best Golf Coach in Asia for 2018! While Tony is reveling on Cloud Nine, we thought we’d get him to provide readers with something that would help them with their golf game and what he has come up with relates to “getting your aim right”.
“A
s my audience is worldwide and with
hard they can drive the ball but forget to check where they
Spring in the air, I want to share an im-
want to send their ball. And oftentimes, their drives go astray
portant tip with golfers all over the globe
and what do they do? They blame their golf swing, when in
who are preparing themselves for the new
reality it was their alignment that was way off the target!
season,” was how Tony has decided to
preface his tip for this month’s edition of ASIAN GOLF. Tony reminds golfers of all skill levels, of the importance
Similarly, Tony points out that for better golfers, a slight change in the pre-shot routine can lead to aiming in the wrong direction. “This is why I always emphasize for them to ‘double-
of double-checking one’s aim or otherwise known as ALIGN-
check your aim’. “This is also true when it comes to putting!
MENT! He stresses that the aim is one of the most important
Don’t take anything for granted,” Tony warns.
fundamentals of golf! “Yes, this is one of my most used golf instruction tips when it comes to teaching both new and advanced golfers. In all my playing lessons, I have discovered that mis-alignment is a common folly!” Tony points out. According to him, all new golfers focus on practicing how
“As in life, just double-check things you do or things you hear! On the golf course, it works just the same!” is Tony’s advice. “In Thailand, the caddies do all the work for you when it comes to the putting surface. They will mark your ball, clean your ball, take out the flag, hold the umbrella, and even give
IN THAILAND, THE CADDIES DO ALL THE WORK FOR YOU WHEN IT COMES TO THE PUTTING SURFACE.
THEY WILL MARK YOUR BALL, CLEAN YOUR BALL, TAKE OUT THE FLAG, HOLD THE UMBRELLA, AND EVEN GIVE YOU ADVICE ON WHERE TO AIM - INSIDE RIGHT, INSIDE LEFT, CENTRE OR OUTSIDE THE CUP. you advice on where to aim - inside right, inside left, centre or outside the cup,” explains Tony. He went on to add, “I see so many golfers relying on this information, but I want you to begin to ‘double-check’ and the final decision has to be yours …. take control of your decision and doublecheck where you want to aim!” So, in summation, here are the key points that Tony wants you to observe: Pay attention at all times as you approach the green to get a sense of how it lays. After the caddie gives you the ball, make sure you doublecheck your aim. Align yourself correctly to the target. Trust your aim! To enjoy your game and to play better golf, get your alignment spot on always. Once you’ve locked in on your aim, don’t forget to double-check your aim! OK, now you’re set to become a perfect marksman!
ABOUT TONY MEECHAI Born and brought up in the United States, Tony Meechai won his first golf tournament at the age of nine. He began working in the golf industry when aged 15 and competed in various Mini-Tour and PGA Tour qualifiers after turning professional in 1994. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from New Mexico State University and a degree in Marketing and PGA Professional Golf Management, he has made a name for himself in Asia over the past decade, during which he has served as Director of Instruction at Thailand’s Heartland Golf Schools and Springfield Royal Country Club as well as presenting tips on numerous golf television shows. His signature Black Hat Golf Camps and Schools offered at various clubs in Thailand, including Lotus Valley Golf Resort, portrays the unique Club-Focused Instruction curriculum and teaching philosophy. Voted 2015 and 2016 Top 3 Best Professional Golf Coach in Asia Pacific, he continues to strive to grow the game of golf in Asia. For further information, please visit www.tmggroupasia.com or email tony@tmggroupasia.com. Like Black Hat Golf Tips page on facebook.
PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
It was not too long ago that the golf world in Japan was absolutely crazy over a teenage golf super-star who had the looks of a rock star. He attracted crowds wherever he went. There was always an entourage of Japanese media that kept tabs on his every move. Japanese cities were adorned with large billboards of this young golf sensation. It’s like nobody could get enough of him. He was such a massive name in Japanese golf that he very quickly found his way to the world’s most powerful professional golf tour in the world, the PGA TOUR. His move to America drew huge interests and Callaway Golf did not hesitate to sign him on as its brand ambassador. That was the magnetic force of Ryo Ishikawa. However, once he moved to his new hunting ground, the young star went on a glide and gradually, the star-power was no more. ASIAN GOLF has not given up on the Japanese ace and requested the PGA TOUR’s Chuah Choo Chiang to investigate. The following is his report:
O
nce known as Hanikami Ōji, or the Bashful Prince, THINK M MUCH CLOSER TO M Japan’s pin-up golf star Ryo Ishikawa is ready to rekindle his stuttering career which shone ever so JUST NEED TO KEEP DOING WH brightly some 10 years ago before being dimmed by THE RANGE VER THE LAST FEW YEARS a back injury. Still only 27, Ishikawa, who possesses boyish good looks DRIVING AND CHIPPING HEN YOU WANT matched by an exciting brand of attacking golf, was the name on evTHE HAZARDS BUT NOW M FOCUSING O eryone’s lips after he became the youngest player at the age of 15 to MAKING ME CHANGE FOR THE BETTER T win on the Japan Golf Tour in 2007. By 21, he raised his career tally to 10 victories and the world, it seems, was at the palm of his hands. YEAR WAS GOOD AND HOPE THIS YEAR In between his early heroics, Ishikawa also became the youngest golfer to break into the world’s top-50 ranking following a four-win season in 2009 and he later joined an exclusive club to shoot a rare 58 in the following year. Such was his growing stature that Ishikawa was an obvious captain’s pick for the International Team in the Presidents Cup in 2009 which two years later he played his way back into the side on merit. He earned his card on the ultra-competitive PGA TOUR in 2013 and when life appeared good and rosy, sporting fate landed him a cruel blow as he was struck by a lower back injury in early 2016. It put him out of action for nearly six months and even though he secured a 14th Japan Tour victory two tournaments into his comeback, Ishikawa was not the same golfer as he was and spiraled into a career decline, tumbling out of the world’s top-200 in 2017 for the first time in nearly a decade and losing his PGA TOUR status along the way. Five top-5 finishes in 2018 have somewhat restored Ishikawa’s self-belief and provided him with a much-needed spark to revive his career. More importantly, he says his body is now 100% fit. “I’m 100%,” declared Ishikawa. “I’ve started running too since last spring as I couldn’t run over the past three years because of my injury … it was uncomfortable for my back. I can run or jog every morning and my body feels better. It’s helped me become more comfortable playing over four or five days straight as I feel fitter.” Not only is his fitness trending in the right direction, Ishikawa has also started working with a sports psychologist for the first time as he looks to regain his place amongst golf’s elite. His immediate goal is to challenge for a team berth in the Presidents Cup which takes places at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Australia from December 9-15, 2019. “I think I’m much closer to my best form, I can feel it’s coming. I just need to keep doing what I’m doing on the range and off the range. Over the last few years, I’ve been struggling with my driving and chipping. When you want to hit a shot, you sometimes see the hazards, but now, I’m focusing only on one target. I think it’s making me change for the better. It helps free up my golf game. Last year was good and I hope this year, the pieces will fall into place,” he said. In 145 starts on the PGA TOUR, Ishikawa posted two runners-up finishes, 11 top-10s and 24 top-25s. With countryman Hideki Matsuyama and Satoshi Kodaira plying their trade full time in America, Ishikawa yearns to join them on the world’s leading golf circuit. “I want to go back to PGA TOUR. I want to win against the world’s top players. But I have to be patient,” he acknowledged. The Presidents Cup is another major goal in 2019. When Ishikawa made his debut in 2009, he featured in all five sessions and produced an impressive
I I
I’
.O ,
,
.W , I’
.I
I
,
MY BEST FORM,
I CAN FEEL IT’S COMING.
I’M DOING ON THE RANGE AND OFF , I’VE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH MY T TO HIT A SHOT, YOU SOMETIMES SEE ONLY ON ONE TARGET. I THINK IT’S T HELPS FREE UP MY GOLF GAME. LAST THE PIECES WILL FALL INTO PLACE.
HAT
PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
I WANT TO GO BACK TO PGA TOUR. I WANT TO WIN AGAINST THE WORLD’S TOP PLAYERS. BUT I HAVE TO BE PATIENT. three wins in the International Team’s defeat to the United States. In 2011, he was used in four sessions, partnering Ernie Els, who will captain the International Team this year, in three of those matches where they won once and lost twice. Ishikawa beat Bubba Watson in the singles which he also defeated Kenny Perry in his debut appearance. “I’ve got some good memories. The Presidents Cup is another event I’m hoping to get into. Playing against Tiger (Woods) in 2009 is one of the biggest highlights of my golf life. If it happens this year, it’ll be fantastic,” said Ishikawa. He believes Els is the right man to spearhead the International Team which is seeking its second victory in the prestigious team competition. “I remember Ernie from 2003 (where Els dueled with Woods in a sudden-death playoff to determine the Presidents Cup). I was watching it on TV when I was 12 years old. Ernie has always been one of my heroes and I’m so respectful of him. He’s a gentleman and he’s always encouraging the younger players. He’s very passionate. When I partnered him in 2011, we lost our first two matches, but he was still very strong in his mind and kept saying to stay patient and we won our third match together. “The International Team has not won the Presidents Cup for many years. Hopefully I can play some good golf to get a chance to play in it with Hideki,” said Ishikawa.
#LIVEUNDERPAR © 2018 PGATOUR, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Player appearance subject to change.
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Tiger Woods unde new challenges lie back to March on
A whole lot of noth
“There’s no way of THE PLAYERS in M well. You hit the ba make birdies. This
The electricity is back in the air. An air of anticipation is building as feverish arrangements are being made for the staging of the 2019 Players Championship. The great Tiger Woods will give the “fifth major” a shot. The big question that everyone is asking is whether the 43-year former kingpin of golf can make the grade at this tough tournament. ASIAN GOLF brings you a special PGA TOUR preview of what promises to be an exciting tournament.
rstands—forgive the pun—better than most what fresh e in store at THE PLAYERS Championship, which moves the PGA TOUR schedule for the first time since 2006.
f faking it around this golf course,” said Tiger, who won March 2001 and May 2013. “You have to hit the golf ball all well here, you’re in the correct spots, and you can golf course negates a lot of different things.”
PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
hing.
H
ot or cold, rain or shine, March or May, the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass doesn’t
you have a shorter hitter like Fred Funk winning. “So many guys have a chance to win here, and that’s
much care where it rests on the calendar.
what makes this championship so difficult to win, is that it’s
It still plans on testing the limits of the
open to a lot of players,” Tiger added.
world’s top golfers no matter when they
arrive in Ponte Vedra Beach. And that’s exactly what famed architect Pete Dye
Historical evidence backs up Tiger’s theory. When the Stadium Course originally hosted THE PLAYERS in March, from 1982 to 2006, single-round scoring averages settled
first had in mind when the course rose from the ground
on 72.478. That’s only about three-quarters of a stroke
in 1982.
lower than May averages, which were 73.258 between
“Pete likes to, one, try and intimidate you visually, and then tries to really punish you for making a mistake,” Ti-
2007 and 2018. Average winning scores (275.84 in March 275.4 in May)
ger said. “And this golf course, there are only a few holes
and average score to par (-12.16 in March -12.58) remain
in which you can be aggressive off the tee length-wise and
similar, too.
have an advantage, and there are a couple of the par-5s, maybe No. 14, as well. But generally, we’re all kind of
But don’t try to spin that narrative to the overprepared. “I’ve never played it that time of year. It’s just going
playing from the same spot, and that just opens up the
to be very different than what I’ve been accustomed to,”
field, and that’s one of the reasons why we’ve seen guys
Justin Thomas. “So, my prep is going to… in the past I’ve
who hit the ball long like Davis Love has over the years, or
even gone there Tuesday just because I know the course,
I’VE PLAYED WELL BUT JUST NOT THAT GREAT, SO I’M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO PLAYING IT IN
MARCH THIS YEAR WITH THE DIFFERENT COURSE
CONDITIONS AND PLAYING A LITTLE BIT LONGER,”
JOHNSON SAID. “YOU KNOW, SEE HOW I DO THIS TIME I’VE PLAYED IT, IT’S BEEN IN MAY AND IT’S BEEN BERMUDA THAT’S FIRM AND FAST. SO, I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. MAYBE I’LL HAVE MORE OF A CHANCE TO WIN. – DUSTIN JOHNSON AROUND, BECAUSE EVER SINCE
I know what it’s going to be like, but I may have to get there earlier now and test that out.” Similarities aside, players, fans and media will notice a few key differences when they arrive in the Greater Jacksonville Area later this month. The most obvious being average temperature, which historically settles at a pleasant 21 degrees Celsius in March. Average temperatures rise to 28
PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
degrees in May, according to the National Oceanic and
such as Dustin Johnson, who has 19 career PGA TOUR
a change
Atmospheric Administration.
victories but has encountered little success at TPC
obviously
Sawgrass.
the same
The move to March will also mean a new playing surface, as the Bermuda grass usually found on the
“I’ve played well but just not that great, so I’m
bit lower
Stadium Course would not have been fully grown by
really looking forward to playing it in March this year
Whether
tournament week. To combat this, TPC Sawgrass of-
with the different course conditions and playing a little
for some
ficials over seeded the course last October with a rye/
bit longer,” Johnson said. “You know, see how I do this
like this
fine fescue on the fairways and rough and a velvet bent/
time around, because ever since I’ve played it, it’s been
Poa Trivialis on the greens.
in May and it’s been Bermuda that’s firm and fast. So,
“(This) gives us the best advantage to have actively growing turf to help produce the best championship playing surfaces possible,” said Jeff Plotts, Director
I’m looking forward to that. Maybe I’ll have more of a chance to win.” Count Jordan Spieth and Phil Mickelson among the
Mick May deb “I w
seeded a
are not r
of Golf Course Operations at TPC Sawgrass. “Divots
believers, too. (Though it almost certainly doesn’t have
“There’s
and ball marks will recover quicker, and the rye grass
anything to do with the fact that Americans have won 68
on and s
will handle foot traffic better than Bermuda grass on
percent of the time in March and just 41 percent of the
of prefer
its own.”
time in May.)
it was de
That change has piqued the interest of players
“I think the scores will potentially go lower with
way it ha
e in grass type,” Spieth said. “Now, that’s
y dependent on conditions outside, but given
e conditions, I think the scores will be a little
r with the tournament (date) being moved up.
r that’s good (or) bad for the tournament, that’s
ebody else to decide, but for me personally, I grass type.”
kelson, who won the event in 2007 during its
ut, echoed those sentiments.
ould probably pick March, where it’s over
and a little softer, for the reason that the greens
really designed for run-up shots,” he said. a lot of holes like that where we’ve got to fly it
top it. I think the way it played in March, I kind
rred over the firm and fast. I don’t think when
esigned, it was designed to be firm and fast the
as played the last few years.”
I’VE NEVER PLAYED IT THAT TIME OF YEAR. IT’S JUST GOING TO BE VERY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT I’VE BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO. SO, MY PREP IS GOING TO… IN THE PAST I’VE EVEN GONE THERE TUESDAY JUST BECAUSE I KNOW THE COURSE, I KNOW WHAT IT’S GOING TO BE LIKE, BUT I MAY HAVE TO GET THERE EARLIER NOW AND TEST THAT OUT.. – JUSTIN THOMAS
PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
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.
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