ISSUE
14 SPECIAL FEATURE
32
223
With what started as golf being the centre-piece, Haikou heralds a new era for the Mission Hills Group of China. The giant facility is now mutating and expanding into a variety of mega sports, recreational and leisure developments. Each of the new projects is on a scale that can only be described as being humongous in scope. The projects encompass sports that enjoy tremendous passion amongst the Chinese people and these include football, basketball and golf.
32 ASIAN GOLF AWARDS GOES PLATINUM! The 2019 Asian Golf Awards On-line poll is launched and like what it has done over the last two decades, the annual drive sets out to seek the crème de la crème of the brightest and the best in the Asian golf industry.
38 IT’S BEEN DONE RIGHT – THE HORSE HAS BEEN PUT BEFORE THE CART!
38
APRIL 2019
In preparation for its opening in 2019, Hoiana Shores Golf Club has secured a long-term pipeline of trained staff through its innovative investment in the Quang Nam-based Golf Operations and Maintenance Vocational College, the first such golf-specific enterprise in all of Asia.
46 APGS2019: A NEW MINDSET FOR GOLF IN ASIA! APGS 2019, the Continent’s only structured annual gathering of industry
players is back for another year and the venue is India which is home to the oldest golf club outside of Britain. Since golf has been played in India dating back to 1829, it makes good sense to use it as a launch pad to kick-start a programme for dynamic change to the business of golf. With that in mind, the theme that has been selected for the Summit is “A 5G Mindset For Golf’s Future”.
54 WHERE LIFE IS A YEAR-ROUND FUN EXPERIENCE! Black Mountain Golf Club is a showcase for a truly working golf community. It is amongst a few that has been able to develop, foster and sustain a golfing community in the surroundings of the Thai Royal City of Hua Hin.
60 GOLF WITH THE DIVINE FORCE There is now a new golf course in the Kingdom of Thailand that has reached out to the divine power of the Lord
FASHION TREND 68 A SHOE FOR ALL SEASONS!
46
60
Finally, the last word on a golf shoe that’s terrific on and off the golf course. It’s versatility pushed to its utmost! The new hot shoe is from FootJoy and it is appropriately named as the FJ FLEX. It comes hot on the heels of the recently launched FJ FURY which has set the golf world ablaze and it goes without saying that the FJ FLEX will blaze a glory trail all its own.
74 GOLF + AN APPLE WATCH = MAGIC!
90
So, you own an Apple Watch. If you also happen to be a golfer, you can now get exact yardages, green images, score tracking and hole selection, all on the Apple Watch. It’s GolfLogix’s new app and it’s compatible with Series 3 and 4 Apple Watches.
Q REGULARS 4 EDITORIAL TEAM
|
6 SHARED THOUGHTS: FROM PUBLISHER | HISTORY HAS BEEN CREATED!
Buddha to watch over all golfers. The brand-new course is the Chee Chan Golf Resort in Pattaya, Thailand.
80 TROON GOLF: IS ASIA READY FOR THIRD PARTY CLUB MANAGEMENT? Asia today is home to nearly 5,000 golf clubs and this is a critical mass alright! Many of these clubs were built during an era when there were more golfers around than clubs – it was a period when a developer had to do was build a golf club and the golfers would swarm to the facility. Those halcyon days are over and are sadly locked away in the memories of the past. Without generalisation, there are golf clubs that are doing very well in terms of overall business but by the same token, they are in the minority. Without getting into the nitty gritty details, there is a case for third party management companies to move into Asia with a view to alleviating the state of the club industry. How well golfers are serviced by golf
clubs is contingent on how professionally managed these clubs are. In this context and based on Garmany’s expert observations, ASIAN GOLF decided to reach out and discuss the matter with Mark Chapleski, President of Troon International. The following are excerpts from the interview.
90 PGA TOUR: MCILROY – NOW A MASTER OF HIS MIND! Rory McIlroy is back! His win at the 2019 Players Championship demonstrated that he has driven out all the mental demons that have hounded his game. He is back in control and his mind is rock solid again. A special report of McIlroy’s comeback from the PGA TOUR.
98 GOLF’S TEE RESERVATION PRACTICES ARE ARCHAIC This is a candid report that essentially calls out the golf club industry to lower its shades and explore engaging with exciting new modes of handling key
revenue generating issues like tee-time bookings. At the moment, many clubs are relying on old-fashioned practices which do not help them to fully optimize the earning capacity of tee-time reservations. ASIAN GOLF’s James Graham Prusa reports.
106 PGA TOUR: PROFESSIONAL GOLF IN CHINA – IT’S COME A LONG WAY BABY! Historical records tell us that a game similar to golf was played in the Middle Kingdom centuries ago. Known as “Chuiwan”, a stick and ball game was played in China as early as 1000 AD, with evidence existing from the Song dynasty. Fast forward to modern-day China, golf is a growing industry and it is projected that about 20 million Chinese will be playing golf by 2020. Against this backdrop, ASIAN GOLF reached out to the PGA TOUR’s Chuah Choo Chiang for his analysis of how he sees the professional game growing in China. Here is his special report.
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
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Three full months of 2019 have slipped by and very few in the golf industry have noticed that 2019 has developed into an epic year for Asian golf. All that we keep hearing and reading about is how Tiger Woods is doing on his so-called comeback trail and what is happening with other golfers on the PGA TOUR including a number of journeymen. It is really sad that what Asian professionals are doing on the PGA TOUR receives scant or no attention. Has anyone bothered to think that while the PGA TOUR works hard at claiming to promote golf as a global game, no real effort seems to be evident of the TOUR making a concerted effort to promote qualiďŹ ed Asians on the TOUR!
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Y.E. YANG
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many of us still recall the heady days when South Korean K.J. Choi
oke onto the most powerful professional golf tour on the Planet and
ore or less single-handedly cleared a pathway for others from Asia
follow. How about the moments when the power-packed Shigeki ruyama of Japan got Asia all excited when he showed off the quality PGA TOUR. And let us not forget that another South Korean, Y.E. Yang,
rst Asian ever to win a Major when he brought down the seemingly in-
r Woods in 2009 to claim the PGA Tour Championship. Choi, Maruyama
re the trail-blazers – the men who showed that Asian professional golf-
what it takes to make it on the world’s greatest tour. ard to 2019 and Asia is back at it again! Never in the history R have so many Asians made the cut to play their
tour in the world. A total of fourteen Asians the PGA TOUR. This is a monumental
e part of Asian men. Asian women
n that they are the best on the
hailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn
rld’s Number One.
n on the PGA TOUR, the larg-
es from South Korea which atured. Amongst them Si Woo Kim and the new
who has already registered
There is every likelihood an contingent will pro-
e new season for 2019. very strong campaigners
Matsuyama and Satoshi Ko-
e the year when Matsuyama
k into the top ten rankings of
Golf Rankings.
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA
ANIRBAN LAHIRI
NEVER IN HAVE SO
THEIR BEST ON THE
ASIA TOUR. THIS IS A PART OF ASIAN ME OF FOURTEEN
India has two players
one is the veteran and firs Atwal and the current sta
able to produce some sign Chinese Taipei’s C.T. are expected. He was the Ranking for eight weeks i the PGA TOUR.
ARJUN ATWAL
N THE HISTORY OF THE
PGA TOUR
ASIANS MADE THE CUT TO PLAY A TOTAL ANS ARE NOW PLAYING ON THE PGA
MANY
E BEST TOUR IN THE WORLD.
A MONUMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT ON THE
EN.
s who are flying that nation’s flag high on the PGA TOUR –
st Indian to earn his card to play on the PGA TOUR, Arjun
r, Anirban Lahiri. Many observers feel that Lahiri will be
nificant successes in the current season. Pan is another Asian youngster from whom great things number one amateur golfer in the World Amateur Golf
n 2013 and he has already started showing his form on
C.T. PAN
KIRADECH APHIBARNRAT
The latest entry onto the PGA TOUR is Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, popularly known as the John Daly of Asia. He has kicked off his PGA TOUR career with an impressive third placing in the 2019 World Golf Championship played in Mexico City. All the Asian professional on the PGA TOUR have earned their right to play in America and there is every reason to believe that some wins are waiting to be scored in 2019. Never has Asia been so well represented on the PGA TOUR and 2019 will serve as the year where more young Asian professionals will be inspired to become big stars on the world’s most powerful professional tour. The other Asians who need special mention include Byeong Hun An from South Korea who has been very consistent not only on the PGA TOUR but also in major tournaments worldwide. Also from South Korea who are showing promise on the PGA TOUR are Kyoung Hoon Lee, Whee Kim and the resurgent Sang Moon Bae.
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The Mission Hills dream started more than three decades ago in China when the visionary Chinese entrepreneur Dr. David Chu set out to create the world’s largest golf resort in China. The site that he chose was along what used to be a desolate strip of land located at Shenzhen and Dongguan along the southern border of the Chinese mainland. As always, there were the doomsday pundits and naysayers who were sceptical about Dr. Chu being able to reDR. DAVID CHU alise his dream. Realise the dream he did and not only did he build 12 golf courses on the land but he built them all in record time! He created history and the world of golf descended upon this glorious facility to sing his praises and to acclaim the gargantuan achievement. All the heroes of golf from Jack Nicklaus to Tiger Woods paid homage to the spectacular showcase to world golf. But this was only the beginning. After Dr. Chu passed on, his scions took over the baton and stepped up the giddying pace of development to take Mission Hills to even greater heights. The 12-course resort on the mainland stood out on its own as the world’s biggest but the new men at the helm, Dr. Ken Chu, Group chairman and his brother Tenniel Chu, Group vice-chairman were not content to rest on the laurels. Instead, they picked up the momentum and moved across to the island of Hainan, often billed as China’s Hawaii and decided to dream even big-
MISSION HILLS HAIKOU RESORT
ger. Their dream at ďŹ rst looked mired seemingly insurmountable challenges. The site that they had in Haikou was a vast expanse of volcanic black rock. Put simply, it was waste land for all intents and purposes and no property developer with his head screwed on right would have accepted the challenge to develop the site. As daunting as the task at hand looked, the Chu siblings drew upon their pedigree and courageously rolled up their sleeves and got straight down to work. They were not looking at just another development – they had a vision to create a multi-faceted fantasy land that would outstrip anything, anywhere in the world. Ken and Tenniel have done their father proud. What they have achieved since taking over is monumental in scope and scale. Their wonderland in the once waste lands of Haikou ranks amongst the new wonders of the world. ASIAN GOLF had the unique opportunity of visiting Mission Hills in Haikou recently and what was witnessed proved to be an astounding jaw-dropping experience!
O
ne cannot take it away from the Chu brothers – Ken and Tenniel are blessed with incredible vision and a special DNA that makes them dreamers on a scale with virtually no match. They possess tremendous foresight and a bold business aptitude to bring together the best to deliver the best and what they have
built in Haikou is a showcase to the world of what can be done when there is a strong human will to drive a mammoth project to fruition. What is on offer in Haikou is a continuation of a dream that started thirty years ago and there seems to be no end in sight. Mission Hills Haikou is an experience onto itself. In keeping with the original mission devoted to golf, Haikou is yet another brilliant tribute to golf with 10 additional golf courses which is also home to the multi award-winning Blackstone Golf Course. Together with the 12 courses on the Chinese mainland, Mission Hills is the world’s largest golf resort with 22 world class golf courses in play. With what started as golf being the centre-piece, Haikou heralds a new era for Mission Hills. The giant facility is now mutating and expanding into a variety of mega sports, recreational and leisure developments. Each of the new projects is on a scale that can only be described as being humongous in scope. The projects encompass sports that enjoy tremendous passion amongst the Chinese people and these include football, basketball and golf. “Since 1992 Mission Hills has been helping to popularise sport and leisure in China – including our flagship sports of golf and tennis – and now we are devoting our efforts to football as well, “declared Dr. Chu. President Xi Jinping of China, who is known to be a football enthusiast, last year unveiled a vision of China as a “world football superpower by 2050.” His plan calls for China to have 50 million children and adults playing football by 2020 and world-class national teams by 2030.
ATHLETES DORMITORY
CAMP NOU AREA,SOUND OF CAMP NOU
Responding to the Chinese leader’s call, Mission Hills has a grand vision to create a legacy for football in China through a partnership with one of the most-loved football clubs in the world – Futbol Club Barcelona (FCB) of Spain. “We believe our footballing dream can act as a platform for a future generation of footballers in China,” said Dr. Chu. Futbol Club Barcelona (FCB) and Mission Hills Group are engaged in a multi-year collaboration to make Hainan province a hub of football for China and the wider region. The two giants have jointly opened a major football academy in Haikou and a giant interactive FC Barcelona experience area. The 7,000-squaremetre FCB interactive facility will offer visitors immersive and interactive experiences to bring people closer to the Barça brand, highlighting its stars and their stories, as well as the legendary club’s history,
philosophy and values. When the facility was opened in 2017, Josep Maria Bartomeu, president of FCB said, “Opening our first 100% FCB-managed football school here in China is a huge commitment. It demonstrates our confidence in our partner Mission Hills and in the future of Hainan, as well as our optimism about the footballing talent we expect to find here in China.”
WE BELIEVE THAT OUR PASSION FOR FOOTBALL AMONG THE
1.3
BILLION POPULATION IN
CHINA IS THE KEY FOR FUTURE FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT AND WE HOPE TO SHARE OUR VALUES AND EXPERIENCE WITH LOCAL TALENTS.
“We believe that our passion for football among the 1.3 billion population in China is the key for future football development and we hope to share our values and experience with local talents.” The FCB academy is staffed by FCB coaches and follows the same training methods used by the FCB youth teams. It will have seven football pitches and will eventually be able to enrol 1,000 boys and girls aged between six and 18 years. Former FBC superstar Ronaldinho said, “I’m sure the FCB Academy in Hainan will
The partnership between FCB and Mission Hills will help to raise the profile of football in China by supporting
be as important to its students as my early coaches were to me. I look forward to interacting with the young players
its growth at the grassroots level. Reflecting on the partnership with FCB, Tenniel said,
here and seeing some of them on the global stage in years to come.”
CHINESE YOUTH WILL BENEFIT FROM A COMPLETE APPROACH TO PLAYER DEVELOPMENT THAT COMBINES
NBA-QUALITY COACHING WITH NBALEVEL TRAINING. I BELIEVE THIS PARTNERSHIP WILL LIFT THE GAME OF BASKETBALL TO A HIGHER LEVEL IN
CHINA.
The other major addition to Mission Hills’ high-profile sports portfolio is the establishment of a major multi-year
The school includes six indoor courts and other stateof-the-art facilities. Mission Hills Group has designed and
partnership to design, develop and operate China’s first NBA Basketball School as well as an NBA interactive experience
built the school, while NBA China operates and staffs the facility with NBA-trained coaches and provides the basketball
in Haikou. This deal was signed off by five-time NBA Champion and
development curriculum. NBA players and legends will visit the school to provide additional instruction and help foster
18-time NBA All-Star Kobe Bryant, Mission Hills Group and the NBA of China.
player development. The NBA interactive experience and store which is
The NBA Basketball School – Mission Hills Haikou is open to male and female players, from junior level to profes-
already operational is located at Mission Hills Centreville, a 240,000-square-metre shopping and entertainment complex
sionals.
located within the 22-square-kilometre Mission Hills Haikou
resort. The NBA interactive experience and store is a spectacular multimedia exhibition and retail space celebrating the league’s history and provides fans with a broad assortment of merchandise for men, women and kids, including jerseys, fan apparel, basketballs and accessories. The NBA Basketball School – and Mission Hills Haikou builds on the NBA’s existing basketball and youth development initiatives in China. Already in operation is the NBA China’s NBA Academy Zhejiang, the NBA Academy Shandong and the NBA Academy Xinjiang, three elite basketball training centres for the top male and female prospects from throughout China. The NBA China programme calls for it to expand to 2,000 schools across 15 provinces and municipalities. Commenting on this multi-million-dollar initiative, Dr. Chu said, “Chinese youth will benefit from a complete approach to player development that combines NBA-quality coaching with NBA-level training. I believe this partnership will lift the game of basketball to a higher level in China.”
THE NBA BASKETBALL SCHOOL – AND MISSION HILLS HAIKOU BUILDS ON THE NBA’S EXISTING BASKETBALL AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES
CHINA. ALREADY IN OPERATION NBA CHINA’S NBA ACADEMY ZHEJIANG, THE NBA ACADEMY SHANDONG AND THE NBA ACADEMY XINJIANG, THREE IN
IS THE
ELITE BASKETBALL TRAINING CENTRES FOR THE TOP MALE AND FEMALE PROSPECTS FROM THROUGHOUT
CHINA.
With this mega collaboration with the NBA in place and already working, the Mission Hills Group has further strengthened its involvement with golf – it has entered into a multi-year partnership with the PGA of America that calls for the launch of three PGA Golf Academies in China. The partnership between the PGA of America - one of the world’s largest sporting organizations, with a member-
tion in partnership with the PGA of America, a symbol of the ultimate in global teaching standards to golfers in China,” said Tenniel. The Mission Hills Group’s “golf and more” leisure philosophy has now come full circle and it has brilliantly catalyzed its tourism-related business expansion into a leisure hub for multi-generational families. Mission Hills Centreville
ship of nearly 29,000 golf professionals and Mission Hills, will see two PGA of America Academies established at the
Shenzhen and Haikou are two HOPSCA (Hotels, Offices, Parks, Shopping, Culture and Arts) mixed-use developments
Mission Hills Shenzhen resort in southern China and a third academy at the Mission Hills Haikou resort on Hainan
with a focus on “Retail-tainment” and “Edu-tainment”, providing integrated recreational, business, education, en-
Island. “Since the reintroduction of golf to the Olympics
tertainment, shopping, leisure and cultural experiences. The group has also extended its foray into the hospital-
and China’s bronze-medal success through Feng Shanshan, Mission Hills is committed to building
ity industry by partnering with world-renowned hotel brands such as Hard Rock, Renaissance and the Ritz-Carlton. This
on our legacy of providing world-class instruc-
collaboration has seen the opening of the Ritz-Carlton’s first
SINCE THE REINTRODUCTION OF GOLF TO THE OLYMPICS AND CHINA’S BRONZE-MEDAL SUCCESS THROUGH FENG SHANSHAN, MISSION HILLS IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING ON OUR LEGACY OF PROVIDING WORLD-CLASS INSTRUCTION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE
PGA OF AMERICA, A SYMBOL OF THE ULTIMATE IN GLOBAL TEACHING STANDARDS TO GOLFERS IN CHINA.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS INCLUDE MOVIE TOWN IN HAIKOU IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CHINA’S LARGEST FILM PRODUCTION COMPANY, HUAYI BROTHERS MEDIA CORPORATION, AND AWARD-WINNING DIRECTOR, FENG XIAOGANG, AND CHINA’S FIRST WET’N’WILD PARK IN COLLABORATION WITH AUSTRALIA’S LEADING ENTERTAINMENT GROUP AND LARGEST THEME PARK OPERATOR, VILLAGE ROADSHOW LIMITED.
MISSION HILLS CENTREVILLE HAIKOU OVERVIEW
S
Golf Resort in Haikou as well as the launch of Hard Rock Hotel in Shenzhen – the first Hard Rock Hotel in China. Other significant projects include Movie Town in Haikou in partnership with China’s largest film production company, Huayi Brothers Media Corporation, and award-winning director, Feng Xiaogang, and China’s first Wet’n’Wild park in collaboration with Australia’s leading entertainment group and largest theme park operator, Village Roadshow Limited. Mission Hills’ properties sprawl over 40 square kilometres and in its entirety, the complex is said to be bigger than Macau.
It has to be acknowledged that under the watchful eye of the Chu brothers, Ken and Tenniel, Haikou has already developed into a world class destination with golf having started it all. The odyssey to develop this stunning international playground is set to continue and it is hard to believe that it all began with golf. A new era has most definitely dawned upon the Mission Hills Group. It is an era that has transformed it into a one-of-a-kind experience in the world and what is left is to see this mammoth project keep steadily expanding year after year!
MISSION HILLS CENTREVILLE SHENZHEN OVERVIEW
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Twenty years have just gone fleeting by – simply incredible! That’s how long the Asian Golf Awards has been around. It’s now an institution upon itself and it’s the benchmark by which the golf industry in the Asia Pacific measures itself by. For any programme to last for ten uninterrupted years is an achievement but to keep at it and to keep growing for twenty years, is a major achievement!
T
he 2019 Asian Golf Awards On-line poll is
exercise where the ďŹ nal outcome is determined by the popular
launched and like what it has done over the last
vote. Participation in the programme is open to all qualiďŹ ed
two decades, the annual drive sets out to seek
golf clubs, golf club personnel and golf equipment manufac-
the crème de la crème of the brightest and the
turers with physical premises and operations in Asia.
best in the Asian golf industry.
Every year since its inception, the Asian Golf Awards has
“Our computer-based veriďŹ cation system to declare a valid vote will require each vote to be completed with the
been the most sought after and most respected award pro-
name and e-mail address of the voting party,� explained poll
gramme in the Asian golf industry and for 2019, it is expected
coordinator and business manager Alice Ho. If these require-
to set a number of new milestones as the programme heads
ments are not complied with, the vote will be declared invalid.
towards the end of its second decade. For one thing, a new re-
It is also important to point out that votes can be cast by
cord is expected to be set for valid votes cast. For 2018, more
the staff of a golf club, members of a golf club, golfers and
than 204,000 votes were counted, setting a new record.
members of the general public. “So long as each vote is cast
For nearly two decades, the Asian Golf Awards has
with a valid name and e-mail address that can be used for
earned a reputation for its lofty and prestigious status in the
veriďŹ cation purposes, that will be acceptable,â€? Ho added.
Asian golf industry. Over the years, the award programme, has
Success in the Asian Golf Awards poll is like success in
had as its primary mission, a single-minded focus to serve as
any other voting exercise. It’s all about how committed an
the indisputable measure of excellence for the thousands of
organisation is to want to garner as much votes as it can in
golf clubs and the thousands who work in the industry.
the categories that it wants to shine in – it comes down to
“The Asian Golf Awards had a very humble start but since 2007, it has grown steadily with more award categories added every year and I am happy to report that for 2019, we will have
effective marketing and promotions to pull in as many votes as possible. The Asian Golf Awards is not a programme that requires
awards presented under 46 categories for winners voted in
those who are eventually declared the top recipients in each
our on-line poll,� declared Angela Raymond, president of the
award category to pay a fee to the Asia PaciďŹ c Golf Group. “At
Asia PaciďŹ c Golf Group (APGG), the owner of the programme.
no point in time have award winners been required or asked
“With more than 5000 golf
to pay for either their awards
clubs on the Asian geographi-
WITH MORE THAN 5000
cal footprint, we believe that the 46 award categories is a very modest number and it
GOLF CLUBS ON THE
is our strong contention that
or certiďŹ cates – there is no cost whatsoever to the award winners and this also includes an exclusive VIP invitation to attend the gala awards banquet
inspire those in the industry
ASIAN GEOGRAPHICAL FOOTPRINT, WE BELIEVE THAT THE 46
to strive for the very best,�
AWARD CATEGORIES IS
from April 1 and will be “live�
Raymond added.
A VERY MODEST
until June 30.
if the golf industry in Asia is to grow, every measure must be taken to help motivate and
For new-comers par-
NUMBER AND IT IS
ticipating in the Asian Golf
as an honoured guest of the programme,� explained Ho. The 2019 Asian Golf Awards on-line poll is effective
The ďŹ nal results for the 2019 Asian Golf Awards will be
OUR STRONG CONTENTION THAT IF THE
announced at the Asian Golf
ASIA IS TO GROW, EVERY MEASURE MUST BE TAKEN TO HELP MOTI-
Awards Gala Banquet to be
VATE AND INSPIRE THOSE IN THE INDUSTRY
which will be staged in the
TO STRIVE FOR THE VERY BEST.
Indian city of Gurugram.
poll is like any well-run, transparent democratic
– ANGELA RAYMOND
Awards poll for the ďŹ rst time, it must be noted that votes will only be accepted via the on-line poll. No other submissions will be considered. The Asian Golf Awards
GOLF INDUSTRY IN
held in conjunction with the 2019 Asia PaciďŹ c Golf Summit
r
Get cracking – you have 90 days to vote for the best that the Asian golf industry has to offer!
Asian Golf Awards – The Industry’s Most Prestigious Awards! asiangolfawards.com
Scan the QR code with your smart phone to vote online
CLICK TO VOTE
One of the major challeng erational staff. Not having major problems including ultimately lead to! So, wh training its staff before it b Golf Operations and Main talked about Hoiana Shor what is Asia’s newest eme
ges of new golf courses in most parts of Asia is having access to well trained opthe right complement of properly trained staff in most circumstances can result in a loss of business and revenue and no one needs to be reminded of what this can en special attention is paid by a soon-to-be-opened golf club to the importance of becomes operational, one can’t help but sit up and take notice. A case in point is the ntenance Vocational College in Vietnam and it has been spearheaded by the much res Golf facility in Hoi An. Here’s a special report on this leading-edge initiative in erging golf nation – Vietnam.
I
n preparation for its opening in 2019, Hoiana Shores Golf Club has secured a long-term pipeline of trained staff through its innovative investment in the Quang Nam-based Golf Operations and
Maintenance Vocational College, the first such golf-specific enterprise in all of Asia. The first graduating class of maintenance staffers, 23 strong, joined the grounds crew at Hoiana Shores GC in January 2019, while the inaugural class of 15 caddies enrolled in December
VIETNAM
and graduated at the end of February. All students from this program are guaranteed employment with Hoiana Shores GC going forward. The next intake of 50 students started in February and will graduate in May. After 5 years of supplying staff directly to Hoiana Shores (in addition to its sister hotel and casino development next door), the school itself will be turned over directly to Quang Nam People Committee. “Vietnam today is widely seen as the most active course development market in the world — there are 45 courses now in operation and another 20+ in some stage of development,” explains Ben Styles, Vice President of Golf & Residential Devel-
TODAY IS WIDELY SEEN AS THE MOST ACTIVE COURSE DEVELOPMENT MARKET
— THERE 45 COURSES NOW IN OPERATION AND ANOTHER 20+ IN SOME STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT. IN THE WORLD ARE
– BEN STYLES
opment at Hoiana Shores GC. “Nowhere in the country has development been so active than here on the Central Coast. There has been an explosion of development, golf and otherwise, and Quang Nam Province has wisely supported this activity with a local tourism college that has trained of thousands of resort and hotel workers to date,” Styles pointed out. He went on to explain, “However, a golf course has specific needs when it comes to staff. Even someone with superb hospitality training doesn’t know how to handle a greens mower — or read the undulations of golf greens, or handle point-of-sale software specific to golf shops. This is the first
program with a specialized autonomous ‘bricks and mortar’ home ever created in Asia and judging from the reactions we’ve received from within the golf industry, it’s poised to meet a glaring need.” Hoiana Shores GC, designed by Robert Trent Jones II, will “soft open” this September with a grand opening scheduled for late 2019. Since his 2007 arrival in Vietnam, Styles, a native Australian PGA member, has witnessed first-hand the golf development boom. He did so while developing and/or managed a handful of the country’s elite properties. Labour, staff and training have been persistent issues throughout his tenure, he says. “This problem isn’t particular to Vietnam. We’ve all seen how golf courses across Southeast Asia open in a certain condition, with certain agronomic and hospitality standards, only to abandon those standards over time,” Styles says. “That’s a result of staff not being trained up properly by the time the original superintendent, Director of Golf or the original General Manager moves on. At the same time, here in Danang and Hoi An, demand for skilled staff has clearly outpaced supply. The Golf Operations and Maintenance Vocational College (GOMVC) is part of HOIANAQuang Nam Vocational Training Centre, located in Duy Phuoc district, some 10 km from Hoiana Shores GC in a formerly derelict school complex. According to Styles, Hoiana Shores has so far spent more than US$300,000 rehabbing and outfitting the college, which, on account of the curriculum here, surely boasts the most manicured school grounds in all of Vietnam. The first class of 24 students arrived in October 2018, in the course maintenance curriculum. Technically, they arrived as employees of Hoiana Shores GG. When they graduated in January 2019, they transitioned directly to their work at the golf property proper, where the grassing of golf holes is already underway. The course superintendent at Hoiana Shores GC, Rob Weiks, is the turf expert who supplied an international-standard syllabus for the course maintenance curriculum at GOMVC. His HSGC colleague, Director of Golf Kelly Nguyen, did likewise on the caddie and operations front. Each graduate, in either track, will receive the first-ever accredited degrees for Golf Operations and Maintenance in Vietnam.
THIS IS TH
EVER CREA
GOLF INDUSTRY, IT
HE FIRST PROGRAM WITH A SPECIALIZED AUTONOMOUS ‘BRICKS AND MORTAR’ HOME
ASIA AND JUDGING FROM THE REACTIONS WE’VE RECEIVED FROM WITHIN THE T’S POISED TO MEET A GLARING NEED.
ATED IN
“Without those degrees accredited by the Vietnamese government, golf course workers in Vietnam are not
technique on authentic golf course features. Styles also cited the contribution of Sports Turf Solu-
recognized as professionals with legitimate wage-earning positions,” Styles said. “That may sound like a bureaucratic
tions, which has supported the venture by donating the full complement of maintenance equipment — for the students
fine point, but it’s not. Right now, golf course workers are not so recognized, by the government, and so they cannot
to learn and practice on. “We’ve received so much support — I think because
do things like go and get a bank loan, for example. This accreditation is a huge development
people in the golf industry recognize the need and want to see it succeed, then replicated all across
for VN nationals who work in the golf business.” Styles was quick to point out the assistance GOMVC has received from golf industry companies like LinksShape, the outfit now building the RTJ II-designed course at HSGC. Hong Kong-based LinksShape donated its time in constructing an oncampus fairway, two putting greens and a bunkered short game area— so students can practice agronomic
WITHOUT THOSE DEGREES ACCREDITED BY THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT, GOLF COURSE WORKERS IN
VIETNAM ARE NOT RECOGNIZED AS PROFESSIONALS WITH LEGITIMATE WAGEEARNING POSITIONS.
Southeast Asia,” Styles said. “Obviously, Hoiana Shores has self-interest here: We’re creating a direct pipeline of talent for 5 years. After that time, however, we shall hand over the college to the province, whereupon we anticipate the program will continue to provide that talent pipeline for our resort — and golf properties across the country. It’s our desire and commitment to build up a sustainable golf industry where Vietnamese talents are prepared to run it.”
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inquiry@thaicountryclub.com
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Wonder how many in Asia have ever thought about who or what oversees the game of golf in Asia and who is or what is directing the growth of the game on this giant Continent? The odds are that very few have even thought about this and even if we have had a moment to consider it, it’s not a matter that has occupied any position of importance or urgency. While this may all sound very fatalistic, it is
really not the intention of this review. Asia as a marketplace for golf is too important to just sweep under the rug. The time has come for the golf industry in Asia, which incidentally is reported to have more than 14% of the world’s golf courses, take its rightful place on the world stage of golf. It ranks third after North America and Europe, and with this sort of critical mass in place, it’s time to start tak-
ing matters into its own hands. The industry is large and it’s growing in Asia and we need conscientious decision makers from the region to be responsible for charting and growing the game instead of adopting oftentimes, failed cookie-cutter templates from other regions of the world where golf has been known to be in a retardant state. With this as background, the long-standing Asia PaciďŹ c
Golf Summit (APGS) is back again for the thirteenth year with a platform which is hoped will change the mindset of the powers that be in Asia to explore and devise a strong business model designed to attract more people to take up the game and to help golf clubs as a whole, to start reecting seriously on strategies to produce strong bottom-lines. Asia can go it alone and the time to start is NOW!
A
PGS 2019, the Continent’s only structured annual gathering of industry players is
healthy and promising elixir for golf’s growth. It is in this tantalisingly tasty brew where one can find the
back for another year and the venue is
secrets of how Asia can grow golf and take charge of its own
India which is home to the oldest golf club
destiny.
outside of Britain, the Royal Calcutta Golf
First off, take the combined population of three geo-
Club. Since golf has been played in India dating back to 1829,
graphic regions in Asia – China, India and the Association of
it makes good sense to use it as a launch pad to kick-start
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Collectively, these regions
a programme for dynamic change to the business of golf in
account for more than 3.3 billion humans. In any language,
Asia. With that in mind, the theme that has been selected for
this is a massive number. Next, break down this number by
the Summit is “A 5G Mindset For Golf’s Future”.
age groups with the focus falling on those under 25 years old
Why 5G you may wonder? There is perhaps no industry
and we are looking at a number in excess of 1 billion. The
that is as disruptive as the telecommunications business. Its
latest figures available on the size of the combined economies
advances are massive and like no other industry, it impacts
of the regions under review hits the revenue barometer gauge
a global community of users with the
at over US$20 trillion dollars. Note that
CHINA, INDIA AND THE ASEAN COUN-
largest penetration being in China and the rest of the Asia Pacific. To fully understand the paradigm shifts that 5G technology would herald, it will help to point out that it will bring
TRIES NEED TO SERIOUSLY LOOK AT CONVERTING FROM MEMBER-
Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are not even included in this review and if these countries were added, the numbers would be exponentially greater! One just can’t ignore these stag-
faster, more reliable connections
SHIP CLUBS TO A MORE PLU-
gering statistics and when projected
for users. It would also provide the
RALISED OPERATING SYSTEM
against key demographics of the popu-
extra bandwidth needed to create
WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF PRO-
lation in China, India and ASEAN, close
what’s being called the “Internet
MOTING AND GROWING GOLF.
to 1 billion are in the tender 25 years the context of higher education, higher
also robots, cars, and all manner of
THIS INFUSION OF NEW BLOOD IS URGENTLY NEEDED AND, IN
sensor-equipped consumer products
AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE VERY
of Things” — a network that links not just phones and computers but
and infrastructure. 5G would even usher in a new era of “smart cities” in which energy grids, traffic signals, and emergency
FEW PUBLIC COURSES EXIST,
and below age group. When viewed in wages and more moving up into the middle class, the region really starts showing off its muscle. The middle class
EASE OF ACCESSIBILITY MUST BE
in China and India is expected to exceed
BOLDLY PURSUED.
1 billion people by 2030. There is no
services are linked to reduce inef-
denying the fact that the numbers speak for themselves and one cannot ignore
ficiencies. The list of innovations is virtually endless, and it is
the fact that even a tiny percentage from this huge prospect
most definitely going to have a very positive effect on how the
base can give golf a massive boost.
business of golf is conducted going forward. In a word, it is all
The math looks good and if the golf industry comes
going to be good for golf and how, as an industry, 5G can be
together to start working on this potential market, the future
harnessed by the golf industry to grow the game.
of golf at least in Asia is very promising.
While the developed world struggles to arrest a decline
To understand the potential for the future, the Asia Pacific
in the industry, there is tremendous potential for the growth
Golf Group conducted a random on-line survey in October
of the game in Asia. By just looking at population and
2018 amongst Asians under the age of 30 years to deter-
economic megatrends, there is no denying the fact that Asia
mine their perception of golf. We received over 1,300 valid
has all the right ingredients to throw into the pot to stew up a
responses and these were some of the key findings:
Q Do you play golf? Only 9% of the respondents gave an
ment where very few public courses exist, ease of accessibil-
affirmative answer.
ity must be boldly pursued.
Q What is it that you do not like about golf? 91% reported
In the case of India, around 160 courses are owned by
that it was too expensive while a further 93% thought that
the military. These Army-Navy-Air Force owned courses
golf was only for the rich.
account for 60 percent of all golf courses in India. The time
Q Would you consider taking up the game if it was inexpen-
has come for these courses to throw open their doors to a
sive? The response was overwhelmingly over 95%.
growing middle class so that golf no longer remains a game
Note that the objective of this random survey was to get a read from the young in the region as to how they perceived golf
for an exclusive few. The window to move in and grab a chunk of Asia’s grow-
and when analysed, it was discovered there was a high “aspi-
ing young market is now fully open. There is most certainly
ration factor” amongst this target group to give golf a try.
an aspiration amongst the young to take up the game and
With this knowledge, the industry must put its money
with role models like China’s veteran Zhang Lianwei and
where its mouth is. For decades, the golf industry has talked
young superstar Li Haotong and Indian veterans like Jeev
about making the game more affordable, more accessible
Milka Singh and youngsters like Anirban Lahiri and Shubhan-
and more playable. Unfortunately, this has just remained as
kar Sharma together with Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and
talk with no real action being undertaken.
Kiradech Aphibarnrat, there has never been a better time to promote golf to the region’s burgeoning market of young
APGS 2019 WILL BE THE BIGGEST AND THE BEST AND WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE DELEGATES GET TO ATTEND ANOTHER WORLD CLASS CONFERENCE AND AN EXPERIENCE FIT FOR A MAHARAJAH. In the context of the APGS theme, the golf industry needs to engage with technology and make the game more
demographics. The writing is on the wall and it is glaring down upon the industry. The movers and shakers in Asia must show their initiative and take a bold leap forward to change for the better and grow golf. Everything is in place and the time for ACTION is NOW. APGS 2019 is all primed to send out the key messages and it is assembling a team of some of the best speakers to deliver the need for a brand-new mindset that is purposedesigned and purpose-built for Asia.
accessible using Smart Apps like tee-time reservation servic-
APGS 2019 will also be totally different in keeping
es to promote and sell hours that go unused daily throughout
with the bold theme which will be developed in the coming
the region. This is revenue lost! Special discounted tariffs
months.
should be looked at to convert the unsold times and this is where affordability comes into play. Allow flexibility where new and younger golfers can
The Summit will be staged on the sprawling grounds of the award-winning DLF Golf Club widely regarded as a truly world class facility. A special giant marquee air-conditioned
play a reduced number of holes instead of having to play a
tent with state of the art facilities will be constructed for the
full nine or eighteen holes. After all, a hole sold is a dollar
staging of APGS 2019 and according to Aakash Ohri, Sr. Ex-
earned!
ecutive Director, DLF Home Developers Ltd, “APGS 2019 will
Another way to attract the young is for golf course own-
be the biggest and the best and we will make sure that all the
ers and operators to change their business models to give
delegates get to attend another world class conference and
access to the general public to play the game. China, India
an experience fit for a maharajah.”
and the ASEAN countries need to seriously look at converting from membership clubs to a more pluralised operating system with the objective of promoting and growing golf. This infusion of new blood is urgently needed and, in an environ-
The tentative dates for APGS 2019 are October 29-31 and it is expected to be confirmed within the next few weeks. APGS is owned and organised by the Asia Pacific Golf Group.
IN THE CONTEXT OF THE APGS THEME, THE GOLF INDUSTRY NEEDS TO ENGAGE WITH TECHNOLOGY AND MAKE THE GAME MORE ACCESSIBLE USING
SMART APPS
LIKE TEE-TIME RESERVATION SERVICES TO PROMOTE AND SELL HOURS THAT GO UNUSED DAILY THROUGHOUT THE REGION.
THIS IS REVENUE LOST! SPECIAL DISCOUNTED TARIFFS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT TO CONVERT THE UNSOLD TIMES AND THIS IS WHERE AFFORDABILITY COMES INTO PLAY.
So, you’ve always wanted to live in a golf community. This is a dream that many golfers have and some actually have had the opportunity to live out the experience. There are many such developments on golf courses throughout Southeast Asia and China but while all of these facilities have swanky homes of all dimensions to show off, very few really can boast of a living, breathing community. Amongst the few that have been able to develop, foster and sustain a golďŹ ng community is the Hua Hin-based Black Mountain Golf Club.
W
hen Black Mountain Golf Club was developed more than eleven years ago, its owner wanted to develop a vibrant golfing community around the golf course. This was the vision of Swedish owner-entrepreneur Stig Notlöv. His desire was to create the ultimate place to retire in Thailand and after exhaustive research over what was part rain forest and part pineapple plantation, Notlöv. reached a final conclusion that the land he was looking at would be ideal for a golf course and a golf community. Since then, Black Mountain has evolved into an award-winning 27-hole golf course, a splendid golf club and a facility with a thriving golf community. “The last thing I wanted was to have various properties on my golf course with no one living in them – we have too many ghost towns already on golf courses,” observed Notlöv. “I want Black Mountain to be a place where people can have holiday homes and permanent homes and to be a place where people share their love for golf and for community and we have achieved this goal,” Notlöv explained. Recalling the effort to make Black Mountain a dream community for people from all over the world, Harald Elisson, general manager of Black Mountain said, “We maintained our focus to not just sell prop-
I WANT BLACK MOUNTAIN TO BE A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN HAVE HOLIDAY HOMES AND PERMANENT HOMES AND TO BE A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE SHARE THEIR LOVE FOR GOLF AND FOR COMMUNITY AND WE HAVE ACHIEVED THIS GOAL.
– STIG NOTLÖV
erty but to sell a sense of belonging to a community and this is what our home owners and residents bought into – we wanted them to share in the fun of being together, enjoying golf and all of our reactional and leisure facilities and most importantly to have a strong sense of pride in calling Black Mountain home.” Today, Black Mountain is a mature golf club and course with a thriving community of international citizens who have opted to make Thailand their home. What Black Mountain offers can be described as a total package made up of quality golf, tennis, good food and even good education provided by the Hua Hin International School. What’s on offer in terms of homes? Well, Black Mountain offers an unparalleled living experience with a choice of large and luxurious course-side villas, townhouses, twin houses, four-storey villas and condomini-
WE WANTED A SELF-CONTAINED FACILITY AND WE HAVE SOMEWHAT ACHIEVED THAT GOAL – ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL, WE ARE NOW A FABULOUS VILLAGE WITH A GREAT COMMUNITY ENJOYING THEIR GOLF, A WONDERFUL COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND ALWAYS RISING TO A WONDERFUL NEW DAY OF FUN AND ENJOYMENT. – HARALD ELISSON ums. Top of the line are the four-storey, 800+ square-metre villas which offer breath-taking views of the entire golf course and the mountain backdrop which is hard to beat. “Our golf community is quite large, and we hope that it will continue growing in the years to come,” said Elisson. He went on to add, “We wanted a self-contained facility and we have somewhat achieved that goal – all things being equal, we are now a fabulous village with a great community enjoying their golf, a wonderful community spirit and always rising to a wonderful new day of fun and enjoyment”. Black Mountain is living testimony to how a golf community should function. The club has got its act together and it looks set to grow its successful concept to become the best in Thailand and the best in the region.
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If you are a golfer, you have no doubt heard of the term “golfing gods”. It is a term that w the game of golf over television and radio. It has since become part of golf vocabulary an or her misfortune is attributed to the ire of the golfing gods! It’s serious stuff! In the spirit of Thailand that has reached out to the divine power of the Lord Buddha to watch over al Golf Resort in Pattaya, Thailand.
was created by golf scribes and those who commentate on nd when anything goes wrong with a player’s game, his of divinity, there is now a golf course in the Kingdom ll golfers who use the brand-new Chee Chan
HOLE 18
N
estled by the Gulf of Siam, the dominant element of the new course is the Chee Chan Buddha, whose serene likeness has been carved into a limestone escarpment some 110 metres high. “Buddha Mountain” is one of the region’s best-known tourist and devotional attractions. Today, his gilt-edged visage is visible from nearly every spot on the 220-acre property, including the entire
opening hole.
“We couldn’t afford to miss that opportunity — to start golfers on their spiritual journey under the watchful eye of Siddhartha Gautama,” said Golfplan Partner David Dale, the architect who designed the course. “The Buddha invites a decision on the very first tee: play conservative to the right/lower landing area and approach the green uphill, over deep bunkers - or drive more aggressively (left of the centre bunker) to create a downhill approach to unguarded putting surface,” explained Dale. “We have much to learn from the Buddha, who taught us a ‘Middle Way’ between sensual indulgence and uncurbed asceticism. For golfers the larger message is unambiguous: Relax and keep it in the fairway.” HOLE 16
CLUB HOUSE
HOLE 14 HOLE 17
WE HAVE MUCH TO LEARN FROM THE BUDDHA, WHO TAUGHT US A ‘MIDDLE WAY’ BETWEEN SENSUAL INDULGENCE AND UNCURBED ASCETICISM.
FOR GOLFERS THE LARGER MESSAGE IS UNAMBIGUOUS: RELAX AND KEEP IT IN THE FAIRWAY. “At Chee Chan, the cultural aspect was ready-made and close by, but we accentuated the experience over and over again. By my count, holes 5, 6, 11, 14 and 17 all play toward Buddha Mountain — 11 and 17 afford golfers excellent views of a Buddhist temple nestled into a different hillside. The experience is unique precisely because it’s so unique to Thai culture,” Dale pointed out.
HOLE 18
HOLE 18
Buddha Mountain was created on the northern face of Khao
I KNOW HOW GOLFERS
Chee Chan in 1996, to commemorate His Majesty the King of Thai-
THINK AND WHAT THEY
land’s golden jubilee. It’s been a major domestic tourist draw ever
WANT.
I KNOW THE LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT IS EXPECTED, AND SO I BUILT THE COURSE BASED ON THE NEEDS OF MYSELF AS A GOLFER, AND NOT JUST AS AN INVESTOR.
WHATEVER I SEE FIT
since - enough to invite subsequent development of a water park, winery and shopping district. With new accommodations and worldclass resort golf added to the mix, this corner of Pattaya (just 90 minutes from Suvarnabhumi International Airport) is a fully-fledged destination unto itself. “I love golf,” said Narit Chia-Apar, founder of Chee Chan Golf Resort and chairman of the developing entity, Chartered Square
TO GIVE THE BEST IMPRESSION
Holding Company. “I know how golfers think and what they want. I
FOR OUR VISITORS,
know the level of service that is expected, and so I built the course
I WILL MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE IT HERE. – NARIT CHIA-APAR
based on the needs of myself as a golfer, and not just as an investor. Whatever I see fit to give the best impression for our visitors, I will make sure that we have it here.” So, enjoy your game of golf and remember that the golfing gods will always be looking down on you!
HOLE 4
PURE. DISTANCE.
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Finally, the last word on a golf shoe that’s terrific on and off the golf course. It’s versatility pushed to its utmost! The new hot shoe is from FootJoy and it is appropriately named as the FJ FLEX. It comes hot on the heels of the recently launched FJ FURY which has set the golf world ablaze and it goes without saying that the FJ FLEX will blaze a glory trail all its own.
THE NEW FJ FLEX IS A SHOE OF EXCEPTIONAL VALUE. OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AND COMFORT IN A GREAT ATHLETIC STYLING. PATENTED
THE VERSA-TREX RUBBER OUTSOLE
CONSTRUCTION IS THE KEY FEATURE OF
FJ FLEX AS IT PROVIDES ARGUABLY ONE OF THE BEST TRACTION PERFORMANCES, ON AND OFF THE COURSE, FOR A SPIKELESS SHOE. – TIMOTHY YOONG THE
S
o, what’s so special about the FJ FLEX? Put
“FJ FLEX is a product designed for a variety of
simply, it is described as the new standard in
surfaces, while maintaining its functionality for the game
versatile traction. Unlike many spikeless golf
of golf,” said Richard Fryer, Director of Product Manage-
shoes, which are made to perform either on
ment, FJ Footwear. “The Versa-Trax outsole delivers
or off the golf course, the all-new FJ FLEX
outstanding walking comfort, with advanced traction ele-
has been specifically designed and engineered for both. This has been made possible with a new patent-
ments that produce excellent multi-surface grip.” Chipping in, Timothy Yoong, FJ’s Regional Brand
pending outsole configuration which is built upon a
Manager said, “The new FJ Flex is a shoe of exceptional
chassis of comfort EVA foam. The outsole of the new FJ
value. Outstanding performance and comfort in a great
FLEX features a web of multi-dimensional, strategically
athletic styling. The patented Versa-Trex rubber outsole
placed traction elements to maximize versatility and
construction is the key feature of the FJ Flex as it provides
performance that is built into athletic profile that offers a
arguably one of the best traction performances, on and off
precise fit.
the course, for a spikeless shoe.”
For a better understanding and appreciation of the FJ FLEX, ASIAN GOLF provides a deep-dive look at the stand-out features of the shoe:
HYBRID TRA C TIO N
DURABLE RUBBER
COMFORT EVA
BOTH ON AND OFF COURSE TRACTION ELEMENTS, ENGINEERED TO MAXIMIZE TRACTION ON THE COURSE DURING THE SWING AND PROVIDE GRIP WHEN WALKING OFF THE COURSE
O FF C O URSE G RIP
LARGER, FLATTER SURFACE AREA TRACTION ELEMENTS PLACED ON THE HEEL, WHERE THE FOOT INITIALLY MAKES CONTACT WHEN WALKING ON SMOOTH OR HARD SURFACES.
FJ FLEX provides maximum breathability and optimal ямБt delivered by a lightweight engineered mesh upper, while the super-cushioned EVA midsole provides all-day comfort. The sporty styling combined with proprietary spikeless traction elements allows FJ FLEX to be the popular choice on the course, in the clubhouse and beyond.
G O LF PERFO RM A N C E TRA C TIO N
POINTY, TURF GRIPPING TRACTION ELEMENTS PLACED WHERE THE FOOT APPLIES MAXIMUM PRESSURE WITH THE GROUND DURING THE GOLF SWING.
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 (1st Runner Up) Best Managed Golf Club ƂÃ > *>V wV (1st Runner Up) Best Pro-Shop ƂÃ > *>V wV (2nd Runner Up) À > v ÕÃ >Ì / > Õ ÌÀÞ ÕL°°° / > 9 Õt
Owned & managed by The Peninsula Hotels & often voted as possessing the “BEST CLUBHOUSE IN ASIA” & “BEST COURSE IN THAILAND”, Thai Country Club is less than 45 minutes from downtown Bangkok and is renowned for having the friendliest staff of «À viÃà > Ã Ì i }` V ÌÌi` Ì «À Û ` } Ì i 1 Ì >Ìi w } Ý«iÀ i Vi° For registered guests of The Peninsula Bangkok, we are happy to arrange > Ìii Ì i >Ì > ÃÕLÃÌ> Ì > Ài`ÕVÌ vÀ ÕÀ À > Û Ã Ì À½Ã À>Ìi° ÝÌi ` Þ ÕÀ LÕà iÃà ÌÀ « > } ] À L > }iÌ >Ü>Þ } w } «>V >}i° 7 i Ì V iÃ Ì iÝV Õà Ûi } w } Ü Ì «iVV>L i ë Ì> ÌÞ q Üi « >Þ vv ÃVÀ>ÌV °
Owned and Managed by The Peninsula Hotels Thai Country Club www.thaicountryclub.com Tel: +66 (38) 562-700 inquiry@thaicountryclub.com
So, do you own an Apple Watch? You know what it can do for you, right? It tells more than the time. It is worn throughout the day and relies on its connection to an iPhone for much of its functionality. It can track health activity, communicate with friends and run a wide range of apps. It can even make retail payments and keep a check on how your stocks are performing. You can send and receive messages by dictating them or selecting from pre-set options. There’s a built-in speaker and microphone for phone calls and Apple’s personal assistant can be accessed on the watch by saying, “Hey, Siri.” The little watch can help people lead healthier lives, by letting them set goals within apps or tracking their physical activity using built-in sensors. And its uses go on and on! Now, the Apple Watch has an exciting new feature and it can be used to help you with your golf game.
HOLE SELECTION
G
SCORE TRACKING
EXACT YARDAGE
G IM
olfers can now get exact yardages, green
provide the information needed to make smart decisions
images, score tracking and hole selection,
on approach shots and quickly determine the target and
all on Apple Watch.
club on Apple Watch.
GolfLogix, the complete game im-
provement app and global leader in GPS
Q SCORE TRACKING - Enter scores between holes or edit scores at any time throughout the round on Apple
and stats tracking technology, has released its latest
Watch which then corresponds back to the GolfLogix app
update on Apple Watch, offering a more convenient alter-
on the phone.
native to the iPhone. The app is compatible with Series 3
Q HOLE SELECTION - Switch between holes using
and 4 Apple Watches.
the top navigation inside Apple Watch. Enter your
“As we head into the 2019 season, we are excited to introduce our industry-leading golf GPS application to
score or review your yardage. With the game-changing GolfLogix app, golf-
Apple Watch,” said Pete Charleston, President at GolfLogix.
ers can focus on the game and the things that
“Now with one glance, golfers will have convenient access
really matter—hitting their target.
to all the information they need to improve their game on the golf course.” Here’s a drill-down on what you can expect from the new Apple Watch app:
Want to give it a try? Download GolfLogix for Apple Watch through the Apple Store and get a FREE GolfLogix Plus trial! GolfLogix is the complete game improve-
Q EXACT YARDAGES - The standalone GPS function-
ment app with more than 4 million users
ality in Apple Watch provides accurate yardages to the
worldwide. Dedicated to offering golfers the most
front, middle and back of greens and pre-mapped data
advanced green mapping, GPS solutions, and stats
points such as bunkers, layups, and water.
tracking, GolfLogix helps improve performance on
Q GREEN IMAGES - Bird’s-eye views of each green
the golf course.
GREEN MAGES
NOW WITH ONE GLANCE, GOLFERS WILL HAVE CONVENIENT ACCESS TO ALL THE INFORMATION THEY NEED TO IMPROVE THEIR GAME ON THE GOLF COURSE.
– PETE CHARLESTON
It is no idle boast! Black Mountain Gol By being manifested with the prestigi exclusive member of an elite gr
The Zenith Award, presented to us at of our all-round standard of e
At Black Mountain we deliver da are judged b
We are The Ultim
Black Mountain G
565 Moo7, Nong Hieng Road, Hin L Tel: +66 (0) 32 618 666 or Email: sa
www.blac
f Club has reached the ultimate pinnacle of excellence. ious Asia PaciÅc Order Of Zenith, our club is now an rouping of the best golf clubs in the Asia PaciÅc. the “Oscars” of the golf industry is acknowledgement xcellence in all operational aspects of the club.
ay after day, a standard of excellence by which we by our members and patrons. ate GolÅng Experience, Bar None!
Golf Club. Nothing Gets Better!
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Asia today is home to nearly 5,000 golf clubs and this is a critical mass alright! Many of thes were more golfers around than clubs – it was a period when a developer had to do was bui the facility. Those halcyon days are over and are sadly locked away in the memories of the clubs that are doing very well in terms of overall business but by the same token, they are in gritty details, there is a case for third party management companies to move into Asia with try. Recently, Dana Garmany, the founder and now retired CEO of Troon Golf, the world’s lar that the number of American golf facilities working with management companies has gradu percent currently. Yet with more than 12,850 facilities still unaffiliated with outside operators sional management services. “There’s no better time than now to be in the business,” said growing significantly – we peg it to be about 23 percent of total courses by 2020. There’s a t major change. We used to have to sell ourselves, but the concept alone is getting more acc
MARK CHAPLESKI
se clubs were built during an era when there ild a golf club and the golfers would swarm to past. Without generalisation, there are golf n the minority. Without getting into the nitty a view to alleviating the state of the club indusgest management company was quoted as saying ually increased from 10.6 percent in 2006 to about 16 s, there remains plenty of room for growth in profesGarmany. “The third-party management portion is ton of growth out there for everybody, which is a cepted, so it makes our job a little easier.�
TROON INTERNATIONAL DUBAI TEAM- BATTLE FOR BABS
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ow well golfers are serviced by golf clubs is contingent on how professionally managed these clubs are. In this context and based on Garmany’s expert observations, ASIAN GOLF decided to reach out and discuss the matter with Mark Chapleski, President of Troon International. The following are excerpts from the interview: ASIAN GOLF: There seems to be some fears, misgivings and resistance to third party management of golf clubs. Before we get into the merits and so-called de-merits of this practice, can you help put third party management for clubs in its proper context?
MARK CHAPLESKI: Well, I would say that a third-party management company is typically employed to help evaluate, monitor and manage business operations but ultimately provide recommendations and areas for positive change and growth based on expertise and knowledge in a particular ďŹ eld. This may include both contractual and non-contractual parties. Regarding fears, misgivings and resistance, the biggest misconception is that a thirdparty management company will take over a business and make wholesale changes. This should not be the case. The ownership of the business does not change, and the role of a third-party management company is to deliver against the objectives set by the owners working
in collaboration with them. I think solutions. Given the scale of our EGARDING FEARS in business, regardless of what business, more often than not, industry you work in, owners we will deliver exactly that. MISGIVINGS AND RESIS may have some initial concerns TANCE THE BIGGEST MISCONCEP ASIAN GOLF: Asia, particuabout relinquishing control, but larly Southeast Asia which has they set the parameters as to the TION IS THAT A THIRD PARTY close to about 800 golf clubs level of autonomy they provide to MANAGEMENT COMPANY WILL in operation, started with a third-party management group. Thankfully for us we can offer TAKE OVER A BUSINESS AND MAKE predominantly owner operated facilities some 25 to 30 years some assurances to our clients WHOLESALE CHANGES HIS ago. Many of these facilities – mainly, Troon being a global have fallen into various stages market leader, we can point to SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE HE of disrepair for a variety of our entire body of work over the OWNERSHIP OF THE BUSINESS reasons with funding being the last 30 years, which currently biggest challenge. Against this incorporates us operating in 33 DOES NOT CHANGE AND THE backdrop, has the time come countries and 40 American states. ROLE OF A THIRD PARTY MANAGE for many of these beleaguered We can also point to some of our clubs to begin looking at new longest-standing relationships as MENT COMPANY IS TO DELIVER ways of operating their busievidence of the value we provide. AGAINST THE OBJECTIVES SET BY ness? The Emaar owned Address Montgomerie, Dubai has been a CHAPLESKI: It’s interesting you THE OWNERS WORKING IN COL Troon property for over 15 years say that because it’s not just LABORATION WITH THEM and Abu Dhabi Golf Club, has put clubs in Asia that face many of their trust in Troon for 11 years. these issues. Globally, many are We take great pride in this as it is a clear demonstration of re-evaluating their business models and implementing how maintaining good dialogue and continually reassessnew practices and adding amenities given the necesing that what we are doing is aligned with our owners’ sity to attract new golfers, as well as, obviously, retain objectives delivers the long-term relationships that we existing ones. But then isn’t that constant re-evaluation believe underpin our success. Ultimately, a third part a trademark of a successful company? We are living in management company is there to provide expertise and such a fast-paced environment, generally, and time is
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the one thing most people are short of – especially with today’s smartphones – we’re contactable every minute. Golf can also be time-consuming in its traditional 18-hole form; and expensive; furthermore, people are also more health conscious. These are all examples of things we take into consideration when making recommendations. Take Troon-Fit – our fitness programme, which is all about making more healthy choices and placing golf within the context of this; or some of our properties investing in AL HAMRA GOLF CLUB
developing leisure facilities to offer its members amenities at the golf club which they may have otherwise sought elsewhere. My advice is to always consider the environment we are operating in and not be afraid to think outside of the box. Ultimately, any club looking to make a change should seek expert advice. In many ways Troon offers solutions to these golf clubs. Depending upon the facility’s circumstances, some third-party management options are better
TROON GOLF, FAIRMONT ST ANDREWS,SCOTLAN
than others. A third party management company such as Troon utilises skills and knowledge gathered from around the world to move their clients’ business forward and we are fairly fluid based upon an owner’s needs. We provide access to the best people in the industry across many different areas of it. There are not many issues Troon associates haven’t faced somewhere before, so we are almost always better placed to offer recommendations. If I needed to sum it up in a sentence, golf clubs need to be more attractive to the needs of the modern-day customer, always offer ‘value’ and be more fun! There are many ways a golf club can achieve all of those things… ASIAN GOLF: If one was to draw an analogy, the early hotels in the region started as owner-operated facilities and then moved on to opting for professional third-party management. Today, these hotels have grown into big chains operated by big name brands. Does the same hold good for golf clubs? Chapleski: Possibly, yes, but I think that is a positive in many respects. However, it is incredibly important for us and any third-party management company to work collaboratively with clients. Of course, the main goal for everybody is to ensure business and revenue targets are met, but in many instances, we must maintain the personality and nuances of the club. Quite often wholesale changes are not needed and keeping the character of the club intact, while operating more efficiently, is the ultimate goal. Our facilities are based in all sorts of different environments, climates, economies and ways of living. As a result, we are required to find solutions that meet the specific needs of each venue. Although there are definitely practises that can be applicable and transferable across D
the board, if everything was exactly the same the world would be a less interesting place to live in, so understanding and maintaining some of those nuances keeps us moving forward in a dynamic manner. ASIAN GOLF: What are the advantages of turning a facility over to a third-party management company? CHAPLESKI: Although I can’t speak on behalf of all third-party management companies, because like any industry some are better than others, we have a wealth of knowledge, globally, and our experience is vast and varied. From managing golf courses under the northern lights in Norway to courses in the heart of the desert in Arizona or the Middle East, we provide dedicated services to venues big or small, member and pay-and-play. Third party management companies provide professional advice and experience to those looking to reevaluate their businesses and move forward in a way that no single general manager can do. This is a concept used in all walks of life and we happen to do it, passionately, in the golf industry. ASIAN GOLF: One of the primary concerns with owners is of costs. Can you address this concern and provide a convincing explanation to allay this concern? Chapleski: Definitely, as business owners, clients want to quantify their investment. We have a wide-range of services we can offer and although the preference for us is that we are employed to manage everything top-to-bottom because we are confident, we’ll do a good job; our clients can be more selective as to the services they want, or require, which is almost certainly more cost effective for them. Of course, it needs to make sense for us too because we all have to make tough decisions on investments.
TROON-GOLF-COURSE-MANAGEMENT-CHAMPION-HILLS
DJ AND MARK CHAPLESKI AT ALPENSIA – SITE OF 2018 WINTER OLYMPICS
One of those costs for us is to employ the best people in the industry so we can provide a world-class service and employing talent comes with a price. But we are passionate about what we do and often become so incredibly engrained in our client’s businesses that, when all is said and done, their success is our success, and vice versa, so it is justifiable. Another significant advantage we can bring is the way we use our global size within procurement. We deliver significant cost savings across a wide range of goods and services to our owners. I want to stress how working with Troon, as a thirdparty management company, is very much a collaborative process when it comes to achieving success. Our service is constantly under review and, if it is not paying dividends, we will re-evaluate things accordingly alongside the client. ASIAN GOLF: Typically, what is the full scope of thirdparty management? CHAPLESKI: At Troon we can provide support across a full range of services including club operations, agronomy, food & beverage, sales & marketing, procurement, finance, design & development, risk management and information technology. That is what the menu reads at least! But you also
get access to people – consultancy, if you like, as there are many things, we do that I can’t write down on a piece of paper. The value of experience, for example, is something that you can’t necessarily quantify. Interestingly though, those intangibles are sometimes what can turn out to be the most valuable to a client – you just don’t know what it is or when they’re going to occur as it could be a completely unforeseen issue or opportunity! ASIAN GOLF: One of the most severe problems faced by many owner-operated golf courses relates to matters of course maintenance which is critical to the success of any golf course. How does a third-party arrangement help alleviate this problem? CHAPLESKI: It’s an interesting point as this quite often comes up in our global golf surveys when we ask consumers ‘what is the single most important factor when choosing where to play your next round of golf’? You have to listen to your customers and, as a result, golf course conditioning is right at the top of our priority list. It comes down to a few main things; how it is managed; how is it presented; how does it play – although there are many elements that go into making sure those three things happen, we are fortunate to have some very skilled Directors for Agronomy within the International Division -
there isn’t much they don’t know within an organisation. Each and HIRD PARTY MANAGE about course maintenance. And every employee needs to take of course, they have access to pride in this process and fully MENT COMPANIES colleagues in America and a netunderstand what is expected of PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ADVICE work of Superintendents managthem. There are way too many ing courses in every conceivable other things people could be AND EXPERIENCE TO THOSE type of climate. As a result, there doing with their time other than are not many challenges that they LOOKING TO RE EVALUATE THEIR playing golf. Once you realise have not come across before and you are competing for people’s BUSINESSES AND MOVE FORWARD the benchmarking we are able to time you will instantly change the IN A WAY THAT NO SINGLE undertake in this area is second mentality of how a golf club is to none. represented. GENERAL MANAGER CAN DO Typically, a property within ASIAN GOLF: Shifting gears and HIS IS A CONCEPT USED IN ALL the International Division will looking at the business of runget visits from one of our WALKS OF LIFE AND WE HAPPEN ning a golf club in today’s chalagronomists at least four times TO DO IT PASSIONATELY IN THE lenging environment and given a year, which has allowed them the fact that many are not really to experience various seasons, GOLF INDUSTRY making basic revenue objectives, climates, grasses, budgets, is third party management the course set-ups, sands, teeing grounds, fairways and green solution and what guarantee is there that this will help complexes…everything. Our facility-based Superintenturn things around for the better? dents also have regular communication with the corporate CHAPLESKI: I certainly believe we could find a way to help team and their fellow Superintendents within Troon. With any golf club. But it is important to be honest with one it being so diverse they can offer dedicated and specific another. There has to be a collective agreement with your solutions. Having said that, most third-party management client about what it is going to take to make an improvecompanies have very competent Agronomy leaders, and ment. You also both have to commit to that course of action for owners who are not sure about the efficacy of their as it is a collaborative process. If you’re not pulling in the maintenance spending or the end product (golf course) it same direction, you’re less likely to succeed. is highly recommended for them to get a professional third I’m speaking quite generally, as we make our deciparty involved in some fashion. sions on a case-by-case basis, but there are more instant ASIAN GOLF: Equally of concern is member and benefits or guarantees that come from working with a customer service. Again, many clubs do not deliver a global business-like Troon. I have already mentioned that service experience to ensure that both members and we have a network of preferred suppliers that provide us customers keep coming back. How will third party with economies of scale. Therefore, our clients can take management help improve the state of affairs in this advantage of those to operate more cost effectively. operational area? Ultimately, we’re in the business of golf and we need CHAPLESKI: In operational terms, Troon regularly progolf clubs to be successful. It is our job to help facilitate vides training, workshops and seminars for its clients and that by taking all the learning and experience within Troon employees. We also provide access to our Intranet which to make changes based on knowledge and fact. Any strugis an online tool providing manuals, templates and best gling business, or any business just looking to take their practice examples across all disciplines. product to the next level, or any new business (we work with I won’t go into detail about our best practice but what them all) should seek counsel from an expert in that field. I will say is how we take great pride in the level of service ASIAN GOLF: Does third party management necessarily we provide and, much like you’d expect from your favourite mean that all key personnel will come from the company hotel or restaurant, it is often the small details that make or will it mean that local staff is trained to fill key posithe biggest difference to people. Golf is meant to be a tions so as to ensure a sustainable business environment? retreat from the rigours of daily life, so our aim is to make CHAPLESKI: That’s another great question. Firstly, as I sure they feel that way when they visit us. mentioned earlier, every position is key to the success of I will also stress how important it is for customer the business. service best practices to be embraced from top to bottom
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that they would eventually taking over the reins. ASIAN GOLF: Third party management seems to work very well in North America and in Europe. Should Asia look at these successful business models and look at leaving the operations of golf clubs in the hands of professionals like third party management companies? CHAPLESKI: Yes, they work well. I can offer a bit of history on that to explain why, if you like? Troon was founded in Arizona and the business grew organically in the surrounding area when the success we were having with our first-ever property at Troon North (which is still Troon-owned to this day and is its spiritual home) started to spread. We made a strategic decision some years later to begin operations internationally. Europe has been successful and continues to grow. The Middle East is also a major market for us (16 properties); so much so that the head office for Troon International Division is in Dubai; geographically it also makes a lot sense. All of that underlines how our tried and tested model delivers results. In terms of Asia specifically, well, I joined Troon in 1999 and what most people don’t know about me is I spent my first 4 years with the company based in Japan. We helped Goldman Sachs create what is now the second largest golf manageNOTHER SIGNIFICANT ADVANTAGE WE ment company in the world, behind Troon, CAN BRING IS THE WAY WE USE OUR Accordia Golf. I still spend as much time as GLOBAL SIZE WITHIN PROCUREMENT E DELIVER I can in the Asian region and we have many fantastic properties here already – I’ll point SIGNIFICANT COST SAVINGS ACROSS A WIDE RANGE to the likes of the Els Club Malaysia, Banyan Tree Club (South Korea), and Prestige GolfOF GOODS AND SERVICES TO OUR OWNERS shire Club (India) as good examples of that. Secondly, we operate all over the world and believe Of course, Asia is a very diverse place. But the same it is incredibly important to have local staff. Practically, can be said about Europe. So, to answer your question, locals understand the surrounding area and the culture there is absolutely no reason why Asian golf businesses inherently. Quite often, it is important to our golfers too – shouldn’t work with third party management companies. the whole experience is more authentic and genuine. For At Troon, we have been in most major golf markets and that reason, we’ll always look to employ local staff first. will continue to provide value wherever we go. That said, in many countries the skill level is not Harking back to Troon’s Founder Garmany, “Anyone there, particularly in emerging golf markets and it is that is going to hustle and work really hard is going to do necessary to bring expertise from elsewhere. In that terrific …. If you’re really providing service, have a depth particular situation, we will employ locally underneath of talent, a real team, and can build an infrastructure, I do that person and develop skills over time which will mean think there’s a great way to do well.”
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PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
When ASIAN GOLF first saw Rory McIlroy in action, he was just 19 years of age. He was a sight to behold. The Belfast boy, standing at just 5ft 9in was already a phenomenon at this stage. His surge up the rankings almost defies belief. His maiden pro victory in Dubai had everything, especially guts at the end. And he remained reassuringly grounded. But, somewhere down the line, the shine wore off and this set the golf pundits wondering – whatever happened to the Northern Irish kid who was supposed to take over the baton from the legendary Tiger Woods? Just as the world was about to give up on the golf wunderkind, he seemed to suddenly turn his game around at the start of 2019. At the 2019 Players Championship, McIlroy delivered on the promise that he was and is still a mega star. The kid is back with a mind that is so powerful that it is almost frightening. The following is a special report on McIlroy’s masterful performance at The Players Championship. The PGA TOUR’s Chris Cox reports.
For all of the distraction, doubt and ridicule he endured throughout the past several months, Rory McIlroy always stayed true to himself.
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hat wasn’t always the case. For far too long, the 29-year-old often let his poor play on the course define the round that followed. And, perhaps worse, he let it negatively impact his demeanor away from the game as he lived day-to-day life. “It’s maturity, I think,” he said. “It’s been having a focus over the last six or seven months on my attitude, especially my attitude to golf, and not letting golf define who I am as a person, trying to keep the two things very separate. Because one thing that I used to do in the past is let what I shot that day influence who I was or my mood. “To try to keep those two things very separate is something I’ve worked hard on because who I am as a person isn’t who I am as a golfer, and it took me a while to get to that point where I realized who those two people were.” Of course, any avid follower of the game understands that’s probably been difficult of late, as golf statisticians and commentators pointed out—sometimes rather gleefully— that the Northern Irishman was on a stretch of nine straight defeats in which he started in the fourth round’s final pairing of the 2019 Players Championship. Three of those instances came since the calendar turned to 2019, though it would be hard to blame McIlroy too much for any of those failures. “I feel like I’ve managed the first six weeks or six tournaments of the year very well, even with some noise around me, whether it is, ‘He can’t close, he can’t play on Sundays, blah, blah, blah,’” McIlroy said. “I’ve just got to do my thing, and if I go and I concentrate on me, control what I can do, good golf and good attitude takes care of the rest.”
PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
That maturity, that control and that attitude finally came through for him at The Players Championship, where McIlroy once again arrived for the final round within striking distance of a win. This time, he managed to seal the deal. Despite a wild final round that saw a host of players take their shots at the The Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, it was McIlroy who stood tall at the end. He carded a closing, 2-under 70 to finish at 16-under overall, one shot better than local favorite Jim Furyk. It was his 15th career PGA TOUR win and first since the Arnold
Palmer Invitational exactly one year ago. Coincidentally, both victories came on St. Patrick’s Day weekend. “I think all the experiences I’ve had over the last few weeks in terms of trying to win and not getting over the line definitely helped me today,” he said. “Maybe if I hadn’t had those experiences, I wouldn’t be sitting up here with this trophy, so I’m thankful and grateful for those experiences I’ve had this year. “Yes, it would have been nice to maybe get another win, but it sort of made it all worth it, the fact that this win
IT’S NOT JUST A WIN, IT’S A MASSIVE WIN,” MCILROY SAID, STARING AT HIS NEW 24K GOLD PLAYERS TROPHY. “IT’S A WIN AT A TOURNAMENT I’VE NEVER WON BEFORE ON A GOLF COURSE THAT I’VE HAD MIXED RESULTS ON, SO I FEEL LIKE I’M GOING TO TAKE EVEN MORE FROM THAT. I HAD TO GRIND IT OUT DOWN THE STRETCH, WHICH I’LL TAKE A LOT FROM.
has come at this golf tournament, a tournament where Sawgrass and I didn’t have the greatest relationship starting off.” McIlroy’s conflict with the Stadium Course wasn’t all that different from the mental battles he has endured to begin this season. He missed the cut in each of his first three career starts at TPC Sawgrass and failed to card a sub-70 round until breaking through with a tie for eighth in 2013. He has for the most part mastered Pete Dye’s creation ever since, carding a tie for sixth, another tie for eighth and a tie for 12th before this year’s win.
And as for McIlroy’s recent mental approach, he insists that he has remained disciplined in not reading any press clippings about himself—either good or bad—which has allowed him to leave each tournament pleased with his performance. When he has reflected on the 72 holes each week—rather than the final two, for instance—McIlroy has been content with his effort. He’s recounted reading several books on mental approach and worked with those among his inner circle on figuring out himself. It’s been a long journey where those closest to McIlroy have helped point him in the right direction, he said. “I’ve done everything I’ve wanted to do,” he said. “I looked at my stats at the end of every week. I’m leading in strokes gained tee to green, I’m putting well, my aroundthe-greens is good. Everything was in a really good place, and that’s why I was just preaching patience, and it was just a matter of time.” “I think the toughest part is seeing yourself up there and seeing 10 or 11 guys with a chance,” McIlroy said. “There’s been a few times where I’ve been in positions like that, and I’ve taken the tournament by the scruff of the neck. I drew on those experiences today and the experiences over the past few weeks and stayed patient and stayed in the right frame of mind, especially being 2-over through 4. “I guess that was the hardest thing, just getting yourself to the point mentally where you say, ‘Well, why not me? This is my tournament, I’m going to finish it off.’” Troubles and all, McIlroy never folded, the pressures of previous misses not factoring in this time around. He matched Furyk at 15-under, with a birdie at the par-4 15th, then took the lead for good on the ensuing hole with a two-putt birdie on the par-5. McIlroy called his second shot at the 15th by far his
best of the day. Using a 6-iron, he stuck his approach shot from 180 yards to 13 feet, ensuring himself a birdie. It quickly erased the sting of bogeying the previous hole and set him up for the clinching birdie at the par-5 16th. McIlroy then two-putted on the treacherous two closing holes to claim The Players, one of the elusive titles that has evaded him for so long. The win made him one of just three players to win the FedExCup, a major, a World Golf Championships event and The Players. The others? Tiger Woods and Henrik Stenson. McIlroy’s Patience paid off. McIlroy has grown so much since those early teenage struggles at TPC Sawgrass. He plans on savoring this win for as long as he can, especially considering the negative whispers that surrounded him leading up to it. “It’s not just a win, it’s a massive win,” McIlroy said, staring at his new 24k gold Players trophy. “It’s a win at a tournament I’ve never won before on a golf course that I’ve had mixed results on, so I feel like I’m going to take even more from that. I had to grind it out down the stretch, which I’ll take a lot from. “I don’t want to look too far ahead. I really want to enjoy this. I’ve got a week off.” Meet the new Rory, mental strength and all!
MCILROY’S PATIENCE PAID OFF. MCILROY HAS GROWN SO MUCH SINCE THOSE EARLY TEENAGE STRUGGLES AT TPC SAWGRASS. HE PLANS ON SAVORING THIS WIN FOR AS LONG AS HE CAN, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE NEGATIVE WHISPERS THAT SURROUNDED HIM LEADING UP TO IT.
#LIVEUNDERPAR © 2018 PGATOUR, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Player appearance subject to change.
For the past few years, ASIAN GOLF has b golf clubs in Asia to embrace Smartphone tions. There is no doubt that on-line tee-tim no-brainer and an absolute win-win propo For a myriad of reasons, many golf course hold on to archaic practices when it come article, while not focused on smart apps fo very strong case for golf clubs to change t the winds of change. ASIAN GOLF’s Jame thoughts on the prevailing old-fashioned s
been on a crusade to get e Apps to deal with tee-time reservame reservation services are both a osition for golf clubs and golfers alike. es have proven to be adamant and rather es to tee-time bookings. The following or on-line bookings, does make a their mindsets and move with s Graham Prusa shares his system that is in place:
T
hroughout Asia and the world-at-large, golf clubs and public access golf courses have not always used the most progressive business practices. It is a fair commentary to suggest that golf courses are too often far behind the rest of the business world in applying more efficient and profitable best practices – one might impartially apply the word ‘archaic’ in evaluating how golf operations are mismanaged. One such golf operation practice stuck in old ways is that of tee time reservation policies and practices. Confucius would today be saddened, as there are fewer “gentlemen” and more of those making a tee time reservation, not keeping to their promise to show up! It’s hard to calculate total economic impact on golf from tee reservation ‘no shows,’ but it is not insignificant. Golf seems to ignore this only to repeat the same failed reservation practices, while expecting better results. Managers in the golf business are often not trained in, or are even totally ignorant of, studies in hospitality yield management such as Revenue Management on the Links: Applying Yield Management to the Golf-course Industry, by Sheryl E. Kimes, of Cornell University. ‘No shows’ for tee reservations are a perpetual, serious problem in golf – caused by management people too inexperienced and unaware of better practices in hospitality and travel. Try being a no show at a hotel or airline – you’ll be penalized with a forfeiture of 100% of a room or flight price unless you can cancel in advance. Even many restaurants collect deposits for small reservation groups – and top-tier restaurants charge hefty no-show fees. No show best practices are justified and equitable, because customers effectively provided a promise that they will show up, while hospitality businesses reciprocally must turn others away in consideration of reservation mutual promises. At a minimum, a hospitality business reduces sales efforts based upon assurances received from customers reserving service. For decades it has not been uncommon for hospitality yield managers
to practice ‘overbooking’ reservations, to protect their perishable time inventory. Golf is just too ‘touchy-feely-wimpy’ in its tee management. Prudent yield management practices have been well studied and implemented ages ago in other industry segments – reducing revenue losses caused by no shows. Marketing studies in golf show high consumer acceptance of policies for charging substantial no show fees and it’s supported by empirical findings presented by Sheryl Kimes of Cornell University and Jochen Wirtz of National University of Singapore in their study entitled Perceived Fairness of Revenue Management in the US Golf Industry. Preparing golf courses for daily-play entails high labor costs that no shows consume. Tee times are effectively ‘perishable inventory,’ in that the play slots cannot be recovered once the time passes vacant of any earned revenues. No shows impose actual monetary damages, and, in justice, golf courses should be adequately compen-
ONE SUCH GOLF OPERATION PRACTICE STUCK IN OLD WAYS IS THAT OF TEE TIME RESERVATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES.
CONFUCIUS
WOULD TODAY BE SADDENED, AS THERE ARE FEWER
“GENTLEMEN” AND MORE OF THOSE MAKING A TEE TIME RESERVATION, NOT KEEPING TO THEIR PROMISE TO SHOW UP!
sated for the forever-lost golf rounds. So, in addition to lost revenues, what are the costs involved in providing golf rounds that are wasted by no shows? Just as with preparing an aircraft or ship for passengers, a hotel for guests, and restaurants for diners, multiple staff labor-time costs are incurred preparing for golfers. These are well beyond basic ‘fixed costs.’ In anticipation of a busy day, golf courses must incur the massive costs of course maintenance that rises exponentially as the number of golfers increase. Courses must add adequate staffing for golf operations such as caddies (often cheated out of a stipends), starters, and marshals – they also must vary scheduling of other costly support staff such as attendants and food & beverage personnel based upon demand anticipated by the numbers of golfers with tee reservations. No shows create a double indemnity by simultaneously driving up costs, while also shorting revenues – it’s especially egregious with busy golf courses. Green fees can range from US$200 to above US$500 at high demand, top-tier golf courses. At these courses a few no show groups in a single day can very quickly amount to significant yield-revenue losses that can never be recovered – unless a reservation system is in place like what airlines and hotels employ. Courses that have successfully managed and conditioned over the years have also wisely learned to unabashedly charge no show fees without hesitation. Like hotels, airlines and restaurants, ‘best courses’ have successfully done their accounting homework and calculated empirical facts that they gain far greater revenues by collecting 100% no show fees to motivate avoidance of vacancies vis-à-vis the few future fees they may lose from insignificant numbers of emotionally petulant members or customers complaining to capitulating staffs in sales who would better serve all by being polite, but firm. Whereas 100% of airlines and hotels create a contractual obligation for customers to show up or forfeit prepayment, most golf course do little or nothing. Driven by fears, many golf course managers or ‘committees’ tremble fearfully rather than set up sound business practices to protect the fiduciary interest of golf course businesses and clubs. With online tee time systems, contractual basis for reservations can easily provide legal forfeiture of deposits. The world’s greatest golf courses, including St. Andrews and others, do demand a 100% pre-payment deposit and full
forfeiture for no shows unless cancelled 7-14 days in advance of a tee time. These policies command respect and fairness for all on a first-come-first-serve reservation system. Want to play Pebble Beach? You better be serious, as their cancellation policy states, “A deposit equal to two nights stay is required at the time of booking. Cancellations for both rooms and golf must be made at least 14 days prior to arrival. Cancellations made less than 14 days prior to arrival or play will be charged the full deposit.” These courses practice excellent yield management and eliminate no show losses – they convey a confident, positive message that promotes the value perception of their course experience! The best courses became best by sound management. The best expect and demand that those who block a tee time from other golfers also fulfill their promised promise to ‘show up.’ Doing otherwise with little or no fee penalty is simply endorsing thievery. A quick online search for “no show policies for golf courses” reveals a startling result. It can be readily assessed that golf course managers are wayward when defining no show policies. Rarely do any golf courses in Asia (or anywhere else) charge a full fee for ‘no show’ golfers, but they should! It’s time strict, new no show policies in Asia, while fairly accommodating for weather cancellation or rain-check replay. Golf has a rich history and touts itself as the sport of ancient and honorable traditions teaching courtesies and virtues common to most every culture. ‘No shows’ for tee times are neither courteous nor virtuous. ‘No shows’ are unjustly stealing from the coffers of golf courses, but they also have no courtesy even for other golfers who want to play. Managers need to grow some spherical fortitude and begin to immediately implement prudent, stringent, no show policies that demand 100% of fees – just as the smartest and most successful golf course businesses have done for years. After all, true ‘ladies and gentlemen would be ashamed should their deed not match their words’ by being a ‘no show’ for a tee reservation!
ZHANG LIANWEI
Historical records tell us that a game similar to golf was played in the Middle Kingdom centuries ago. Known as “Chuiwan�, a stick and ball game was played in China as early as 1000 AD, with evidence existing from the Song dynasty. Golf as we know it today was banned up until the middle of the 1980s by the Communist Party of China as being too bourgeois. Fast forward to modern-day China, golf is a growing
When Zhang Lianwei lifted his first Asian Tour title in 1996 to deliver China’s first significant victory in golf, Li Haotong was one-year-old while Dou Zecheng wasn’t even born yet. For almost two decades, Zhang, now 53, single-handedly blazed a trail on the international front for Chinese golf where his accomplishments include becoming the first player from the Middle Kingdom to win a European Tour tournament.
industry. It is projected that about 20 million Chinese will be playing golf by 2020. This is going to be dynamic a growth by any stretch of the imagination. Against this backdrop, ASIAN GOLF reached out to the PGA TOUR’s Chua Choo Chiang for his analysis of how he sees the professional game growing in China. Here is his special report: PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
I WANT TO BRING CHINESE GOLF TO THE WORLD. A LOT OF PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT CHINESE GOLFERS, SO I WANT TO PLAY IN TOURNAMENTS AROUND THE WORLD TO PROMOTE OUR CAUSE.
– ZHANG LIANWEI
LI HAOTONG
Z
hang’s only setback was not getting onto the PGA TOUR, the pinnacle of the professional game but his swashbuckling brand of golf and inspiring backstory certainly paved the way for the generation after him to not only follow in
his footsteps but shoot for the stars. “I want to bring Chinese golf to the
is slowly but surely establishing themselves with eye-catching performances to underscore their prospects that would please Zhang mightily. The tenacious Dou, along with Zhang Xinjun, became the first two Chinese golfers to qualify and play on the PGA TOUR in 2018, thanks largely to a path-
world,” said Zhang previously. “A lot of people
way created by the PGA TOUR Series-China and Web.com
don’t know about Chinese golfers, so I want
Tour. Li, the inaugural PGA TOUR Series-China Order of
to play in tournaments around the world to promote our
Merit winner in 2014, has since won twice on the European
cause.”
Tour and hopes to become the third Chinese to find his way
These days, the likes of Li, 23, and Dou, 22, are carrying China’s torch proudly around the world along with
onto the PGA TOUR, albeit via a different route. There is a Chinese proverb which calls on those in
several other young guns emerging onto the scene. As
the present to “Consider the past and you shall know the
products of the PGA TOUR Series-China, the dynamic duo
future” which the new generation of golfers like Li and PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
DOU ZECHENG
Dou have fully embraced as they seek to drive Chinese golf forward with their tenacity and talent. Admittedly, Dou, the PGA TOUR Series-China No. 1 in 2016 following four victories, and Zhang Xinjun struggled in their PGA TOUR rookie season in 2017 but both have
Dou conceded he took his PGA TOUR privilege lightly. “After I got my card, I started to let myself go,” said the young Chinese, who missed the cut or withdrew in 19 of his 23 starts on the PGA TOUR in 2018. “From my time on the PGA TOUR Series-China and
quickly enhanced their prospects of a quick return with
winning the Order of Merit and getting my card in my first
flying starts on the Web.com Tour this season.
year on the Web.com Tour, I thought I was good. After
At the first event of the year, Dou brilliantly sank three closing birdies, including a clutch 50-foot monster at the
losing my (PGA TOUR) card, I lost myself. I got to the point where I wondered if golf was for me anymore.”
last hole at the Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, to claim his
Dou’s work with new swing coach Cameron McCor-
second career victory on the Web.com Tour and put himself
mick, the man behind Jordan Spieth’s rise in the game, and
in prime position for another promotion onto the PGA
a renewed fitness regime have seen him bear early-season
TOUR in 2020. Zhang, meanwhile, finished runner-up at the
fruit. At the end of last year, he also underwent corrective
Panama Championship to signal his intent.
laser eye surgery which he says improved his ability to read
putting lines better, especially the longer putts like the
fessional players from China playing in this event,” said
one holed in Bahamas. Dou is convinced he can excel at
Woods, an 80-time PGA TOUR winner.
a second crack on the PGA TOUR. “I’m going to be better
Li, who started learning the game due to his father’s
prepared. The first time, you don’t have much time to
influence, said: “I don’t want to waste any chance, any
make improvements. We don’t live here, and we need to
opportunity to get my PGA TOUR status. I just want to play
figure out a lot of things,” he said.
solid and prepare for the new stage.”
Li, ranked 38th in the world (as at March 11, 2019),
Unlike the pioneering Zhang Lianwei, who was a
is eyeing a PGA TOUR card through the FedExCup Season
javelin thrower before learning to play golf on his own ac-
Points List for Non-Members. He finished T19 at the
cord in his early 20s, the likes of Li and Dou now have the
World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship in
necessary support and technology to ensure they succeed
February and with a T11 at the WGC-HSBC Champions
on golf’s biggest stage.
on home soil counting towards the ranking as well, he is determined to make the most of his opportunities. “It’s a huge difference. On PGA TOUR, you feel like
The late Arnold Palmer, who designed and launched China’s first modern-day golf course at the Zhongshan Hotspring Golf Club, said in 2008 the mushrooming of golf
a king playing golf. It’s very big and exciting. It’s so orga-
courses across China would positively contribute towards
nized and run so well. The European Tour is also run well,
the emergence of new Chinese golf stars.
but it is more like home, like family. They’re both really good but just different,” said Li. His credentials will be further tested when he returns
“I think we are only seeing the beginning of what is going to happen in China and Asia. I think it is going to be tremendous. I know that when I built the golf course
for a second Masters Tournament appearance in April.
in China, that was it. And now there are hundreds of golf
He finished tied – 32nd in his debut a year ago where
courses over in China, and that means millions of people
an opening 69 at Augusta National put him in tied – 4th
there will have the opportunity to play golf,” said Palmer.
position and ensured he caught the attention of the golfing
With three other Chinese golfers - Carl Yuan, Andy
world, including Tiger Woods. “Li is now up there, and I
Zhang and Motin Yeung - holding Web.com Tour playing
think it’s only a matter of time before you have more pro-
rights, the future for China golf looks bright-red indeed.
I THINK WE ARE ONLY SEEING THE BEGINNING OF WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN
CHINA AND ASIA.
I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE TREMENDOUS. I KNOW THAT WHEN I BUILT THE GOLF COURSE IN CHINA, THAT WAS IT. AND NOW THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF GOLF COURSES OVER IN
CHINA, AND THAT MEANS MIL-
LIONS OF PEOPLE THERE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY GOLF.
– ARNOLD PALMER
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