A first class
Tradition
1997
1998
Tiger Woods
2005
2006
2007
2008
Vijay Singh
2017
2018
WINNER
WINNER
WINNER
WINNER
WINNER
WINNER
Shiv Kapur
Thongchai Jaidee
Prayad Marksaeng
Lam Chih Bing
Rattanon Wannasrichan
Panuphol Pittayarat
Owned and Managed by The Peninsula Hotels Thai Country Club www.thaicountryclub.com Tel: +66 (38) 562-700 inquiry@thaicountryclub.com
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 professionals in the Kingdom committed to providing the 1 Ì >Ìi w } Ý«iÀ i Vi°
Tel: +66 (38) 562-700
For registered guests of The Peninsula Bangkok, we are happy to arrange a tee-time at a substantial reduction from our normal 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 °
Thai Country Club www.thaicountryclub.com
Tel: +66 (2) 861-2888
inquiry@thaicountryclub.com
The Peninsula Bangkok www.peninsula.com pbk@peninsula.com
ISSUE
227
AUGUST 2019
ASIAN GOLF’S special “Power Hitters” list for 2019 is out! The compilation of this annual series has been quite a challenging task given the fact that many of the truly powerful people in business in Asia have a tendency to maintain a low profile. Like in previous years, ASIAN GOLF conducted its search with the following criteria in focus: Scale of involvement with golf; Measurable investments in golf projects; Commitment to grow the game of golf; This criterion has helped sharpen the selection process and the 2019 list is both representative and reflective of the men and women who are known to be making major contributions towards the development and growth of golf throughout Asia.
14 SPECIAL FEATURE 44 THE RE-GREENING OF ASIA With many golf courses in Southeast Asia reaching a stage where renovation is a necessity, ASIAN GOLF takes a look at how these old courses can take advantage of new varieties of turfgrass species available today. The focus in this special report is on ZEON, a new breed of turfgrass that is ideally suited for Asia.
72 PGA TOUR: THE BATTLE FOR BIG BUCKS IS NIGH! Just can’t believe that a whole season is almost coming to an end. The PGA TOUR, the richest and most powerful professional golf tour on the Planet is set to wrap up another spectacular year. The highlight of its end-of-season blow-out is the FEDEX Cup Playoff which features three tournaments. The PGA TOUR’s Chuah Choo Chiang gives a preview as to what golf fans can expect.
44
EQUIPMENT FOCUS
36
36 GLIDE 3.0 – MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK!
56
PING has launched the brand-new Glide 3.0 wedges. Not only are they good-looking irons, but they also come with a winning pedigree. It had a win in its first week on the PGA Tour when Nate Lashley used one in his amazing and inspiring victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Now, how’s that for a testimonial!
56 WITH LOVE FROM PING! The PING G Le2 is a real looker. It’s a set of golf clubs that any woman will be proud to place in her custom-designed PING G Le2 golf bag. Besides its good looks and smart aesthetics, there’s more to the G Le2 clubs. It’s the total package which features advancements in technology, lighter overall club weight, expanded fitting options and premium materials that come together to make the new G Le2 family PING’s highest performing women’s clubs to date.
66 HOT STICKS FROM THE HOUSE OF GLOD! Tour Edge has launched its new line of Hot Launch 4 hybrids and individual HL4 Iron-Woods. The newly designed HL4 Iron-Wood features a re-designed shape with a thinner forged face for more spring-like effect and distance. The upgraded distance is about a club longer over the previous Hot Launch iron-woods.
66 8 SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER TIME TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD! Wonder how many of you out there in golf-land have ever paused to think about the disparity in prize money for winners on the big golf majors – both men and women? Well, if you have not bothered, take note that this is a major issue that is set to explode.
72
8
Mike Sebastian
INTERNATIONAL ROVING EDITOR
Editor/Chief Executive Officer [mike@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
Alan Campbell (China/Middle East) Correspondent
GLOBAL EDITORIAL ADVISORY PANEL
Angela Raymond
President [angela@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
Gregg Patterson
President, Tribal Magic Inc.
Andrew Wood Founder/President, Legendary Marketing
James Prusa
Raquel Arcega
Executive Creative Art Director [raquel@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
President, James Graham Prusa Associates
James Cronk President, Cronk Group
Digital Services
Alice Ho
Tech-Know Integrators
Business Executive [alice@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR
Tony Meechai (Black Hat Golf Tips -Thailand Myra Paras
INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
Accounts Executive [myra@asiapacificgolfgroup.com]
Alice Ho
Email: alice@asiapacificgolfgroup.com
ASIA PACIFIC GOLF GROUP(2014) PTE LTD Singapore Post Centre Post Office, P.O. Box 532, Singapore 914018 Tel: +65 6323 2800 | Fax: +65 6323 2838 Company Registration No.: 201405689G
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED No part of Asian Golf may be reproduced in any other publications, printed or published without the written permission of the publisher. Opinions in Asian Golf are the writers’ and are not necessarily endorsed by Asian Golf. Asian Golf accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, transparencies or other materials. Manuscripts, photographs and artwork will not be returned unless accompanied by appropriate postage.
Wonder how many of you out there in golf-land have ever paused to think about the disparity in prize money for winners on the big golf majors – both men and women? Well, if you have not bothered, take note that this is a major issue that is set to explode.
I
n this day and age of the “me too” movement, the need to be politically correct on gender issues, especially that which relates to prize monies, has hit a feverish level. Professional women athletes are demanding equal pay and this was recently heightened when the triumphant American women’s soccer team wanted equal pay with the men after lifting the Women’s World Cup. There is every likelihood
that FIFA, the world body controlling football, would agree to this sooner than later.
With the stage set for equal pay, let’s look at professional golf – are women paid the same as the men? The flat answer is a big NO! Virtually every PGA TOUR tournament pays out US$1 million or more to the winner. This is certainly not the case with the LPGA, the biggest women’s tour in the world. The top prize money for the winner in each tournament is between US$250,000 and US$300,000 or thereabouts. There is no need to point to the difference – it is so darn obvious!
JUST THIS LAST MONTH, THE R&A WHICH HOSTS THE OPEN, PAID OUT US$1.93 MILLION TO THE WINNER AND THE WINNER OF THE
2019 WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN ONLY RECEIVED US$675,000.
Just this last month, the R&A which hosts The Open, paid out US$1.93 million to the winner and the winner of the
continue to work toward the long-term goal of a sustainable
2019 Women’s British Open only received US$675,000. It’s
business model, but we can’t do it alone and the support
big bucks alright for the women’s game but it pales against
of fans, sponsors and media are all key to achieving that
what the men stash away in their bank accounts!
success.”
This disparity is not an isolated example – women play
Women’s professional
for substantially less bucks than the men for every golf ma-
golf should look at the play-
jor tournament and something needs to be done soon. The
book of professional tennis.
women play a very attractive and exciting game and often, a
The Association of Professional
game that is better to watch.
Tennis (ATP) treats its men and
Expecting a groundswell of opposition from professional women golfers, things are beginning to move about equal
women equally. For example, the winner in both the men’s
pay. Among the first to make a move is the R&A, the govern-
and women’s singles final at the
ing body over golf internationally. It increased the prize
2019 Wimbledon Championship
fund for the recently concluded Women’s British Open. It in-
each received US$2.98 million
creased the total purse for the tournament to US$4,500,000,
as their respective share of the
an improvement of almost 40% and in the process, jacked up
total purse. This is equality!
the winner’s share to US$624,000. In justifying the pay rise, Martin Slumbers, the R&A’s
Let’s hope that the stars of the LPGA take home fatter
CEO said, “We recognized that more needed to be done to
pay-checks soon. They
elevate the prize fund for this great championship - this
deserve it and it’s about
is an important first step and we know it will take time to
time to level the play-
move closer to achieving parity with the men’s game. We will
ing field in golf!
CLASS BEST IN ing than
rgiv More fo of its size. n any iro set and a off s s le 10% length r blade shorte aner, more a cle create d shape with refine MOI. higher an 8%
T A E . V T H LO G I L F T FIRS istance other d om all fr s it t e r a that giv iron ap ddress tion w G410 a a e r t n e a e n k h e o ets t next g lean lo e c h s t it What s e in h p s eds it e. Add er ball Start w f a blad rs fast o irons? e l a w hile e o w p p ual ap y that hts. All the vis hnolog ball flig s c it g e t o in t r e e e -Ey ess du nd tow of COR rgiven ok tance a fo is lo e l d r il o e r w rm hots for mo MOI fo . Your s ing the system aighter. g in increas t h r sel weig her and fly st toe-ho fart travel r, e bett TM
Y. T TODA
GET FI © 20 19
PI N G
X P.O. BO
820 0 0
PH O EN
IX
071 , A Z 85
G LEXIN FACE F er flexing R E T S FA a larg re g and for mo
ingin eeds es. Face h ball sp jectori crease her peak tra in e n o z hig ce and distan
BLE MOVA HT IG E W LOGY ECHNO
T
ter of ns cen l Positio contro to y it grav flight – ll a b r you vel tour-le putting hands. r u o y in fitting
g to swin fidence n sing o is c m e f h u had t t fear o o u y o h e it im w It’s t weight ee box n the t ovable ots to away o new, m r your sh u e O p . a y y. h a s w o ir t is u fa s tenc o the nd con llows y a a l y o r g t lo con techno ce and ay with distan e fairw wer. all the find th h it it w w h po comes o play t d e e And it un ness yo forgive
Y T TODA
GET FI ©
NG 20 19 PI
X P.O. BO
8200 0
PH O EN
85071 IX , A Z 219 PGA
In almost all walks of life and especially in the world of business, it is an accepted practice to celebrate high achievers and those who wield power. Awards are a way to recognize their achievements and in the business world, the most credible and outstanding awards are The Stevie International Business Awards, The Fortune Global 500 listings and The Forbes Global 2000 listings for the World’s Largest Companies amongst many others. For the world of sports there is the prestigious Laureus awards. Collectively, these awards are conducted annually to recognise the best of breed and being recognised is the ultimate measure of achievement and excellence. Like these awards, the Asian golf industry has been recognising its best of the best annually for the past six years. While conservatives in the golf industry refer to this award programme as the annual search for “Asia’s Most Powerful People In Golf”, the official name of the recognition event is “Asia’s Power Hitters”. ASIAN GOLF launched the programme in 2014 to recognise the men and women driving the growth of golf on the giant Continent of Asia. Over this period, ASIAN GOLF has kept track of the accomplishments of the kingpins of golf and is proud to release its latest list of golf’s high achievers for 2019.
T
he compilation of this annual series has been quite a
of the truly powerful people in business in Asia have a
golf industry is no different especially when it comes t
behind major investments and developments in the in
conducted its search with the following criteria in focu
Q Scale of involvement with golf; Q Measurable investments in golf projects; Q Commitment to grow the game of golf;
This criterion has helped sharpen the selection process and the
and reflective of the men and women who are known to be making m development and growth of golf throughout Asia.
“For any industry to grow, there is a need for recognition and ac
is a need for heroes to help set standards and with this list, we are g
played a role in helping to build global recognition for the movers an the Asian golf industry,” said Mike Sebastian, chief executive officer Pacific Golf Group, the owner of the programme. The following are Asia’s “Power Hitters” for 2019:
MR. TENNIEL CHU GROUP VICE CHAIRMAN, MISSION HILLS GROUP | CHINA
challenging task given the fact that many
a tendency to maintain a low profile. The
to identifying corporations or individuals dustry. Like in previous years, ASIAN GOLF
us:
e 2019 list is both representative
major contributions towards the knowledgement – there lad to have d shakers of
of the Asia
DR. KEN CHU GROUP CHAIRMAN & CEO, MISSION HILLS GROUP | CHINA
S
ince the programme was first initiated, the most dominant name on the “Power Hitters” list has been the Mission Hills Group of China. One cannot overlook the continuing success of Mission Hills, arguably the biggest showcase of golf anywhere in the world. 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. Today, Dr. Ken Chu and Mr. Tenniel Chu operate a total of 22 world class golf courses in Shenzhen on the Chinese Mainland and the off-shore island of Hainan. The Chu brothers have transformed their facility in Haikou, Hainan into a veritable world class entertainment, shopping, dining, sports, life-style and golfing complex. They have created 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. 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 multi-billion mammoth project to fruition.
M
R. PAWAN MUNJAL is a major ďŹ nancial sponsor
has almost single-handedly made professional c
heads up what is the largest motor-cycle compa
leading industrialist, he has exed his industrial muscle and to promote the game of golf all over the country. As a renow provided powerful leadership that is needed for golf develop
other sports such as the all-popular game of cricket. Among
events that Munjal supports is the annual Hero World Challe auspices of Tiger Woods in the Bahamas.
MR. DU SHA CHAIRMAN, PACIFIC LINKS INTERNATIONAL | CANADA
r of golf events in India and
competitions possible. He
any in the world and as a
d has actively undertaken
ned industry leader, he has
ment to succeed against
gst the top global golf
enge that is held under the
DR. PAWAN MUNJAL CHAIRMAN, MANAGING DIRECTOR & CEO OF HERO MOTOCORP. | INDIA
M
R. DU SHA ranks amongst one of China’s most well-known and respected business entrepreneurs.
His direct involvement with golf comes via his ownership of Pacific Links International (PLI), which he founded in 2009. He is the Chairman of PLI which provides its members with a premium golf
experience through an innovative international membership structure focused on the Asian golfer. Under his leadership Pacific Links offers its members access to the finest collection of high-quality golf clubs in the world. Currently PLI offers access to its over 130,000 members almost 800 properties located in 35 countries around the world. Pacific Links is poised to further expand its international affiliate network to over 1,000 clubs in North America, Europe, Australia, Japan and the entire Southeast Asia. One of Du’s clubs is The 27 Club in Tianjin which is unique because all 27-holes were designed by golf champions—including Greg Norman, Mark O’Meara, Tom Watson, Fred Couples, Annika Sorenstam and Vijay Singh. Another more recent development of his is the 128-acre Makaha Valley Resort in Oahu, Hawaii. It features two golf courses, one of which is currently being redesigned into a Championship golf course by Tiger Woods while the second will be designed by Gil Hanse, the architect who designed to Rio Olympics golf course.
M
R. SANTI BHIROMBHAKDI is the President of S
Ltd, the company behind the world-famous Sing
most influential personalities in the business of
engaged in golf course ownership, player development and
tournaments in Thailand, the ASEAN region and throughout was the chief founder of the Thai PGA and has served as its
patron of the Asian Tour, the region’s premier professional g
MR. KIM YOUNG-CHAN FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN, GOLFZON NEWDIN GROUP | SOUTH KOREA
Singha Corporation Co.,
gha Beer. He is one of the
f golf in Thailand and is the sponsorship of golf
t East Asia. Bhirombhakdi President. He is also the
golf tour.
MR. SANTI BHIROMBHAKDI PRESIDENT & CEO, SINGHA CORPORATION | THAILAND
M
R. KIM YOUNG-CHAN is the founder and chairman of Golfzon, headquartered in South Korea.
This company commands the largest share of the global golf simulator market. The Golfzon simulator allows everyone to easily enjoy indoor golf. The simulator provides realistic rounds of
golf from tee shot to hole-out thanks to advanced 3D graphics technology that reproduces actual golf courses. Golfzon has been producing golf simulators since 2000 in Korea and now enjoys the biggest market share in the global golf market. The company has more than 30,000 simulators at 5,500 sites in 48 countries. It has over 2 million members worldwide and accounts for more than 545 million rounds of golf played. Golfzon is also the LPGA Tour’s ofďŹ cial golf simulator provider.
R
anked as one of the top power players and billio
MR. ENRIQUE K. RAZON, JR., is an avid golfer w
the country’s top golf courses. He is actively en
entertainment business and serves as the chairman of Pilip
Inc., which is the company behind The Philippine Golf Tour, t
tournament circuit. Razon’s grandfather began with a port i dad rebuilt the business after World War II. Razon started o
with his dad in Manila and transformed it into a global giant Bloomberry Resorts Co., includes its crown jewel, the Solai the Philippines.
MR. TRINH VAN QUYET CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF MANAGEMENT, FLC GROUP | VIETNAM
onaires in the Philippines,
who holds key interests in
ngaged in the sports and
pinas Golf Tournaments
the country’s premier golf n Manila in 1916. Razon’s
ut in the port business
t. His hospitality firm,
re Casino and Resort in
ENRIQUE ‘RICKY’ K. RAZON JR. CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF THE MANILA-LISTED COMPANY INTERNATIONAL CONTAINER TERMINAL SERVICES, INC. | PHILIPPINES
M
R. TRINH VAN QUYET leads a multi-billion dollar organisation which operates high-end golf
courses, five-star luxury resorts and an airline. Amongst his flagship properties are the FLC Ha Long Golf Club & Luxury Resort and the
multi-billion-dollar integrated resort in Quang Ninh province which includes an 18-hole golf course, five-star hotels, high-end villas and a large-scale casino. Quyet’s vision calls for the construction of 10 golf courses and resorts, 5,500 condotels, 3,500 villas and 6,000 hotel rooms by 2020 and he aims to becoming the leading resort developer in Vietnam.
GET THE APP
M
ADAME NGUYEN THI NGA owns a number of go
award-winning Kings’ Island Golf Club in Hanoi
has extensive business interests in Vietnam has
business partnership with Nicklaus Design, the company ow Nicklaus. Under this agreement Madame Nga’s BRG Group
a total of ten world class golf courses in Vietnam. This will e
owner of arguably the most number of golf courses in the co
MR. KIM YOUNG JE PRESIDENT & CEO, SKY72 GOLF & RESORTS | SOUTH KOREA
olf courses including the
. The powerful lady who
s entered into an exclusive
wned by golf legend Jack is expected to develop
effectively make her the
ountry.
MADAME NGUYEN THI NGA CHAIRMAN, BRG GROUP | VIETNAM
M
R. KIM YOUNG JE has worked very hard to ensure that his company’s golf courses and resorts
are routinely ranked among the best and busiest golf course complexes in the world with consistent play conditioning and customer service. He has also taken the lead to develop professional
training and continuing education for golf course management and is noted for demanding and setting very high standards.
M
R. GAUTAM THAPAR is the Chairman and CEO
business conglomerates, the US$4 billion Avant
playing to a single handicap, Gautam Thapar tak
promoting professional golf in India. His path-breaking initia
2003, helped popularize golf and paved the way for similar e
the Avantha Group hosts two major tournaments on the PGT
Open. His active interest in golf has helped the game attract
in India. His visionary approach, combined with his remarka nurturing talent, has taken professional golf to new heights
MR. LE VAN KIEM CHAIRMAN, KN INVESTMENT GROUP | VIETNAM
of one of India’s leading
tha Group. An avid golfer
kes personal interest in
ative, the BILT Skins Golf,
events in the country. Today,
TI, the BILT Open and CG
t corporate sponsorships
able knack for spotting and in the country.
MR. GAUTAM THAPAR PRESIDENT OF PROFESSIONAL GOLF TOUR OF INDIA | INDIA
M
R. LE VAN KIEM is a top industry leader in Vietnam who has played a pivotal role in growing
golf in Vietnam. Already an owner of three mega golf complexes in Vietnam and Laos, he has embarked on development plans that include a large multi-billion-dollar upscale development set
on a stunning 800ha site with 5km of ocean frontage set on Cam Ranh Bay. The resort will feature multiple 4- & 5-star hotels, a world class entertainment zone, upscale marina, polo club, theme park, luxury villas and many more attractions including the recently opened Greg Norman designed 18-hole golf course in Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam.
A
s Chairman of the Tokyo based Japan Professio
MASAHIRO KURAMOTO runs an organization th
professional men’s tour in the world. The organ
comprised of over 5,000 professional golfers including its to professionals. In addition to operating its professional tour,
golf course and player development throughout Japan and A
MR. JIMMY MASRIN CHAIRMAN, ASIAN TOUR | INDONESIA
nal Golf Tour (JPGT), MR.
hat is the third largest
nization has a membership
our players and teaching the organization supports
Asia.
MR.MASAHIRO KURAMOTO CHAIRMAN OF JAPAN PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS ASSOCIATION | JAPAN
M
R. JIMMY MASRIN has taken over the reins of the beleaguered Asian Tour and much is expected
of this very savvy Indonesian entrepreneur. A self-confessed golf addict, he is the man behind the successful Indonesian Masters as well as the Asian Development Tour. He is very passion-
ate about golf and would like to see Indonesia being showcased and promoted to the world as a wonderful golf destination. Masrin is now the chairman of the Asian Tour, the premier professional golf tour on the continent.
M
R. DON LAM is a founding partner of VinaCapita
management and real estate development firm
diversified portfolio of nearly US$2 billion in ass
Over the past 14 years, VinaCapital has invested nearly US$
which was Danang Golf Club. As Chairman of the Board of H
Ltd., and the Board of HOIANA project, he is responsible for
brand new Robert Trent Jones II designed Hoiana Shores G the multi-billion dollar HOIANA Integrated Resort.
MR. ALVIN CHAU CHAIRMAN, SUNCITY GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED | CHINA
al, a leading investment in Southeast Asia, with a
sets under management. 5 billion in Vietnam, one of
Hoi An South Development
r the construction of the
Golf Club, which is part of
MR. DON LAM CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF VINACAPITAL, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, HOI AN SOUTH DEVELOPMENT LIMITED | VIETNAM
M
R. ALVIN CHAU is a renowned entrepreneur in the operation of VIP clubs and related entertain-
ment services including casino ownership and management services. In conjunction with Mr. Don Lam , Chau is a part owner of the US$4 billion Hoiana Shores Integrated Resort which operates
the newly opened Robert Trent Jones II designed Hoiana Shores Golf Club. He is an avid golfer and the owner of the world’s first indoor golf facility in the Suncity VIP Club at the City of Dreams in Macau.
How would you like to take on one of the toughest golf courses in the world? It’s affectionately referred to as the “Beast From The East”. We are reaching out to the best golfers in the golf club industry to come and do battle at the multi-award winning DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurugram, India. This immaculately conditioned course will be the host venue for the only golf tournament specially organized for golf club owners, operators and managers. The Asia Pacific Golf Group together with DLF Golf Club will be hosting the 2019 Asia Pacific Inter-Club Golf Tournament. The tournament will be staged in conjunction with the 2019 Asia Pacific Golf Summit.
It will be played with two-man teams drawn from clubs within the Asia Pacific footprint. This tournament is all about good, clean fun and more importantly, it is about networking. It’s the fifth in the series. The tournament will be run on November 6, 2019. There is no entry-fee to participate in this tournament. To qualify, players need to register as delegates to attend the 2019 Asia Pacific Golf Summit and there are 80 slots available. Entry will be on a first-come-first-serve basis and a two-man team from each club can register on-line through the APGS website.
For more information please visit www.golfconference.org or email to Alice Ho at alice@asiapacificgolfgroup.com or call +65 6323 2800 for more details
It is almost a universal belief that all golfers recognize that the putter is the money club in their bags. If the putter lets you down, you can kiss your money good-bye! But, is this necessarily the case? ASIAN GOLF is on the side of the contrarian theory that putters are not the big deal that they’ve been made out to be. We believe that wedges, those clubs that a golfer uses to get on the green from the approach zone of a golf course. It’s wedges that help to land the ball as close to the hole as possible (which isn’t the case normally with most club golfers), that in turn helps a golfer sink a putt (again, not always the case). With that said, there is a strong case to look at wedges as important money clubs. One brand that has always been noted for the quality of its wedges is the Phoenix-based PING company. The privately held brand has just launched its newest family of wedges and the following is a full preview of the clubs:
T
he brand-new PING Glide 3.0 wedges are
distinctly different sole grinds, including an Eye2 sand-
quite a sight to behold. Not only are they
wedge-inspired option, to ensure that trained PING club
good-looking irons, but they also come
fitters can properly match a Glide 3.0 to a golfer’s swing
with a winning pedigree. It had a win in
and playing conditions ….. we’re excited about getting it
its first week on the PGA Tour when Nate
into golfers’ hands,” Solheim added.
Lashley used one in his amazing and inspiring victory
In our drill-down, ASIAN GOLF observed the follow-
at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Now, how’s that for a
ing about the Glide 3.0 wedges:
testimonial!
Q PING’s engineers have put a premium on the feel and
“In the Glide 3.0 series, we’re broadening the appeal
forgiveness by leveraging the multi-material construc-
of our wedges and providing more differentiation within
tion that combines a 431 stainless steel head with a
our own line and the rest of the marketplace,” said John
larger and softer elastomer Custom Tuning Port (CTP)
K. Solheim, PING President.
insert which results in the activation of the elastomer at
“We approached the design with a goal of creating
impact to produce a soft yet solid feel. The new, patented
higher-spinning, great-looking wedges that also deliver
cavity design and larger CTP expand the perimeter
more forgiveness with the improved feel from our other
weighting to increase the MOI and position the centre of
proven technologies. Every detail in the Glide 3.0 is
gravity higher to yield lower-launching, higher-spinning
designed to improve short-game performance, from
trajectories for more control.
the longer grip for choking down to the Hydropearl 2.0 chrome finish that helps the wedge glide through the grass,” Solheim explained. In developing the new Glide 3.0 wedges, PING’s engineers took a grip-to-grind approach, re-designing every component of the club to create a higher-spinning, more forgiving, lighter overall design that offers multiple sole grind options to custom-fit golfers of all skill levels. “From a fitting standpoint, we engineered four
IN THE GLIDE 3.0 SERIES, WE’RE BROADENING THE APPEAL OF OUR WEDGES AND PROVIDING MORE DIFFERENTIATION WITHIN OUR OWN LINE AND THE REST OF THE MARKETPLACE.
– JOHN K. SOLHEIM, PING PRESIDENT
Q Patented wheel-cut grooves developed by PING’s engineering and
WE APPROACHED THE DESIGN WITH A
manufacturing teams have enabled grooves with a sharper edge radius, which increases interaction with the ball at impact, creating more friction for improved spin and trajectory control.
GOAL OF CREATING HIGHER-
Q With an emphasis on expanding the wedge sole options to better
SPINNING, GREAT-LOOKING
custom-fit golfers, PING engineers have crafted four differentiated sole
WEDGES THAT ALSO DELIVER
angle of attack and typical turf conditions while providing performance
MORE FORGIVENESS WITH THE
and versatility on full and partial shots around the green.
grinds in the Glide 3.0 series. Each is designed to best match a player’s
IMPROVED FEEL FROM OUR
The grind options include:
OTHER PROVEN TECHNOLO-
Standard Sole (SS) grind
GIES.
EVERY DETAIL IN THE GLIDE 3.0 IS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE SHORT-GAME PERFORMANCE, FROM THE LONGER GRIP FOR CHOKING DOWN TO THE
HYDROPEARL 2.0
CHROME FINISH THAT HELPS THE WEDGE GLIDE THROUGH THE GRASS.
Wide Sole (WS) grind Eye2 grind Thin Sole (TS) grind “We see tremendous opportunity in wedge fitting in general,” said Solheim. “It starts by focusing our product designs on meeting the needs of golfers of all abilities and swings. With the new sole grinds and multiple loft options, a fitter can really dial in the wedges to help improve the player’s performance based on how they dynamically deliver the clubhead and the type of conditions they typically play in. During the process, they can also determine the best combination of wedges to provide proper distance gaps between each club.” The new PING Glide 3.0 wedges are available throughout Asia at PING outlets and quality golf retailers.
GARY WOODLAND
There are more than 5000 golf courses in Asia, covering the land mass stretching from Japan in the North to Indonesia in the south and as far west as the Indian sub-continent. The first big explosion of golf courses in Asia started in the 1980s and Japan went crazy with new golf courses being built at a frenetic rate. This was in concert with a booming Japanese economy, combined with the passage of a law relaxing land-use restrictions. This explosion continued until the early ‘90s only to come to a crashing halt when the Japanese asset bubble “bust” occurred which hurt the golf industry severely. This collapse in Japan did not deter the next Asian explosion to get underway. This new wave took place in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. Many of these golf courses are now in an advanced stage in terms of age.
W
ith that said, many are due for renovation and upgrades and against this scenario, ASIAN GOLF has decided to place the focus on renovation in this edition, espe-
cially of physical golf courses. A good many of these golf courses leave a lot to be desired in terms of the condition and playability of the surfaces which have taken quite a
maintain on a sustainable basis. Now, let’s fast forward
GIVEN THE FACT THAT ZOYSIA AND ITS NEW “HYBRID” STRAINS LIKE ZEON HAVE THEIR ORIGINS IN ASIA, WOULDN’T
to the New Millennium - over the last 40 years or so, the
IT MAKE SENSE TO DEDUCE THAT THIS SPECIES
quality of turfgrass has improved exponentially with new
AND ITS VARIOUS DERIVATIVES ALREADY HAVE
species that are ideally suited to climatic conditions in the
A RESILIENCE BUILT INTO THEM?
beating over the years of use. Also, a good percentage of these courses were originally planted with so-called alien hybrid turfgrass that are both costly and difficult to
Asian region. One turfgrass that comes into focus is Zoysia, more specifically, a new hybrid called ZEON. ASIAN GOLF played a significant role in the evolution of new breeds of Zoysia dating back to 2007 through its Asia Pacific Golf Summit (APGS). This annual conference on the business of golf brought out experts on Zoysia from the University of Georgia and Texas A&M University between 2007 through
WELL, AS A MATTER OF FACT, FOR THIS REASON, ZEON, WAS THE TURF OF CHOICE USED ON THE
OLYMPIC GOLF COURSE IN RIO. BASED ON ITS TRACK RECORD SO FAR, ZEON HAS TURNED OUT TO BE A GODSEND FOR GOLF COURSES IN
ASIA, PARTICULARLY SOUTHEAST ASIA.
to 2011 and in 2017, Zoysia Zeon was officially introduced to the region at the Asia Pacific Golf Summit in Danang, Vietnam. At this juncture, we would like to point out that unlike many turfgrass species planted on Asian golf courses which are alien to the region, Zoysia is in fact “native” to Asia. Zoysia grasses are warm season grasses native to China, Japan and other parts of Southeast Asia. Given the fact that Zoysia and its new “hybrid” strains like Zeon have their origins in Asia, wouldn’t it make sense to deduce that this species and its various derivatives already have a resilience built into them? Well, as a matter of fact, for this reason, Zeon, was the turf of choice used on the Olympic golf course in Rio. Based on its track record so far, Zeon has turned out to be a godsend for golf courses in Asia, particularly Southeast Asia. Its benefits are said to be numerous and amongst some of the plus-factors that favour the use of Zeon are: Q IT IS HIGHLY ADAPTABLE: ZEON thrives in extreme heat as it is a warm-season grass that grows best in hot climates. It stays green all year round. This is perfect for Southeast Asian golf courses. Q SHADE TOLERANCE: ZEON performs great from
full sun to partial shade, requiring a minimum of four hours
Q REDUCED FERTILIZER USE: The low inputs
of direct sunlight.
required for ZEON allows golf course owners to have a better
Q DROUGHT TOLERANCE AND WATER MANAGE-
bottom line. A typical golf course can save up to 30% or more
MENT: ZEON survives drought conditions like no other
on their maintenance budget across the board. Up to 90%
hybrid turf and in general, it will require up to less than 40%
less chemicals, up to 50% less water and fertilisers.
water than other grass types. It will also tolerate and extract
Q LOW MAINTENANCE: ZEON results in other savings
Sodium from the soil.
due to less mowing which means less fuel, less parts, less
Q WEED TOLERANCE: ZEON’s dense growth when
operators and maintenance machinery lasts twice as long.
well-maintained will reduce the weed population because of
Now, that’s a litany of advantages for considering
its dense growth, no weeds can penetrate it. It is tolerant of
Zeon!. ASIAN GOLF’s position is that owners who have been
most herbicides.
reluctant to renovate their worn-out courses because of their
Q INSECT TOLERANCE: ZEON is particularly tolerant of
past bad experiences and the related cost of maintenance,
common insect pests.
should seriously give Zeon a look. It is a perfect match for
Q DISEASE RESISTANCE: In ZEON, diseases are not
golf courses in Southeast Asia and it will help stem the cost
really a problem unless water and/or fertility has been mis-
and give old golf courses a new life.
managed. So far, no courses that have planted ZEON in the
Zeon, according to informed sources is now the number
region have used Fungicides. This is a huge cost saving and
one selling Zoysia in America and this is obvious based on
great for the environment.
its myriad of benefits to golf course owners and operators. It
Q TRAFFIC AND WEAR TOLERANCE: ZEON golf
has also been described as the “most beautiful zoysia on the
courses in Asia typically allow golf carts on the fairways
market today”.
whereas this is not the case with those planted with grasstypes.
Recently, ASIAN GOLF met up with the man who arguably is the world’s leading grower and supplier of Zeon –
David Doguet, founder and president of Bladerunner Farms in America. We spent some time discussing Zeon and its future place in Asia and the following are excerpts from that discussion:
ASIAN GOLF: Since the Rio Olympics, ZEON and other Zoysia species have taken off like they’ve got high-octane rocket burners. What do you attribute this success to? DAVID DOGUET: I believe the success we had at the Olympic course did get people’s attention especially the powers that be- PGA Tour, The R&A, LPGA and the USGA.
ASIAN GOLF: Much has been written and said about ZEON – in a nutshell what are its stand-out features? DOGUET: Zeon’s colour and texture are very important. It is a wonderful playing surface. Its real attribute is its ease of care and it looks and plays great with very little inputs.
ASIAN GOLF: ZEON together with its other Zoysia stable-mates now offer golf courses a tee-togreen solution. Would this be a correct statement to make? Talk to this. DOGUET: Zeon is great as a tee-box, fairway, rough and green surrounds. For greens, we offer Trinity Zoysia and Primo Zoysia. Both grasses can be used tee to green or in a combination with Zeon.
ZEON OLYMPICS
DAVID DOGUET AT RIO 2016 OLYMPICS
TRINITY FOREST
ZEON, ACCORDING TO INFORMED SOURCES IS NOW THE NUMBER ONE SELLING ZOYSIA IN AMERICA AND THIS IS OBVIOUS BASED ON ITS MYRIAD OF BENEFITS TO GOLF COURSE OWNERS AND OPERATORS. IT HAS ALSO BEEN DESCRIBED AS THE “MOST BEAUTIFUL ZOYSIA ON THE MARKET TODAY.
ASIAN GOLF: Where in the Western Hemisphere has ZEON made great inroads? DOGUET: Zeon has done great from the middle of the U.S.A. and right down to the South. In South America It has done well from the middle of the continent and up to the North.
ASIAN GOLF: Let’s shift gears and move the focus to Asia. Give us an assessment of how ZEON is fairing in Asia? DOGUET: Zeon has done well in all of Asia so far and we expect to soon know how well it is doing in central to northern China.
ASIAN GOLF: Did the early adoption of this turf in Asia surprised you? DOGUET: I knew it would do well, but I didn’t expect it to make such a big impact in a short period of time after its introduction to the market. All our projects are doing well.
ASIAN GOLF: There are now quite a few courses with ZEON on the ground and more to come – we also know that you are very hands on and visit these courses. That said, what feedback are you getting from your clients? DOGUET: As far as I know, they are all very happy. I have visited Gulf National and Laem Chabang in Thailand and KN Golf Links , West Lakes and Hoiana Shores in Vietnam and they are all spectacular and the owners are very happy with Zeon.
ASIAN GOLF: Having representatives in Asia must be a tremendous advantage not only to your operation but it must be a very strong selling point to be able to supply from Asian based nurseries? DOGUET: It is a huge advantage for the end user. They can visit the farm sites to inspect the grass. Bladerunner Farms and Team Zoysia International travel to Asia often to inspect the fields built and maintained by Sports Turf Solutions
and help ensure that the zoysia products people are buying are inspected for quality and genetic purity.
ASIAN GOLF: From an Asian context, is ZEON ideally suited to the various climatic belts on the Continent or is it especially suited to the warmer regions? DOGUET: It is especially suited for the warmer climates, but what we are ďŹ nding out it will be a great substitute for cool season grasses in your transition zones were the cool season grasses are having trouble.
IT IS A HUGE ADVANTAGE FOR THE END USER. THEY CAN VISIT THE FARM SITES TO INSPECT THE GRASS. BLADERUNNER FARMS AND TEAM ZOYSIA INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TO ASIA OFTEN TO INSPECT THE FIELDS AND HELP ENSURE THAT THE ZOYSIA PRODUCTS PEOPLE ARE BUYING ARE INSPECTED FOR QUALITY AND GENETIC PURITY.
KN GOLF LINKS CAM RANH, VIETNAM
ASIAN GOLF: How do you view the Asian marketplace for ZEON where many of the courses are over 30 years old and in dire need of renovation? This must certainly offer a good opportunity for new business for ZEON. DOGUET: I believe that all or most of the older courses will have to renovate to keep up with the new courses be-
ZEON AND OTHER ZOYSIA VARIETIES HAVE RETURNED TO THEIR
ASIA. THE NEW STRAINS ARE STRONGER, BETTER AND ALL-ROUND WINNERS. FINALLY, A TURFGRASS THAT ASIA CAN CALL ITS OWN! HOME IN
ing done in our zoysias. The competition will force them to improve their facilities.
sure, less mowing and the big one, less water use should get these owners attention.
ASIAN GOLF: Given the many attributes of ZEON especially when the overall cost of maintenance is concerned, what do you want to tell course owners, both existing and new, about why they should be looking at ZEON as the best suited turf for Asia, at least most of Asia?
ASIAN GOLF: The future is bright for ZEON in Asia – would that be a fair conclusion to make? DOGUET: Zeon along with the other BRF varieties Trinity, Primo and more to come, the future is very bright. Zeon and other Zoysia varieties have returned to their
DOGUET: The quality of the playing surface along with
home in Asia. The new strains are stronger, better and all-
the savings on inputs such as weed control, disease pres-
round winners. Finally, a turfgrass that Asia can call its own!
LAEM CHABANG INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY CLUB, THAILAND
PURE. DISTANCE.
TRUE INNOVATION. NEW The new i500 iron. Its massive distance and towering ball flight come from a forged face and metal-woodlike construction. Its look appeals to players who put a premium on performance. Get fit today or visit ping.com..
NEW
SOFTER FEEL
NEW
ADJUSTABLE LENGTH
8 OF 10 GOLFERS
A FEEL-GOOD STORY
*
are playing the wrong-length putter. Are you one of them? Our new adjustable length putter shaft is simple and intuitive, allowing you to customize a Sigma 2 putter to fit your stroke and posture. * PING research study
©2018 PING P.O. BOX 82000 PHOENIX, AZ 85071
32"- 36" RANGE
An innovative dual-durometer PEBAX insert provides a softer feel and a lively response to ensure consistency on short and long putts – giving golfers the precision and control they need to lower their scores. Ten options, including four new designs, ensure a putter to fit the eye and stroke type of every golfer. Get fit today or visit ping.com.
The author of this special report laboured for more than two decades to get an ideal set of golf clubs for his wife, with not much luck. The hunt was conducted throughout key markets in Asia – like Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Singapore. One outfit in Australia built a set from Henry Griffitts and it was sent back with a rude note complaining about the outrageous price! Finally, the wife had to settle to play with men’s clubs and she did very well to reach a handicap of 24 (the back story on this is attributable to the fact that she had relatively large hands which was perfectly OK for her to use men’s clubs!) The point being made is that in golf equipment, it has been mostly a take what you can get issue for women for many years. That’s because many women’s clubs are essentially men’s club heads stuck on the end of shorter, lighter shafts and giving the club head and shaft a paint job in shocking pink! That’s all changed with big name brands like PING catering exclusively to women golfers. In fact, PING has just rolled out a complete set of new clubs – the G Le2 and ASIAN GOLF checked out the new offering and the following is a special report:
THE G LE2 REPRESENTS OUR CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING WOMEN GOLFERS OF EVERY SKILL LEVEL WITH PREMIUM, HIGH-PERFORMANCE EQUIPMENT OPTIMIZED TO THEIR SWING SPEEDS.
– STACEY PAUWELS
T
he PING G Le2 is a real looker. It’s a set of golf clubs that any woman will be proud to place in her custom-designed PING G Le2 golf bag. Besides its good looks and smart aesthetics, there’s more to the G Le2 clubs. It’s the total package
which features advancements in technology, lighter overall club weight, expanded fitting options and premium materials that come together to make the new G Le2 family PING’s highest performing women’s clubs to date. “The G Le2 represents our continued commitment to providing women golfers of every skill level with premium,
STACEY PAUWELS
high-performance equipment optimized to their swing speeds,” said Stacey Pauwels, PING Executive Vice President and the granddaughter of PING founders Karsten and Louise Solheim, whose role includes overseeing the brand’s women’s initiatives. “To achieve one of our performance goals of improving
lows women to see improvement from every club in their
the feel of the club throughout the entire swing, we focused on
bag,” said Pauwels. “The G Le2 family really emphasizes
making the clubs lighter overall,” Pauwels added. “We inte-
that need through loft, lie and length adjustability along
grated our extensive knowledge of materials and manufactur-
with the shaft weight, flex and grip offerings. Once we
ing processes with our proven design technologies to deliver
know those specifications, finding the best combination of
measurable improvements throughout the set. At the same
fairway woods, hybrids, irons and wedges during a fitting
time, we wanted to present the new clubs in a visually appealing
is the next step in the process.”
and confidence-inspiring way. We’re extremely excited about the
“Because we custom build every club, we want women
results and look forward to bringing the G Le2 family to women
to know we’ll make them a set that best fits their game,”
golfers around the world.”
she said. “The key is determining the ideal set makeup that
Along with ensuring measurable performance improve-
provides proper distance gaps between each club. That
ments throughout the G Le2 family, PING’s engineering team
may be a full set or maybe a smaller set of a few metal
has placed added importance on expanding the fitting options to
woods, hybrids, irons, a wedge and a putter. Once we have
help women find the ideal set to match their games.
all their fitting information, we can custom build the clubs
“Having equipment that is custom fitted to their game al-
to their precise specifications for maximum performance.”
Following is an ASIAN GOLF drill down on the complete family of clubs:
THE DRIVER: As the next generation of golf’s highest-performing women’s driver, the G Le2 driver maximizes forgiveness and distance through a higher MOI, faster face and lighter overall weight. Its titanium head features a rounder, more aerodynamic shape to promote faster clubhead speeds. A thin, forged T9S+ face is optimized for the intended swing speed to increase flexing for more ball velocity and improved launch conditions. Internal heel-biased weighting helps ensure straighter ball flights and softer turbulators help frame the ball at address. Trajectory Tuning 2.0 in the G Le2 driver utilizes a new lightweight, aerodynamic hosel sleeve that provides eight positions for influencing ball flight through loft (±1.5°) adjustments.
FAIRWAY WOODS: A thinner, faster maraging steel C300 face, a significantly higher MOI and an 8-lobe adjustable hosel distinguish the G Le2 fairway wood from its predecessor. The added ball speed from the face technology increases distance and combines with the shallower face to launch the ball higher with greater forgiveness. An overall lighter club weight makes swinging the club easier with more clubhead speed for longer and straighter results. Internal weighting promotes right-to-left shot correction to keep shots on target. Available in 3, 5, 7 and 9 woods.
IRONS: Precise and forgiving with a lighter overall club weight, G Le2 irons utilize COR-Eye Technology with a deep top-rail undercut to increase face flexing for more ball speed and higher max height. A tungsten toe weight helps increase MOI
WE INTEGRATED OUR EXTE
MANUFACTURING PROCESSES
TO DELIVER MEASURABLE IMPROVEME
by 10% for greater forgiveness and a co-
TIME, WE WANTED TO PRESENT THE N
molded cavity badge ensures a pleasing
CONFIDENCE-INSPIRING WAY.
feel and sound. Available in 6-9 iron, PW, UW, SW.
WE’RE
AND LOOK FORWARD TO BRINGING TH AROUND THE WORLD.
ENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF MATERIALS AND
S WITH OUR PROVEN DESIGN TECHNOLOGIES
ENTS THROUGHOUT THE SET.
AT THE SAME
HYBRIDS: A thinner, hotter Carpenter 455 face and lighter club weight generate faster ball speeds while a lower, deeper CG helps increase the MOI to launch the
NEW CLUBS IN A VISUALLY APPEALING AND
ball high with greater forgiveness. The addition of a 34
EXTREMELY EXCITED ABOUT THE RESULTS
7 hybrid expands the ďŹ tting options for women who pre-
HE
G LE2 FAMILY TO WOMEN GOLFERS
fer the technology of a hybrid in place of an iron. Softer crown turbulators help capture the ball at address and aid in alignment. Available in 4, 5, 6 and 7 hybrids.
PUTTERS: Enhanced feel and forgiveness and a new adjustable-length shaft improve performance and fitting opportunities in the three new G Le2 putters (Anser, Shea and Echo). A dual-durometer face insert -- engineered with TR face technology -- provides a soft front layer for precision and improved impact feel and a firmer second layer for control to improve consistency on putts of every distance. The easy-to-use adjustable shaft allows self-fitting for length between 31” and 35”. A new, softer PP59 midsize grip improves feel and comfort. All the G Le2 clubs come fitted with PING’s proprietary ULT240 Lite and Ultra Lite premium graphite shafts are standard throughout the G Le2 family and help bring down overall club weight while helping generate more clubhead speed and higher launch. The super-soft Golf Pride Tour Velvet Garnet 360 grip is available in three sizes (Blue -1/16”, Red -1/32”, Aqua -1/64”). The G Le2 family of clubs are now available at reputable golf dealers in Asia.
The World’s Premier Golf Network Pacific Links International is now the single largest portal to the travelling Chinese golfer.
•
Generate revenue from controlledΐ inbound play
•
No enrollment fees for the club orΐ your members
•
Your members receive access to ˜˘˘Ϋΐ private and resort golf destinations
•
Over 1˟,000 Pacific Links Members
•
130,000+ Participating Network Golfers
•
P8)ΐGroup Travelΐĸŏ 2018 achieved ˠˡ˛ trips for ˡ͍˚˟˞ travellers, representingΐ ŖƃĨť 50,000 rounds of golf
To find out more about how you can be part of the world’s premier golf network visit www.pacificlinks.com
#PacificLinks www.plgolf.cn
www.plgolf.co.kr
www.pacificlinks.tw
Over the years, ASIAN GOLF has developed a great admiration and respect for Tour Edge, a small golf club manufacturer that is as patriotic as America gets. All its products are proudly designed and manufactured in the motherland and the man behind this 33-year old business is fiercely proud of his products’ American heritage. The wizard behind the brand is David Glod who has put on a gallant fight to take on the industry’s big names and we are happy to report that he has done well. Tour Edge products have always been noted for their performance and ASIAN GOLF can attest to that. Every club that has landed on our equipment test bed has proven to be a delight to play. Glod’s been busy at his R&D facility in Batavia and he has once again placed his magic touch on the latest from Tour Edge, the HL4 Hybrids and HL4 Iron-woods.
T
agged as “Golf’s Most Solid Investment,” Tour Edge has launched its new line of Hot
forged face for more spring-like effect and distance. The iron-wood combines a hollow hyper-steel body with
Launch 4 hybrids and individual HL4 Iron-
a super-thin forged steel face for maximum club and ball
woods.
speeds. More weight in the sole of the clubhead combined
“The HL4 hybrids are as good as it gets
with the perimeter weighting properties of a hollow body de-
because it achieves exactly what I designed it to do: hit the
sign increases launch angle and forgiveness on every shot.
ball long, high and straight,” said David Glod, founder and
The new Rear Inverted Crown technology lowers the CG for
president of Tour Edge. “Get ready for the ultimate launch-
the highest-launching iron-woods to date.
ing experience.” The newly designed HL4 Iron-wood features a re-
Variable Face Thickness technology in both the hybrid and the iron-wood provides more contact points on the face
designed shape with a thinner forged face for more spring-like effect and distance. The upgraded distance is about a club longer over the previous Hot Launch iron-woods. “I put everything I’ve learned since launching the world’s first ironwood over 15 years ago into the HL4 Iron-wood for my most versatile design yet,” said Glod. Glod coined and patented the iron-wood name in 1999 and is a leading designer in golf in hollow body irons. Tour Edge hybrids and iron-woods have been setting standards for decades as industry pioneers in hybrid club advancements and this tradition continues with the HL4 line. The HL4 hybrids features a thinner and lighter forged 17-4 stainless steel crown that provides faster club and ball speeds, while also featuring higher MOI properties, which is a consistent performance upgrade throughout the entire HL4 line. HL4 is the fourth release in the award-winning Hot Launch series from Tour Edge. The HL4 Iron-wood is available individually or as a complete set and the newly designed HL4 Iron-wood features increased head volumes for more forgiveness and a thinner
I PUT EVERYTHING I’VE LEARNED SINCE LAUNCHING THE WORLD’S FIRST IRON-WOOD OVER 15 YEARS AGO INTO THE HL4 IRON-WOOD FOR MY MOST VERSATILE DESIGN YET. – DAVID GLOD
that equates to better off-centre hit distance. The Power
OUR GOAL IS TO OPEN THE
Channel on the sole behind the club face of both the hybrid
FLOOD GATES ON CUSTOM
and the iron-wood is wider and deeper for better weight distribution and increased face flexing. The Power Channel delivers amplified ball speed and less spin, as well as added forgiveness on shots struck lower on the face. The new Tour Edge clubs are being backed up by a revolutionary custom-fitting programme. “We are aggressively marketing the message that every golfer should be getting custom fit, and that it is especially mid to high handicap players who have the most to gain by getting fit,” said Tour Edge Vice President of Marketing Jon Claffey. He added, “Our goal is to open the flood gates on custom fitting and HL4 has proven to be the perfect product to accomplish this goal with its advanced technology, top-tier performance and amazing price structure.”
FITTING AND
HL4 HAS PROVEN TO BE THE
PERFECT PRODUCT TO ACCOMPLISH THIS GOAL WITH ITS ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY, TOP-TIER PERFORMANCE AND AMAZING PRICE STRUCTURE.
– JON CLAFFEY
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!
LekFai, Hua Hin, Prachaubkirikhan 77110, Thailand ales@bmghuahin.com | realestate@bmghuahin.com
ckmountainhuahin.com
Just can’t believe that a whole season is almost coming to an end. The PGA TOUR, the richest and most powerful professional golf tour on the Planet is set to wrap up another spectacular year. The highlight of its end-of-season blow-out is the FEDEX Cup Playoff which features three tournaments - The NORTHERN TRUST, BMW Championship and TOUR Championship. The first Playoff event will feature a field of 125 players, followed by 70 for the second event and the top 30 for the TOUR Championship. The PGA TOUR’s Chuah Choo Chiang gives a preview as to what golf fans can expect.
It’s being billed as ‘Ultimate August’, with an eye-popping US$15 million awaiting the new FedExCup champion. Strike it hot and hit top form over the next four weeks and the bounty could well swell to a staggering US$18 million.
Welcome to the conclusion of PGA TOUR’s 2018-19 Season where every stroke matters and every missed shot could mean disaster. The stars of the game know they have everything to play for as one of the richest prizes and accolades in sports await the FedExCup champion.
F
our tournaments remain out of the 46 which
shot counting as the season heads to its climax, some-
have seen the TOUR’s bandwagon traversing
one like World No. 1 Brooks Koepka may end up laughing all
the United States, Latin America and all the
the way to the bank when the dust settles.
way to Asia over the past 11 months before the curtain comes down on another epic season
At the time of writing, Koepka sits in second place in the Wyndham Rewards and FedExCup points list and he
which has celebrated new stars and heralded milestone
is also in the hunt for another US$1 million to be awarded
moments.
to the winner of the Aon Risk Reward Challenge, another
First up, the Wyndham Championship will help con-
new and innovative competition that highlights golf’s best
clude the Regular Season in the first week of August and
strategic decision-makers. He currently ties first in this
the player who finishes on top of the Points List will pocket
season-long competition.
US$2 million as part of a new US$10 million bonus scheme introduced via the Wyndham Rewards Top 10.
Koepka, a two-time winner following wins at THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES in South Korea and PGA Champion-
The top 125 golfers will then qualify for the make-orbreak FedExCup Playoffs, comprising THE NORTHERN TRUST, 70 will get through to the BMW Championship and the Playoffs Finale, TOUR Championship will feature the best 30 and use a stroke-based system (see below) to decide the 2019 FedExCup champion. Amazingly, this season’s payout will be US$5 million more than what England’s Justin Rose picked up as the 2018 FedExCup winner, thanks to a cash boost from FedEx who topped up the overall bonus pool by US$25 million to US$60 million. Golf, as we know it, is a game of inches and with every
AMAZINGLY, THIS SEASON’S PAYOUT WILL BE US$5 MILLION MORE THAN WHAT ENGLAND’S JUSTIN ROSE PICKED UP AS THE 2018 FEDEXCUP WINNER, THANKS TO A CASH BOOST FROM FEDEX WHO TOPPED UP THE OVERALL BONUS POOL BY US$25 MILLION TO US$60 MILLION.
RORY MCILROY
BROOKS KOEPKA
WHY AUGUST HAS BECOME THE ULTIMATE IN PROFESSIONAL GOLF HAS VERY MUCH BEEN DUE TO THE VISION OF PGA TOUR COMMISSIONER JAY MONAHAN, WHO HAS ADVOCATED STRATEGIC CHANGES TO THE TOUR SCHEDULE AND PUSHED FOR GREATER REWARDS TO CAPTURE AND EXPAND THE IMAGINATION OF PLAYERS, FANS, TV AND MOBILE VIEWERS.
ship this season, is geared up for a strong push in the
rewards to capture and expand the imagination of players,
Playoffs. “All that stuff is what you strive for,” he said.
fans, TV and mobile viewers.
“That’s what we play for.” Other glory hunters like Matt Kuchar, who has led the
As previous FedExCup champions include current golf greats such as Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth,
FedExCup points list for much of 2019 following triumphs
Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose and Vijay Singh, winning the
at the Mayakoba Classic and Sony Open in Hawaii, knows
season-long competition has grown into a priority for the
he can strike a big pay day should he maintain his rich vein
new generation of golfers. In short, the FedExCup is now
of form. His strategy will be to stick to the proverbial “one
woven as part of the modern game fabric.
shot at a time” routine. “I do my best not to look and pay attention. I think I do a pretty good job of just trying to be as much in the moment as possible,” said the veteran. Why August has become the ultimate in professional
The 25-year-old Xander Schauffele encapsulates the importance of the Playoffs. The reigning WGC-HSBC Champions and Sentry Tournament of Champions winner said: “We have so much to play for - the Wyndham Rewards and FedExCup. Every-
golf has very much been due to the vision of PGA TOUR
thing’s on the table. It’s just as big as a major champion-
Commissioner Jay Monahan, who has advocated strategic
ship. I’ll go to sleep thinking about those things.”
changes to the TOUR Schedule and pushed for greater
Rose, the first Englishman to taste FedExCup glory
TIGER WOODS
OBVIOUSLY THE PLAYOFFS ARE ALL ABOUT VOLATILITY AND BRINGING YOUR GAME WHEN YOU REALLY, REALLY NEED IT.
WE’VE ALL BOUGHT IN AND LOVE THAT CONCEPT.
SUNGJAE IM
last year, added: “Obviously the Playoffs are all about volatility and bringing your game when you really, really need it. We’ve all bought in and love that concept.” History will be made if McIlroy joins Tiger as the only two-time winner of the FedExCup. He won THE PLAYERS Championship and RBC Canadian Open this season and his big-game temperament is set up well for the Playoffs. “Obviously there’s a lot to play for. Every year, the FedExCup is getting bigger and bigger, and it’s more of a target on all the guys’ radar. There’s a lot to play for in August,” he said. Asia will have keen interest in the Playoffs with Korean rookie Sungjae Im currently being the highest ranked Asian on the Points List in 23rd position, followed by countryman Sung Kang two rungs below and Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama in 27th place. Chinese Taipei’s C.T. Pan sits in 31st position, another Korean Si Woo Kim is 47th while Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat lies 67th. Pan, who broke through for his first PGA TOUR win in April, is determined to finally make it to the TOUR Championship where Tiger is the defending champion. “It’s been my goal for the past three years. It’s all I’m trying to do, get into the TOUR Championship.” For many, getting into the TOUR Championship could also mean winning the FedExCup.
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA
THE NORTHERN TRUST
BMW CHAMPIONSHIP
©2019 PGA TOUR, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PLAYER APPEARANCE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
C H E C K Y O U R L O C A L L I S T I N G S F O R T U N E I N I N F O R M AT I O N
©2019 PGA TOUR, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PLAYER APPEARANCE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
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