Asian Golf Issue 247 : June Issue by Asia Pacific Golf Group

If there’s one golf business event you

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k GLOBAL GOLF CONFERENCE k GLOBAL GOLF TRADE SHOW k GLOBAL GOLF AWARDS k GLOBAL AGRONOMY SYMPOSIUM k GOLF TOURNAMENTS k GOLF TOURISM

WORLD GOLF EXPO MISSION HILLS, HAIKOU, HAINAN, CHINA

A GOLF BUSINESS CARNIVAL LIKE NEVER BEFORE. SIMPLY THE BEST!

u must attend in 2022, make it WGE!

GOLFEXPO.COM

MISSION HILLS GROUP

www.missionhillschina.com

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ISSUE

247

JUNE 2021

ASIAN GOLF’S special “Power Hitters” list for 2021/22 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 tend to maintain a low profile. Like in previous years, ASIAN GOLF conducted its search with the following criteria in focus: Ì Scale of involvement with golf; Ì Measurable investments in golf projects; Ì Commitment to grow the game of golf; This criterion has helped sharpen the selection process and the 2021/22 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.

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SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM PUBLISHER

EQUIPMENT FOCUS

THE PANDEMIC RAGES ON ....

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PACK SOME SERIOUS VENOM IN YOUR PUTTER!

COBRA GOLF has entered the highly competitive putter arena. The company has rolled out three new models using its revolutionary 3D printing process in partnership with Hewlett-Packard.

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DOWN BUT NOT OUT!

SPECIAL FEATURE

The World Golf Expo (WGE) was slated to be held at the multi-billion-dollar Mission Hills Golf Resort in Haikou on the island of Hainan on November 4 – 7, 2021. Due to the on-going pandemic, the organizers, the Mission Hills Group of China and ASIAN GOLF took the difﬁcult decision to postpone the international golf show to 2022. The new date will be announced shortly.

34 LEE BAGS A BIG ONE!

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The latest star performer to join this league of top players is South Korea’s K.H Lee, winner of the 2021 AT&T Byron Nelson. Lee romped home for his ﬁrst win on the PGA Tour in a heavy downpour and weather delay. His reward was a life-changing opportunity to lift the winner’s trophy and cash in a check for US$1.42 million.

72 Thai women are destined to become a lasting force to reckon with on the LPGA Tour. Not only has women’s golf in Thailand got the full support of the government and the corporate world, but it also has tremendous depth in its talent pool.

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LEFTY BRINGS IT HOME! TAYLORMADE – THE GREAT COME-BACK KID! TaylorMade Golf Company has been sold to a South Korean company for an undisclosed price. That company is Seoulbased Centroid Investment Partners. Although no price has been disclosed, it is believed that the asking price was set at US$2 billion, and some sources speculate that it could have been sold at around US$1.6 billion.

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Phil Mickelson, the world’s most loved left-handed golfer proved yet again that he has what it takes to play at the highest level of professional golf and win! The American super-star created history when he wiped out a ﬁeld made up of young stars to become the oldest golfer at age 50 to win a men’s major championship.

Mike Sebastian

INTERNATIONAL ROVING EDITOR

Alan Campbell (China/Middle East)

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

Correspondent

GLOBAL EDITORIAL ADVISORY PANEL

Angela Raymond

President [angela@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

Gregg Patterson

President, Tribal Magic Inc.

Andrew Wood Founder/President, Legendary Marketing

James Cronk

Raquel Arcega

Executive Creative Art Director [raquel@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

President, Cronk Group

IT Consultant Tech-Know Integrators

Alice Ho

INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES

Business Manager [alice@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com]

Alice Ho

Email: alice@asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com

ASIAN GOLF www.asiapaciﬁcgolfgroup.com Tel: +65 6323 2800 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.

SHARED THOUGHTS FROM THE PUBLISHER

EQUIPMENT FOCUS | WHOOP

As this column is being written, India continues to be hammered by the global pandemic and Nations like Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan are forced to resort to extreme measures to contain the spread of the virus attack. While all this is going on, the golf club industry has been thrown into a further state of turmoil. There is no denying that many golf clubs in Asia are faced with a crisis situation where they are forced to see how best they can keep their heads above water. This is a challenge especially in a business environment not known for its “sharp marketing skills”. In this context, ASIAN GOLF has invited guest columnist and marketing legend Andrew Wood to share some of his thoughts on how clubs are facing the marketing dilemma during the pandemic. Read what Andrew has to say – it’s an eye-opening lesson – take it away Andrew!

SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM THE PUBLISHER

MY DOG KNOWS MORE ABOUT MARKETING THAN YOU!

icture this … I’m sitting in an old-style board room at a big-polished table, at a middle of the road golf resort, somewhat past its prime, somewhere north of BFE. I’m at one end of the table, my client, the owner is at the other end of the table. Post-Covid he needs more business, and he needs it now. To my left there are four people

and to my right there are three. He wants his team to buy into my marketing campaign, “get everyone on board Andrew, you know!”. The team comprises a hotel manager, a golf pro, chef, greenskeeper, secretary, head of housekeeping, and bar manager. Collectively they know less about marketing than my dog. None the less they are all here today to critique my new multi-media campaign, which is one of my best. We start to my left. The golf pro does not like the image I have chosen

for the lead picture in the new website although it was by far the best of the six images, they provided me. “Couldn’t we just do a new photoshoot? he asks when I mention this fact. “Well, I’m sure we could,” I reply. “But since it’s November there are no leaves on the trees, there’s no grass on the fairways, and it’s been pissing down with rain all week. Perhaps it would be better if we waited until spring?” I responded. (How it was possible that they only had six usable photographs when they’ve been in business for over 50 years was beyond my comprehension.) The pro nodded in agreement and added solemnly that, “Yes, that probably would be better.” Next up was Janet the young secretary who thinks that there’s not enough emphasis being put on Instagram because people don’t read anymore, they just look at pictures. And she thinks there’s far too much copy on the website, “I wouldn’t read it” she says. I explain that the copy is important not just to those people that might want to read it but also to the

SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM THE PUBLISHER

YOU HIRED ME BECAUSE I’M A MARKETING LEGEND, THEN YOU

LET A GROUP OF AMATEURS KILL MY CAMPAIGN WITH A THOUSAND CUTS BEFORE IT EVEN RAN.

WOULD YOU LET ME TELL YOUR CHEF HOW TO COOK? YOUR GREENSKEEPER HOW TO GROW GRASS? NO, AND IF YOU DID, YOU’D BE AN IDIOT! and his haircut is about as bad, but it passes quickly as the chef speaks up. He has a copy of Travel and Leisure in his hand with a full-page advertisement for Pebble Beach Golf Club. The advertisement comprises of nothing but a picture of the 18th hole and logo - “I really like the way these guys brand themselves” he says excitedly. I agree that it is indeed a wonderful picture but point out we’re roughly 2800 miles from the Paciﬁc Ocean, and at least 150 from the Atlantic. I also point out again that we only have six images and that an advertisement in Travel and Leisure costs more than their entire marketing budget. “Well,” he continues somewhat crestfallen - “I’m not saying we have to do that just that I like the classy way they promote their resort.” Whatever that means! The manager is a lady in her early 60s and probably somebody’s grandmother. She doesn’t like the typestyle I’ve search engines. I point out politely that without copy it’s

chosen for the emails. She wants something, “More stylish,

very hard to get ranked highly. She scowls at me like I just

more-curvy you know? I do know unreadable is what she

molested her cat, and says once more indignantly, “Well I’m

means I think but don’t say. What about Twitter, Pinterest,

just saying I wouldn’t read it.” Yes, and you’re thirty years

Re-marketing, YouTube, Google ads, texting, building an app,

younger than our customers who still buy newspapers. I

everyone has an app. Everyone has a suggestion about what

think, but don’t say.

to change and what’s missing from my campaign. I point out

The greenskeeper admits he knows nothing about

that their marketing budget is tiny and does not allow for

marketing and that my campaign looks ﬁne to him. I am mo-

47 different tactics. It goes on for 63 agonizing minutes of

mentarily stunned by his honesty - it’s not often somebody

discussion at the end of which the owner says, “Well I think

is asked for their opinion about marketing and is willing to

that was a very productive meeting Andrew. If you could just

admit they know nothing. I have a brief image from my youth

take the suggestions from the team on board and make a few

of Sergeant Schultz from the hit TV series ‘Hogan’s Heros’

tweaks I think will be ready to go.”

SHARED THOUGHTS | FROM THE PUBLISHER

I SHOULD HAVE JUST MILKED THEM FOR THE FIVE GRAND A MONTH THEY WERE PAYING ME

AND JUST SHUT UP. THE MONEY,

EARLY IN MY CAREER WHEN I NEED

I WOULD HAVE GRUDGINGLY DONE SO BUT NOW I JUST CAN’T DO IT. I WENT LIZZO, “TRUTH HURTS,” TOLD THEM THEY KNEW LESS ABOUT MARKETING THAN MY DOG. – ANDREW WOOD I leave, make a few tweaks, immediately making the

You hired me because I’m a Marketing Legend, then

punchy campaign I designed far less effective. I go back to

you let a group of amateurs kill my campaign with a

see them all and we go through the same charade a sec-

thousand cuts before it even ran. Would you let me tell

ond time. I make a few more tweaks. I refuse to meet with

your chef how to cook? Your greenskeeper how to grow

the whole team a third time and instead demand a one on

grass? No, and if you did, you’d be an idiot!”

one with the owner. He reluctantly agrees and I show him the new campaign. “This looks great!” he says. “No, it doesn’t,” I say. He looks at me stunned. “What do you mean?” “I mean it’s shit!” He doesn’t know

They ran the campaign with all of their changes intact. I took my small Legendary Marketing logo off the bottom of every email so no one would know I had anything to do with it. It bombed as I predicted it

what to say, he thinks I’m kidding

would, partly because their tweaking had pushed the

but I’m not kidding. It is shit,

start date back six weeks, out of their prime booking

they’ve taken a perfectly great

window. And because the campaign was riddled with

campaign, and “committeed it”

vanilla cliches that targeted everyone and motivated

into marketing oblivion. Let’s take the email campaign. “The punchy headline has

no one. I should have just milked them for the ﬁve grand a month they were paying me and just shut up. Early in my career when I need the money, I would have grudgingly

been replaced by a banal cliché of a

done so but now I just can’t do it. I went Lizzo, “Truth

slogan. Half my sales copy is entirely

Hurts,” Told them they knew less about marketing than

gone, the typestyle is barely readable,

my dog. The owner said, “OK Andrew you’re the expert,

and the offer is MIA since y’all couldn’t

a legend in your ﬁeld do it your way and show us some

agree on one. Call to ﬁnd out this

Legendary results, we won’t interfere in anything!”

month’s special is not much of an offer!

I EXPLAIN THAT THE COPY IS IMPORTANT NOT JUST TO THOSE PEOPLE THAT MIGHT WANT TO READ IT BUT ALSO TO THE SEARCH

ENGINES.

I POINT OUT POLITELY THAT WITHOUT COPY IT’S VERY HARD TO GET RANKED HIGHLY.

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POWER HITTERS 2021-2022 COVER STORY

C O V E R S T O RY | 2 0 2 1 A S I A’ S M O S T P O W E R F U L P E O P L E I N G O L F

The past year and most of 2021 have been very trying times for nations, governments, corporations and the individual. No one has been spared the pain and the ravages of the global Covid-19 pandemic. What was ﬁrst viewed as just another passing phase of a new inﬂuenza outbreak caught everyone napping as the Covid-19 bug unleashed its terror on every corner of the Planet. No single country was spared its wrath and while it infected hundreds of millions and killed scores of mil-

lions, it showed no mercy as it kept hitting wave after wave. As this article was being written, the pandemic is wreaking havoc in the most populous nation on Earth – the ancient land of India. Never does a day go by when there is optimistic talk and hope of this plague coming to an end. However, there does not seem to be any immediate hope of the pandemic being arrested and brought under control – but there is hope that with the global roll out of mass vaccinations, a new dawn can be expected in the not too distant future.

C O V E R S T O RY | A S I A’ S M O S T P O W E R F U L P E O P L E I N G O L F

hile the Earth battles on to beat this scourge, the golf industry in the Asia Paciﬁc has to put on a brave face and keep all its cylinders ﬁring in a concerted effort to

help the industry recover after the massive body blow it took on all fronts. To keep the industry buzzing and to launch it onto a new path of growth in a post pandemic era, calls for a special breed of men and women to lead the push to overcome the odds and seek out new ways and opportunities to set the industry on ﬁrm footings again for the challenges ahead. People who are guided by the axiom to “Never Give Up … Don’t Ever Give Up”. They are ﬁghters and who have been known to overcome numerous obstacles and who possess the DNA, stamina, and resources to return stronger than ever. These are leaders who in the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson “Do not follow where the path may lead. They go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” They are the true Power Hitters who have taken on the call to help navigate the golf club industry through a new phase of growth. Over the past eight years, ASIAN GOLF has created a prestigious platform to celebrate these pantheons of the industry. In almost all

FOR ANY INDUSTRY TO GROW, THERE IS A NEED FOR RECOGNITION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT –

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

THERE IS A NEED FOR HEROES TO

achievements and in the busi-

HELP SET STANDARDS AND WITH THIS LIST, WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE PLAYED

ness world, the most credible and outstanding awards are

A ROLE IN HELPING TO BUILD GLOBAL

The Stevie International Business Awards, The Fortune Global 500 listings and The Forbes Global 2000 listings

RECOGNITION FOR THE MOVERS AND SHAKERS OF THE

ASIAN GOLF INDUSTRY.

– MIKE SEBASTIAN

for the World’s Largest Companies amongst many others. For the world of sports

nually for the past eight years. While conservatives in the

there is the prestigious Laureus awards. Collectively, these

golf industry refer to this award programme as the annual

awards are conducted annually to recognise the best of

search for “Asia’s Most Powerful People In Golf”, the ofﬁcial

breed and being recognised is the ultimate measure of

name of the recognition event is “Asia’s Power Hitters”.

achievement and excellence. Like these awards, the Asian

ASIAN GOLF launched the programme in 2014 to recognise

golf industry has been recognising its best of the best an-

the men and women driving the growth of golf on the giant

Continent of Asia. Over this period, ASIAN GOLF has kept

Scale of involvement with golf;

track of the accomplishments of the kingpins of golf and

Measurable investments in golf projects;

is proud to release its latest list of golf’s high achievers for

Commitment to grow the game of golf;

2021/22. The compilation of this annual series has been quite a

This criterion has helped sharpen the selection process and the 2021/22 list is both representative and reﬂective of the men

challenging task given the fact that many of the truly power-

and women who are known to be making major contributions

ful people in business in Asia tend to maintain a low proﬁle.

towards the development and growth of golf throughout Asia.

The golf industry is no different especially when it comes to

“For any industry to grow, there is a need for recognition

identifying corporations or individuals behind major invest-

and acknowledgement – there is a need for heroes to help

ments and developments in the industry. Like in previous

set standards and with this list, we are glad to have played

years and guided by a credo of the late Steve Jobs of Apple

a role in helping to build global recognition for the movers

who said, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a

and shakers of the Asian golf industry,” said Mike Sebastian,

follower,” ASIAN GOLF conducted its search with the follow-

chief executive ofﬁcer of the ASIAN GOLF, the owner of the

ing criteria in focus:

programme.

C O V E R S T O R Y | 2A 0S2I 1A ’ AS S M I AO’ S T MPOOSWT E PR OF W U LE RPFEUOLP LP EE OI P NLG E OI LNF G O L F

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 nearly 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 TENNIEL CHU operate a total of 22 world class golf courses in Shenzhen on the Chinese Mainland and the offshore island of Hainan. The Chu brothers have transformed their facility in Haikou, Hainan into a veritable world class entertainment, shopping, dining, sports, lifestyle, 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, spanning over some 44 square miles, to fruition.

TENNIEL CHU GROUP VICE CHAIRMAN, MISSION HILLS GROUP

CHINA

DR. KEN CHU GROUP CHAIRMAN & CEO, MISSION HILLS GROUP

CHINA

C O V E R S T O RY | A S I A’ S M O S T P O W E R F U L P E O P L E I N G O L F

DR. PAWAN MUNJAL CHAIRMAN, MANAGING DIRECTOR & CEO, HERO MOTOCORP.

INDIA

R. PAWAN MUNJAL is a major

ﬁnancial sponsor of golf events in India and has almost single-handedly made

professional competitions possible. He heads up what is the largest motor-cycle company in the world and as a leading industrialist, he has ﬂexed his industrial muscle and has actively undertaken to promote the game of golf all over the country. As a renowned industry leader, he has provided powerful leadership that is needed for golf development to succeed against other sports such as the all-popular game of cricket. Besides India, Dr. Munjal plays a very prominent role in the growth of golf internationally and amongst the top global golf events that Munjal supports is the annual Hero World Challenge that is held under the auspices of Tiger Woods in the Bahamas.

SANTI BHIROMBHAKDI PRESIDENT & CEO, SINGHA CORPORATION

THAILAND

ANTI BHIROMBHAKDI is the President

of Singha Corporation Co., Ltd, the company behind the world-famous Singha Beer. He

is one of the most inﬂuential personalities in the business of golf in Thailand and is engaged in golf course ownership, player development and the sponsorship of golf tournaments in Thailand, the ASEAN region and throughout East Asia. Bhirombhakdi was the chief founder of the Thai PGA and has served as its President. He is also the patron of the Asian Tour, the region’s premier professional golf tour.

C O V E R S T O RY | A S I A’ S M O S T P O W E R F U L P E O P L E I N G O L F

LEE JAY-HYUN CHAIRMAN, CJ GROUP

SOUTH KOREA

ithout doubt one of the most ardent supporters of professional golf in the Asia Paciﬁc. MR. LEE is a South

Korean businessman who has a net worth of US$1.8 billion. He is the grandson of Lee ByungChul, Samsung’s late founder, and is one of the key people of the CJ Group, a South Korean conglomerate holding company that is the country’s biggest food processor. Today it is diversified into entertainment and pharmaceuticals, as well as home shopping and logistics. The CJ Group is the owner of what is perhaps amongst the richest professional golf tournaments in the Asia Pacific. The South Korean tournament is firmly established on the PGA Tour and the CJ Cup is limited to 78 players, who compete for a massive US$9.25 million prize fund. Under Mr. Lee’s support South Korean professional golfers have been scoring big wins on the PGA Tour, the latest being K.H. Lee who won the AT&T Byron Nelson.

JIMMY MASRIN CHAIRMAN, ASIAN TOUR

INDONESIA

IMMY 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 passionate 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

C O V E R S T O RY | A S I A’ S M O S T P O W E R F U L P E O P L E I N G O L F

TRINH VAN QUYET CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF MANAGEMENT FLC GROUP

VIETNAM

e 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 000 hotel rooms by 2020 and he aims to becoming the leading resort developer in Vietnam. He is also the owner of Bamboo Airlines which aspires to become a major international carrier.

KIM YOUNG-CHAN FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN, GOLFZON NEWDIN GROUP

SOUTH KOREA

IM YOUNG-CHAN is the founder and chairman of Golf-

zon, 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 ofﬁcial golf simulator provider.

C O V E R S T O RY | A S I A’ S M O S T P O W E R F U L P E O P L E I N G O L F

LE VAN KIEM CHAIRMAN, KN INVESTMENT GROUP

VIETNAM

E 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 and 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.

ENRIQUE ‘RICKY’ K. RAZON JR., CHAIRMAN AND CEO, MANILA-LISTED COMPANY INTERNATIONAL CONTAINER TERMINAL SERVICES, INC.

PHILIPPINES

anked as one of the top power players and billionaires in the Philippines, ENRIQUE K. RAZON,

JR., is an avid golfer who holds key interests in the

country’s top golf courses. He is actively engaged in the sports and entertainment business and serves as the chairman of Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc., which is the company behind The Philippine Golf Tour, the country’s premier golf tournament circuit. Razon’s grandfather began with a port in Manila in 1916. Razon’s dad rebuilt the business after World War II. Razon started out in the port business with his dad in Manila and transformed it into a global giant. His hospitality ﬁrm, Bloomberry Resorts Co., includes its crown jewel, the Solaire Casino and Resort in the Philippines.

C O V E R S T O RY | A S I A’ S M O S T P O W E R F U L P E O P L E I N G O L F

KIM YOUNG JE PRESIDENT & CEO, SKY72 GOLF & RESORTS

SOUTH KOREA

IM YOUNG JE has worked very

hard to ensure that his company’s golf courses and resorts are rou-

tinely 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.

MASAHIRO KURAMOTO CHAIRMAN, JAPAN PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS ASSOCIATION

JAPAN

s Chairman of the Tokyo based Japan Professional Golf Tour (JPGT), MASA-

HIRO KURAMOTO runs an orga-

nization that is the third largest professional men’s tour in the world. The organization has a membership comprised of over 5,000 professional golfers including its tour players and teaching professionals. In addition to operating its professional tour, the organization supports golf course and player development throughout Japan and Asia.

C O V E R S T O RY | A S I A’ S M O S T P O W E R F U L P E O P L E I N G O L F

MADAME NGUYEN THI NGA CHAIRMAN, BRG GROUP

VIETNAM

ADAME NGUYEN THI NGA

owns a few golf courses including the award-winning Kings’ Island

Golf Club in Hanoi. The powerful lady who has extensive business interests in Vietnam has entered an exclusive business partnership with Nicklaus Design, the company owned by golf legend Jack Nicklaus. Under this agreement Madame Nga’s BRG Group is expected to develop a total of ten world class golf courses in Vietnam. This will effectively make her the owner of arguably the most number of golf courses in the country.

ASIAN STARS SPECIAL FEATURE

SPECIAL FEATURE | ASIAN STARS

There was a time when Asia could only hope that one of its players would do well on the world’s toughest and richest professional golf tour. For years, professionals from Japan, South Korea, India, and Taiwan showed off their best game on that tour but it was just not good enough to deliver the desired top results. That was when professionals from Asia had to pay their dues and to pave the way for future stars to come along and start the process of winning.

SPECIAL FEATURE | ASIAN STARS

he man who set the ball rolling was Japan’s legendary Isao Aoki who won the Hawaiian Open in 1983. Then came along ironman K.J. Choi from South Korea who scored seven wins on the PGA Tour who was followed by

countryman Y.E. Yang, the first Asian-born -player to win a Major – he won the PGA Championship when he downed the great Tiger Woods. In between, there were great performances by Japan’s Ryuji Imada and Shigeki Maruyama. And let us not forget the masterful win of the 2021 Masters by Japan’s superstar, Hideki Matsuyama. The country with perhaps the greatest number of wins on the PGA Tour is South Korea. Besides Choi and Yang, the others who have blazed a winning trail on the big tour are Si Woo Kim, Sangmoon Bae, Seung-Yul Noh, Sung Kang, Byeong Hun An and Sungjae Im. The latest star performer to join this league of top players is K.H. Lee, winner of the 2021 AT&T Byron Nelson. Lee romped home for his first win on the PGA Tour amidst a heavy downpour and weather delay. His reward was a lifechanging opportunity to lift the winner’s trophy and cash in a check for US$1.42 million. The 29-year-old is the second consecutive Byron Nelson winner from South Korea, following Sung Kang’s spectacular victory in 2019. Lee marked his first win on tour

LIKE THE WOMEN FROM ASIA AND THEIR INCREDIBLE DOMINANCE OF THE LPGA TOUR, LET US ALL HOPE THAT ASIA’S MEN DO LIKEWISE ON THE PGA TOUR. IT IS ABOUT TIME GUYS – WE ARE ALL ROOTING FOR YOU GUYS!

with a score of 25-under, three strokes ahead of the rest of the field. He was greeted by K.J. Choi after he walked off the 18th green, a remarkable gesture of honour from the man who started it all for South Korean professionals. Not only was it a huge win for Lee but it also signalled Asia’s growing strength on the PGA Tour. Lee’s journey leading to his first PGA Tour win started with his move to the United States in 2016 to play on the then Web.com Tour (now the Korn Ferry Tour), and finally becoming a full-time member of the PGA Tour in 2019. The Seoul native’s best previous finish was earlier this year when he finished T-2 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, just behind Brooks Koepka. The win earned Lee a ticket to the 2021 PGA Championship and he has also gained full exemption for Tour events through the 2022-23 seasons and jumped to 29th in the FedExCup standings. Like the women from Asia and their incredible dominance of the LPGA Tour, let us all hope that Asia’s men do likewise on the PGA Tour. It is about time guys – we are all rooting for you guys!

THE WIN EARNED LEE A TICKET TO THE 2021 PGA

CHAMPIONSHIP AND HE HAS ALSO GAINED FULL EXEMPTION FOR TOUR EVENTS THROUGH THE 2022-23 SEASONS AND JUMPED TO 29TH IN THE FEDEXCUP STANDINGS.

WORLD GOLF EXPO SPECIAL FEATURE

SPECIAL FEATURE | WORLD GOLF EXPO

If the on-going battle to stage the 2021 World Golf Expo against the raging pandemic was a prize ﬁght, it would make for a fantastic knock-down-drag-out punch up between two determined foes. While the pandemic continued wreaking out havoc in most parts of Asia, the organizers of the World Golf Expo (WGE) kept up the war of wits in the hope that the pandemic would recede by mid-year 2021. WGE was slated to be held at the multi-billion-dollar Mission Hills Golf Resort in Haikou on the island of Hainan on November 4 – 7, 2021. It showed promise of being a truly major international event for the golf industry.

SPECIAL FEATURE | WORLD GOLF EXPO

EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE HAD TO POSTPONE WGE TWICE, I AM HAPPY TO NOTE THAT THE TEAM HAS DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB IN CREATING IT AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL BRAND FOR THE BUSINESS OF GOLF.

– TENNIEL CHU

WE SPARED NOTHING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PREPARED FOR THE BEST GOLF BUSINESS SUMMIT AND TRADE SHOW – AN EVENT THAT WOULD REALLY LIVE UP TO ITS NAME. THE LINE-UP OF INTERNATIONAL SPEAKERS CLEARLY REPRESENTED A WHO’S WHO OF THE GLOBAL GOLF INDUSTRY, AND IT IS INDEED REGRETTABLE THAT THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HELP SET THE STAGE FOR THE FUTURE OF GOLF NOT ONLY IN ASIA BUT IN THE REST OF THE WORLD.

EVERY SINGL

DISAPPOINTM

OF THEM SPONTANEO

owever, given the current situation relating

regrettable that they will not be able to help set the stage for

to the spread of the Coronavirus and new

the future of golf not only in Asia but in the rest of the world,”

variant attacks together with lockdowns

Chu added.

in various countries and prevailing travel restrictions, a decision had to be taken to

either cancel or postpone the event.

Chipping in, Mike Sebastian, the Executive Producer of WGE said, “Every single speaker that we contacted about the postponement expressed great disappointment but what was

The organizers, the Mission Hills Group of China and

encouraging was the fact that each and every one of them

ASIAN GOLF took the difﬁcult decision to postpone the inter-

spontaneously gave their commitment to support the new

national golf show to 2022.

event in 2022.” Sebastian explained this was proof that all the

“Even though we have had to postpone WGE twice, I am happy to note that the team has done an excellent job in creating it as a major international brand for the business

invited speakers believed in WGE and its role in helping to grow the game of golf globally with a special emphasis on Asia. Perhaps the feeling of support for WGE was best ex-

of golf,” said Tenniel Chu, Chairman of the WGE Organizing

pressed by David Abeles, President and CEO of TaylorMade

Committee.

Golf who said, “I am grateful for the invite, appreciate all the

“We spared nothing to make sure that we prepared for

work you, your organization, and the team at Mission Hills had

the best golf business summit and trade show – an event

done to prepare for the WGE. You have my commitment that

that would really live up to its name.” He went on to add,

when things settle and are more predictable in the world – I

“The line-up of international speakers clearly represented

will be there for you!”

a who’s who of the global golf industry, and it is indeed

His sentiments were echoed by Joseph Beditz, President of the National Golf Foundation in North America who said, “Let’s hope that everything is back to normal in 2022 and you can once again gather an amazing group of golf leaders for the preeminent golf meeting in Asia.”

LE SPEAKER THAT WE CONTACTED ABOUT THE POSTPONEMENT EXPRESSED GREAT

MENT BUT WHAT WAS ENCOURAGING WAS THE FACT THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE

OUSLY GAVE THEIR COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT THE NEW EVENT IN

2022.

SPECIAL FEATURE | WORLD GOLF EXPO

WHILE THE WGE MAY BE POSTPONED, THE SPIRIT AND DETERMINATION TO STAGE A TRULY WORLD CLASS EVENT HAS IN FACT BEEN BOLSTERED.

“WHENEVER MISSION HILLS LENDS ITS NAME TO ANY EVENT, YOU CAN REST ASSURED THAT IT WILL BE THE BEST! – MIKE SEBASTIAN ALL THE WORK FOR THE STAGING OF WGE HAS BEEN DONE AND IT HAS BEEN IN A STATE OF READINESS AWAITING THE

WORD TO GO.

“WHILE WE ACCEPT THAT THE PANDEMIC IS STILL

AROUND AND RAGING OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE WAS THE TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE WHICH MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR DELEGATES TO TRAVEL SAFELY TO

HAINAN.

The Chief Executive Ofﬁcer of the R&A, Martin Slumbers while expressing disappointment at the postponement offered encouragement when he said, “We still have

any event, you can rest assured that it will be the BEST!” said Sebastian. All the work for the staging of WGE has been done

some while to go to get out of the pandemic and I look

and it has been in a state of readiness awaiting the word to

forward to 2022.”

go. “While we accept that the pandemic is still around and

Reacting to the postponement, Keith Pelley, Chief

raging our biggest challenge was the travel restrictions

Executive Ofﬁcer of the European Tour said, “Totally

in place which makes it impossible for delegates to travel

understand and appreciate the challenge in a Crazy Covid

safely to Hainan,” explained Sebastian.

World.”

“Looking ahead and based on all the data that we have

Upon being told about the postponement of WGE, the

at our disposal, it is safe to assume that the new staging

show’s Master of Ceremonies, Gregg Patterson respond-

date for WGE will be some time in mid-2022,” explained

ed, “Truly, truly disappointing but I completely understand.

Chu. The new show dates will be announced in the not-too-

This Virus Madness has made a mess of so many things.

distant future.

I’m looking forward to 2022, re-connecting with you and making Hainan the absolute best Summit EVER!!!” So, while the WGE may be postponed, the spirit and

The forerunner to the WGE was the Asia Paciﬁc Golf Summit (APGS) which had a very successful thirteen-year run starting back in 2007. Over the years, more than 200

determination to stage a truly world class event has in fact

international speakers have addressed APGS, and it was

been bolstered. “Whenever Mission Hills lends its name to

the go-to Summit for all in the golf industry.

I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE INVITE, APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK YOU, YOUR ORGANIZATION, AND THE TEAM AT MISSION HILLS HAD DONE TO PREPARE FOR THE WGE. YOU HAVE MY COMMITMENT THAT WHEN THINGS SETTLE AND ARE MORE PREDICTABLE IN THE WORLD

– I WILL BE THERE FOR YOU!

– DAVID ABELES

TRULY, TRULY DISAPPOINTING BUT I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND. THIS VIRUS MADNESS HAS MADE A MESS OF SO MANY THINGS. I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO 2022, RE-CONNECTING WITH YOU AND MAKING HAINAN THE ABSOLUTE BEST SUMMIT EVER!!! – GREGG PATTERSON

SPECIAL FEATURE | WORLD GOLF EXPO

LET’S HOPE THAT EVERYTHING IS BACK TO NORMAL IN 2022 AND YOU CAN ONCE AGAIN GATHER AN AMAZING GROUP OF GOLF LEADERS FOR THE PREEMINENT GOLF MEETING IN

ASIA.

– JOSEPH BEDITZ

WE STILL

TOTALLY UNDERSTAND AND

APPRECIATE THE CHAL-

CRAZY COVID WORLD.

HAVE SOME WHILE TO GO

LENGE IN A

TO GET OUT

– KEITH PELLEY

DEMIC AND

OF THE PANLOOK FOR-

WARD TO “While we accept the fact that APGS was the best networking opportunity for the golf industry, it also served as a

2022.

– MARTIN SLUMBERS

terriﬁc platform to showcase new technologies and trends in the industry,” said Sebastian. “We expect this to continue and in fact, we expect it to take on greater prominence with WGE.” Sebastian went on

Awards is currently in operation and voting is open at

to add that the annual recognition event associated with

https://agmawards.asiapacificgolfgroup.com

APGS will continue. “In keeping with the introduction of

“We hope that everyone in the golf industry will make

WGE, we have expanded the much sought-after Asian Golf

a bee-line to attend WGE 2022 in Hainan next year. I can

Awards into the Global Golf Awards, the “Oscars” for our

assure you that we will be ready to extend the warmest

industry and this will continue the long tradition of recog-

welcome to our glorious resort and I can assure you that

nising the best amongst the best in our industry.”

we will be set to deliver the best golf business Summit at

The on-line voting for the 2021/22 Global Golf

WGE 2022,” was the parting shot of Chu.

IN KEEPING WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF WGE, WE HAVE EXPANDED THE MUCH SOUGHT-AFTER ASIAN GOLF AWARDS INTO THE GLOBAL GOLF AWARDS, THE “OSCARS” FOR OUR INDUSTRY AND THIS WILL CONTINUE THE LONG TRADITION OF RECOGNISING THE BEST AMONGST THE BEST IN OUR INDUSTRY.

– MIKE SEBASTIAN

WE HOPE THAT EVERYONE IN THE GOLF INDUSTRY WILL MAKE A BEE-LINE TO ATTEND WGE 2022 IN HAINAN NEXT YEAR. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT WE WILL BE READY TO EXTEND THE WARMEST WELCOME

I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT WE WILL BE SET TO DELIVER THE BEST GOLF BUSINESS SUMMIT AT WGE 2022. – TENNIEL CHU TO OUR GLORIOUS RESORT AND

TAYLORMADE SPECIAL FEATURE

SPECIAL FEATURE | TAYLORMADE

It is strange that when corporations are bought and sold these days, outside of the ﬁnancial and trade media, there is very little attention paid to these transactions. Even if a company is sold for perhaps two or three billion dollars – the reaction or lack thereof can be regarded as not being a big deal. Unlike some of these new age companies that command ridiculous sums that run into billions of dollars with really nothing much to show in terms of a tangible product. Anyway, it is not something that we want to preoccupy ourselves with but that said, we want to make a big noise about the sale of a golf company in the last few weeks. Word got out last year that the said company was being hunted down by unnamed prospective investors. After some publicity things went quiet until early May 2021 when word got out that it was sold for an undisclosed sum of money.

SPECIAL FEATURE | TAYLORMADE

hat company was TaylorMade Golf, one of the true big names in golf clubs and accessories. There was a time when this company dominated the sales of golf clubs and it was renowned for the speed at which

it kept churning out new models. It was simply staggering to watch model after model hit the fairways in quick succession. In fact, it made many in the industry wonder if this pace of innovation could be maintained. This was at a time when TaylorMade Golf was part of Adidas. In fact, that run on steroids came to a grinding halt when Adidas sold off TaylorMade to a private equity ﬁrm, KPS Capital Partners in 2017 for US$425 million. Industry observers felt that the price was depressed considering the strength of the brand.

IN JUST A MATTER OF YEARS ABELES STARTED PRODUCING RESULTS ON ALL FRONTS

– BEST OF BREED GOLF CLUBS, BEST LINE-UP OF

BRAND AMBASSADORS AND

BEST RESULTS WHERE IT MATTERED MOST

– THE CHECK

OUT COUNTER WHICH WAS

SPEWING OUT RECORD SALES! This sale by Adidas marked the start of a new era at

Abeles, known to be a great pitchman could see positive trends in the industry in 2020 and was extremely bullish

TaylorMade Golf. KPS brought in a seasoned TaylorMade

about a big and sustained bounce back after the industry

executive to lead the company and that man was David

had been languishing in golf limbo for many years.

Abeles. Under Abeles, the “man with the Midas touch”,

He was reported saying, “It has been very encourag-

TaylorMade spun around and recovered lost ground very

ing to see our industry’s resilience to bounce back so well

quickly. In just a matter of years Abeles started producing

since golf’s national landscape began reopening in May ….

results on all fronts – best of breed golf clubs, best line-up

with an increase in participation at all skill levels combined

of brand ambassadors and best results where it mattered

with new players entering our game, rounds played growth

most – the check out counter which was spewing out

across the country has been very strong, and subsequently

record sales!

retail numbers continue to advance. At TaylorMade Golf we

UNDER ABELES, TAYLORMADE HAS EXPERIENCED SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH IN REVENUE AND PROFITABILITY WORLDWIDE,

AND THE COMPANY IS POISED TO HAVE THE STRONGEST YEAR IN ITS HISTORY.

based Centroid Investment Partners. Although no price has been disclosed, it is believed that the asking price was set at US$2 billion, and some sources speculate that it could have been sold at around US$1.6 billion. Anyway, what is especially significant about this sale is that for the second time in a decade, control over a top American golf equipment brand has been taken over by an Asian company – more specifically a South Korean company. The first take-over was in 2011 when Acushnet, the parent company of Titleist and FootJoy was sold to Fila Korea Ltd for US$1.23 billion. This gives Asian golf bragging rights in that two of the top brands in golf equipment are now owned by Asian corporations. Together with established Asian brands like Honma, Mizuno, Srixon, and are doing everything we can to further enhance the energy in our sport and satisfy the strong demand for our products.” Under Abeles, TaylorMade has experienced substantial

others, Asia is now home to the best and widest selection of golf clubs bar none! Given the “Midas Touch” of Abeles, TaylorMade Golf under its new ownership can expect to ride

growth in revenue and proﬁtability worldwide, and the com-

another big wave of success in growing sales. The brand’s

pany is poised to have the strongest year in its history.

new owners are known as savvy investors and they have

While he was steering the company to record sales,

obviously done their homework before plonking down their

talk crept in about the impending sale of the company. Just

cash for TaylorMade. As Koreans, they are totally conscious

months after this news broke, the re-imagined TaylorMade

of the fact that South Korea is a golf crazy market and cur-

Golf Company under Abeles was sold to a South Korean

rently ranks as the third largest market for golf equipment

company for an undisclosed price. That company is Seoul-

after Japan and the United States of America.

SPECIAL FEATURE | TAYLORMADE

GIVEN THE “MIDAS TOUCH” OF ABELES, TAYLORMADE GOLF UNDER ITS NEW OWNERSHIP CAN EXPECT TO RIDE ANOTHER BIG WAVE OF SUCCESS IN GROWING SALES. Looking at economic projections for Asia up to

and expands exponentially.

2030, the numbers look good and augur well for golf.

According to Abeles, the focus of the new

In 2030, the world will have about 8.56 billion and Asia

partnership will be to “keep on doing what’s made

will have nearly 5 billion people. Asian countries are

us the leader in our industry – the creation of

still maintaining GDP growth of 4-8% depending upon

best-in-class products, invest in our brand, and de-

the country. This is 1 to 5% faster annual growth than

liver incredible service to our customers and golfers

the rest of the world. ASEAN, made up of a bloc of 10

of all skill levels.”

nations, will become the fourth-largest economic region in the world by 2030. So, while the TaylorMade Golf sale could be an

Commenting on the take-over of TaylorMade Golf Company, Jinhyeok Jeong, founder and CEO of Centroid Investment Partners, said, “TaylorMade Golf

investment play, ASIAN GOLF would like to think that it

is a transformational investment for Centroid.

is more of a long-term undertaking that is designed to

We are very excited to have the opportunity to

beneﬁt from increased sales as the Asian region grows

invest in a global leader in golf. The industry

TAYLORMADE GOLF IS A TRANSFORMATIONAL INVESTMENT FOR

is currently experiencing high demand, increased

CENTROID. WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO

participation, with strong long-term opportunities

HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN A

around the world. TaylorMade is an iconic brand with continued momentum across the key golf equipment categories and regions, especially the Korean and wider Asian markets. We are equally excited to work with CEO David Abeles and his “exceptional senior management team to support continued growth and success.” So, let us all fasten our seat belts and get ready for an exciting ride into the future as TaylorMade Golf takes off on its next phase of growth! The Asian Phase – powered by the great leap in golf!

GLOBAL LEADER IN GOLF.

THE INDUSTRY IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HIGH DEMAND, INCREASED PARTICIPATION, WITH STRONG LONG-TERM OPPORTUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD. TAYLORMADE IS AN ICONIC BRAND WITH CONTINUED MOMENTUM ACROSS THE KEY GOLF

EQUIPMENT CATEGORIES AND REGIONS,

KOREAN AND WIDER – JINHYEOK JEONG ASIAN MARKETS.

ESPECIALLY THE

support@golfcitizen.com

PHIL MICKELSON SPECIAL FEATURE

SPECIAL FEATURE | PHIL MICKELSON

s he stepped off the 18th green, Mickelson exclaimed, “This is just amazing …. I believed I had the ability to do it. I have not

round of golf. He was simply magical! As player after player was robbed of strokes by a course set up to gobble them up mercilessly, the left-hand-

played the way I knew I could. It is so ful-

ed maestro pulled away from the ﬁeld to capture his second

ﬁlling and rewarding, and this is a moment

PGA Championship title.

I will cherish forever.” On a day when players were being beaten up left, right

Mickelson was a totally different player on course. Absent was his smile and warm demeanour which are part

and centre by a vicious golf course, Mickelson kept his cool

of his trademark style. He was stoic and never did he once

and went about protecting his lead with a well-managed

high-ﬁve or ﬁst-pump his cheering fans. He was almost

I HOPE THAT OTHERS FIND THAT INSPIRATION. IT MIGHT TAKE A LITTLE EXTRA WORK, A LITTLE BIT HARDER EFFORT TO MAINTAIN PHYSICALLY OR MAINTAIN THE SKILLS, BUT GOSH IS IT WORTH

I AM SO APPRECIATIVE TO BE HOLDING THIS WANAMAKER TROPHY. IT IN THE END AND

zen-like throughout the tournament and only let up after his final putt when fans saw the old Mickelson and his dimpled smile. Mickelson showed no signs of letting go and once he took control early into the day, there was no looking back for the old campaigner. He did not need to be perfect in the final round since many of the top contenders wilted around him. In victory Mickelson said, “I hope that others find that

SPECIAL FEATURE | PHIL MICKELSON

MICKELSON WAS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT PLAYER ON COURSE. ABSENT WAS HIS SMILE AND WARM DEMEANOUR WHICH ARE PART OF HIS TRADEMARK STYLE.

HE WAS STOIC AND NEVER DID HE ONCE HIGH-FIVE OR FISTPUMP HIS CHEERING FANS. HE WAS ALMOST ZEN-LIKE THROUGHOUT THE TOURNAMENT AND ONLY LET UP AFTER HIS FINAL PUTT WHEN FANS SAW THE OLD DIMPLED SMILE.

MICKELSON AND HIS

inspiration. It might take a little extra work, a little bit harder effort to maintain physically or maintain the skills, but gosh is it worth it in the end and I am so appreciative to be holding this Wanamaker Trophy.” As was the case in the years preceding Tiger Woods’ triumph at the 2019 Masters, many would have thought that they had witnessed the last of Mickelson winning a major championship. Since his victory in the 2013 Open Championship, he had three topfive finishes and eight missed cuts. This was not to be at the PGA Championship – the golfing gods were smiling down on the old guy and there was no way that they would let anybody challenge Mickelson for the win and the opportunity to create history. He has shown the world that he is far from finished. Keep on going Phil!

THREE DISTINCT DRIVERS Available in MAX (highest MOI), LST (low spin), or SFT (draw bias) models to ﬁt your game.

OUR MOST FORGIVING DRIVER. EVER. Total MOI pushes 10,000 in the G425 MAX, a new standard in long and straight. A 26g tungsten CG shifter increases MOI an average of 14% across the Draw, Neutral and Fade settings.

At PING, we measure success in the lab and on your scorecard. Led by our most forgiving driver ever, the G425 MAX, big performance gains were achieved across the new G425 family. The proven innovations engineered into G425 clubs deliver score-lowering results oﬀ the tee, from the fairway and into and around the green so golfers of all skill levels can enjoy the game more.

COBRA PUTTERS EQUIPMENT FOCUS

EQUIPMENT FOCUS | COBRA PUTTERS

If you are on the look-out for a good bite and some deadly poison in your putting, your search may just have come to an end. Remember when COBRA Golf decided to tinker around with Hewlett-Packard to launch a commercial, 3D printed metal putter? That was back in 2020 and the product that the collaboration came up with was the limited-edition KING SuperSport-35. Obviously quite impressed with their first foray into the world of flatsicks, COBRA and HP have continued with their search for a winner and the partnership has spawned its first complete line of 3D printed multi-material putters.

EQUIPMENT FOCUS | COBRA PUTTERS

t took a while alright but that wait was worth it.

through the use of 3D printing, an extremely effective

COBRA has hit the road running with its KING 3D Printed Series. The putters feature a 3D printed nylon lattice cartridge created using HP’s advanced Multi-Jet fusion printing technology.

process in the design and development of our new putter line,” said Jose Miraﬂor, VP Marketing & Product Architecture, Cobra Golf.

The 3D printed lattice structure optimizes the weight distribution within the putter chassis to deliver a high MOI design for enhanced stability and roll performance in three distinct models – ✔ The GrandSport-35 (OS Blade) ✔ SuperNova (OS Fang) ✔ The Agera (OS Mallet) “We’re extremely excited to launch our new family of 3D printed putters, continuing our partnership with HP, utilizing their Metal Jet Technology to innovate and transform the way golf equipment is manufactured

“We are extremely excited for golfers to try our new 3D printed putters, while each is unique, they all deliver advanced stability, forgiveness and roll performance that will make putting easier for golfers of all levels,” he added. COBRA partnered with SIK Golf to employ their patented Descending Loft Technology (DLT), which features four descending lofts on the face to produce a consistent launch angle and roll for different putting styles and stroke consistencies. COBRA engineers utilized SIK’s DLT to create its version in a 6061 aluminum insert which gives the advantage of weight savings and soft, yet crisp feel at impact.

WE’RE EXTREMELY EXCITED TO LAUNCH OUR NEW FAMILY OF 3D PRINTED PUTTERS, CONTINUING OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH HP, UTILIZING THEIR METAL JET TECHNOLOGY TO INNOVATE AND TRANSFORM THE WAY GOLF EQUIPMENT IS MANUFACTURED THROUGH THE USE

3D PRINTING, AN EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE PROCESS IN THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF OUR NEW PUTTER LINE. – JOSE MIRAFLOR OF

EQUIPMENT FOCUS | COBRA PUTTERS

WE ARE

Using HP’s proprietary 3D

EXTREMELY

Printing Technology combined with SIK Golf’s DLT has enabled COBRA to introduce a revolutionary putter line that changes the way putters are designed and advances perfor-

EXCITED FOR GOLFERS TO TRY OUR NEW

PRINTED PUTTERS,

WHILE EACH IS

UNIQUE, THEY ALL DELIVER ADVANCED

STABILITY, FORGIVE-

NESS AND ROLL PERFORMANCE THAT WILL MAKE PUTTING EASIER FOR GOLFERS OF ALL LEVELS.

mance in the putter category. Here is a sneak peek at each model starting with the KING GrandSport-35 – it features an oversize blade shape and boasts an MOI comparable to other OS mallets on the market. A plumber neck design creates a 35-degree toe hang that is ideal for players with a slight arc to their putting stroke. The KING SuperNova - it features an oversize fang design with a MOI over 5700 for extreme stability on off-centre hits. The KING Agera features an oversize mallet shape and an MOI over 7600, making it one of the most stable putters on the market today. Each putter in the KING 3D Printed Series is equipped with a COBRA CONNECT™ grip Powered by Arccos Caddie, the award-winning smart golf system that helps players of all skill levels make smarter, data-driven decisions. The grips feature electronically enabled embedded sensors that sync with the Arccos Caddie app on the user’s Smart device to provide in-depth putting data. So, there you have it – a pit full of vipers ready to help you add more venom to your putting game.

ASIAN GOLF, the longest running pan-Asian golf magazine has been awarded the citation as the Best Asia Pacific Golf News Publication for 2021. This prestigious award has been bestowed upon the magazine by the Londonbased APAC Insider. This sought-after award recognises all-round excellence, commitment and dedication of the publication to its industry. “This is really a humbling experience to be recognised as the best in the Asia Pacific region,” said Mike Sebastian, CEO and Publisher of ASIAN GOLF. “This is the second time we have been recognised and it comes as validation of the good work that the team does day in and day out!” ASIAN GOLF is an international golf magazine produced in English and enjoys a worldwide circulation. Its social media following, especially on Facebook is in excess of 103,000 followers.

THAILAND SPECIAL FEATURE

SPECIAL FEATURE | THAILAND

To many in the world, Thailand is normally regarded in very placid terms as the “land of a thousand smiles”. For decades, it has been used as the main tourism marketing slogan to promote the country and it has worked remarkably well. However, do not let this claim of gentleness and calm fool you because beneath this façade lurks a passion and fury that conceals the incredible ﬁghting spirit of the Thai people. It is the land renown the world over for its tough and resilient Muay Thai ﬁghters arguably some of the strongest and enduring pugilists

anywhere in the world. It is also the land of a beautiful multi-coloured fish no bigger than your index finder but when pitted against each other, these fish transform into the fiercest and the best ounce for ounce fighters in the world – the Siamese fighting fish! The Muay Thai fighter and the Siamese fighting fish both embody the incredible tenacity and ferocity that drive many Thai athletes to produce world beating performances and this is especially so with Thailand’s professional women golfers. It infuses them with the mentality and spirit to win and to fight amongst the best in the world and driven by only one mission in mind – the will to win! These are the qualities that have made women golfers from this Southeast Asian nation become world beaters in the game of golf.

SPECIAL FEATURE | THAILAND

THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING BECAUSE BACK IN THAILAND, THERE IS A VERY ACTIVE AND WELL-FUNDED PRODUCTION LINE THAT IS BUSY DRAWING IN DROVES OF YOUNG TALENT WHO ARE PROVIDED WITH THE RIGHT COACHING AND TOURNAMENTS TO PLAY AND TOUGHEN THEMSELVES TO TAKE ON THE WORLD.

In 2013 the SAT gave the Thai LPGA an annual budget of 5.5 million baht which saw the launch of eight professional tournaments offering prize money of 500,000 baht each. It also saw the launch of the Thailand LPGA Masters with a cash prize of 1,500,000 Baht. Today, there are 10 competitions each with prize

money of 500,000 baht and Thailand LPGA Masters

he mission to make it on the world stage of golf started about two decades ago and

with a beefed-up prize money of 3,000,000 Baht. The strong local support by government and private

although the early pioneers experienced little

corporations saw the explosion of professional women’s

or no success, it gave Thai women players the

golf in Thailand. Today, the country has eight players on

courage and the experience to play against

the highly competitive LPGA Tour and the Thais form

the world’s best. It was not until one young player by the name of Pornanong Phatlum got the world to sit up and notice what Thailand had to offer. Although she was

the second largest contingent of players from Asia after South Korea. Thai players currently on the LPGA Tour are:

not a winner, she campaigned hard and won a lot of

Pornanong Phatlum

admirers for the clothes she wore – her choice of

Wichanee Meechai

colours was dramatic to say the least and it drew

Jasmine Suwannapura

tremendous attention to her. It would not be wrong

Mind Muangkhumsakul

to say that Phatlum not only made a lasting fashion state-

Pajaree Anannarukarn

ment but was the player who opened the door to big time

Patty Tavatanakit

golf for Thai women.

Ariya Jutanugarn

While Thai women were making inroads into the LPGA Tour, credit must be given to the on-going concerted effort

Moriya Jutanugarn This is only the beginning because back in Thailand,

to promote the professional game back in Thailand

there is a very active and well-funded production line

by the Thai LPGA. This organisation was

that is busy drawing in droves of young talent who are

founded in 2008 with the support of the Professional Golf Association of Thailand and the Sports Authority of Thailand

provided with the right coaching and tournaments to play and toughen themselves to take on the world. Like the South Koreans, the Thais have a system

(SAT). It received strong support from

that is designed to discover and nurture top local talent

the SAT and Singha Corporation, the

and to take these youngsters all the way to the top.

giant Thai brewery amongst others.

The recently concluded Honda LPGA Thailand

SPECIAL FEATURE | THAILAND

THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED HONDA LPGA THAILAND TOURNAMENT BEARS TESTIMONY

TO THE BIG PUSH TO DEVELOP WORLD CLASS PLAY-

THAI TALENT AND PAID PUBLIC TRIBUTE TO THE NATION’S RISING YOUNG TALENT.

ERS AND IT WAS A SHOWCASE OF

tournament which was scored by Thailand’s19-year old Pajaree Anannarukarn who had a flawless 9-under par for the final round. This was no fluke because the teenager went on to finish tenth in last month’s LPGA’s Pure Silk Championship which saw Moriya Jutanugarn finish in second spot to Taiwan’s Wei Ling Hsu. The two trailblazers for Thai women’s golf are without doubt the Jutanugarn sisters, Moriya and Ariya. Ariya, the tournament bears testimony to the big push to develop world

younger of the two is an acknowledged world-class player

class players and it was a showcase of Thai talent and paid

and the ﬁrst golfer, male or female, from Thailand to win a

public tribute to the Nation’s rising young talent. First, history

major championship. She became the number one ranked

was created at the tournament when a Thai golfer, former

golfer in the Women’s World Golf Rankings in June 2017.

world number one, Ariya Jutanugarn won the tournament for

The other Thai star who is earning a quick reputa-

the ﬁrst time. Not only did she win but, it was a dream come

tion for herself is the 21-year-old Patty Tavatanakit. In her

true for the Thai teenage protégé, Atthaya Thitikul who came

second year on the LPGA Tour, she has already racked up

in second on a sponsor’s invitation.

her ﬁrst major win – the ANA Inspiration. And her journey

Thitikul, while not even being a member of the LPGA, went out to beat the best players on tour and ﬁnish as runner

has just begun! Based on this report, it is easy to see why Thai women

up in her ﬁrst outing on an LPGA event. This was an incred-

are destined to become a lasting force to reckon with on the

ible achievement.

LPGA Tour. Not only has women’s golf in Thailand got the

The win for Jutanugarn was highly emotional as she has

full support of the government and the corporate world, but

not had a win on the LPGA since 2018. She is on record as the

it also has tremendous depth in its talent pool. This depth

best female professional golfer from Thailand and it is hoped

of talent guarantees that the production line will continue

that this long overdue win on home-soil will kick start her

churning out topﬂight world class players and given the fact

successful career again on the LPGA Tour.

that, like the South Koreans on tour, the Thais will also be

The 18-year-old Thitikul had a fantastic tournament

able to count on a growing network of Thai -players on tour

and if things had not gone awry for her in the ﬁnishing holes

and a sense of community and camaraderie which is vital

of the ﬁnal round, she should have won the tournament.

when playing overseas.

Regardless, the former world number one amateur player and reigning Order of Merit leader on the Women’s Thai Professional Tour, she has shown the world that she is on her way to a terriﬁc career as a world class golfer.

Like the Japanese and South Koreans, the Thais are now ready to claim their rightful place on the LPGA Tour and the next to follow will be the Chinese. The Chinese LPGA is also very active, and its top talents will start ﬁnding their way onto the world stage with support from former world

And then there was the best round of the

number one, Shanshan Feng. Women’s golf from Asia is on the rise globally!