Asian Golf Issue 265 : January 2023

Stay & Play at “Asia’s Best Golf Resort”

Welcome to Hoiana Resort & Golf, Vietnam’s pre-eminent luxurious integrated resort located on 4-kilometres of pristine coastline in Hoi An. Home to three luxury hotels and residences with more than 800 rooms on offer, guests of Hoiana Resort & Golf enjoy convenient access to dining, shopping, entertainment and golf – all in one dynamic destination.

Celebrated as the “Best Golf Resort in Asia Pacific” by the Asian Golf Awards. Hoiana Resort & Golf is home to the multiple award-winning Hoiana Shores Golf Club (“Hoiana Shores”).

Award-winning golf course.

Legendary in design.

Designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Jr., who is renowned the world-over as “the father of environmental golf course design”, Hoiana Shores is a challenging 18-hole coastal links land course which features dramatic sand dunes, multiple playing options, windy playing

conditions and some quirky bounces from fast fairway surfaces. Hoiana Shores has already garnered the distinction of “Best Golf Course in Vietnam” and ranks among the “Top 10 Best Courses in Vietnam” from the Vietnam Golf & Leisure Awards.

The wind dictates the game

When players arrive at Hole 10, they will find their first glimpse of the beach, sea and Cham Islands in the distance. Then at Hole 12, players will soon learn that this elevated tee has more exposure to wind than most of the other holes. One of Hoiana Shores most memorable holes is the 16th, a par 4 with breathtaking views to the Cham Islands. This seaside hole plays directly along the beach and has the most variety in distances on the entire course. This hole was reclaimed from abandoned fish farms, displaced dunes and remnant farming. Coastal dunes, beach rehabilitation and reestablishment of native coastal plants are all key features of this hole. Be sure to break for a refreshment, and take in the stunning views!

Experience it all at Hoiana Resort & Golf

Stay, Dine, Play, have Fun and Explore an array of exciting experiences at Hoiana Resort & Golf as well as the city of Hoi An. Stay at one of the three luxury hotels and residences on offer at the integrated resort – Hoiana Hotel & Suites, New World Hoiana Hotel or Hoiana Residences. Dine at more than 10 restaurants and bars at the resort from the flavours of Vietnam at H o Vi t to freshly grilled seafood on the beachfront at Cove Bar & Grill. Play at the challenging Hoiana Shores Golf Club and the exhilarating games at Hoiana Casino.

For even more Fun, dive into the crystal clear waters along the 4-kilometre beach at the doorstep of the resort. For those in search of enriching experiences, travel just beyond the resort to Explore the neighbouring UNESCO World Heritage sites or take a Coconut Forest Basket Boat Ride.

The Hoiana experience is all encompassing –immerse yourself in luxurious stays, authentic dining experiences, exhilarating entertainment and world-class golfing all along Vietnam’s stunning Central Coast. We look forward to welcoming you very soon!

ISSUE

Asian golfers, young and old, amateur and professional, are on the move and on the rise. This is no idle boast – it is a trend that is backed up by solid facts and it is happening right under our very noses. Asia’s amateurs and professionals, men and women are blazing a torrid trail of success and it is going to getter better by the day. Never before in the history of the amateur or professional game have Asians done so well as what is happening right now on some of the greatest events in golf and some of the world’s best golf courses. Golf in Asia is most definitely on the ascendency and the time has come for Asia to recognise and support its heroes and heroines. It is just not for golf fans to acknowledge this surge – it is hoped that Corporate Asia will awaken to this trend and come forward with support for our professionals and budding amateur golfers and ASIAN GOLF hopes that this plea for support does not fall on deaf ears. Our CHAMPIONS need all of Asia to get behind them and drive these young men and women to greater heights. They have shown that they have got the chutzpah and game to take on the best in the world and win!

It certainly didn’t take too much time

for the Saudi Arabian-backed and Greg Norman-led LIV Golf to bring down what was thought to be the impregnable ringfenced domain once deemed to be the exclusive turf of the combined entity of the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour).

THE ASIAN TOUR –

A GROWING POWERHOUSE!

Since the relaunch of the ASIAN TOUR, it has been working hard at growing its international footprint and developing a fuller tournament schedule. The year just passed has been declared a successful one and things are set to get better. A tangible manifestation of this optimism is the news from the American publication GOLF INC which reports that the CEO and Commissioner of the ASIAN TOUR has been voted into the top twenty-five most powerful people in golf in the world. This is acknowledgement and recognition of the good work that Cho Minn Thant is performing to further strengthen the foundations of the ASIAN TOUR on solid bedrock! ASIAN GOLF is proud to chronicle its meteoric comeback. We reached out to Commissioner Cho to get his thoughts on the roadmap that he has created for the Tour going forward.

JUNIOR GOLF – SINGAPORE SCORES BIG!

It is heartening to be witness to a historic development in junior golf development and the tiny island Republic of Singapore (not particularly known for the growth of golf) has stepped up to the plate and hit a homerun right out of the park!

NEW POWER-PACKED IRONS FROM TAYLORMADE!

TaylorMade instead has launched its all-new P·770™, P·7MC™ and P·7MB™ irons. The three irons join P·790™ to form a family built upon three main pillars: feel, craftsmanship and performance.

PING’S IRONS FOR ASPIRATIONAL GOLFERS!

The new PING i230 irons just want to hit the ball straight. In fact, the new i-irons offer a “players iron” with many game improvement qualities. In describing the new irons, John K Solheim, PING CEO and President said, “The new i230 irons and iCrossovers are for avid players who want to get better.”

THOUGHTS

That about sums up LIV Golf!

It certainly didn’t take too much time and effort for the Saudi Arabian-backed and Greg Norman-led LIV Golf to bring down what was thought to be the impregnable ring-fenced domain once deemed to be the exclusive turf of the combined entity of the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour).

The “war” that was fought out when LIV Golf was launched, which is still in progress, revealed the dark side of the professional game. It unashamedly exposed the acrimonious traits of the combatants, namely the PGA Tour and some of its player members.

In their attacks and tirades against the new-comer, nothing was spared – the vile language, the mudslinging and name calling knew no limits. The onslaught against LIV Golf was without doubt the most covered topic in golf

throughout 2022 and there are no signs of an abatement with lawsuits and counter lawsuits flying back and forth.

As the war continues, it must be noted that since the advent of LIV Golf, there have been numerous changes in the professional game. For one, the PGA Tour has beefed up its rewards for players substantially and the probable cause for raising the ante points to the huge prize purses offered on the LIV Golf tour.

Even the LPGA, perhaps sensing competition from LIV Golf, has done likewise. The world’s top women’s profes-

LIV Golf is truly a global league dedicated to expanding the sport throughout the world, and these destinations for the league’s 2023 launch showcase our commitment to tournament play at the highest level.

sional golf tour has upped the ante on prize money for 2023 and in one fell swoop, it has created history by hitting a new record of US$101.4 million!

The point has been made – Norman has been totally disruptive for good reasons. He has rocked the establishment that runs the professional tours, boosted tournament pay checks and added a whole new and exciting dimension for both players and fans alike by delivering experiences which will most definitely shape the format of how professional tournaments are staged.

Norman has been totally disruptive for good reasons. He has rocked the establishment that runs the professional tours, boosted tournament pay checks and added a whole new and exciting dimension for both players and fans alike by delivering experiences which will most definitely shape the format of how professional tournaments are staged.

In a nutshell, Norman has realised his goal to create a global golf tour – he has won! And he will continue with his quest to make LIV Golf bigger, better and bolder! Albeit LIV Golf will continue in its growth part regardless of contentious lawsuits, wild claims and personal attacks.

LIV Golf’s growth for 2023 has already unveiled part of its plans and it looks terrific!

At the time of writing, LIV Golf had announced seven new global venues that will host tournaments as part of the 2023 LIV Golf League schedule. The full schedule for this year is expected to feature 14 tournaments with Singapore’s award-winning Sentosa Golf Club being one of the venues.

“LIV Golf is truly a global league dedicated to expanding the sport throughout the world, and these destinations for the league’s 2023 launch showcase our commitment to tournament play at the highest level,” said Norman. “These venues have played host to signature moments in golf, and we’re excited to build new traditions for the sport while delivering a first-class fan experience at some of the world’s best courses.”

May the disruption continue! LIV Golf – Bigger, Better, Bolder!

STRONGER TOGETHER

The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a heavy blow to the travel and leisure industry across the globe. At Mission Hills which counts on both domestic guests and international tourists, the impact has also been significant as China continues to mitigate the effects of the pandemic with its dynamic clearance policy.

With international borders gradually re-opening since the middle of 2022, the global travel industry has seen a long-awaited recovery. China has also begun to loosen its restrictions and analysts believe that 2023 will see the gradual re-opening of the Chinese economy.

Home to world-class integrated resorts across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Hainan Free Trade Port, Mission Hills has been continuously upping its ante in preparations to welcome international guests again. At its Shenzhen resort, the Ecological Sports Center is now home Longhua district’s first aquarium spanning more than 10,000 sqm, as well as Guangdong Province’s largest ice and snow sports training centre. Over in Haikou, the Mission Hills H. Brothers Feng Xiaogang Movie Town, already the most popular movie-themed attraction in Southern China, has launched Hainan’s first-ever large-

scale immersive outdoor theatre production –Tales of Nanyang. Staged against the stunning backdrop of the Nanyang Street thematic zone, audience are transport through time and space in this new masterpiece directed by Mei Shuai Yuan, adding onto his repertoire of blockbuster creations, such as the Impression San Jie Liu in Yangshou, Guangxi.

As Mission Hills continued to see an uptick in domestic golf participation during past years, attributed to the outdoor nature of the game. Building upon its philosophy of “Golf and More”, the refreshed complementary offerings are expected to bolster visitorship to its resorts.

“As a pioneer in China’s fledging hospitality, sports and leisure industry, Mission Hills has established itself as a leading brand across Asia-Pacific. As we prepare to welcome international guests once more, we will continue to give full play to our role as a super-connector, bringing the world to China, and China to the world,” said Tenniel Chu, Vice Chairman of Mission Hills Group.

He added, “The resumption of the Asian Golf Awards marks a significant milestone post-pandemic and is an opportune time to celebrate the overcoming of challenges and adversity in golf. I would like to extend my best wishes to the organisers and look forward to partnering all stakeholders in taking the golf in the region to new heights, as we look forward to meeting on our greens once more.”

Regardless of which golfing camp you belong to, there is no denying that Asian golfers, young and old, amateur and professional, are on the move and on the rise. This is no idle boast – it is a trend that is backed up by solid facts and it is happening right under our very noses. Asia’s amateurs and professionals, men and women are blazing a torrid trail of success and it is going to getter better by the day. Never before in the history of the amateur or professional game have Asians done so well as what is happening right now on some of the greatest events in golf and some of the world’s best golf courses. Golf in Asia is most definitely on the ascendency and the time has come for Asia to recognise and support its heroes and heroines. It is just not for golf fans to acknowledge this surge – it is hoped that Corporate Asia will awaken to this trend and come forward with support for our professionals and budding amateur golfers and ASIAN GOLF hopes that this plea for support does not fall on deaf ears. Our CHAMPIONS need all of Asia to get behind them and drive these young men and women to greater heights. They have shown that they have got the chutzpah and game to take on the best in the world and win!

So, like the year that has just gone by, Asia is once again poised to pull off spectacular wins on golf’s world stage. We have accomplished professionals and large contingents of juniors waiting to show their prowess in golf and collectively, they all possess a burning desire to reach the absolute pinnacle of golf – both at the amateur and professional levels.

Asia today has many role models – men and women who have the pedigree and who are world beaters and who have already claimed glory by beating the best of the best in the world. The Continent has men and women who have gone to the top of the hill to secure the most coveted honours of golf’s biggest tournaments – the Majors and expect more to follow this pathway to victory and fame.

Amongst the great winners of Majors are such stellar names like Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama (The Masters) and South Korea’s Y.E Yang (PGA Championship) and the women of the LPGA – South Korea’s Jin Young Ko, Kim Sei Young and Hall of Famer Inbee Park, Japan’s Hinako Shibuno, Yuka Saso, and Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit, Ariya Jutanugarn and more.

All great players who offer the inspiration and motivation for Asia’s youngsters to aspire to go for gold in golf!

There is one star whose name Asia seems to have forgotten and that star is Thailand’s soldier turned professional golfer Thongchai Jaidee. Now aged 53, the Thai superstar has won the Order of Merit on the Asian Tour three times during his career. Jaidee was the first man to win US$2 million, US$3 million, US$4 million, and US$5 million on the Asian Tour in prize money.

Asia

He went on to become a huge star on the European Tour (now the DP World Tour) where his career winnings totalled more than US$14 million.

He now plays on the Champions Tour in America and for the last season, he finished 7th on the Order of Merit with US$1.6 million. And he continues to play against the best champions on the Senior Tour.

Flying the Thai flag also is Thailand’s teenage prodigy Atthaya Thitikul who clinched the LPGA Rookie of the Year award.

Atthaya, who has two victories so far this year on the LPGA Tour is the second straight Thai player to capture Rookie of the Year honours after Patty Tavatanakit last year.

Atthaya’s rise in the professional ranks follows an outstanding amateur career that saw her become the youngest person ever to win a professional tournament at the 2017 Ladies European Thailand Championship at 14 years, 4 months and 19 days.

today has many role models – men and women who have the pedigree and who are world beaters and who have already claimed glory by beating the best of the best in the world.

Prior to her rookie season on the LPGA tour Atthaya won Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year honours and the Race to Costa del Sol on the Ladies European Tour in 2021.

Rising stars to watch amongst Asia’s juniors are Taiwan’s Ting-Hsuan Huang who staged a major charge in the final round to win the 2022 Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific (WAAP) championship to claim the first title for Chinese Taipei.

The 17-year-old Huang battled against Thailand’s Natthakritta Vongtaveelap, to post a 3-under par 69 for a winning total of 11-under par 277, two shots clear of the Thai star.

Huang, who has notched up nine wins and 23 top ten finishes in the last two years, has secured places in two major championships – the AIG Women’s Open and the Amundi Evian Championship – as well as the Hana Financial Group Championship and an invitation to play in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA).

Similarly, the 21-year-old Taiga Semikawa, a college student from Japan proved to the world that he is a player waiting to earn the right to play on the world stage when he claimed another scalp by winning the 2022 Japan Open. This win is his third as an amateur and he has already notched up two other wins coming from his last three starts.

Victory at the Japan Open involved his beat down of former world number one and Masters champion Adam Scott who finished 12 strokes back from Semikawa who shot a third-round 63 en route to a two-stroke victory.

Currently ranked as the No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Semikawa recently beat the pros at the Panasonic Open Golf Championship on the JGTO, to become the fourth Japanese golfer to rise to the No. 1 position in the WAGR,

following Hideki Matsuyama, Takumi Kanaya and Keita Nakajima.

As these youngsters sharpen their game, there are a number of Asian hopefuls who have earned their right to play on the PGA Tour for the new season.

South Korea leads with nine players who have their cards to play on what is recognised as the world’s most powerful and richest professional tour. They are Byeong Hun An, Sangmoon Bae, Sungjae Im, Sung Kang, Si Woo Kim, S.H. Kim, Tom Kim, K.H. Lee and Seung Yul Noh. From this group, great things are expected especially from the 20-year-old wunderkind Tom Kim and some feel that he may bag a major this year.

China has made great strides in developing new talent also and amongst those who have made it into the PGA Tour are Dou Zecheng and Carl Yuan while Taiwan is represented by C.T. Pan and Kevin Yu.

Japan has two players on the PGA Tour –Masters Champion Hideki Matsuyama and the fast-rising Satoshi Kodaira.

Other note-worthy Asians who have excelled and show great promise to do even better in 2023 are India’s Anirban Lahiri. He has since quit from the PGA Tour after a successful tenure during which time he earned over US$10 million in career winnings. He now plays his game on the LIV Golf League where he stashed away US$4.2 million in his first year.

Similarly, two of Thailand’s best, Phachara Khongwatmai (US$1.8 million) and Sadom Kaewkanjana (US$1.3million), earned huge paychecks playing on LIV Golf.

Based on the success of Asia’s young stars, golf in Asia is most certainly in a good place with so many young and talented players battling for top honours on the world’s toughest professional tours and amateur tournaments.

All that is now left is for the golf powers that be in Asia, national golf associations and corporations to throw their support behind the growing talent base and the momentum with sponsorship which is so essential for Asia’s golfers to stay the course and win more glory for the Continent.

Now aged 53, the Thai superstar has won the Order of Merit on the Asian Tour three times during his career. Jaidee was the first man to win US$2 million, US$3 million, US$4 million, and US$5 million on the Asian Tour in prize money.

TAYLORMADE CUSTOM FITTING

GOLF EQUIPMENT

The bright guys at TaylorMade Golf have announced a major game changer in custom fitting – they have created the best possible fitting experience to maximise the performance of every golfer!

This

custom fitting

his exciting new process is called the SelectFit Kit – a package that allows fitters to be capable of having a wide range of loft and lie options in one single right- or left-handed club head.

This is a revolutionary custom fitting system that is a one-of-a-kind technological breakthrough not before seen in the industry.

The SelectFit Kit has adjustment sleeves that give fitters the ability to fit a golfer from three degrees upright to three degrees flat and two degrees strong to two degrees weak on the same head. The two lie adjustment sleeves and

one loft adjustment sleeve create the neverbefore-seen adjustability in this new system.

“The all-new SelectFit Kit is born from the mindset of TaylorMade being global leaders in customization and personalization and being fully invested in making every golfer at all levels better today than they were yesterday. We are very excited to be able to provide more iron models with more options to more locations across the world with the SelectFit Kit and are confident this will result in TaylorMade being the go-to for custom fitters and golfers everywhere,” said Tom Fisher, Director, Global Custom at TaylorMade Golf.

is a revolutionary

system that is a one-of-a-kind technological breakthrough not before seen in the industry.

The SelectFit Kit has adjustment sleeves that give fi ability to fit a golfer from three degrees upright to three degrees fl degrees strong to two degrees weak on the same head. The two lie adjustment sleeves and one loft adjustment sleeve create the never-beforeseen adjustability in this new system.

At TaylorMade, performance of the golfer is taken personally. Not only are TaylorMade

Kota Permai Golf & Country Club has restated its credentials as one of Malaysia’s ‘Best Maintained Golf Course’ for 2022. The award, bestowed by the Asian Golf Awards, was well-deserved and merited. Its ultra-modernistic clubhouse guarantees golfers unsurpassed elegance in amenities and facilities, and no wonder, around the region, it is well-known for its unmatched warmth and dedicated hospitality, making it a memorable visit for each and every golfer fortunate to step foot in this state-of-the-art clubhouse. Hence, it secured a second-place award for the ‘Best Golf Club Experience in Asia-Pacific’ The Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club, the jewel of the south, received recognition as the third ‘Best Maintained Course in Malaysia’. A truly fitting and magnificent accolade of this challenging golf course in the southern state of Johor.

ASIAN TOUR

SPECIAL FEATURE

The Asian Tour has had a chequered history dating back to 1994 and over the years, it has been subjected to taker-overs, name changes and some intriguing power struggles. The purpose of this special ASIAN GOLF report is not to look at the past but to appraise the Tour in its current state and the journey that it has embarked upon to become a truly global force in professional golf. We pick up from the outbreak of the global pandemic that jammed the ASIAN TOUR’s operations which threw it into golf’s limbo. Many of its critics and the usual gang of doom pundits launched into a frenzy of epitaphs damning it to eternal oblivion. ASIAN GOLF took a more positive viewpoint and predicted the emergence of a “super” golf tour instead which threw the spotlight at reported on-going talks between the beleaguered tour and investors from the oil-rich Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This was back in July 2021 and shortly thereafter ASIAN GOLF proudly unveiled the revitalized ASIAN TOUR’s ambitious plans to take Asia’s premier professional golf tour to the next level. After 27-years, the ASIAN TOUR revitalised itself to become a major global force in the professional game in a US$300 million-dollar partnership with Golf Saudi, the golf promotion arm of the oil-rich kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Since the relaunch of the ASIAN TOUR, it has been working hard at growing its international footprint and developing a fuller tournament schedule. The year just passed has been declared a successful one and things are set to get better. A tangible manifestation of this optimism is the news from the American publication GOLF INC which reports that the CEO and Commissioner of the ASIAN TOUR has been voted into the top twenty-five most powerful people in golf in the world. This is acknowledgement and recognition of the good work that Cho Minn Thant is performing to further strengthen the foundations of the ASIAN TOUR on solid bedrock!

The ASIAN TOUR is back! It’s back with a great new vision and a strong mandate to grow the professional game not only in Asia but throughout other regions in the world.

As this premier professional tour takes new and bold steps towards becoming an established force in the global professional game, ASIAN GOLF is proud to chronicle its meteoric comeback. We reached out to Commissioner Cho to get his thoughts on the roadmap that he has created for the Tour going forward.

ASIAN GOLF is proud to present excerpts of its conversation with the man at the helm at the ASIAN TOUR:

A tangible manifestation of this optimism is the news from the American publication GOLF INC which reports that the CEO and Commissioner of the ASIAN TOUR has been voted into the top twenty-five most powerful people in golf in the world. This is acknowledgement and recognition of the good work that Cho Minn Thant is performing to further strengthen the foundations of the ASIAN TOUR on solid bedrock!

ASIAN GOLF:

A whole year has gone by – how do you look back on what has transpired on the new-look ASIAN TOUR?

CHO MINN THANT: It has been the most significant and transformative year in the history of the ASIAN TOUR, made even more remarkable by the fact that it followed our worst season, because of the global pandemic. The speed with which we have seen this transition is also unfathomable. We were able to stage 20 events for just over US$25 million and offer 17 tournaments on the Asian Development Tour – a truly remarkable feat. The Tour is very proud of what we have achieved. Credit to our membership for their resilience and our many fans, stakeholders and partners for their unrelenting support.

ASIAN GOLF:

There seems to be a very obvious spring in the ASIAN TOUR’s feet – an air of absolute confidence – do you feel it?

CHO:

I think it is fair to say there has been a spring in everyone’s step since the ASIAN TOUR resumed play at the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship in November last year after nearly two years of no competition. And it has simply snowballed since then, with a constant stream of positive news. It has been an inspiring moment in time for everyone.

ASIAN GOLF:

The 2022 ASIAN TOUR Order of Merit supports this air of confidence – players on tour are making good money. You made all of this possible – care to comment on this?

ASIA TOUR CEO CHO MINN THANT WITH GREG NORMAN

I think it is fair to say there has been a spring in everyone’s step since the ASIAN TOUR resumed play at the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship in November last year after nearly two years of no competition. And it has simply snowballed since then, with a constant stream

CHO:

We have seen a 20% increase in average prize purse and an incredible 40% increase in aggregate earnings for the top 100 players on our Order or Merit compared to our last full season in 2019. Our membership is merely receiving what they deserve, we have always known the talent we have in our region, from grassroots level to the Tour, so we are delighted they are finally being rewarded and recognised.

ASIAN GOLF:

To net it all out, there is a real swagger on your tour like never before!

CHO:

There are certainly many words that describe how the Tour, and our members, are feeling at the moment. It’s incredibly upbeat and exciting, and this is just the start of a new chapter in our history.

of positive news.

ASIAN GOLF: Do you feel a sense of pride and dignity when you see how the stature of the ASIAN TOUR has risen to a level comparable to the other major tours in the world?

CHO:

Yes, the Tour as a whole is very proud of what we have achieved. It’s been very hard work, challenging and has required a lot of patience. Many of us have been associated with the Tour for many years so to see this current pattern of growth is immensely satisfying.

ASIAN GOLF: What do you see ahead for the rebooted and

revamped ASIAN TOUR in 2023? Can we expect a fuller tournament schedule, bigger prize purses and all-round growth?

CHO: We will be announcing the first half of the 2023 schedule soon, hot off the heels of a tremendous 2022. It will be fantastic to see us carry forward the momentum of the season we have just completed and start the new season at full pace. We are thrilled with how the schedule looks; it reaches a wide range of exciting destinations, offers extremely lucrative purses, world class venues, and a great balance of established and new events.

Although the Asian Tour season has recently concluded, we still have our Asian Development Tour playing

We are becoming a Tour of destinations and while we will still provide a solid base of events in our region we will continue to travel more and visit new places. This works wonders for our members, partners and fans and is reflective of the truly global nature of the game of golf.

through Christmas followed by Q-school in December and January before we start the new season in February. We are busier than ever, and our popularity is at an all-time high as evidenced by the oversubscription of entries for Q-school.

ASIAN GOLF: 2022 witnessed the ASIAN TOUR stage high profile tournaments in the Middle East and North Africa. Is this the start of a new trend to spread the Tour’s wings to new regions of the world?

CHO: We are becoming a Tour of destinations and while we will still provide a solid base of events in our region we will continue to travel more and visit new places. This works

wonders for our members, partners and fans and is reflective of the truly global nature of the game of golf.

From our perspective, the two weeks in Egypt and Morocco were a fitting example of how we are growing into a truly international tour.

Never in our wildest dreams would we have expected the ASIAN TOUR to be playing golf at the foot of the pyramids, but it was a reality and an incredible experience for all involved. We look forward to visiting several new locations next year which include new stops in the Middle East, but Asia will always remain our core focus.

ASIAN GOLF:

The ASIAN TOUR has feeder tours under its wings. Do

CHO MINH THANT, COMMISSIONER AND CEO OF THE ASIAN TOUR (CENTRE), FLANKED BY SIHWAN KIM (LEFT) WITH THE ASIAN TOUR ORDER OF MERIT TROPHY, AND SCOTT VINCENT WITH THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES ORDER OF MERIT. PHOTO: ASIAN TOUR.

you see these tours growing in 2023 thus creating more playing opportunities for a wider field of players?

CHO: The fact that we are able to stage 17 events on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) this year is evidence that the game at this level is booming and something that will continue to focus on in the years ahead.

More event organisers and partners are wanting to get on board and of course more and more players are looking for playing opportunities that will ultimately give them a chance to play on the ASIAN TOUR. We are focused on increasing the prize money on the ADT to a point where it is more economically sustainable for those players.

ASIAN GOLF:

Now that the ASIAN TOUR is on a definite growth path with proper funding, do you see Asian multinational corporations stepping up to the plate to sponsor new and bigger tournaments?

CHO: We are constantly evolving and looking to improve. A big part of our modus operandi is attracting new partners to help them grow with us and meet their objectives. The ASIAN TOUR is a fantastic property to be connected with, now and moving forward. 2022 was a season of recovery and proof of concept for the new look ASIAN TOUR. These are exciting times for us, and we are very confident we will be able to build new relationships with the corporate world.

ASIAN GOLF: Would you subscribe to the fact that the ASIAN TOUR is currently at the right place to grow into a global force in professional golf?

CHO: I think we are already a force, doing great things for the sport and with every intention to work with all stakeholders in professional golf to ensure this game we all love so much reaches new levels of participation and popularity. Having said that, there is always room for improvement, and we have lots of goals we are working towards in the short term and long term. Attracting more spectators to our events and increasing viewership of television is on top of our list.

We are constantly evolving and looking to improve. A big part of our modus operandi is attracting new partners to help them grow with us and meet their objectives. The ASIAN TOUR is a fantastic property to be connected with, now and moving forward.

The Serapong

Named Best Championship Course in Asia-Pacific and Singapore’s Best Golf Course at the 2022 Asian Golf Awards.

Renowned for its unique personality, overall character, and world-class conditions.

Comes to Singapore

Widely regarded as one of the world’s best golf clubs and renowned for being one of the

The announcement comes after a highly

It was back in August 2020 when TaylorMade Golf paraded its P·700 Series – an iron set that very quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with. ASIAN GOLF has learnt that since its launch, more than one million units have been sold worldwide. With such an impressive track record, it created a challenge to TaylorMade to better the P·700 Series. Being a brand renowned for its innovativeness, TaylorMade instead has launched its all-new P·770™, P·7MC™ and P·7MB™ irons. The three irons join P·790™ to form a family built upon three main pillars: feel, craftsmanship and performance.

he all-new P·770 features a compact, tour proven shape with a thinner top line, less offset in long irons and a shorter blade length when compared to P·790. With its hollow body construction and forged L-Face, the 2022 P·770 yields elevated distance, forgiveness and excellent feel in a smaller sized head.

According to Matt Bovee, TaylorMade’s Director, Irons and Product Creation: “The P·Series irons need to be technical, elegant and timeless and the new P·770 design has all of that in spades. We wanted to take as much performance and hide it on the inside of the iron to where you look at it and it just looks like a clean and classic iron with the pearl satin chrome finish and hint of mirror on the toe. On the inside, the technology we have poured into this iron creates a product that we believe is truly one of one in this space.”

The P·770 features FLTD CG™, a strategic design that positions the centre of gravity (CG) lowest in long irons and progressively shifts it

higher throughout the set to the shorter, weaker lofted irons. The tungsten weighting scheme in the long and middle irons has been redesigned, shifting more weight to the longer irons’ low tungsten mass, and a reduction in the middle irons’ tungsten, resulting in an ascending CG through the set.

This encourages easier launch and playability in the long irons, while optimizing trajectory and spin in the scoring clubs. The intuitive concept promotes consistency and control from top to bottom.

The sound and feel of P·770 are pristine with the

addition of SpeedFoam™ Air™, the technology introduced in 2021 with the launch of P·790. SpeedFoam Air dampens sound and strategically supports the face with a material 69 percent less dense than SpeedFoam, which was seen in the prior generation of P·770.

In addition to the added speed made possible by the thinnest P·770 face TaylorMade has produced, the Thru-Slot Speed Pocket™ and Inverted Cone Technology help unlock increased ball speed across the face and forgiveness low in the face, where mishits happen most commonly.

The P·Series irons need to be technical, elegant and timeless and the new P·770 design has all of that in spades. We wanted to take as much performance and hide it on the inside of the iron to where you look at it and it just looks like a clean and classic iron with the pearl satin chrome finish and hint of mirror on the toe. On the inside, the technology we have poured into this iron creates a product that we believe is truly one of one in this space.

– M MATT BOOVVEE

There’s no better feeling than a solidly hit forged iron. For pure ball strikers, the consistency of P·7MC rivals anything in the marketplace today and has been a favourite among skilled golfers. For players who chose to combo, our cohesive design language allows you to seamlessly pair it with either P·770 or P·7MB. No two golfers play the game exactly alike, and one of the things I love about our P·700 Series family is the ability for golfers to personalize a set to match their needs and maintain aesthetic unity.

With precision playability and a hint of forgiveness, every angle of the all-new P·7MC is meticulously scrutinized to meet the performance demands of the game’s best ball strikers.

The tour-inspired P·7MC fi minimal offset and perimeter weighting, this classically shaped iron delivers ultimate control and precision. A narrow sole and tight leading edge ensure consistency through the turf.

TaylorMade’s Compact Grain Forging™ process uses 2,000 tons of pressure, more than double the industry standard. Used in both P·7MC and P·7MB, the additional force gave TaylorMade engineers precision control at a micro level, producing a tighter grain structure for the best possible feel and strength properties.

Compact Grain Forging delivers a refi and out. The sophisticated craftsmanship comes to life with a satin finish and forged “Metal-T” within the cavity back, creating the unmistakable aesthetic of a premium TaylorMade iron.

Precision in P·7MC is paramount, which is why the face of this iron is continued to be machined. Machining the face ensures precision and quality with TaylorMade’s most aggressive score line geometry for exacting shot making.

“There’s no better feeling than a solidly hit forged iron. For pure ball strikers, the consistency of P·7MC rivals anything in the marketplace today and has been

Precision in P·7MC is paramount, which is why the face of this iron is continued to be machined. Machining the face ensures precision and quality with TaylorMade’s most aggressive score line geometry for exacting shot making.

Total effective bounce is a combination of sole width and bounce angle, which engineers were able to perfect by increasing the bounce angle to keep the sole from getting caught in the turf.

“The narrower sole width of P·7MB is a direct result of testing and feedback from Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa and our TaylorMade Tour pros. Rory and Collin worked with us to identify the right sole geometry and bounce to match what they were looking for and we perfected that with P·7MB. Having two of the best players in the world being a driving force behind the design of this iron have us extremely excited to bring it to the marketplace,” Bovee explained.

P·7MB is a seamless blend of traditional muscle back iron performance with a contemporary look and design. The shorter blade length of P·7MB allowed TaylorMade engineers to create an updated backbar using symmetrical geometry.

This allows for more mass to be positioned directly behind the face to support the point of impact and elevate feel. This design creates a timeless look both in the playing position and in the bag.

Malaysia's Best Golf Course

If you are the type of golfer who simply adores iron shots that go straight, then you want to read on. PING has just launched a new set of irons (actually an iteration of its popular “I” series) and we kid you not when we tell you that the new PING offering only knows to do one thing and that is to send your golf shot straight. This is simply awesome because the new PING i230 irons just want to hit the ball straight. In fact, the new i-irons offer a “players iron” with many game improvement qualities.

In describing the new irons, John K Solheim, PING CEO and President said, “The new i230 irons and iCrossovers are for avid players who want to get better.”

“In the i230 iron, we’ve engineered a lot of performance into one design. It has the precise control and consistency of a players iron with an amazing feel while offering the forgiveness of a game improvement iron. It reminds me a lot of the iconic PING EYE2 iron in that it will appeal to so many player types, from the tour pros to everyday golfers. It’s really packed with performance.”

“We’ve re-branded our Crossover category into the ‘i’ family to target golfers who most likely play one of our blade-style irons. The tour-inspired head size and sole design along with higher ball speeds help it to transition more seamlessly as a long-iron alternative. We’ve also added hosel adjustability, a highly beneficial innovation allowing golfers to dial in their trajectories for the fi iron-style design. We believe this re-design will greatly improve its appeal and find its way into a lot more bags on tour and other competitive settings,” Solheim pointed out.

Advancements to the activated elastomer technology in the i230 iron allowed PING engineers to save signifi

weight, which is re-allocated within the clubhead to position the center of gravity (CG) low for more distance and control while increasing the moment of inertia (MOI) for added forgiveness. The low CG combines with greater face bending to deliver higher ball speeds. The elastomer reinforces the face, providing more consistent bending and energy transfer across the entire face, resulting in approximately three more yards of distance in player testing. Its higher MOI is largely due to tungsten toe and tip weights, which help make it the most forgiving “i” iron to date.

“The i230 iron sits in the middle of our iron offerings, so it requires us to balance a variety of performance attributes,” on more added me in an ll re on tour inted out. o significant

the precise gapping needs of the best players in the world

I’m excited to report our research and early tour feedback confirms we’ve achieved all that and more. It has a little bit of everything to deliver a lot of performance.”

Through extensive modal analysis, PING researchers isolated undesirable frequencies within the clubhead and precisely positioned a re-engineered cavity badge to damp their effect to ensure a pleasing feel and sound. The fourpiece badge combines a thin 304 stainless steel cap with an injection-molded thermoplastic that is secured to the

cavity with high-strength adhesive. The activated elastomer supports the face and sits in a toaster-style pocket, which is concealed behind the multi-material badge, creating a clean and appealing cavity design.

“Feel is one of the most important attributes in a players iron,” said Solheim. “Golfers who rely on precise iron play require exceptional feel to control their ball flight. The i230 iron is engineered to provide consistent feel from every club in the set. The soft elastomer and the cavity badge

In the i230 iron, we’ve engineered a lot of performance into one design. It has the precise control and consistency of a players iron with an amazing feel while offering the forgiveness of a game improvement iron. It reminds me a lot of the iconic PING EYE2 iron in that it will appeal to so many player types, from the tour pros to everyday golfers. It’s really packed with performance.

– JOHN K. SOLHEIM many It’s

work in concert to ensure they not only feel great, but they sound even better.”

“Meeting the needs of our tour pros, who have already won with it, is an important element of the i230 iron,” Solheim said. “Their validation of this design goes a long way in giving golfers the confidence that they can also benefit from its technology. The changes to the blade lengths and shaping are very subtle but are designed to improve the playability and the accuracy of the entire set, especially the long irons. They inspire a lot of confidence when you look at them in the address position.”

The iCrossover is engineered for high-swing-speed players looking for long-iron alternatives (2XR, 3XR, 4XR) that fit seamlessly into their set while delivering increased ball speeds for more distance with higher launch. The

It needs the precision and solid feel of a players iron while offering the forgiveness a lot of golfers expect from a PING iron. We also want to provide more distance in a way that is predictable and repeatable to ensure it meets the precise gapping needs of the best players in the world. I’m excited to report our research and early tour feedback confirms we’ve achieved all that and more. It has a little bit of everything to deliver a lot of performance.

sources of the high ball speed are the thin, maraging steel face and lower CG position, which is closer to the impact location to produce more energy transfer. The face is robotically welded to the 17-4 stainless steel body with a lower-hinged bend point to provide higher launch for better stopping power. A smaller internal cavity with targeted EVA polymer on the back of the face ensures a pleasing feel and sound.

“We looked closely at our fitting and Arccos data and discovered the vast majority of our crossover users were better players who use one of our blade irons,” Solheim said. “So, we shifted our focus to engineering a crossover that better fit the needs of that type of player. The iCrossover performance results have been exceptional. Its shape looks great, the ball speeds are higher, and it sounds very powerful. The addition of the adjustable hosel is a huge benefit to help players at that level dial in their ball flight.”

THE SINGAPORE ISLAND COUNTRY CLUB

THE SINGAPORE ISLAND COUNTRY CLUB

A Club, unequalled in Singapore with best-in-class golf courses, excellent facilities and service.

The Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) recently received two notable honours at the Asian Golf Awards held at the Hoiana Resort in the UN Heritage City of Hoi An, Vietnam, on 3 November 2022. The awards are Best New Course in Asia Pacific - The New Course and Best Course in Singapore (Runner-up) – Bukit Course.

The New Course, designed by Graham Marsh and opened fully in September 2021, boasts 27 holes that skirt the beautiful Lower Pierce reservoir, offering many stunning views and excellent shot variety for golfers of all abilities.

Idyllically abutting Singapore’s MacRitchie Reservoir, the iconic Bukit Course has played host to numerous international tournaments and golf legends such as Steve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, and Greg Norman have also graced its fairways.

“We are proud to be recognised by the Asian Golf Awards. This recognition validates our investment in our golf courses which includes new talent and technology, with a commitment to innovation. These awards are dedicated to team SICC for delivering a premier golfing experience” – Club Captain, Mr Ivan Chua.

The Club is set to host the fifth edition of the Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship from 9 - 12 March 2023 at The New Course. WAAP is one of the premier women's amateur championships and support Asia's elite women amateurs. Bringing this tournament to SICC and Singapore offers an opportunity to present our golf courses and the SICC experience as a whole.

Good news seems to come in waves, as the 98-year-old Bukit Course was recognised as the Best Golf Course in Singapore at the World Golf Awards 2022 held at the Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island in the United Arab Emirates on 15 November 2022. The accolade for SICC’s Bukit Course comes at an opportune time as the course gears up to celebrate its centennial in two years’ time. From an architectural perspective, it is one of a handful of golf courses outside of the United Kingdom designed by James Braid, winner of 5 British Opens and a member of the World Golf Hall of fame. This parkland-style Course is home to various birds and wildlife, with so much history and stories.

The Bukit Course has also recently been awarded the coveted GEO Certified® status and joins an illustrious group of global golf clubs leading the way in accelerating sustainable practices

“It’s great to see SICC’s transformation journey reaping rewards, a true testament to the collaboration between Members, employees, and the committees. Our new clubhouse – The Bukit offering more F&B and recreational facilities, is going to be ready soon. This piece of good news is icing on the cake and reinforces our position as the most prestigious golf and country club in the region” – Club President, Mr Vincent Wee.

Best Course in Singapore (Runner-up) Bukit Course

Singapore’s Best Golf Course Bukit Course

Bukit Course Hole 1 and 2

More grooves, more control.

A POWERFUL FEELING

Introducing the i525, a players-distance iron that puts you in complete control. More ball speed means higher-launching, longer shots that land softly and closer to the hole. More grooves mean more consistency throughout the set. It all adds up to a lot more fun.

More speed, more distance.

COVER STORY

Finally, we are beginning to see some real commitment to junior golf development! For too long, junior golf development has just been accorded some gracious lip-service with little traction or follow-through action.

It is heartening to be witness to a historic development in junior golf development and the tiny island Republic of Singapore (not particularly known for the growth of golf) has stepped up to the plate and hit a homerun right out of the park!

In a bold act of proactiveness, the Singapore branch of the Swiss private bank EFG Bank AG and the Singapore Golf Association (SGA) have announced that they are joining forces to support young golf talents in Singapore.

This is a huge deal for junior golf and under the terms of this new partnership, EFG has pledged a total of S$300,000 to support the SGA’s programmes to nurture young golfers in Singapore.

It is hoped that this partnership will serve as a prelude to more corporations coming aboard to help juniors develop their game. More corporations throughout Asia should embrace junior golf and begin to invest in the development of young players.

The partnership with the SGA will include the EFG-SGA Elite Young Golfers Scholarship, which will be awarded to selected outstanding young golfers to fund their development.

Commenting on this partnership Albert Chiu, Executive Chairman, Asia-Pacific, EFG said, “We are delighted to embark on this journey with the Singapore Golf Association to help nurture the next generation of golf talent in Singapore

EFG AND SINGAPORE GOLF ASSOCIATION TEAM UP TO SUPPORT THE GOLF CHAMPIONS OF TOMORROW

and future leaders in the sport. As a young and ambitious bank with an entrepreneurial mindset, we are committed to supporting these junior athletes – who are entrepreneurs in their own right – by providing them with opportunities to demonstrate their talents while also raising the profile of this fascinating sport.”

Scholarship recipients will be selected based on their golfing ability, leadership qualities and previous participation in recognized golfing competitions. In addition, they will be assessed to determine their potential to become a positive role model within the world of sport and in their wider community.

EFG and the SGA will collaborate as partners on various projects and outreach programmes to help young athletes achieve sporting success in the global arena. The special programme will also enable the SGA to further strengthen its high-performance and junior development programmes to identify and nurture a deeper pool of talent.

Ivan Chua, Vice President, Singapore Golf Association: “This new scholarship represents an exciting opportunity for our athletes and will help to raise the profile of golf in Singapore. We look forward to working closely with EFG to provide the right platform for future golf stars and to discover new talents, as well as to promote and develop our vision of the sport in terms of victories and world rankings.”

Applications can be submitted from 1 January 2023 until the closing date of 31 January 2023. Singaporeans aged under 30 can apply for the scholarship.

We are delighted to embark on this journey with the Singapore Golf Association to help nurture the next generation of golf talent in Singapore and future leaders in the sport. As a young and ambitious bank with an entrepreneurial mindset, we are committed to supporting these junior athletes – who are entrepreneurs in their own right – by providing them with opportunities to demonstrate their talents while also raising the profile of this fascinating sport.

– ALBERT CHIU

This new scholarship represents an exciting opportunity for our athletes and will help to raise the profile of golf in Singapore. We look forward to working closely with EFG to provide the right platform for future golf stars and to discover new talents, as well as to promote and develop our vision of the sport in terms of victories and world rankings.

– IVAN CHUA