APGC
Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation Journal
September 2019
Japan defies weather to win APGC Juniors Contents Japan defies weather to win APGC Juniors 1-2 Thailand to host 2020 WAAP
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APGC players claim medal at European Young Masters
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Prashanth marches on with huge win 3 Japan win girls Toyota Cup
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Firdaus takes APGC Junior Amateur
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Oon wins in Malaysia
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Thitikul outplays the pros – again
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Respected former APGC secretary Phillips dies
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The Japanese team fought off atrocious weather conditions at the Hakone Country Club, which severely disrupted the APGC Junior Championships, to clinch a convincing team victory.
Heavy rain, fog and little visibility left officials with no choice but to cancel the first day’s play featuring the fourball and 18-hole stroke play individual competitions. It was decided to carry the
individual event over to the third and final day but on the second day round two was suspended at sunset. However, bad conditions were again anticipated forcing the cancellation of the foursomes. In the end, the Japanese duo of Ryo Hisatsune and Tsubasa Kajitani won the teams competition, shooting 10 under par. The pair won by four shots from Thailand, who were in
turn a further four shots ahead of Chinese Taipei No.2 and New Zealand No.1, tied for fourth at two under the card. Australian Harrison Crowe took out the men’s individual competition after firing a round of 69. The 17-year-old was matched by Hisatsune (aged 16) but the Japanese had to settle for second after the match of cards. n Continued page 2
Thailand to host 2020 WAAP The R&A has announced that the third edition of the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific (WAAP) will take place at the Siam Country Club, Pattaya, Thailand from February 12-15 2020, supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
The WAAP champion will receive an invitation to play among the world’s best golfers at the AIG Women’s British Open, The Evian Championship, the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship and the Honda LPGA Thailand, which will be played the following week at the Siam Country Club for the 12th time. Thailand has firmly established itself on the golfing map in recent years, with sisters Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn storming up the Rolex Rankings and Ariya also becoming Thailand’s first major champion at the 2016 Women’s British Open. In the men’s sport Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat have become regular winners on the European Tour. The WAAP has been developed by The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) to unearth developing talent and provide a pathway for Asia’s elite women amateurs to emerge on the international stage. It has already established itself as the most significant women’s amateur golf tournament in Asia-Pacific. “We are delighted to be playing the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific at the Siam Country Club, particularly as Thailand is home to our inaugural champion Attaya Thitikul,” said Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A.
“The WAAP continues to grow each year and has developed into the most prominent women’s amateur championship in the AsiaPacific region. The R&A is totally committed to growing the women’s game and we believe providing elite competition and pathways is an integral step in achieving our goals. “We look forward to another wonderful Championship in 2020 and to watching the continued evolution of our past WAAP champions and competitors as they progress in their careers.” In 2019 the field comprised 80 players from 19 countries across Asia-Pacific including 17 ranked inside the top 100 of the Women’s Amateur Golf Rankings. Japan’s Yuka Yasuda won in impressive style on home soil at The Royal Golf Club in
Ibaraki, following on from inaugural 2018 champion Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand) who won at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore. As a result of her victory, Yasuda received an invitation to the Evian Championship where she was equal leading amateur, finishing in a tie for 37th. On learning that Thailand would host the 2021 WAAP, Thitikul said, “I am so excited to play the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific in my home of Thailand, I hope people come to support the event in Pattaya.” The 2019 championship was broadcast live on each of the four days with almost 600 hours of television coverage to a household reach of 178 million. The Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific is proudly supported by Rolex, Nippon Kabaya Ohayo Holdings and Samsung.
Japan defies weather to win Juniors n From page 1
They finished just one shot clear of Thailand’s Denwit Boriboonsub, who fired a 70 while Korean Beomjin Kim was fourth after a 71. In the women’s individual event China’s Xiaowen Yin, 14, proved her potential by firing a 69, ahead of 15-year-old Tsubasa Kajitani, who signed for a 70. Hisatsune said the key to Japan’s victory was to concentrate on compatibility on the course. 2 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ September 2019
“Due to bad weather conditions for this tournament we played 36 holes yesterday but I think we played well as a team,” Hisatsune said. “We communicated successfully with each other (and) as the first year of the National Team, ‘Team Spirit’ was a slogan repeated often, so I am glad we were able to demonstrate that. “In the future, I hope to participate in big competitions and with each step up I hope to create a path into the professional and global world.”
Kajitani said she felt the team atmosphere would help her golf in the future. “Although there were cancellations due to bad weather I think I played well as a pair with Ryo and I am glad we were able to win the team competition with good scores,” she said. “I hope to take what I have learned through this tournament as the national team member and make the most of it in the next match.” Shunkichi Nomura, who founded the Nomura Cup teams
event and the APGC in 1963, was a founding member of the Hakone host club for the Juniors and a relative of Mr. Toshio Iwasaki, the President of Hakone CC. The Iwasaki family founded the base company of the Mitsubishi group of companies in 1873 and played a major role of establishing Hakone CC in 1954. While the weather for the tournament was difficult, the operation was run smoothly due to the work of many members and staff at Hakone.
APGC players claim medal at European Young Masters Weather disrupted the final day of action in the European Young Masters at Golf Kunetická Hora in the Czech Republic, leaving Norway’s Michael Alexander Mjaaseth winner of the boys’ title and Germany’s Paula ShulzHanssen the girls’ victor.
With just three holes to play for the final group of the boys, and one hole to play for the final group of the girls, play was suspended due to bad weather. It was not possible to complete play before the sun set, meaning the third round had to be cancelled, and the championship was decided using the scores from the first 36 holes. Mjaaseth added his name to the list of winners of the boys’ title, which includes the likes of Sergio Garcia and Rafael Cabrera-Bello. The Norwegian player added a 66 (-6) to his opening eightunder-par 64 on day one to reach -14 and set a new 36-hole scoring record in boys’ event. Spain’s Jose Luis Ballester was in the lead when play was suspended in round three, but had to settle for the silver-medal on -12 with rounds of 65 (-7) and 67 (-5). Germany’s Yannick Malik had also played himself into
Strong display: APGC squad at the European Young Masters.
contention when play was stopped, but ultimately finished fourth. The Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation contingent, which had two players competing in both individual events for the first time this year, earned a medal in their first appearance. Pongsapak Laopakdee of Thailand finished the first 36 holes with a score of -10 to earn the boys’ bronze medal. In the girls’ event, SchulzHanssen had extended her lead when play was stopped in round three. The German moved to the
top of the leaderboard after a 67 (-5) in round two took her to eight-under-par, which was enough to claim the gold medal. One shot behind was France’s Lilas Pinthier, who took home the silver medal after rounds of 68 (-4) and 69 (-3). Anne Sterre Den Dunnen shot the lowest score, a seven-underpar 65, on day two, to climb 16 spots and earn the bronze medal on -6. Malaysia’s Mirabel Ting, who co-led after round one, also finished third on -6 after rounds of 67 (-5) and 71 (-1). In the Nations’ Cup, a team classification which counts the
three lowest rounds of the teams’ four each day, the scores were extremely close. Just one shot separated first place from second, and second place from third. Germany, represented by Yannick Malik, Tiger Christensen, Paula SchulzHanssen and Magdalena Maier, finished on top with a combined score of -21. SchulzHanssen will take two gold medals back to Germany after winning both the girls and team titles. France finished just one shot behind on -20, earning Lilas Pinthier a second silver medal, while the Netherlands
Prashanth marches on with huge win Avani Prashanth continues to dominate the C-category in the Indian Golf Union (IGU) Junior Girls Amateur Golf Championships.
She has won IGU Jharkhand Ladies and Junior girls Golf Championship held recently at Golmuri Golf Club, Jamshedpur, by a huge margin of 24 strokes. She shot 220 (4 over par) over three days, which was the lowest score in
the tournament across all age Categories. Prashanth also finished
top two in the IGU Eastern India Ladies and Junior Girls Golf Championship held at Tollygunge Golf Club, Kolkata. She finished second by two shots after starting the final round with a five-stroke deficit. The tournaments saw participation from 13 and 18 girls across India respectively. Prashanth has won five of the past seven IGU National Junior Golf Championships
held across India in C-category (Girls 11-13) in the past seven months while finishing top two and top three in the other two tournaments. She has her sights firmly set on representing India at the 2024 Olympics and winning gold for her country. Her dream is to become the No.1 Professional Golfer in the world and be an inspiration to girls to take up this wonderful game. September 2019 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ 3
Winners are grinners: Japan’s girls team and South Africa’s boys team.
Japan win girls Toyota Cup South Africa’s boys put the finishing touches on a record romp at the TOYOTA Junior Golf World Cup supported by JAL, riding the 1-2 combination of Samuel Simpson and Martin Vorster to become the first team to break 40-under par over 72 holes.
Simpson and Vorster matched each other with three-underpar 68s at Chukyo Golf Club, with Simpson finishing four shots ahead of his teammate for individual honours. South Africa’s team score of 41-underpar 811 Friday wound up a full 11 shots clear of runner-up Japan and 12 ahead of Spain. “We’re extremely proud of
them,” said South Africa captain Eden Thompson. “A lot of them have done very well individually, both internationally and at home. But to put your country’s name up there – this one’s very special for us.” The title was South Africa’s second in the event’s 27-year history, alongside the 2001 squad that included future major winners Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel. Japan won the girls’ championship for the second consecutive year, holding off challenges from Mexico and the United States to keep the trophy in the home nation’s possession. Tsubasa Kajitani led Japan’s
final-round push with a 4-underpar 68, capped by a 15-foot birdie at the 18th hole that effectively sealed the outcome with one group still on the course. “That’s when I felt confident Japan would win,” said coach Saori Iwamoto. “Even so, I went back to Miyu (Yamashita) and told her not to get too comfortable. Just play your golf.” Yamashita parred the final hole for a 71, bringing Japan to the finish at 18-under 558. Kajitani, Yamashita and teammate Akie Iwai all placed among the top 10 among individuals. Mexico finished three shots off the pace for runner-up honours, with the US girls another shot back.
“Congrats to the Japan team,” said Rose Zhang, who paced the US effort with a 68. “They really killed it out there. They played spectacularly.” Zhang was part of a three-way deadlock for the individual win, joined by Mexico’s Cory Lopez (68) and Australia’s Cassie Porter (69). “I don’t think I’ve seen that before,” said Lopez. The competition uses a format similar to US college golf, with each boys’ team counting the three best scores among its four players each day. In the girls’ division, each team counts the two best scores among three. – amateurgolf.com
FIRDAUS TAKES APGC JUNIOR AMATEUR Zubair Mohd Firdaus of Malaysia emerged victorious in the inaugural Asia Pacific Junior Amateur held at Laguna National Golf & Country Club.
He withstood a surge by Thailand’s Denwit Boriboonsub to claim his first win of the year. Firdaus, who was leading by three strokes of the third round, suddenly saw his lead dissipate at the turn and was level with the Denwit after a series of bogeys on the front nine. However, bogeys on the 16th and 17th hole handed a one-stroke lead to Firdaus, who made a much needed a par on the last hole to win the tournament. Zubair shot rounds of 74, 69, 73 (216). In the Girl’s Division, Joo Ri Jeong of 4 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ September 2019
Korea clinched her victory in a dominant fashion. She shot rounds of 67, 74 69 (210) to finish seven shots clear of fellow teammate Ahreum Park 76, 70, 71 (217). Thailand’s Natthakritta Vongtaveelap 73, 76, 73 (222) and Philippine’s Eagle Ace Superal 75, 73, 74 (222) were in joint third position. Singapore’s top local boy performer, Sean Lee, battled hard but his final round of 74 was not enough. Lee fired 76, 72, 74 (222) and was only six shots behind the winner. Inez Ng who is the top local girl performer could not replicate her opening rounds of 73, 73. She shot a final round of 79 to put her in solo fifth position for the tournament.
Oon wins in Malaysia Natasha Andrea Oon has won the Malaysian Amateur Open ladies’ event at Sarawak Golf Club.
Australian Lawry Flynn, meanwhile, was crowned the men’s champion. The 17-year-old Oon recorded her second win of the season with an impressive 12-under 276. Alyaa Abdul Ghanny (282) and last year’s Malaysian Ladies Open winner Winnie Ng (289) finished second and third, respectively. “I am delighted to win
this competition. I hope to continue this momentum for the remainder of the season,” Oon told the New Straits Times. In the men’s division, 19-yearold Flynn celebrated his first overseas win with a four-day total of 279. Singapore’s Low Wee Jin (280) and Indonesia’s Narajie Ramadhan (284) were placed second and third. “My short game was really good all week. I am just going to try and keep it up as well as get ready for the next tournament,” said Flynn.
Thitikul outplays the pros – again Thai amateur star Atthaya Thitikul has won the Ladies European Thailand Championship for the second time in three years.
The 16-year-old from Ratchaburi finished with a five-under-par 67 on a weatherinterrupted final day to win by five shots from Esther Henseleit of Germany. Thitikul’s triumph at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club two years ago aged 14 years, four months and three days made her the youngest known winner of a professional golf tournament. She backed up that success with a phenomenal performance at the same venue, posting rounds of 69, 67, 63 (a course record) and 67 for a winning total of 22-under 266 on Sunday. At 16 years, four months and three days, the No.5 ranked amateur in the world became the youngest player to win two Ladies European Tour titles and the most exciting prospect in women’s golf since Lydia Ko, who had won four professional titles by the same age. “It feels unreal,” said Thitikul, who wasn’t distracted by a three-hour weather delay due to storms in the middle of her round. “I’m really pleased with all the things I’ve done in this tournament. “The last time I had a bogey was in round two. I put the ball in the right places. Since I won two years ago I kept working hard and I’ve grown in confidence. Today I didn’t actually sing a song to myself, I was just talking with my caddie.”
On fire: Thai amateur star Atthaya Thitikul won the Ladies European Thailand Championship.
German rookie Henseleit shot an impressive final round of eight-under-par 64 and since Thitikul is still an amateur, she collected the winner’s cheque for €45,000 (approximately 1,575,000 baht), moving to second on the LET order of merit although she said that she would have preferred a trophy. “This is my third second place this year and of course I would love a victory, but Atthaya played so well and she deserves this trophy.” Germany’s Olivia Cowan finished third on 11-under 277, with Norwegians Marianne Skarpnord and Tonje Daffinrud tied for fourth place on 279.
Nattagate Nimitpongkul was the second best Thai after a joint sixth-place finish alongside Hannah Burke and Beth Allen. Carmen Alonso was tied for ninth with another Thai player Chorphaka Jaengkit. Defending champion Kanyalak Preedasuttijit finished at joint 13th on threeunder 285 after a final 72. Thitikul’s second win in the tournament will renew the question of when she will turn professional, but with her second LET title, she will once again qualify for the Evian Championship and the Women’s British Open, which means that European fans will get to see her perform in next month’s majors. September 2019 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ 5
Respected former APGC secretary Phillips dies Colin Phillips, one of Australian golf ’s best and longest-serving administrators, has died aged 76.
Phillips, who received an OAM in 1996 for his services to the sport, fought a brief battle with cancer before passing in a Melbourne hospital on Sunday evening. Among many roles he fulfilled in international golf, Phillips will be most remembered as the boss of the Australian Golf Union which, along with Women’s Golf Australia, was the forerunner to what is now Golf Australia. He served that role with distinction from 1979 until 2005, all the while building Australia’s international reputation with his work for the R&A and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation. Golf Australia chairman John Hopkins was saddened to learn of Phillips’ passing. “He dedicated his life to making golf better and gave enormous service over a very, very long period of time,” Hopkins said. “Colin was an extremely important and central figure in Australian golf history, not just with the AGU, but also with the R&A and APGC in recent years. “He will be missed and his contribution is certainly a very significant one over a very long period.”
Vale: Colin Phillips.
Golf Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt said it highlighted Phillips’ commitment to the sport that he called to offer support when he took the job in 2008. “Colin was one of the first people to ring me and offer his help in any way that he could and I really did appreciate that offer of support and friendship and I knew it was genuine,” Pitt said. “He was regarded by all as someone who understood the traditions and values of the game and worked hard to uphold them. “He was a very loyal person,
Photo: Metropoitan Golf Club
had enormous integrity, honesty and very strong values.” A keen golfer throughout his life, Phillips was appointed assistant manager at The Metropolitan Golf Club in Melbourne in 1962. He later moved to Britain where he spent more than four years at the West Kent Golf Club as secretary-manager and also helped the Kent Golf Union. He returned to Australia in 1975 when offered the role as secretary of the Victorian Golf Association before landing the position with the national body. Phillips was the driving force behind and oversaw many
initiatives in his time at the AGU and in other roles within the golf industry. These included the formalisation of national development programs, particularly for juniors and promising amateurs, the establishment of GolfLink and the forerunner to the current Australian handicapping system. He helped initiate an environmental strategy for Australian golf courses and sat on committees that established the sport’s world ranking system, the Alfred Dunhill Cup and the Confederation of Australian Sport. Phillips was a member of The Metropolitan Golf Club since 1975, served on its committees and acted as greens convener for many years. He was a member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, honorary member of Kingston Heath and West Kent Golf Clubs, Sorrento, Moonah Links and Frankston golf clubs. He was also the honorary secretary of the APGC, director of Asia-Pacific for the R&A, chairman of the Australian Open championship from 1975-2005 and the first Australian to serve on Rules committees for The Open, US Open and Masters. Phillips is survived by his wife, Coralie. – Golf Australia
Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation
Chairman Mr Keisuke Muratsu
Vice Chairman Treasurer Mr Taimur Amin Mr Philip Hassall
General Secretary Mr Kyungjae Lee
Mr Mohammed Rae Vadee Faisal Al-Naimi T.Suwan
Nobuko Hirayama
Dato’ Rabeahtul Mr Ishwar Achanta Aloya Abbas
John Hopkins
Zhang Xiaoning
The Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation encourages all member nations to contribute news from their countries for inclusion in the APGC journal. News items can be emailed to editor Robert Grant at rob.grant1948@gmail.com 6 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ September 2019