APGC
Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation Journal
JUNE 2015
Photo: The R&A
Contents Asia leads world in new courses – R&A 1-2 Global golf supply
2
Worldwide development of the sport 4 Asia: Room for golf to grow
5
Oceania: Diverse terrain
7
Masterful Murdaca Rio course echoes Royal Melbourne
8-9 9
Chairman’s message
10
APGC focus on the Middle East
11
Korea rules Queen Sirikit Cup
11
Rising stars mark ShortGolf success
12
D’Souza, Leung reign supreme
12
Terrence on track at Fanling event
12
Asia leads world in new courses – R&A report Asia has more new golf projects underway than any other area of the world, according to an exhaustive report by The R&A.
There are 92 facilities under construction throughout the region – well ahead of the next most explosive region, North America, which has 74 being built. The study found that most
of the growth is in China while India comes second in facilities being built. As a sign of the rapid expansion of the game in developing countries, Vietnam, with 18 courses being built,
ranks third. The report also highlights development of golf in parts of the Middle Eastern sector of the region which previously had little in the way of opportunities for golfers. Despite the figures, the survey also found that there was much potential for growth throughout the Asia-Pacific region. ›
Global golf supply
* Map courtesy of The R&A
The unprecedented report reveals the truly global nature of the sport of golf and explores its potential for growth. It represents the culmination of a lengthy project to identify and verify every golf course in the world. Funded by The R&A and 15 of the world’s leading golf companies, the project was conceived and undertaken by the NGF, a US-based golf market research organisation that has long maintained a complete list of American courses. Over the four-year project,
the NGF directed more than 25,000 hours of labour towards the creation of what is now the definitive database of golf courses outside the US. In addition to establishing the first “official” count of the world’s golf courses, it will now be possible to accurately track golf’s growth around the world and identify areas of potential development. It will help to inform decisions made by The R&A and other organisations involved in the delivery of golf, a sport which will re-enter the Olympic Games next year.
“The unprecedented report reveals the truly global nature of the sport of golf and explores its potential for growth. It represents the culmination of a lengthy project to identify and verify every golf course in the world.”
Golf facilities compared to population
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Golf facilities compared to land area
* Tables courtesy of The R&A
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Worldwide development of the sport
Worldwide development of the sport North America 124 in planning 76 under construction
Europe
119 in planning 40 under construction
Asia
115 in planning 92 under construction
South America 12 in planning 18 under construction
Africa
34 in planning 31 under construction
Oceania
23 in planning 12 under construction
* Map courtesy of The R&A
While the worldwide supply of golf facilities continues to be highly concentrated among traditional golfing nations, the sport is spreading around the globe, and new courses are opening in interesting places.
Worldwide, there are 696 (measured in 18-hole equivalents) new golf courses under construction or in advance planning, which, if all were
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realised (and no existing courses closed), the total world supply would increase by around 2%. While 80% of these projects are located in Asia, Europe and North America, the sport is reaching parts of the world where golf has not been present before. In 2013, Belarus and Azerbaijan debuted their first golf facilities. The nation of Georgia opened its first course
in June 2014. Other countries such as Macedonia and Sao Tome and Principe are building their initial courses now. Additionally, smaller golfing countries such as Bolivia, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Oman, Qatar and UAE are adding to existing supply. Though golf is growing in many parts of the world, it is decreasing in some places where golf is highly developed,
and where growth in supply outpaced growth in the number of golfers. In these countries, such as Australia, Canada, England and the US, golf is moving towards equilibrium between golf course supply and demand. Overall, the sport’s influence is spreading and closures have been more than offset by the expansion of the sport across the globe.
Asia: Room for golf to grow Asia covers 31% of the total land on Earth, and is home to around 14% of the world’s golf supply.
Fifty-three of the 55 countries in this region have golf facilities, yet eight countries account for 90% of the region’s supply. With 2,383 facilities, Japan alone accounts for 50% of the region’s total golf facility supply. Russia, despite having the largest land mass in the region, has only 20 facilities. China, one of the fastest growing golf countries in the world, has 473 facilities, but obtaining information on the growth of the sport in the country is a challenge. The government imposed a ban on golf course construction in 2004 in an effort to protect
“Fifty-three of the 55 countries in this region have golf facilities, yet eight countries account for 90% of the region’s supply. With 2,383 facilities, Japan alone accounts for 50%.” the country’s land and water resources. The ban, still in effect, applies to all areas of China except Hainan Island, a major tourist area. Developers and local officials have, in some cases, circumvented the restrictions by filing applications that designate the projects as sports training facilities, resorts, or other types of developments. The national government is now taking a
more active enforcement stance and demolishing courses that were illegally built. Golf is a popular sport in South Korea, though the supply of affordable public courses is insufficient to meet demand. Private golf facilities, which make up the majority of supply, have been under financial pressure due to high taxation on memberships and green
fees. Also, they are required to refund membership fees upon members’ requests, usually after the facility has been open for five years. Perhaps as a result of the lack of public golf that is accessible to the masses, golfers have taken refuge in other types of golf facilities such as ranges and indoor simulator (screen golf) facilities, which have proliferated.
Golf facilities in Asia Kyrgyzstan 1
Russia 20 Tajikistan 1 Georgia 1 Armenia 1
Kazakhstan 7 Azerbaijan 1
Turkey 18
Syria 1 Lebanon 1 Jordan Israel 1 1 Kuwait 2 Bahrain 5
Iraq 1
Saudi Arabia 11
> 1,000 Golf facilities 200 - 500 Golf facilities 40 - 200 Golf facilities < 40 Golf facilities 0 Golf facilities * Map courtesy of The R&A
Mongolia 4
Uzbekistan 1
Iran 1
North Korea 1
Japan 2,383
China 473
Afghanistan 1
South Korea 447 Taiwan India Myanmar 74 Hong Kong 270 Qatar 126 7 Macao 3 Laos Thailand 2 Vietnam U.A.E 9 253 Bangladesh 33 22 Bhutan 20 Oman Cambodia 5 Philippines 6 Maldives 9 94 3 Malaysia Brunei Sri Lanka 199 5 6 Singapore British Ind. Ocean Terr. 18 1 Pakistan 46
Nepal 7
French Polynesia 2 Cook Island Tonga 1 2
Indonesia 163 Christmas Island 1 Cocos Island 1
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Development boom in Asia Asia is home to the most new golf projects in the world with 207 courses under development.
Of Asia’s 53 golfing countries, 27 have at least one new project in development. Japan, a mature golf country, has no new courses in development, mostly due to the lack of developable land. Most of the growth is in China, with 56 courses in development (despite the ban); however, there are also 46 projects on hold with their fate unknown.
India ranks second with 32 courses under development, followed by Vietnam with 18. Golf projects are also underway in the Middle Eastern part of the region, including Israel, Jordan, Oman, Iran and Lebanon. Ninety per cent of Asia’s current golf projects are new golf courses, as opposed to additions. About half of these projects are already under construction. Twelve new Asian courses opened in 2014.
Featured development
National Azerbaijan Golf Club, Azerbaijan The first-ever golf course in Azerbaijan, near the capital city of Baku, the National Azerbaijan Golf Club opened its first nine holes in 2013. The remaining nine holes are under construction and are expected to be open in 2016. The course hosted the European Challenge Tour’s Azerbaijan Open, the first professional golf event held in the country.
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* Tables courtesy of The R&A
Oceania: Diverse terrain The diverse Oceania region consists of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and the many island countries of the South Pacific.
The area is unique for the variety of golf course styles. In addition to lush golf courses in the more tropical regions, Oceania is home to a number of sand scrape courses (mainly in South Australia). In total, there are 2,111 golf facilities in 18 of the region’s 25 countries. The lion’s share of supply is located in Australia, which is home to 77% of
Oceania’s facilities. These are primarily located in the most populous coastal regions of Victoria, Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Western Australia. Together with New Zealand, these two countries account for 97% of regional supply.
South Pacific 65
Australia 1,628
> 500 Golf facilities
New Zealand 418
100 - 500 Golf facilities < 100 Golf facilities
* Map and tables courtesy of The R&A
LESS THAN
8
COUNTRIES HAVE ONE GOLF FACILITY
11
COUNTRIES HAVE FEWER THAN FIVE FACILITIES
94% 4% OF GOLF FACILITIES ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
OF FACILITIES ARE TIED TO A REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT OR RESORT
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Content: Antonio Murdaca ended his dream visit to the Masters at seven-over-par after shooting 73, a major improvement on his opening round of 78.
Murdaca unfazed by missing Masters cut Australia’s Asia Pacific Amateur Champion Antonio Murdaca might not have made the cut at The Masters but believes the experience it provided will boost his game for the future. The 19-year-old bowed out after the first two rounds despite improving from an opening round 78 to a second-round 73. But he was happy enough with the way he played and stayed around at the weekend to follow compatriot and former Masters winner Adam Scott. The South Australian amateur was sitting at one-under for his second round until bogeys on the final two holes took the edge off a round he was delighted with. When asked how playing the Masters had steeled him for the future, Murdaca was upbeat. “I’ll be pretty confident with 8 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ JUNE 2015
any other event after this,” he said. “I thought I kept the nerves pretty settled. I’m pretty happy with the way I played. “After that first round, I got my yardages worked out better and didn’t hit it to spots where you can’t keep the ball on the green.” Only Canadian amateur Corey Connors (80-69) and American
Byron Meth (74-76) finished ahead of him of the six other amateurs in the field. Murdaca told Golf Australia that he was still smiling even after bowing out and was looking forward to watching Scott. “It’s going to be pretty cool. I’m going to follow Scotty in the third round ... I just love the way
he plays,” Murdaca said. He played with Scott in the first two rounds but was well settled after practice rounds with the Queenslander. “I played with him on Saturday, Saturday afternoon,” he said. “A bit of a joke, he said, ‘You might be playing with me and Tiger’. Looking at the sheet today, I’m playing with him and Dustin (Johnson). So it’s pretty cool, pretty exciting. Can’t wait for the first round.” Murdaca was travel-weary before playing at Augusta but was helped by some physical conditioning. “We got in Friday afternoon,” he said. “It was a long trip for us. We got delayed 10 hours in Sydney. I think it took us about 48 hours. Body felt a little bit different when I got off the plane. Lost a bit of swing speed
Rio Olympics course has echoes of Royal Melbourne
“I’ll be pretty confident with any other event after this. I thought I kept the nerves pretty settled. I’m pretty happy with the way I played” and ball speed went down a bit. But over the last few days, it’s been getting back into it. A bit of stretching and got a bit of physio done last night and so that’s definitely helped. The swing is feeling a lot better now and starting to peak.” Apart from Scott, Murdaca also played practice rounds with Briton Lee Westwood, Billy Horschel, Matt Every and Kevin Na.
He said his post-Masters plan was to continue to gain experience across the world. “I think I’m just going to keep playing some amateur events. I’m just going to take as many tournament opportunities as I can and hopefully play as many international amateur tournaments as I can and hopefully gain a bit more experience and see how we go from there,” he said.
The Rio de Janeiro Olympic Golf Course has been revealed – and with a distinct taste of Australia already shining through. While the course is still in the bedding-down process more than 400 days out from the Games, Golf Australia high performance director Brad James said it had a distinctly “Royal Melbourne feel” to the bunkering. “It looked very difficult around the greens,” said James while in Rio on a fact-finding mission to prepare for golf’s return to the Olympics for the first time since 1904. “The bunkering looked very much like Royal Melbourne and the course had more trees than I thought by this stage as well.” The course has been the centre of much controversy in Rio with environmental protesters claiming the city’s mayor Eduardo Paes was an “enemy of the Atlantic forest” as he pushed development of architect Gil Hanse’s course. But while protests continue, the course has begun to earn praise in many quarters for its minimal visual impact near the lagoons of Barra de Tijuca, just 5km from the Games village in western Rio. Hanse nominated Melbourne’s Sandbelt as providing the template for how the holes, particularly those in lowlying areas, would look when the course is ready for play, hopefully this winter with a test event loosely planned for November.
“Wind is really going to be a factor on the course” His focus on several short par4s is testament to that vision. And, not unlike Melbourne’s jewels, there are several holes here that feature broad landing areas but tight, well-protected driving corridors for those looking to make birdies. One hole that has won a lot of early praise is the short par-4 16th that features myriad alternatives from the tee on a hole that might tempt bigger hitters to search for glory. But Hanse has a word of warning with a wind that “blows all the time” at the coastal site. “Wind is really going to be a factor on the course … especially at the time of year the Olympics are played.” Throughout his layout, Hanse uses strategic fairway bunkering to encourage thoughtful placement from the tee and his holes are aimed at testing both power and finesse. Course superintendent Neil Cleverly said the course was both “exciting and challenging”. “It favours the short game with a challenging last three holes – but every single hole has got a different measure of difficulty,” Cleverly said. “There are going to be some players who will shoot horrible numbers.” JUNE 2015 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ 9
Chairman’s message
APGC Chairman Dr David Cherry I am pleased to confirm the most significant change in APGC’s history will now be implemented at our AGM in Hong Kong on September 30 when the Queen Sirikit Cup members will be affiliated with us.
At their meeting in Hong Kong on Monday, May 18, which our Hon Sec, KJ Lee and myself attended by invitation, the Queen Sirikit Cup members voted unanimously to affiliate with us. I reiterated to them that this is in no way a takeover, but an affiliation which will strengthen our Confederation and make us gender neutral in every way. They have been guaranteed two positions of their choosing on our Executive Committee in future. The APGC now truly represents golf of all amateur persuasions in our region and I thank Dominic Wall, the R&A representative in our region, for helping to facilitate this move. Raevadee Suwan, their chairwoman, has done an outstanding job in promoting women’s participation in golf both at an amateur and professional level in the Asia Pacific region. In acknowledgment of that, the women’s equivalent of our Bonallack Cup to be next held in Turkey in April 2016, will be named in her honour and for which she has kindly donated a magnificent trophy. It is to be hoped that the strength of women’s golf in our region will be reflected in our performance at the Raevadee Suwan Trophy and in some
“The APGC now truly represents golf of all amateur persuasions in our region” way make up for the 2-6 result in the Bonallack Trophy. Taimur Amin Hassan has been appointed our Executive member to oversee the selection of our men’s team and to prepare them for the challenging format of the event, as Foursome and FourBall play is foreign to some of our members. Philip Hassall and myself have been working on bringing our Constitution and Regulations up to speed to ensure that they are more easily understood and to also allow for the affiliation of the Queen Sirikit Cup members. We hope to get rid of the Executive Committee and replace that with the Board which is already in our Constitution. The changed versions will be sent to all members so that you can vote on the changes at the next AGM. Many of the Executive attended the Masters and were impressed by Antonio Murdaca’s performance and how he represented the APGC at this prestigious event. While he did not make the cut, he
played very well and had rounds of 78 and 73, and but for bogies on the last two holes, would have been leading amateur. He was not overawed by playing with Adam Scott and Dustin Johnson who both hit the ball prodigious distances. While in Hong Kong recently, I once again played at Clearwater Bay, the venue for this year’s AAC. The course and associated facilities are world class and their director of golf, Peter Downie, is doing all that he can to ensure a successful event. I am confident that this year’s event will be as good, if not better, than any preceding it. Not that players need more encouragement to participate in what I believe to be the foremost amateur event in the world, with the opportunity of playing at Augusta in April 2016 and in final qualifying for the Open Championship. We are extremely fortunate to have as partners in this event, the Augusta National Golf Club and the R&A. To cement our new relationship with women in our region, the APGC, under the direction of our Chairman Championship Committee, Kei Muratsu, has finalised arrangements for our new junior event to take place in Chinese Taipei in late August 2015. This will be an annual event to further encourage young players to take up the game, and I want to thank Melanie from the host organisation in Chinese Taipei, for the work she had done in preparation for this event to be held at the Sunrise Golf and Country Club.
Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation
Chairman Dr David Cherry
Vice chairman Mr Dilip Thomas
Secretary general Mr Taimur Amin
Treasurer Mr Philip Hassall
Secretary Mr Kyungjae Lee
Championship Committee chairman Mr Keisuki Muratsu
Mr Zhang Xiaoning
Mr Mohammed Faisal Al-Naimi
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 10 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ JUNE 2015
Apgc focus on the Middle East The APGC turned its attention to the Middle East this year when Confederation Chairman Dr David Cherry visited several countries in the region. Dr Cherry’s trip highlights the determination to develop golf in a number of nations in the area. APGC officials began their trip with a stop at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, before visiting Oman, Qatar and Iran. Mohammad Faisal al-Naimi,
the Executive Director of the Qatar Golf Association, accompanied the delegation as a member of the APGC Executive Committee and a representative of the middle east associations at the APGC. During his visit to Qatar, Dr Cherry praised the successful Qatari organisation of the international golf championships being staged in Doha.
Meet and greet: Left to right, Kaykavous Saeedi (President of Golf Federation of IR Iran), Shahrokh Shahnazi (Secretary General, NOC of IR Iran), Mohammed Al Naimi (Executive Director Qatar Golf Association) and Dr David Cherry (APGC Executive Committee member and Chairman).
Korea rules Queen Sirikit Cup Korea have breezed to their eighth Queen Sirikit Cup, clinching success by 14 shots on the final day of the AsiaPacific Ladies Golf Team Championship at Hong Kong Club in Fanling. The Korean team finished with an aggregate score of 422, defeating the Philippines, who were one shot ahead of New Zealand on 427. Hosts Hong Kong finished sixth while multiple winner Australia had to settle for 10th spot. Korea’s Park Hyuan-kyung was the star performer of the week with her seven-under-par total giving her the individual title. The Cup is the major women’s amateur tournament in the Asia-Pacific region. It was first staged in 1979 when Japan won. The event has this year come under the banner of the AsiaPacific Golf Confederation. This follows talks in Tokyo last September when Queen Sirikit Cup Secretary-General, Ms. Rae-Vadee T. Suwan, attended a meeting with AsiaPacific Golf Confederation’s Executive Board to discuss the
Dream team: Left to right, Korea’s Lee Joung-eun, Jang Eun-soo and Park Hyun-kyung, led by captain Chang Se-hoon, receive the Queen Sirikit Cup from Hong Kong Golf Association President Ning Li at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.
proposal to affiliate the Queen Sirikit Cup, known as the AsiaPacific Amateur Ladies Golf Team Championship,with the Confederation. Also at the meeting were APGC Chairman Dr David
Cherry, Championship Committee Chairman Mr Keisuke Muratsu, Honorary Secretary Mr K.J. Lee, Hon. Secretary and Ms Nicki Hirayama, Committee Member. It was considered that
such a move would fill the Confederation’s gap on ladies’ golf development in the region. The 13-member associations of the Queen Sirikit Cup agreed to ratify the decision to affiliate last May. JUNE 2015 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ 11
Rising stars mark ShortGolf success with golf course visit More than 50 Hong Kong children have paid a special visit to Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling to celebrate their ShortGolf graduation as part of the recently announced HSBC Golf For Schools program. Children aged eight to 10 from primary schools SKH Wing Chun in Sheung Shui and PUA Wah Yan in Wan Chai are the first in Hong Kong to have completed a series of ShortGolf classes delivered at their schools by the Hong Kong Golf Association (HKGA).
Young guns: Children from SKH Wing Chun Primary School in Sheung Shui during a visit to Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling as part of the HSBC Golf For Schools program.
After their experience with ShortGolf, a fun and easy introduction to the game, the children are invited to visit a golf
club in Hong Kong to receive their certification of achievement. Supported by The R&A, HSBC Golf For Schools
culminates in on-course golf lessons and the opportunity to gain an official HKGA handicap. From there, children
progress to the HSBC Junior Development Program, a talentidentification scheme comprising HKGAsanctioned junior tournaments and matches, including the HSBC Junior Tour and a cross-border match against the top juniors from HSBC’s China Junior Golf Program. The top Hong Kong juniors are then invited to join the HKGA Junior Squad for weekly coaching and expert advice and ultimately the chance to represent Hong Kong on the international stage.
Terrence on track at Fanling event Dynamic duo: Leon D’Souza (left) and Estee Leung receive their Hong Kong Junior Close Championship trophies from Hong Kong Golf Association past president William Chung. Photo: HK Golfer
D’Souza, Leung reign supreme Leon D’Souza and Estee Leung staged remarkable comebacks to win their respective divisions at the Hong Kong Junior Close Championship at Discovery Bay Golf Club. In the boys’ division, 16-yearold D’Souza claimed a two-shot victory over Michael Regan Wong. “I’ve won overseas but to win at home after many years is 12 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ JUNE 2015
very special,” said the in-form D’Souza, who finished with a three-round total of 216 (threeover-par). Leung, 15, shot a fine 69 in the penultimate round to open up a big lead before toiling to a lacklustre 87 to fall into a play-off with the fast-finishing Queenie Lai. She won with a par on the first extra hole.
Terrence Ng cruised to his first Hong Kong Close Amateur Championship victory after putting on a formidable display at Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling. The 19-year-old closed with rounds of 70 and 69 on the New Course for a four-round total of level-par 280 and a
seven-shot win over his nearest rival, Michael Regan Wong, in second place. Leon D’Souza placed third, a further shot adrift. In the mid-amateur division, which is open to players over 25, Doug Williams held off Max Wong by a shot to claim the title following his 296 total.
Too good: Terrence Ng (left) receives the Hong Kong Close Amateur Championship trophy from Hong Kong Golf Association past president William Chung. Photo: HK Golfer