APGC
Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation Journal
June 2018
New rule helps get Korea over the line Contents New rule helps get Korea over the line 1 New rules of golf from next year 2-3 Masters set for major women’s title 4 Chairman’s message 5 Golf aimed at uae students 5 Japan swoops on Aussie amateurs 6 Women key to golf growth says R&A 6 Thitikul pounces on Singapore title 7 Rae-Vadee inspires new generation 8
Korea was forced to invoke a new rule to snatch the 40th Queen Sirikit Cup from Thailand by the slimmest of margins. Both teams finished tied after three days on 417 – 15 under the card, after a topsy-turvy tournament. The Koreans were able to claim victory only by using a rule recently approved by the Team Captains’ meeting to count the third player’s score in case
of ties. This meant that Korea’s third player – Heejeong Lim – was critical in the victory after shooting 72 while Thailand’s third player – Natthakritta Vongtaveelap – could manage only a 73. The Koreans thus effectively collected their 20th Queen Sirikit Cup by just one shot. Japan finished third with an aggregate of 418, just one shot out of the tie. Korea, the defending
champions, led the opening round with two combined scores of 138, narrowly heading by a shot the Japanese and Chinese. The Philippines remained well in the hunt on 141. The individual stars on the first day were Japan’s Yuna Nishimura, who fired a 67, and Indian Diksha Dagar, who managed a 68. Ten players broke par on day one. n Continued page 4
New rules of golf set to The R&A and the USGA have unveiled the new Rules of Golf, to be implemented on January 1, 2019. The R&A and the USGA finalised golf’s new Rules in June after an extensive review that included a request for feedback from the global golf community on the proposed changes. The process to modernise the Rules began in 2012 and was initiated to ensure that the Rules are easier to understand and apply for all golfers and to make the game more attractive and accessible for newcomers. While the majority of proposed Rules remain intact in the final version, several important changes to the initial proposals and further clarification of many Rules were incorporated. The most significant adjustments made following review of the feedback received from golfers around the world include: Dropping procedure: When taking relief (from an abnormal course condition or penalty area, for example), golfers will now drop from knee height. This will ensure consistency and simplicity in the dropping process while also preserving the randomness of the drop. Key change: The proposed Rules released in 2017 suggested dropping from any height. Measuring in taking relief: The golfer’s relief area will be measured by using the longest club in his/her bag (other than a putter) to measure one club-length or two club-lengths, depending on the situation, providing a consistent process for golfers to establish his/her relief area. Key change: The proposed Rules released in 2017 suggested a 20-inch or 80-inch standard measurement). Removing the penalty for a double hit: The penalty stroke for accidentally striking the ball more than once in the course 2 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ June 2018
of a stroke has been removed. Golfers will simply count the one stroke they made to strike the ball. Key change: The proposed Rules released in 2017 included the existing one-stroke penalty. Balls Lost or Out of Bounds: Alternative to Stroke and Distance: A new Local Rule will now be available in January 2019, permitting committees to allow golfers the option to drop the ball in the vicinity of where the ball is lost or out of bounds (including the nearest fairway area), under a two-stroke penalty. It addresses concerns raised at the club level about the negative impact on pace of play when a player is required to go back under stroke and distance. The Local Rule is not intended for higher levels of play, such as professional or elite level competitions. Key change: This is a new addition to support pace of play. David Rickman, Executive Director – Governance at The R&A, said: “We are pleased to be introducing the new Rules of Golf after a collaborative and wide-ranging review process which has embraced the views of golfers, rules experts and administrators worldwide. “We believe that the new Rules are more in tune with what golfers would like and are easier to understand and apply for everyone who enjoys playing this great game.” Added Thomas Pagel, USGA Senior Director of Rules & Amateur Status: “We’re thankful for the golfers, administrators and everyone in the game who took the time to provide us with great insight and thoughtful feedback. “We couldn’t be more excited to introduce the new Rules ahead of their education and implementation.” Major proposals introduced in 2017 that have been incorporated into the
modernised Rules include: Elimination or reduction of “ball moved” penalties: There will be no penalty for accidentally moving a ball on the putting green or in searching for a ball; and a player is not responsible for causing a ball to move unless it is “virtually certain” that he or she did so. Relaxed putting green rules: There will be no penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits an unattended flagstick in the hole; players may putt without having the flagstick attended or removed. Players may repair spike marks and other damage made by shoes, animal damage and other damage on the putting green and there is no penalty for merely touching the line of putt. Relaxed rules for “penalty areas” (currently called “water hazards”): Red and yellowmarked penalty areas may cover areas of desert, jungle, lava rock, etc., in addition to areas of water; expanded use of red penalty areas where lateral relief is allowed; and there will be no penalty for moving loose impediments or touching the ground or water in a penalty area. Relaxed bunker rules: There will be no penalty for moving loose impediments in a bunker or for generally touching the sand with a hand or club. A limited set of restrictions (such as not grounding the club right next to the ball) is kept to preserve the challenge of playing from the sand; however, an extra relief option is added for an unplayable ball in a bunker, allowing the ball to be played from outside the bunker with a two-stroke penalty. Relying on player integrity: A player’s “reasonable judgment” when estimating or measuring a spot, point, line, area or distance will be upheld, even if video evidence later shows it to be wrong; and elimination of
announcement procedures when lifting a ball to identify it or to see if it is damaged. Pace-of-play support: Reduced time for searching for a lost ball (from five minutes to three); affirmative encouragement of “ready golf” in stroke play; recommending that players take no more than 40 seconds to play a stroke and other changes intended to help with pace of play. Presented in digital, text-based form, the new Rules will also now be translated into more than 30 languages and readied for final delivery via print and digital formats, including searchable Rules of Golf official apps developed by The R&A and the USGA. Three important publications, to be distributed in September, will help players as well as officials and provide interpretation and guidance in how the Rules are applied: The Player’s Edition of the Rules of Golf: An abridged, userfriendly set of the Rules with shorter sentences, commonly used phrases, and diagrams. Written in the “second person,” The Player’s Edition is intended to be the primary publication for golfers. The Rules of Golf: The full edition of the Rules will be written in the third person and include illustrations. It is intended to be a more thorough version of the revised Rules. The Official Guide to the Rules of Golf: This “guidebook” replaces the Decisions book and will contain information to best support committees and officials. It includes interpretations on the Rules, committee procedures (available local rules and information on establishing the terms of the competition), and the Modified Rules of Golf for Players with Disabilities. It is a comprehensive resource document intended as a supplementary publication.
kick in from next year
June 2018 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ 3
MASTERS SETS THE STAGE FOR MAJOR WOMEN’S TITLE The Masters is set to host a groundbreaking women’s tournament. Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, has announced the establishment of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship. The event will be held annually the week before the Masters and will culminate with the final round taking place at Augusta National. “Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts left behind a legacy of always trying to contribute meaningfully to the game of golf,” Ridley said. “The Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship embodies that principle, and we believe this event will have a significant and lasting impact on the future of the women’s game. “Our hope and expectation is that this event will further energise those who already love the sport and inspire others through the dream of competing at Augusta National.” The 54-hole, stroke play tournament will feature an international field of 72 players. Invitees will be determined by awarding winners of other recognised championships and using the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking. In 2019, the first two rounds
Photo: Augusta National Golf Club
will take place at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta. After a cut to the low 30 scores, the final competitive round will take place at Augusta National on Saturday, April 6, when an amateur champion will be crowned for the first time ever at the home of the Masters. The event is expected to be televised and will be distributed on digital platforms around the world. Daily tickets onto the grounds of Augusta National for the final round will also be made available through a random selection process that will be announced at a later date. The Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship is now the latest effort announced by the Masters to inspire interest and participation in the game of golf, joining the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship,
the Latin America Amateur Championship and Drive, Chip and Putt, all of which are actively supported by the Tournament. Invitations will be provided to the winners of the following events: US Women’s Amateur, Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship, Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific, US Girls’ Junior, Girls’ British Open Amateur Championship, Girls Junior PGA Championship. Future champions of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship will also receive an invitation for the following five years. The top 30 players from the United States will be invited who are not otherwise qualified, based on the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking. After the previous qualifications, the next 30
highest ranked players not otherwise qualified will receive invitations, as listed on the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking. Remaining positions will be filled by invitation of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship Committee. All players who qualify must retain amateur status to compete in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship. The winner of the 2019 Augusta National Women’s Amateur Champion will receive an invitation to the next five Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championships, the 2019 US Women’s Open, the 2019 Women’s British Open, and any USGA, R&A and PGA of America amateur championships for which she is eligible for one year.
New rule helps get Korea over line n From page 1
The Philippines edged to the top of the leader board in the second round, thanks to a brilliant 66 by Yuka Saso. They finished the day on 277, one ahead of Japan while Korea and 4 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ June 2018
Thailand shared third spot a further shot back at 279. Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikul, winner of the inaugural Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship in February, scorched around the course in seven under par 65 to lift her
team from sixth to third. The Koreans fought back strongly on the final day though to match Thailand, again boosted by Thitikul who signed for a 67. Overall, Thitikul won the individual title with a total of 203 - 71-65-67, ahead of
Nishimura on 206 (67-69-70) and Saso on 207 (69-66-72). The 41st Asia-Pacific Ladies Golf Team championship for the Queen Sirikit Cup will be staged at Glenelg Golf Club in Adelaide, South Australia from next June 7-9.
Chairman’s message
APGC Chairman Kei Muratsu As the last APGC Journal reported on the Bonallack Trophy and Patsy Hankins Trophy in Doha, APGC teams – both men and women – won against European teams. We are truly thankful to 24 players, captains, vice captains and coach Mr Gareth Jones. We expect to perform well, too, in the next matches scheduled to take place in Spain in 2020. Needless to say, we appreciate very much the assistance of the Qatar Golf Association and the Qatar Olympic Committee in concluding the event with a great success. The Queen Sirikit Cup ended recently with a thrilling finish. Korea, Thailand, Japan and Philippines came 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th all within four shots. We thank the Thailand Golf Association, Thailand Ladies Golf Association and the Queen Sirikit secretarial team for an excellent administration of the game. The success of the inaugural WAAP at Sentosa, the APGC’s formidable victory
‘ The world is changing … We continue to work closely with The R&A and Augusta to further develop this game in our region.’ over Europe for the Patsy Hankins Trophy at Doha and recent exciting games of Queen Sirikit Cup at Thana City Country Club,Thailand, assure us a healthy development of women’s golf at the elite level in our region. I want to see many players of APGC members invited to the inaugural Women’s Amateur in Augusta next year. After busy months of February, March and May the APGC takes a break
championship wise until our Junior game in Hong Kong at the end of August. Meanwhile I have asked the Board members to work on forming a strategy for the future development of the APGC. There are many issues on the table. Rules Modernization, World Handicapping, Olympic Golf, Nine Hole Golf, Women’s Charter, Sustainability, Governance, are the examples of those. The APGC is committed to support the implementation of them. The world is changing. The world of golf is also changing. We continue to work closely with The R&A and Augusta to further develop this game in our region. Our mission is how to make our golfers feel secure and assist the National Federation of our members to develop golf in their countries. I hope the Board could present our strategy in the forthcoming Annual Meeting during the 10th Asia Pacific Amateur Championship in Singapore. Wishing you all a cool summer for the North and warm winter for the South.
Golf aimed at uae students The Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) in conjunction with the Ministry of Education are providing United Arab Emirates (UAE) National students the chance to learn golf at three different Northern Emirates golf clubs. Six different Ministry of Education National Schools were introduced to the game of golf to kick off a four-week grassroots program that will lead over 400 students towards the National Junior Development Program and UAE National Golf Teams. Al Zorah Golf Club, Tower Links Golf Club, and Al Hamra Golf Club hosted more than 50 children a week over a month to identify to develop young
National golfers while building good character through the structure of rules from the game of golf. “Students will be transported directly from schools to the golf clubs during their Physical Education classes. Instead of playing the same sports [Football, Basketball, Rugby] the students will have the opportunity to try to play golf at
the golf club,” said EGF Secretary General Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi. “Our relationships with the northern golf clubs and the Ministry of Education has been a focus for the National Junior Development Program over the past six months as the EGF feels that our National database is stronger in these areas. “Over next four weeks, these
golf clubs will be introducing golf to over 400 students. In return we will expect to get a handful of these students to start taking up golf as their everyday sport,” Al Shamsi added. The EGF has seen an increase in the number of golfers joining the National Junior Development Program and with a larger number of golfers to choose from the more competitive the UAE National Golf Team will be. John Frost, Lead Physical Education Trainer for the Ministry of Education, said: “It’s wonderful to see local children being introduced to the game of golf who may not necessarily have had the provision or opportunity to do so before.” June 2018 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ 5
Japan swoops on Aussie amateurs Japanese players have collected a rare double, snatching both the men’s and women’s Australian Amateur Championship titles in Western Australia. Suzuka Yamaguchi produced a dominant 6&5 win over the highly fancied Ayean Cho at Lake Karrinyup Country Club. Then, less than an hour later, Keita Nakajima strode to victory in the men’s Amateur, demolishing David Micheluzzi 4&3. Yamaguchi is just 17 but the respected course gave way to her brilliance as she dived to 12 under par through the final’s 31 holes, rolling in two eagles and 10 birdies. “I’m very proud, very happy
Fine form: Japan’s Suzuka Yamaguchi and Keita Nakajima. Picture: Golf Australia
to win Australian Amateur … a tournament I really wanted to win,” Yamaguchi, who played the 2015 US Women’s Open as a 14-year-old, told Golf Australia. “I played last year and was
beaten by a Korean (eventual finalist So-mi Lee in the match play phase) and didn’t want that to happen again this year. “So I’m very excited to have played so well … it’s a big day for me.” Cho, for the second time in three years, was relegated to the runner-up position, but in defeat should hold her head high to have gone so far through the 36hole finale against the Japanese wrecking ball. Nakajima was an early leader against the Victorian who had been red-hot in winning his past two events and was only once pushed past the 15th in match play all week. But try as he might, Micheluzzi couldn’t ever get
on level footing despite having several key chances early in the afternoon’s second round. Nakajima made six birdies in his morning round, then another four in the afternoon to keep every challenge at bay, later paying great tribute to the South Australian-based national coach of the Japanese team, Gareth Jones. “Without Gareth, I would not be here today,” Nakajima said. “He especially teach me short game and it was very big today.” Nakajima, also 17, twice made spectacular sand saves, once for a birdie to halve the 25th hole with Micheluzzi pressing; the other on the 32nd hole when short-sided to give his opponent no wriggle room at all.
Women key to golf growth says r&a A significant growth opportunity exists for golf if it can attract more women, girls and families into playing the sport more often according to a new research report published by The R&A. Many countries are seeing a fall in the number of both males and females playing golf and the research report analyses the factors which affect whole family participation in the sport, including women and girls, and details several useful practical recommendations for national golf bodies and golf clubs to help them encourage more women and girls to play. The R&A commissioned the International Institute for Golf Education, based at the University Centre Myerscough, to carry out the research which brings together the findings of existing academic and industry research with the individual views of a wide-ranging group of golf experts. The key themes identified in the report, which was produced by Dr John Fry and Philip Hall, include: 6 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ June 2018
z The importance of establishing the optimum environment for family participation by being aware of the make-up of the modern family. z A direct link between equality in sports participation and wider measures of gender equality such as women in influential decision-making positions in golf. z That parents are the chief factor underpinning families’ likelihood to play golf and that their motivations for their children taking part include having fun, improving health and developing friendships. z The increasing desire for golf to provide opportunities for socialising and to be adaptable and flexible given the time and cost constraints placed on the modern family. z The need for the sport to evolve to meet the demands of contemporary society and for clubs to encourage memorable events for their customers, as that memory itself or the ‘experience’, is increasingly
Photo: The R&A
replacing the ‘product’ of playing golf. The research reflects The R&A’s continued drive to encourage more women, girls and families to play golf more regularly, working with its affiliates around the world to enhance golf’s appeal. Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “The research demonstrates there is a tremendous opportunity for golf to grow its participation numbers and generate more income if it can attract more
women, girls and families into playing the sport. We know that more work needs to be done to achieve this outcome at a time when there are concerns about declining participation levels and this report provides useful actions and guidance for our affiliates and clubs that can lead to tangible, positive outcomes for golf.” Dr John Fry, added: “The report brings together for the first time in one place the key academic and industry research articles conducted on family sports participation. “The process involved searching scientific databases containing more than one million citations, peer-reviewed research papers and selecting the most appropriate evidence based studies that can help underpin strategies to increase participation in golf. “The research is supplemented with case studies of best practice, analysis from a number of industry experts and offers a series of practical actions which golf clubs can adopt.”
Young gun: Thai sensation Atthaya Thitikul
THITIKUL pounces on Singapore title Thai sensation Atthaya Thitikul has added to her bulging trophy cabinet by collecting the leading amateur title at the ANA Inspiration in April. The teenager booked her place at the first women’s major of the year after lifting the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific trophy at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore in February – four days after her 15th birthday. Thitikul’s dramatic wire-towire victory after a four-way play-off also secured further exemptions into the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham & St Anne’s in August and the 2018 HSBC Women’s
World Championship held at Sentosa the following week - where she recorded a top 10 finish. Playing alongside Michelle Wie on Sunday at Mission Hills in California, Thitikul fired a three-under-par 69 to add to the 71, 72, 72 for an overall five-under-par 283. Up against the best in the world, that score saw her in finish in a tie for 30th in good company with playing partner Wie, Mirim Lee, In Gee Chun, Han Na Jang, Cristie Kerr and current Ricoh Women’s British Open champion IK Kim. After the championship was suspended during a play-off
between Inbee Park, Pernilla Lindberg and Jennifer Song due to fading light, a delighted Thitikul beamed through the darkness as she picked up her trophy. “First of all, I would like to thank you ANA Inspiration for organising a wonderful event and giving me the chance to play here with all the nice players,” the 15-year-old. “The ANA Inspiration hasn’t just given me a chance, but all the amateurs who have played. Thank you to all the sponsors, staff and volunteers. “And especially, a thank you the Women’s Amateur Asia-
Pacific for giving me a great opportunity and always cheering and supporting me.” The Women’s Amateur AsiaPacific championship has been developed by the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) and The R&A to nurture talent and provide a pathway for the region’s elite women amateurs to the international stage. The Royal Golf Club in Japan will host the second edition of the Women’s Amateur AsiaPacific championship from April 25-28, 2019. The winner will again earn invitations to the ANA Inspiration and the Ricoh Women’s British Open. June 2018 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ 7
Thailand’s Rae-Vadee inspires new generation For more than 40 years Thailand’s RaeVadee T.Suwan has been the key driving force behind the development of golf in the Asia-Pacific region, using her initiative to steer the game towards unprecedented heights of popularity. Recognised widely for having launched the Amateur Ladies International Golf Team for the Queen Sirikit Cup in 1979, Rae-Vadee has remained at the helm of the area’s most important women’s tournament for almost four decades. Virtually single-handedly, she brought together countries in the region for the competition and watched it grow, overseeing 40 tournaments while immersing herself in the organisation of many key golf organisations. In all, Rae-Vadee has been involved in an astonishing 105 events since 1978. Born in Bangkok, Rae-Vadee was educated in the United States before being awarded a Bachelor in Laws degree from Sukhothai Thammatirat University, followed by a Masters degree in Business Management from Rangsit University, Bangkok. Rae-Vadee began playing golf in 1974 at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club and her debut involvement in the organisational area of the game came just a year later when she worked as media liaison for the 1975 World Cup of Golf at Navatanee GC, Bangkok and also organised the Arnold Palmer’s Cup charity golf tournament for the Thai Red Cross. Three years after she began playing the game, Rae-Vadee was appointed as Ladies’Golf Captain at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club. In 1978 she undertook a massive task, launching the 1st Thailand Ladies
Inspiring: Thailand’s Rae-Vadee T.Suwan.
Amateur Open Golf and Interclub Team Championship, which involved 130 players from nine countries. The Thailand Ladies Golf Association was co-founded by Rae-Vadee in 1979 in a bid to develop the women’s game in Thailand.
She has, since launching the Queen Sirikit Cup, served as its co-ordinator through to and including the event’s name change to the Asia-Pacific Ladies Golf Team Championships. She then became Secretary-General of the Queen Sirikit Cup’s Secretariat. In 2016 the Cup was affiliated with the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation as its official ladies’ team event. Continuing to use her unparalleled initiative, in 1987 she launched the Kosaido Ladies Asia Golf Circuit in five countries. The tour was staged for 17 years and in 2005 was relaunched as the Ladies Asian Golf Tour. From 2005-13 Rae-Vadee was its President and then Chairman. She has served as President of the Thailand Ladies Golf Association from 2001-05 and for two terms was on the Administrative Committee of the International Golf Federation. In 2014 Rae-Vadee ended her link with the Ladies Asian Golf Tour and initiated a plan for a new professional Asia-Pacific Tour, which remains on hold. Two years later she joined the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation as a member of the Board. Her multiple achievements were recognised this year when at the inaugural Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Golf Championship, a gold medal was struck in her honour and awarded to the winner – fittingly her countrywoman, the rapidly rising Thai star Atthaya Thitikul. Rae-Vadee remains involved in several key golf organisations as she begins work on her next task – a self-sustaining Golf Foundation for Thailand aimed at developing the game for junior players.
Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation
Chairman Mr Keisuki Muratsu
Vice Chairman Treasurer Mr Taimur Amin Mr Philip Hassall
General Secretary Mr Kyungjae Lee
Mr Mohammed Faisal Al-Naimi
Rae Vadee T.Suwan
Nobuko Hirayama
Dato’ Rabeahtul Aloya Abbas
Mr Ishwar Achanta
John Hopkins
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 8 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ June 2018