APGC
Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation Journal
MARCH 2017
Direct entry: Former dual AAC winner Hideki Matsuyama at The Open. Photo: The R&A
AAC winner awarded a place in The Open Contents AAC winner gets a place in The Open 1 Luck feels confident ahead of Masters 3 Lebanon embarks on youth initiative 3 Coletta a young Adam Scott – Allenby 4 China prepares for Queen Sirikit Cup 4 Chairman’s message 5 r&a and lgu complete merger 5 Koreans claim another title 6 New Local Rule announced 6 Golf fights to stay on course in Iran 7 Wang creates history 8 Football clubs pitch in for young golfers 9 Sustainability seminars in Japan, Korea 9 Reema national player of the year 10 Sablan the new golf chief in Guam 10
The international prestige of the Asian Amateur Championship continues to surge with news that the winner of the title will gain a direct place into The Open Championship. The AAC victor already claims a spot in The Masters field while the winner and runner-up have direct entry into Final Qualifying for The Open. Now, the player who holds aloft the trophy in Wellington, New Zealand, in October will line up alongside golf’s elite
next year at the 147th Open at Carnoustie. The winner will become the first champion in the history of the AAC to receive the exemption to play in The Open in 2018. The AAC now becomes one of four elite amateur events, alongside The Amateur Championship, the European Amateur Championship and the US Amateur Championship, to offer the world’s most talented amateur golfers the opportunity to qualify for The Open.
“We are delighted to offer a place in The Open for the winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship and look forward to welcoming this year’s champion to Carnoustie in 2018,” said Johnnie ColeHamilton, Executive Director, Championships, at The R&A. “The Open is one of the world’s great sporting events which is contested by the game’s greatest players. There is a strong tradition of amateurs competing n Continued page 2
Honour: The player who holds aloft the trophy in Wellington, New Zealand, in October will line up alongside golf’s elite next year at the 147th Open.
n From page 1
in The Open and this new exemption for the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship offers a major added incentive for the leading amateurs throughout that region.” Since 2009, the AAC has been conducted in partnership between the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), the Masters Tournament and The R&A. Initially inaugurated to grow
and develop golf in the AsiaPacific region, the championship has now evolved to feature 120 of the region’s leading amateur golfers, according to the World Amateur Golf Ranking, from 40 APGC affiliated organisations each year. Notable winners of the AAC include 2010 and 2011 champion Hideki Matsuyama, who has since won three times on the PGA Tour including the 2016 WGC-HSBC Champions tournament, and current
champion Curtis Luck, who also won the US Amateur and the Western Australian Open in 2016. The 2017 AAC will take place at Royal Wellington Golf Club in New Zealand from October 26-29. The 147th Open will be played at Carnoustie in July, 2018. The Open is golf’s oldest championship. Played since 1860 on iconic links golf courses, it is the sport’s most international major championship with
qualifying events on every continent. For one week each year, the pursuit of the famous Claret Jug trophy is the focus of the sporting world, followed globally by millions of fans. Organised by The R&A, The Open delivers an annual economic benefit of almost $US125 million to its host region, while the Championship’s commercial success supports the development of the sport worldwide.
Sablan the new golf chief in Guam Richard Sablan has been appointed the new president of the Guam Amateur Golf Federation. He will be backed by vice-president Carlos Santos, who is also head of the junior golf program while Ms Roxy Salas is general secretary. 2 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ MARCH 2017
Mr Sablan obtained a bachelor of arts degree in political science from The University of Los Angeles, California, in 1983 and holds number of executive posts in Guam. As well as being vice-chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Guam Community
College,Mr Sablan is chairman of the Port Users Group of Guam and a member of the Guam Chamber of Commerce. President of Marianas Steamship Agencies Inc, Mr Sablan has been married for 14 years to Russian-born Ekaterina Akatieva and together they have a son, Ivan.
Luck feels confident ahead of Masters After a year of domination, AAC champ Curtis Luck is zeroing in on The Masters with ever-increasing confidence. Following his success in the US Amateur and the AAC title, the West Australian set yet another mark when he nailed down leading amateur in the Australian Open last year. And he says the week he spent alongside some of the world’s leading professionals represented yet another learning step. “I’m happy to come away as leading amateur, but yet again I feel like I’ve learnt a lot this week and it’s another great lesson to learn before my next six months of golf,” he said. “I’ve got an unbelievable run of events up until Augusta, so there’s no reason I can’t get to the Masters fully prepared.” Luck had planned to ask 2015 Masters winner Jordan Spieth for some tips about Augusta National during the Australian Open but missed the chance. “No, I never quite got to it,” Luck said.
“But I did get Jordan’s number and his caddie’s, so I hopefully can call them and arrange a practice round with him and maybe play a little in lead-up or afterwards.” Luck won the low amateur medal of the 2016 Emirates Australian Open at seven-under, shading Sydney’s Travis Smyth (-4) and fellow Perth gun Min Woo Lee (-3). Meanwhile, there are reports the amateur star could miss his guaranteed starts at The Open and the US Open this year to turn professional after he makes his majors debut in the US Masters at Augusta. Luck told Fairfax media he might miss two of the majors in a bid to earn a US PGA Tour card for 2018. “I’ve felt ready for the last couple of months (to turn professional), but having all these experiences thrown at me in the next five months or six months ... I can only see as something that’s going to improve my game,” Luck said
Fine form: Perth-raised 20-year-old Curtis Luck won the US Amateur and Asia Pacific Amateur titles this year
during preparations for last year’s Australian Open. “I’m not sure at this stage if I’ll use the British or US (Open exemptions) as I might turn pro before then and try to utilise some starts on the PGA Tour that I can get. Some people can’t get their head around kind of losing that opportunity but to me and to the players I’ve spoken to... they’ve said regardless of what option you go with you’ve got to be confident you’re going to play well and then go to Tour school and qualify that way. “Once April comes around next year I’ll definitely feel like I’m ready to go (professional).” The Perth-raised 20-year-old
won the US Amateur and Asia Pacific Amateur titles this year, giving him places in the field of every major except The US PGA. But he indicated he would have no regrets not playing at the two majors following The Masters, at Erin Hills and Royal Birkdale. “Whichever way you look at it you’re basically backing yourself to have a good career and play many majors down the track,” Luck said. “To me if I’m going to back myself to go to the US Tour and play seven events and get a US Tour card making however much money, why wouldn’t you back yourself to play majors eventually?”
Lebanon embarks on youth initiative Young people will be the major focus of the Lebanese Golf Federation over the coming years. Officials in Lebanon have instituted a 2020 plan to promote the game in the country, beginning with programs aimed at encouraging young children and young people to engage in golf.
Schools and universities will benefit from a series of initiatives set to popularise the game in a country where soccer is by far the most popular sport. The LGF will put in place a series of golf lessons in schools once a week for two hours spread over a four-month period. Federation President Mr Karim S.Salaam said that golf
in schools involves specialised equipment to teach the game on school premises and specifically indoors. “We started at College Protestant Francais, then Makassed, followed by International College, Mabarrat, Hassan Kassir and lastly Broumana High School,” Mr Salaam said. “Altogether more than 1,000
students aged eight to 12 have undergone at least one hour of basic golf fundamentals out of which around 120 will continue to focus more heavily on teaching and practising. Our aim is to have around 25 schools participating by the year 2020 and this can be achieved by having more coaches and funding involved.” MARCH 2017 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ 3
Coletta a young Adam Scott, says Allenby
World class: Robert Allenby says Brett Coletta is a “young Adam Scott who can be a world-beater”.
Robert Allenby has labelled young Australian Brett Coletta, runner-up in last year’s Asian Amateur Championship, a “young Adam Scott who can be a world-beater”. The multiple US PGA Tour winner played with the 20-yearold in the first two rounds of the New South Wales Open. Allenby said Coletta had a swing similar to that of former Masters Champion Scott. “I think he’s a young Adam Scott,” said Allenby. “I think he’s going to be Australia’s next great golfer,” he told Fairfax. “Swing-wise, Scotty has probably got the prettiest swing in the world, but I really rate (Coletta) with his swing high up there. He looks like he’s going to hit a good shot (every time). He
has the whole nine yards. Adam has got a smart brain and knows how to get it done and he’s been a champion for such a long time, but for Brett at 20 years old and coming into the game ... if he learns quick he’s going to be a world-beater. No question. He’s probably got the best swing I’ve seen of any golfer for many, many years.” Coletta, who won the Queensland Open professional event, went on to equal the course record with a blistering 10-under round in the NSW Open first round. His stunning form comes just a month after he was agonisingly denied a US Masters spot when compatriot Curtis Luck won the Asia Pacific Amateur title in Korea.
China prepares for Queen Sirikit Cup Rae-Vadee T Suwan, Secretary-General of the Queen Sirikit Cup, previews this year’s event to be staged in China: The last time China Golf Association played host to the 26th Queen Sirikit Cup was 13 years ago in 2004 at Wu Yi Fountain Palm Golf Course in Jiangmen province. Thirteen countries took part with one member, Sri Lanka, absent. In line with the existing rules of three consecutive absences, it was then necessary to remove Sri Lanka from membership that year due to their lack of competitive players. We could witness a noticeable improvement in the standard of play by several teams at the 26th Queen Sirikit Cup. China, the home team, put up a very impressive challenge to lead the defending Champion team 4 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ MARCH 2017
Korea at some points on the final round. It gave the tough Korean players many anxious moments before they could pull through to win their 9th Cup by two strokes at the total of 432. China came in second at 434 and Thailand finished well in 3rd place at 439. The individual winner was Japan’s Shinobu Moromizato who produced 69-71-73 (213). Nontaya Srisawang of Thailand came second at 73-71-71(215), followed by China’s Feng Shanshan at 75-71-73 (219). Fast-forward more than a decade to last year in Korea when the Queen Sirikit Cup was formally affiliated to the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation as one ladies’ event on its annual tournament fixtures. Four ladies’ golf associations that maintain their separate status, namely, Singapore, Malaysia,
Thailand and The Philippines, were admitted onto the APGC as additional members with two women delegates represented on the APGC’s Executive Board. Myanmar Golf Federation sent in her team to participate in the 38th Queen Sirikit Cup for the first time, making a total of 14 teams. Korea Golf Association played host for the third occasion during April 27-29, 2016, at Ora Country Club on Jeju Island. The Championship was well attended by the presidents of all four ladies associations and golf officials from the member countries, as well as delegates from the Asia-Pacific Golf Federation and The R&A. The Ambassador of Thailand flew in from the capital Seoul to address the Opening Ceremony on Jeju Island. All arrangements were well prepared by the host, but the
unpredictable weather was the only factor that could not be controlled. Due to a rainstorm, the second round was unplayable and had to be suspended for over two hours. But the players were able to finish their game of 54 holes by the last day. Bad playing conditions aside, Korea team still managed to win her 18th title with combined low scores of 410. Australia and Philippines were tied at 433 and Australia was declared as first runner-up team on countback. Philippines team took 3rd place. In the individual results, all Korean players finished on the top three, with Park Hyun-kyung at -8 (208), Choi Hye-jin at -7 (209) and Lee Gayoung at -6 (210). The 39th edition of the Queen Sirikit Cup will be played at Shuangshan Golf Course in Jiangsu, China, from May 11-13.
Chairman’s message
APGC Chairman Dr David Cherry This quarter I begin with the exciting news that the R&A will invite the winner of our Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) to compete at the Open Championship beginning with the winner from Royal Wellington in October 2017 playing in the Open Championship in 2018. The R&A had a long-standing policy of not allowing the winner of a closed event (the AAC only allows entrants from members of the APGC) to gain automatic entrance to the Open Championship. It is a very defensible position but I am only guessing that due to the status of the AAC the R&A has changed its mind. That will make it a busy time for our men’s champion as he will be invited to play at the Masters Tournament, The Open Championship as well as the Qatar Masters and probably other events as well. I wish I was young enough and good enough to be able to compete. The AAC in Royal Wellington will more than likely have an entrant from Iraq which speaks volumes of what the APGC stands for, given the problems that have confronted that country. The Middle East is a growing region for amateur golf and I am delighted with the progress in Lebanon
by introducing golf into schools of both sexes. I have mentioned it previously that I think young Muslim women are underrepresented. However, thanks to Board member Raybe Abbas from Malaysia, women’s golf in Iran is beginning to take off and now with this initiative in the Lebanon, I am hoping to see greater representation at the Mitsubishi APGC Junior Championships in Hong Kong from the Middle East region. The Board member representing that area, Mohammed Al Naimi, continues to do a great job promoting golf in that region and he will help developing nations by providing practice facilities where he can. A very important event coming up in May in China is the Queen Sirikit Cup (QSC) – the APGC International Teams stroke play event which is the proud baby of RaeVadee Suwon, Board member from Thailand. What an inspiration she has been to women’s golf in our region and I very much hope that she will remain on the Board until the 2018 QSC in her home country in Thailand, which she could host as a farewell to being the Secretary for this event. At the end of this month, there will be a statement regarding the Women’s Amateur
– Asia Pacific (WAAP). I will not pre-empt what may occur but the need for this event only continues to grow. With that event, our championship program will be reasonably complete and we can concentrate on making our events even more attractive to member countries and ensuring that the standard of the events continues to grow. This has been greatly added to by the R&A’s contribution of allowing Nick Shan to be our permanent Tournament Director. He has taken to the role like a duck to water and his enthusiasm is catching. Lastly, I continue to be amazed at the contribution of our Secretary KJ Lee. He is about to depart to Royal Wellington on a site visit and then will join our Vice Chairman, Kei Muratsu, and myself at the Masters Tournament where not only will we watch the tournament, but also meet with our partners in the AAC, The Masters Tournament and the R&A, to devise further strategies for ensuring the success of this great event. Fortunately for KJ, he is his own employer because if he was my employee, I would seriously question his devotion to his day-time job. As an aside, he also needs to spend more time practising his golf.
r&a and lgu complete merger The merger of the Ladies’ Golf Union (LGU) and The R&A has been finalised and came into effect from January 1. The heads of agreement between the two golf organisations was signed in June leading to the integration of the LGU’s business operations and its members of staff into The R&A group of companies. An agreed governance structure has also been implemented to give LGU Board members representation on relevant R&A Committees. The heads of agreement
Joining forces: The heads of agreement between the two golf organisations was signed in June at The Curtis Cup.
between the two golf organisations was signed in June at The Curtis Cup. The R&A will assume responsibility for staging the LGU’s championships and
international matches next year, offering leading women’s professional and elite amateur golfers opportunities to play in a world-class series of events. The Ricoh Women’s British
Open will continue to be managed by IMG in 2017 under the existing agreement with the LGU. Trish Wilson, Chair of the LGU, said: “The completion of the merger is a progressive and important step for the development of women’s golf. Bringing the two organisations together creates a platform that will allow us to develop our aspirations for women’s golf on a global stage and encourage more girls and women to play golf and become members of clubs.” MARCH 2017 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ 5
Koreans claim another title World No.4 Hye-jin Choi cruised to a comfortable victory in the Australian Amateur Championship as Korea’s women continue their domination of the game. Choi defeated compatriot So-mi Lee 4 and 2, then declared that she has her sights trained on becoming the world No.1 this year before turning professional. The win, completed at Melbourne’s Yarra Yarra and Kingswood golf courses, was a continuation of Choi’s outstanding past season. She was the individual champion as Korea strolled to the World Amateur Teams Championship in Mexico last year. She says her game has improved dramatically in recent months. Choi told Golf Australia through an interpreter: “My game is better than it was last year. My teammates have really pushed me … we have had a good year and it’s (because) they push me and I push them that makes us better. “So-mi is a very good player, but she just didn’t play her best today.”
Too good: World No.4 amateur Hye-jin Choi continued her romp around the Australian summer with another stellar performance. Photo: Golf Australia
Choi was two-up at the halfway point of the 36-hole final at Yarra Yarra and was quickly under pressure when
she bogeyed the 19th hole in the afternoon to have her lead halved. But every time Lee pushed, Choi had a response and
eventually won the 34th hole to take an unassailable four-up lead. “It’s a great honour (to win this trophy),” she said.
New Local Rule announced The R&A and the USGA have announced the introduction of a new Local Rule to the Rules of Golf that eliminates the penalty when a ball is accidentally moved on the putting green. The Local Rule will be available for any committee in charge of a golf competition to use. It will be adopted by The R&A and the USGA in all of their championships, qualifying competitions and international matches. David Rickman, the Executive Director – Governance at The R&A, said: “For the past several years, as part of The R&A and USGA’s Rules Modernisation 6 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ MARCH 2017
initiative, we have considered the penalty for a ball that is accidentally moved on the putting green. “Both Rules Committees agreed that it needed to be changed and decided that in this particular case it was important to act now, through a Local Rule, rather than wait for the next overall set of revisions to the Rules of Golf.” Thomas Pagel, Senior Director, Rules of Golf and Amateur Status at the USGA, said: “Eliminating this penalty responds to the concerns we have heard from both golfers and committees about the difficulties in applying the current Rules when a player
accidentally causes a ball to move on the putting green. “This change is a good example of the type of Rules Modernisation changes we hope to implement after completing our fundamental review of all of the Rules. We are looking for ways to improve the Rules by making them easier to understand and apply.” If a Committee wishes to introduce this Local Rule, the following wording is recommended: “Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1 are modified as follows: When a player’s ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally
moved by the player, his partner, his opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment. “The moved ball or ballmarker must be replaced as provided in Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1. “This Local Rule applies only when the player’s ball or ballmarker lies on the putting green and any movement is accidental. “Note: If it is determined that a player’s ball on the putting green was moved as a result of wind, water or some other natural cause such as the effects of gravity, the ball must be played as it lies from its new location. A ball-marker moved in such circumstances is replaced.”
GOLF FIGHTS TO STAY on course IN IRAN From Agence France Presse
The bumpy fairways and patchy putting surfaces – more burnt-out browns than grassy greens – are not much to look at. In Iran however, this is golf at its finest. In the same way that the streets of Tehran got new names when the Islamic republic dramatically came into being in 1979, so did the Engelhab (“Revolution” in Farsi) Club. Iran’s only recognised golf course has had a fairly rough time since. Somewhat starved of attention, and perhaps a greenkeeper, it lost five of its original 18 holes under an army land order – players now play five holes twice to make up the numbers. But somehow, the course has kept going despite few regular players. Some grumble and others joke at its unorthodox, 13-hole layout. “It’s pretty terrible, but it’s all we have,” says Mehrdad, a 40-year-old businessman who splits his time between Iran, Canada and Germany. He tries to play at least fortnightly with his friends, but other than on the Persian weekend (Thursday and Friday) the club is deserted, he says, remarking that few Iranians know what golf is. Kaykavos Saeedi is a 53-yearold civil servant tasked with waking Iranians up to the game’s potential. “Golf can be for everyone but we are something of a poor relation,” says Saeedi, president of the Islamic Republic of Iran Golf Federation. Iran’s international sporting success is in wrestling, football, volleyball and basketball. As such, golf is considered a tough sell. Saeedi admits he’s no great
Plenty of potential: Ebrahim Nouri from Tehran competes during Iran’s National Golf Tournament, at Engelhab Sport Complex. Photo: AFP
shakes as a player but for 15 minutes he talks passionately about what his wish list would include. More courses, more driving ranges, more education and publicity about the game in schools and then – and only then – could more players ultimately be accommodated. Only 3,500 people, around 500 of them women, from a population of 78 million, pick up a club, Saeedi says, so there would be little point in a sudden uptick in numbers unless more facilities are built. The paucity of the sport is reflected in the federation’s annual budget of $200,000 and the game in Iran has a history that probably doesn’t lend itself to expansion. It arrived with the British early in the 20th century – when their oil executives weren’t busy trying to take control of Iran’s southern fields they liked to tee it up. This elitism was magnified
by Iran’s former royal rulers. The last shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, played golf and built the Tehran course in the grounds of what was then the Imperial Country Club. Beyond the solitary grass course there are four sand courses across Iran. As to talent there are few shining hopes for Iranian glory but Hassan Karimian is the country’s best. A scratch player and captain of the national side, the 38-year-old has played in Asian Championships. “When we go abroad to international events I’ve been asked ‘Do you have any courses in Iran?’” he says. “They’re surprised when told we’ve only one standard grass course, which is not a very good one.” There are few youths coming into the game, Karimian says, while giving lessons at Engelhab’s driving range which despite being only 225 yards (205 metres) long is a good
practice facility for the few who use it. “Our players are usually over 30. It is rare to see 17- or 18-year-olds, but as a team we are making progress,” he says, pointing to national championships and participation abroad. “When the sports ministry notices this progress they will eventually pay attention. We need a vision to expand and make golf a known sport.” But getting people properly involved will be a tall order, says David Cherry, chairman of the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation. “The Iranian populace gets no exposure to the game as it is not on TV,” says Cherry, who visited Tehran in January, and suggested schools are the route to follow. “I tried to convince the ministers I saw that golf is not an elite sport and it can be played the whole of your life. I started at age five and am still playing 63 years later.” On a positive note, Iran is making the right noises by establishing good links with the APGC and golf’s ruling body, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club (R&A) of St Andrews, in Scotland. “I sensed a deep-seated enthusiasm for the game but they are uncertain how to get to the next stage. It’s difficult to see where children could get access to anywhere a golf ball could be hit,” Cherry says. Federation chief Saeedi has a tough job, but with his office dotted with golf memorabilia, as well as portraits of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the late Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic republic, he will seek another five-year term later this year. “We have problems but we have to concentrate on finding talent,” he says. MARCH 2017 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ 7
Wang creates history Wang Jeunghun has become the first Asian player to win the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. The 21-year-old Korean won the 20th CBQ title after a dramatic three-way playoff against South Africa’s Jaco Van Zyl and Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren. Wang, who started the day with a three-shot lead, and playing partner Van Zyl matched the 16-under clubhouse lead set by Lagergen (66) – whose round featured a run of five straight birdies – before the trio replayed the par-five 18th for a suddendeath playoff. The Korean hit his aggressive approach shot next to the hospitality pavilion beyond the green and, after taking a drop, brilliantly chipped to three feet. After Lagergren and Van Zyl missed birdie attempts from 15 and five feet respectively, Wang sank his short putt and celebrated wildly after the biggest win of his career and third European Tour title. The 2016 European Tour Rookie of the Year also became the tournament’s youngest winner, beating the record set by Adam Scott in 2002 (21 years 244 days). He also became only the fourth player to win the tournament on his debut, following Andrew Coltart in the inaugural 1998 edition, Scott (2002) and Ernie Els (2005). “I’m so happy, I’m so excited,’ Wang said. “This is the biggest tournament I’ve won.” He was followed by an enthusiastic group of flagwaving Koreans and said later: “I got a lot of power from my fans. They really gave me a lot of power to win. “Actually I really didn’t expect that I would win this week. I learned from the other players about the course. I just kept trying to make birdies, trying to save par and finally won.” 8 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ MARCH 2017
Holding on: Korea’s Wang Jeunghun claimed his third European Tour title in less than a year after beating South Africa’s Jaco van Zyl and Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren in a playoff for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
At 21 years and 144 days, Wang became the third-youngest player in European Tour history to win three titles, following Matteo Manassero (19 years and 206 days) and Seve Ballesteros (20 years and 77 days), but said the victory just made him want more. “I’ve got a lot of confidence from this and now I just want to prepare for the other events,” said Wang, who won back-toback European Tour titles in Morocco and Mauritius last May. “I feel really good right now and just want to win another one.” Wang’s US$416,660 winner’s cheque moved him to second in the Race to Dubai Rankings. After starting the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters as world No.60, Wang will now become the youngest player in the top 50 and give himself the chance to play in the Masters Tournament and also other majors if he can maintain his ranking. “That’s my dream, dream tournament,” Wang said of the Masters. “When I was young, I
really want to play the Masters. I always imagined that I will play there. Maybe now I have a chance to play the Masters, so I’m so happy about it. I hope I’m going to get in.” However, Wang did admit that the back nine on Sunday at Doha Golf Club had tested his nerves as Van Zyl, Lagergren, France’s Mike Lorenzo-Vera and South Africa’s Thomas Aiken all joined him as co-leaders at different stages in a dramatic afternoon that had started so promisingly for the overnight leader. “It was really a long day for me,” said Wang, who was the youngest player in last year’s Olympic Men’s Golf Tournament in Brazil. “I was so nervous on the back nine, so I missed a lot of greens, but my chipping was really good so I saved many pars. I think that’s the key to winning this week.” Wang also paid tribute to his Canada-based caddie Ko Dongwoo, who earned a lot of publicity through the week for his various caps featuring an
upturned peak emblazoned with WANG. “I have a really good partnership with my caddie,” said Wang, who has worked with Ko since the beginning of last year. “He’s also a great guy and we’re a good team.” Among the big drawcards, four-time Major winner Ernie Els – the 2005 champion – finished 11-under after a 68, World Number 10 Alex Noren (70) was nine-under, 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell (69) was nine-under and two-time Major winner Martin Kaymer (73) was five-under. First held in 1998, the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters has helped establish Qatar as a world-class sporting venue and is considered the country’s annual ‘must-attend’ sporting and social event. Sitting at the heart of the European Tour’s Middle East swing, the tournament attracted more than 25,000 spectators in 2016 and was broadcast to a global TV audience of more than 400 million.
Football clubs pitch in for young golfers Professional football clubs in England are helping young people get into golf thanks to the Golf Foundation. The R&A provides £400,000 to the Golf Foundation each year as part of its continued investment in golf development and education. Keen golfer and former footballer Mark Bright was a guest as the Golf Foundation and Crystal Palace FC Foundation created a special nine-hole course at Selhurst Park. Bright, who made more than 200 appearances for Crystal Palace from 1986 to 1992, helped the schoolchildren attending the event to complete the course, including hitting shots down the tunnel, chipping into the dugout, shooting into the goal, driving from the stand onto the pitch and putting in the trophy room. The creative format of the game is known as ‘StreetGolf’ and gives young people the chance to design their own course to suit their environment.
Helping hand: The Golf Foundation and Crystal Palace FC Foundation created a special nine-hole course at Selhurst Park.
StreetGolf offers an immediate link to a range of local community sports projects across the UK and signposts further opportunities for youngsters at golf facilities in their area. Crystal Palace is the latest Premier League team to offer golf as part of their Premier League 4 Sport (PL4S) program. Eighteen professional football
clubs now work with the Golf Foundation to help deliver HSBC Golf Roots, which has the ultimate goal of bringing all the benefits of golf to young people as one of their favourite sports. The StreetGolf event at Selhurst Park was made up of young people from HSBC Golf Roots projects linked to golf venues and PGA coaches throughout the
region, including two schools for children with special needs. One of those, Sunnydown School, was the winner on the day. A similar big stadium golf event was held at Derby County’s iPro Stadium the previous week with teams from Derby, Aston Villa and Stoke City battling it out in their own StreetGolf challenge. Brendon Pyle, Chief Executive – The Golf Foundation, said: “The staff at Crystal Palace were absolutely superb in welcoming all the young people. “The Premier League 4 Sport partnership is very exciting because it provides golf with the opportunity to reach a much wider audience using the power of football, telling the golf story to potentially thousands of new youngsters. “We are extremely grateful to the Crystal Palace FC Foundation and also to the team at Community Golf, the PGA professionals involved and the local schools.”
Sustainability seminars in Japan, Korea The R&A has invited a panel of leading international and local experts to present at two Sustainability in Golf seminars being staged in Japan and Korea this spring. Following the success of similar events in China and Thailand last year, hundreds of golf club officials, golf course operators and developers from the region are expected to attend the seminars, which are being supported by the Japan Golf Association and the Korea Golf Association. Speakers will address delegates on sustainable practice to encourage responsible and practical golf facility development, renovation and course management. A wide
range of issues including the social and environmental opportunities and threats facing the development and management of golf facilities will also be explored. Expert speakers include Dr Micah Woods (Chief Scientist, Asian Turfgrass Centre), Paul Jansen (Owner of Jansen Golf Course Design & Construction), Jonathan Smith (Chief Executive, Golf Environment Organisation), Bill Coore (Partner, Coore & Crenshaw), Dr Choi Joon-Soo (Professor of Turfgrass Science, Dankook University) and Yoon Kyung Ho (Golf Course Superintendent, Jack Nicklaus Golf Club of Korea).
Steve Isaac, Director of Sustainability at The R&A, said, “The seminars will provide a valuable opportunity for delegates to learn about the challenges that face a land and community based sport like golf. “Expert guidance on using sustainable solutions for the renovation and management of golf courses will be presented to inform attendees on the positive economic, environmental and social impacts that can result from well executed golf development.” The seminars will be held at the Yokohama Country Club, Japan, on March 13, and the Nest Hotel, Incheon, Korea on March 17. MARCH 2017 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ 9
REEMA named NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR UAE star Reema Al Heloo won the National Player of the Year award at the Middle East Golf Awards (MEGAs) at the Royal Mirage in Dubai. For her accomplishments throughout the 2015 – 2016 season. Reema won the Individual and Team Gold Medal at the 2016 GCC Golf Championship in Bahrain. She also placed Top 10 in the 2015 – 2016 EGF Order of Merit in the Junior Net Division and 12th Place in the Junior Gross Division. At 14, Reema is a product of the EGF National Junior Development Program that has grown significantly over the past two years. EGF Secretary General Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi described Reema as “the future of UAE Women’s Golf and the UAE National Team”. “She has worked very hard and will continue to get better,” he said. “She is a great example of the process and pathway that EGF has implemented for young golfers. The EGF is proud of her achievement and is looking forward to see future success out of Reema.” As key stakeholders in Middle East golf gathered for this annual event the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) and United Arab Emirates (UAE) were also winners. The EGF received the Youth Development Initiative of the Year for 2016 after producing
Rising star: Reema Al Heloo won the National Player of the Year award at the Middle East Golf Awards.
the very successful EGF Arabic Schools Golf Initiative supported by DP World. The EGF teamed up with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), European Tour, and Golf DXB in order to activate “golf tasters” in high percentage National Arabic Schools with a goal to introduce the game of golf to students and the physical education curriculum. After introducing the game to six schools, students were invited to the DP World Tour Championship (DPWTC) to experience a Professional Golf Event. During the week at Sheikh Rashid School for Boys the EGF
and the European Tour invited Professional Golfer Rafa CabreraBello to participate in the initiative. This gave the students and teachers the opportunity to interact with a pro golfer while learning the game. Meanwhile, The Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) has equipped 11 young Nationals with Golphin for Kids golf clubs, the latest award-winning junior golf clubs to hit the market. The National Foundation Squad was established less than six months ago and the EGF has seen a great deal of growth from the players not only in interest but fundamental skills as well. Golphin for Kids’ slogan
is Inspiring Next Golf’s Generation, which falls in place with the National Junior Development Program that the EGF has implanted over the past two years. While working with the European Tour, KHDA, UAE Golf Clubs, and other key stakeholders the EGF has been able to introduce the game of golf to thousands of Emeritis in the United Arab Emirates. The 11 kids on the National Foundation Squad have gone through a year-and-a-half long process that started in physical education classes within the Dubai school system. Now these kids (and more than 50 others) are receiving group and private lesson up to four times a week powered by Golf DXB at The Track, Meydan. “The process of creating interest and young golfers will take time but we have seen a vast improvement of acceptance from the young generation and a tremendous amount of support from local and international partners,” said Khalid Mubarak Al Shamsi, EGF Secretary General. “By providing these kids with the right equipment we hope to give the kids confidence and enjoyment that will make the game more desirable. By making it on the National Foundation Squad we want to show a sense of accomplishment and a responsible to continue training.”
Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation
Chairman Dr David Cherry
Vice Chairman Treasurer Mr Keisuki Mr Philip Muratsu Hassall
General Secretary Mr Kyungjae Lee
Mr Taimur Amin Mr Ishwar Achanta
Mr Mohammed Rae Vadee Faisal Al-Naimi T.Suwan
Nobuko Hirayama
Dato’ Rabeahtul Ning Li Aloya Abbas
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 ❘ MARCH 2017