APGC
Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation Journal
March 2018
Thitikul claims crown
Contents Thitikul claims WAAP crown 1-2 Medal honour for Rae-Vadee 3 ‘Great potential’ for new event 4 WAAP reaches worldwide audience 4-5 Chairman’s message 5 2019 AAC goes to China 6 Major golf issues discussed in China 6 Asia-Pacific teams claim rare double 7 2019 WAAP at Royal Golf Club in Japan 8
Thai teen Atthaya Thitikul underlined her prodigious talent when she emerged with victory in the inaugural Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship (WAAP) after surviving a four-way play-off at Sentosa in Singapore. The 15-year-year old sensation snared spots in two of this year’s major championships after a steady stream of three straight pars over the three-hole shootout handed her the trophy. Already the youngest Ladies European Tour winner – at 14
last July – Thitikul showcased her extraordinary potential when she outlasted New Zealander Wenyung Keh, Filipino Yuka Sasa and Japan’s Yuna Nishimura after the quartet had all finished eight under the card on 276. She fired a closing round 71 to make the play-off after a riveting WAAP debut at the 6,456-yard New Tanjong course. After narrowly missing birdieputt chances to win on the first two extra holes on 18, Thitikul tapped in for par on the long par-four 12th before 17-year-
old Nishimura missed a long par putt to concede victory. Keh, 20, and Saso, 16, exited after the first and second extra holes respectively. Thitikul, who only turned 15 on Tuesday, started the event at 53rd in the World Amateur Golf Ranking but, following her breakthrough LET win, also scored gold medals in the SEA Games individual and team events in Malaysia a month later. Now, she has earned invitations to the ANA n Continued page 2
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Inspiration (March29-April 1) at Mission Hills Country Club in California, USA, and the Ricoh Women’s British Open (August 2-5) at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in Lancashire, England, as well as the 11th HSBC Women’s World Championship, to be staged the week after the WAAP and also at Sentosa Golf Club. Born in Ratchaburi province west of Bangkok, Thitikul made her major championship debut at the Ricoh Women’s British Open last August and the following month played in her second at The Evian Championship in France, where she made the cut. Now, the Thai teen has earned a return to the Women’s British Open after an eventful week in which she led after an opening 65, co-led after a second-round 71 and regained the outright lead after a third-round 69 that she completed on Saturday morning when she birdied two of her last four holes. “I’m so excited because this is the first year of this championship. It’s so great that my name is the first one on the trophy,” said Thitikul, who played in her first LPGA event at the Honda LPGA Thailand last February, when she just turned 14. “My golf today wasn’t so good, even though I started so good and played well in the play-off. But I didn’t ever really get nervous because I came here to learn and get experience. “Now, I’m so excited to play in two more majors. I’m really looking forward to returning to the Women’s British Open and I would like to make the cut this time, but my main objective is always to play happy and gain more experience.” Thitikul stretched her lead with birdies in three of the first four holes and remained 11-under after a bogey-birdie finish to the front nine. After Keh bogeyed 13, the Thai held a four-stroke lead before a doublebogey on the long par-four 12 – a hole she bogeyed in her two 2 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ March 2018
Star: Atthaya Thitikul has earned a return to the Women’s British Open.
rounds – and then bogeyed 17 to drop back into a play-off. “When I made a double bogey, I didn’t think it would mean that I wouldn’t win. It didn’t affect me because there were a lot of holes to go. I was a bit nervous, but I just talked with my caddie and stayed relaxed,” said Thitikul, who also had the experienced Roongroj ‘Yod’ Boonsri on her bag when she won last year’s Ladies European Thailand Championship in Pattaya. Thitikul was awarded the winner’s plate by Kei Muratsu, Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, and received the Champion’s Medal from Thailand’s Rae-Vadee T. Suwan, whom it was named after. Like Thitikul, Keh smiled her way through the event and the University of Washington junior didn’t show any disappointment after losing in the play-off. Dressed in all black like her country’s rugby heroes, New Zealand’s top-ranked amateur secured her spot in the play-off drama with closing rounds of 68 and 67. “It was a great week and I’m happy I
gave myself a chance. This was a new experience I can really learn from and I don’t think I’ve been in a four-way play-off before,” said Keh, whose father is Malaysian and mother is Vietnamese. “I just wanted to enjoy myself this week, play on an amazing golf course and it just turned out really well,” added Keh, whose elder sister Minchin is a touring pro. In contrast, 16-year-old Natasha Oon – who has played the last two editions of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia – left a little downhearted despite finishing as the top Malaysian each day, eventually tying for 29th at nine-over after rounds of 69, 72, 76 and 76. “I’m very disappointed with myself. I learnt a lot, though. It’s a hard course out there. It’s good that it’s over and I just wished I could have done better. After yesterday, I thought I could come back today and I started off really good, but it didn’t work out,” said Oon, whose compatriot Liyana Durisic finished at 11over. “My scores on the first two
days raised my hopes, but I set a goal every day and the first two days I reached those goals. But these last two days, I maybe had some expectations because I was on the leaderboard and to go down was really disappointing.” Callista Chen, 19, was Singapore’s highest-placed player after every round, finishing in a tie for 37th after shooting 72, 72, 74 and 78. The top-ranked Singaporean in the field, Chen missed out on her target of a top-20 finish but walked away with a world of experience. “This event has been really eye-opening and it has been great to be able to compete in such a large-scale event. Playing in this event alone is already quite an achievement. Playing and competing against the best in Asia-Pacific, you learn a lot,” said Chen, who hit the event’s opening tee-shot on Wednesday. “There was a little bit of pressure but I guess everyone just wanted me to do well so it was actually motivating to see so many people behind me. I feel that I’ve become a slightly better player, being able to compete under pressure, so despite the score today, it’s a big step in the right direction.” Six Japanese and five Koreans finished in the top 20, while five Filipinas finished in the top 30. The original field started with 83 players representing 18 nations, with 48 aged 18 or under, and 53 made the halfway cut. 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 female amateurs to the international stage. The week after the WAAP, Thitikul’s fabulous form continued when she scored a top 10 finish in the LPGA Tour’s HSBC Women’s Championship, also at Sentosa. She finished in a tie for eighth at 13 under the card, four shots adrift of winner, experienced American Michelle Wie. Courtesy The R&A
Medal honour for Thai driving force Rae-Vadee
Changing of the guard: Thailand’s Rae-Vadee T. Suwan presents her young compatriot Atthaya Thitikul with a medal named in her honour.
Thailand’s Rae-Vadee T. Suwan, a long-standing supporter of golf in the region, presented the winner of the first Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific with a medal named in her honour. A driving force behind the Queen Sirikit Cup and Ladies Asian Golf Tour, Rae-Vadee has been a Member of the Board of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) since 2016. On Saturday she presented the medal to compatriot Atthaya Thitikul, 15, after she came through a four-way play-off to be crowned champion at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore. “It’s a great honour to have my name on the Champion’s Medal for the Women’s Amateur AsiaPacific and it will be a special privilege to award it to the first winner of this special event, which is a fantastic initiative by
the APGC and The R&A,” RaeVadee said. “I’m a huge believer in the growth potential of golf in this region, especially in the women’s game, and the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific provides a high-profile platform for our leading young players looking to move onto the biggest stages in world golf.” Kei Muratsu, Chairman of the APGC, said: “Rae-Vadee T. Suwan’s contribution to the development of women’s amateur and professional golf in Asia-Pacific is remarkable and it’s important that the new generations understand the work done by those before them. RaeVadee has created an incredible legacy and the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific can help continue the tremendous work by her and others by shaping the future.” Dominic Wall, Director
Asia-Pacific of The R&A, added: “Rae-Vadee T. Suwan has been a true pioneer of women’s golf in the region for over 40 years and it’s only fitting that the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Champion’s Medal is named in her honour. We’re delighted Rae-Vadee was here at Sentosa Golf Club to present the medal to our first winner and crown an exceptional first edition of the championship.” In 1978, she launched the first Thailand Ladies Amateur Open and Inter-Club Team Championships and a year later co-founded the Thailand Ladies Golf Association. Arguably RaeVadee’s biggest legacy is her role in the Queen Sirikit Cup, launching the first edition of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Ladies Golf Team Championship in 1979 and working as Secretary-
General or in other capacities in 39 editions of the event. She has also worked on 26 editions of both the Thailand Ladies Amateur Open and Thailand Ladies Open professional tournament. In 1987, she was a co-founder of the Kosaido Ladies Asia Golf Circuit, serving as the Circuit Coordinator for 17 years until the Tour ended in 2003. In 2005, she helped relaunch the regional circuit as the Ladies Asian Golf Tour, serving as its President for five years (200509) and its Chairman for four years (2009-2013). The inaugural 72-hole Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific teed off on The New Tanjong course at Sentosa Golf Club on Wednesday and features 83 players representing 18 nations, with more than half of the field aged 18 or under. March 2018 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ 3
‘Great potential’ for new event The R&A Chief Executive Martin Slumbers described the potential of the Women’s Amateur AsiaPacific championship as “extraordinary” at a press conference featuring the championship’s Founding Partners at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore. The Women’s Amateur AsiaPacific was developed by the APGC and The R&A to nurture talent and provide a pathway for Asia’s elite female amateurs to the international stage. Slumbers said the annual championship, which will be held in Japan in 2019, had enormous potential and was part of an overall vision to grow the game globally and to bolster women’s and girls’ golf. “When I look at golf around the world, what drives me is that I want to make sure golf is still thriving 50 years from now,” Slumbers said. “A key part of that is growing the women’s game, not just here in Asia but throughout the world. The biggest opportunity for golf to grow is by growing the women’s game. “I think the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific is really special. It’s fantastic to be at the beginning of something that could be
Looking to future: The R&A Chief Executive Martin Slumbers and APGC Chairman Kei Muratsu.
extraordinary. We have 83 players in the field and 48 of them are 18 or under. Our objective is for this championship to be viewed as one of the world’s top amateur events for women.” The concept of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific was discussed at the 2015 edition of the men’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, an event created by The R&A, APGC and the Masters Tournament, and which rewards the winner with invitations to The Open and the Masters Tournament. The Women’s Amateur AsiaPacific also follows on from the enormous exposure generated
by golf’s inclusion in the 2016 Olympics in Rio, where Korea’s Inbee Park, New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and China’s Shanshan Feng won gold, silver and bronze respectively, while Japan’s Haru Nomura and Korean Amy Yang shared fourth place with American Stacy Lewis. APGC Chairman Kei Muratsu, speaking alongside Slumbers at the press conference, was similarly enthusiastic about the championship’s role in elevating the profile of golf in a region with 60 per cent of the world’s population. “Three years ago at the men’s event we discussed whether we
could create a similar event for women golfers,” Muratsu said. “The original idea of the men’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship was ‘Creating Heroes’ and to show the rest of the world how golf is really growing in this region. “With the tagline ‘Shaping The Future’, the women’s event builds on the great showing at the Rio 2016 Olympics where the top three and five of the top six players were from the AsiaPacific region. He added: “This championship is a great platform for showcasing future stars from our region.”
Inaugural WAAP championship The inaugural Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific golf championship was televised in more than 70 countries, reaching millions of homes around the world. The 84-player event from February 21-24 proved to be a nailbiting inaugural event, eventually won by Thai teen star Atthaya Thitikul in a four-way play-off at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore, where it was supported by three Patrons in Nippon Kabaya Ohayo Holdings, 4 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ March 2018
Rolex, and Taiwanese non-profit organisation, Swinging Skirts Golf Foundation. The winner will play in two major championships in 2018 – the RICOH Women’s British Open and the ANA Inspiration. The high definition TV broadcast was produced by Asian Tour Media and included three hours of live coverage for each of the final two rounds. A highlights package was also broadcast for the first two rounds, providing a total of
112 hours of coverage with a potential reach of 363,106,978 homes around the world. The English-speaking commentary team was led by 2003 US Women’s Amateur Champion Virada Nirapathpongporn, the Asian Tour’s Dom Boulet and Sky Sports’ Richard Kaufman, with former tour professional Timothy Low providing additional on-course commentary. With a host of broadcast partners around the globe, golf
fans were able to follow the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific golf championship through TV channels covering key markets on five continents. Fox Sports will provided live coverage of the event throughout the region, including Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and Pacific Islands. JTBC will provided coverage in South n Continued page 5
Chairman’s message
APGC Chairman Kei Muratsu The year of 2018 for APGC, a “Dog Year” in a zodiac term, began with the inaugural Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship (WAAP) in Singapore. The event went extremely well. The field quality was exceptional. The course was stunning. The tournament administration was of first quality. We were grateful to The R&A, our partner, for their commitment and dedication. We were extremely honored to have Messrs. Bruce Mitchell, Captain, Clive Edginton, Chairman and Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A for the whole week. This was truly exceptional. The success was also attributable to Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore, the Ladies Golf Association and the Singapore Golf Association. I am thankful to each of the 83 players for the way they displayed exemplary conduct for the game of golf. Everybody was impressed by the way they played as well as the manner they had. Our elite female amateurs are a very important asset to APGC. This event was created with the tagline “Shaping The Future”. The outcome certainly matched our dream. I would like to thank Rolex, Kabaya Ohayo Holdings and Swinging Skirts Foundation for their significant support - all of you have played a part in this championship. WAAP no doubt has made
‘I am thankful to each of the 83 players for the way they displayed exemplary conduct for the game of golf.’ a tremendous start. The Royal Golf Club in Japan will host the second edition form April 25-28, 2019. Ten Executive Board members of APGC attended WAAP to celebrate the inauguration of the event. We were pleased to have present our honorary chairman David Cherry who in fact invented the idea of Women’s Amateur Championship. RaeVadee Suwan presented a medal in honor of her name to the winner - her compatriot Atthaya Thitikul. During the week of the Championship we had various meetings among APGC Executive Board members and also with R&A Executives in a frank manner about prevailing issues on golf. While World Handicapping, Rules Modernization, Olympic Golf, and Pace of Play were being discussed, we all came to a conclusion that we should work closely to encourage more people to access the game of golf. If we
could aim to have 60 per cent of those in our region playing - but with a more even spread between men and women - there would be a major impact on the game internationally. Different ideas may be necessary to meet varying demands in each country, but the common goal is to guide people towards understanding the undeniable and innate attraction of golf in the innermost part of our minds. “Golf” is a unique “game” that is rooted in the essential desire of human beings. In watching the recent Winter Olympic Games in Korea, I was amazed at how many new games were introduced both on the ski slopes and skating rinks to attract people to the field. Can you imagine any new form of game which could be played on golf courses? By the time of this APGC magazine publishing, the Bonallak and Patsy Hankins Trophies will have been finished. Whatever the consequence may be, I am thankful to both Teams’ captains and vice-captains, Joanne Mckee, Libby Steele, Matt Cutler and Andy Yamanaka for their hard work. The Masters at Augusta National is approaching and we all hope that Lin Yuxin, Champion of 2017 Asia Pacific Amateur at Royal Wellington, plays well. Meanwhile, let’s play more golf!
reaches worldwide TV audience n From page 4
Korea, TV Asahi in Japan, and Travel Channel in China. Other broadcast partners include Supersport (South Africa), Viasat Golf (Northern Europe & Russia), Golf + (France), Sky (Germany and United Kingdom) Go Sport (Italy) and Golf Channel (Canada, USA). Speaking ahead of the tournament, Dominic Wall, Director – Asia-Pacific at The R&A, said: “We expect the
Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship to deliver an international broadcast reach exceeding any other women’s amateur event in Asia to date. We look forward to showcasing this exciting new championship to golf fans around the world. We are extremely grateful to all our partners for the support that they continue to lend in growing the game of golf throughout the Asia-Pacific region and around the world.” APGC General Secretary
Kyungjae Lee said: “Asia-Pacific has some of the leading female golfers at both professional and amateur level, and the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific will showcase the region’s elite female amateurs in a spectacular setting in Singapore. “We look forward to great coverage and media support across the region and crowning a great champion. It promises to be an exciting week at Sentosa Golf Club.” Motohiro Nozu, CEO of
Nippon Kabaya Ohayo Holdings added, “Nippon Kabaya Ohayo Holdings is a proud partner of the Women’s Amateur AsiaPacific, and we are delighted to support the vision of the R&A and Asia Pacific Golf Confederation in creating this exciting opportunity for the best young female amateur golfers across the region. “We are looking forward to staging next year’s championship at our course, The Royal Golf Club in Tokyo.” March 2018 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ 5
2019 AAC GOES TO CHINA Sheshan Golf Club in Shanghai, widely regarded as one of the best golf courses in Asia, will host the 11th edition of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC). The championship organisers announced that the event will return to China for the third time from September 2019. Founded in 2009 by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, the Masters Tournament and The R&A, the AAC was established to further develop amateur golf in the Asia-Pacific region. The champion receives an invitation to compete in the Masters Tournament and The Open, while the runner(s)-up gain a place in Final Qualifying for The Open.
“It is an honour to join the Founding Partners in carrying out this tremendous event and helping bring attention to the talented amateur golfers throughout the Asia Pacific region,” said Roger Foo, General Manager of Sheshan Golf Club. “Our club prides itself on supporting the game of golf by hosting major events as well as creating new golfers at the grassroots level through our junior program. “Hosting the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship is an extension of our vision to see the game of golf thrive in China, and we are excited to welcome the region’s best amateurs to Shanghai in 2019.” The only country with three
past champions, China, saw continued success at the 2017 AAC in New Zealand, with four of its players finishing in the top-five. “I’m excited that the AAC is returning to China,” said Lin Yuxin, 2017 AAC champion. “I am very aware of what this event represents for the region. The opportunity to showcase Chinese golf at Sheshan Golf Club is incredible for the future of the sport in this country.” Pang Zheng, Secretary-General of the China Golf Association, said: “The AAC has had a profound effect on the game of golf here in China in a short amount of time. “The opportunities awarded to the amateurs are truly
life-changing and, as the most televised amateur golf tournament in the world, the event inspires young golfers around the globe.” Sheshan Golf Club, at the base of Sheshan Mountain, is a private club designed by Neil Haworth and Robin Nelson. Founded in 2004, the par 72, 7,266 yard course plays host annually to the WGC-HSBC Champions, which two-time (2010, 2011) AAC champion Hideki Matsuyama won in 2016. The 10th edition of the AAC will take place at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore from October 4–7, 2018, before heading to China in 2019. For more information, visit www.AACgolf.com
Major golf issues discussed in China The R&A was represented at the first meeting between golf officials and high-ranking members of the Government of the People’s Republic of China. Officials from The R&A, International Golf Federation (IGF) and China Golf Association (CGA) met with Gou Zhongwen, Minister for General Administration of Sport of China and President of the Chinese Olympic Committee to discuss several golf-related matters and future plans for the growth of the sport in China. Matters addressed included the development of golf in China, Olympic Golf, inclusion of Chinese golf tournaments in world golf ranking systems, restructure of the China Golf Association, improving access to golf for participants and the socio-economic and health benefits that golf can generate for different stakeholders. Dominic Wall, Director – AsiaPacific at The R&A, said: “The meeting marks an important milestone for golf in China and we were pleased to listen 6 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ March 2018
Meet and greet: Golf officials and high-ranking members of the Government of the People’s Republic of China. Photo: The R&A
to Mr Zhongwhen’s optimistic outlook for the growth and development of golf across the country. China represents a real growth opportunity for golf and we look forward to working with the China Golf Association to further that aim in the future.” Peter Dawson, President of the International Golf Association, added: “I was delighted to be involved in this historic meeting and Mr Gou Zhongwen’s positive attitude to golf was most heartening. There is huge potential for our sport to grow in China and we look forward
to working closely with the China Golf Association towards achieving positive results.” The China Golf Association was founded in 1985 and there are currently more than 350,000 registered golfers in the country. Around 500 golf courses operate throughout China. The CGA operates the China Tour which includes 12 professional events and earlier this year announced a partnership with the Asian Tour to increase the number of tournaments staged in China. China has produced a
number of talented golfers including R&A Working for Golf ambassador Liang Wen-Chong and Shanshan Feng, who are two of the country’s best-known golfers. Feng secured the bronze medal at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016 after finishing third behind Inbee Park and Lydia Ko and in 2012 won the Women’s PGA Championship, her first major title. Wen-Chong has won several professional tournaments on the European Tour, Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour. In 2014, he helped launch a national media campaign in China to help raise awareness of golf course etiquette and the Rules of Golf amongst the country’s growing golf community and earlier this year supported the release of the Rules of Golf mobile app in Chinese. The R&A also continues to support the CGA and HSBC’s Junior Golf Development programme which has received investment from the governing body for the past 10 years.
Winning form: The Asia-Pacific men’s and women’s teams claimed both the Bonallack and the Patsy Hankins trophies in Qatar.
Asia-Pacific teams claim rare double Asia-Pacific teams snared a rare clean sweep when they outlasted Europe to claim both the Bonallack and the Patsy Hankins trophies in Qatar. While the women were able to defend their win in the inaugural Hankins crown, the men’s team broke the European dominance which had been on show since 2004. The women romped to a 23.5 to 8.5 victory, securing the title before all 12 singles matches had been played. But the men were only successful after a heart-stopping final day, whittling back a two point deficit to squeeze home 16.5 to 15.5 in the biennial matches. Teenage Thai star Atthaya Thitikul, fresh from her win in the Women’s Amateur AsiaPacific Championship, combined
with her foursomes and fourball teammate, Filipino Yuka Saso as they collected all five points on offer. While the women were cruising the Asia-Pacific men’s team started their chase after the Europeans on the final day two points down. Australians Min Woo Lee and Shae Wools-Cobb hauled the teams back to square with wins of 3&1 over Ireland’s Robin Dawson and 1-up over France’s Edgar Catherine, respectively. Europe managed to win back their advantage however but were unable to hold on as New Zealander Daniel Hillier, Thai Kammalas Namuangruk and Korean Korea’s Dong Min Kim claimed victories. In a see-saw final day Scandinavians Oliver Gillberg, of Sweden and Kristofer Reitan
from Norway soon reclaimed the lead with two matches left on course. Filipino Lloyd Jefferson Go managed to overpower Frenchman Frederic Lacroix 3&2 to put the outcome in the hands of Japan’s Kazuya Osawa. Osawa missed a 10-foot putt which would have sealed the match leaving Europe with the chance of making a half and thus retaining the trophy. But England’s Matthew Jordan failed to make his eight-footer, giving the Asia-Pacific side the winning point. “It was amazing to come out on top, a really fun week,” Perth’s Lee told Golf Australia after he had won three of his five matches. Queenslander Wools-Cobb said the plan he and Lee had mapped out worked as planned.
“Min and I spoke last night and said if we could both get wins early we’d wipe the deficit and get the team rolling early. It was nice to do that.” Asia-Pacific coach Gareth Jones, of South Australia, said it had been a “massive week” for both men’s and women’s teams. “That was a lot of fun with 24 amazing players from our region,” said Jones, who also coaches the Japan national team. “It was a brilliant week, it is going to be fun watching them all progress on the world stage.” Team captain Matt Cutler described the tournament as “an awesome experience”. “Having two teams of 12 from 10 different countries get on so well and enjoy each other’s success has been absolutely fantastic,” Cutler said. March 2018 ❘ APGC Newsletter ❘ 7
Royal Golf Club in Japan to stage the 2019 waap The Royal Golf Club in Japan will host the second edition of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship from April 25-28, 2019. The winner will again earn invitations to the ANA Inspiration and the Ricoh Women’s British Open. The tournament follows on from the highly successful debut event at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore. “The inaugural edition of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific was a great success, providing a spectacular venue, top-quality golf, an exciting finale and a worthy champion in Atthaya Thitikul,” APGC Chairman Kei Muratsu said. “We are already looking forward to the second edition in Japan in 2019.” The Royal Golf Club, which re-opened in March, 2017 after major renovations, is located in Hokota in the Ibaraki prefecture northeast of Tokyo. It will be set up for the second Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific to about 6,500 yards, similar to the 6,456-yard New Tanjong course played in Singapore. The club is owned by Nippon Kabaya Ohayo Holdings Inc, one of the sponsors of the first Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific, and in late May hosts the Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open, a Japan Golf Tour event that offers four places to The Open at Carnoustie from July 19-22. Motohiro Nozu, CEO of Nippon Kabaya Ohayo, said: “I’d like to thank The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation for their decision to award the staging of the 2019 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific to The Royal Golf Club in Japan. “One of the aims of our club is to
Perfect setting: The Royal Golf Club in Japan.
nurture elite young players to enable them to compete at a world-class level which is consistent with the objectives for the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship. “We are both proud and honoured to host the 2019 edition and are excited to be part of such a special championship.” Dominic Wall, Director – Asia-Pacific at The R&A, said: “We are delighted that Nippon Kabaya Ohayo Holdings was one of our patrons for the first Women’s Amateur AsiaPacific and will be with us at The Royal Golf Club next year. “I have been fortunate enough to visit The Royal Golf Club on two occasions and it is a spectacular golf course in a wonderful,
natural environment. The players and spectators will have a fantastic time next year and it promises to be another outstanding championship. The Royal Golf Club has all the required infrastructure including one of the best practice facilities I have seen, a fantastic clubhouse and accommodation on-site. We look forward to building on the success of the inaugural edition in Singapore and to showcasing one of the truly great courses in Japan and this region.” The Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship has been developed by the APGC and The R&A to nurture talent and provide a pathway for the region’s elite female amateurs to the international stage.
Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation
Chairman Mr Keisuki Muratsu
Vice Chairman Mr Taimur Amin
Treasurer 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
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 ❘ March 2018