Asian Summit Focus on Growing Golf Participation
Growing Golf Participation will be the theme of the Asian Golf Industry Federation’s (AGIF) first Club Management Mini Summit Series of 2020.
To take place at Sentosa Golf Club on the opening day of the SMBC Singapore Open (January 16), the event is organised by the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) and the Club Managers Association of Singapore (CMAS) and supported by the Singapore Golf Association (SGA), Sentosa Golf Club and Lagardère Sports.
“It should go without saying that attracting new players and increasing the number of men, women and children playing the game is critical to golf’s future,” said Eric Lynge, the AGIF’s Chief Executive Officer. “Yet we need to ask the question whether the industry as a whole is doing enough to secure the long-term health of the sport.”
Dinesh Singh, President of CMAS and Membership Director of the National University of Singapore, said: “Around Asia, and especially in Singapore, the average age of golf club members is continuing to rise. This is in line with our ageing population base. Managers will be challenged to build upon the next generation of club members.”
Jerome Ng, General Manager of the SGA, said: “The Singapore Golf Association’s mission is to be a national governing body of golf that monitors golf development, to enhance golfing experience and promote mass participation by providing the fraternity with the support it requires.
“One of our visions is to promote and develop the sport across all aspects of the golfing population.”
Following a buffet lunch and welcome messages from the AGIF, CMAS and SGA, there will be a presentation from The R&A, entitled The Truth About Golf.
There will then be a case study highlighting the NUSS Golf Section’s co-operation with golf clubs and a panel discussion on the subject of golf participation, featuring Lynge, Singh, Desmond Tay (General Manager, Singapore Island Country Club), Ong Seng Kiat (General Manager, Horizon Hills Golf Club), Mark Bates (Director of Golf Operations, Laguna National Golf and Country Club) and Stephen Havrilla (General Manager, The Els Club Malaysia). Spencer Robinson, the AGIF’s Chief Communications Officer, will act as moderator.
Following the Summit, attendees will be able to enjoy world-class hospitality and networking opportunities while watching a high-class field, headlined by Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Matt Kuchar, in action from the comfort of the Legends Lounge at the SMBC Singapore Open.
Patrick Feizal Joyce, Senior Vice President Golf – Asia at Lagardère Sports, promoters of the SMBC Singapore Open, said: “The SMBC Singapore Open remains one of the iconic golfing events in the region and also acts as a platform to help grow the industry and promote participation in the game. These are the objectives of the AGIF and their industry event will once again add an exciting dimension to a wonderful week.”
Lynge said: “The Asian Golf Industry Federation is proud to organise another thought-provoking Mini Summit, with the support of AGIF members, Lagardère Sports and Sentosa Golf Club.
“We are happy to bring together so many respected experts to provide input and guidance to those involved in the golf industry.”
To register to attend the Summit, please contact Gwen Ng at gwen.ng@agif.asia or Nam Yik at namyik@cmas.org.sg
