The Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) has rolled up its sleeves and in a concerted drive to put into action various programmes, has launched the following high-powered sub-committees that will help lead the thrust towards the development of a master-plan that will impact a number of key areas of the golf industry in Asia.

“These special committees will be empowered to help drive a select group of initiatives especially in the areas of training and education and the establishment of standards in fields like water management and environmental controls,” explained AGIF’s President, Wong Khen Jee.

The following are the working committees that have been formed:

1. EDUCATION COMMITTEE (CLUB MANAGEMENT):

Arthur Yeo (Former GM – Spring City Golf & Country Club)

Aylwin Tai (Former GM – Zhongshan Hot Spring Golf Course)

Simon Sheperdson (International Leisure Corporation)

Paul Grainger (Leisure Strategies)

Roy Higgs (Tanah Merah Golf & Country Club) 

COMMITTEE ROLE: 

a. To provide structured educational programmes (special events, seminars and workshops) and materials regarding the best practices in Club Management (i.e., Financial Management, Clubhouse Operations, Golf Operations, Marketing, Member Relations, Human Resources, Club Governance, Club Leadership) to meet the educational needs of the Federation’s membership base. 

b. To enhance the professional status of AGIF members with proper industry-recognised accreditation regarding Club Management. This accreditation will be coordinated through the Asia Golf Club Managers Association (AGCMA) and select universities. 

2. EDUCATION COMMITTEE (COACHING, TRAINING & PLAYER DEVELOPMENT):

Mike Sebastian (Publisher - Asian Golf Monthly/Asian Golf Business; Executive Producer - Asian Golf TV)

Blaik Shew (CEO - Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy)

Tony Meechai (Director - PGA Of Asia)

Michael Levick (Programme Development Manager - PGA International Golf Institute)

COMMITTEE ROLE:

a. To provide structured training and educational programmes leading to the proper certification of trainers and coaches for golf.

b. To work with national golf associations to put in place long-term programmes for junior golf development throughout Asia.

3. COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE:

Khen Jee Wong (Jebsen and Jessen)

Danny Ferguson (Club Car)

Mike Sebastian (Asia Golf Monthly/Asian Golf Business)

COMMITTEE ROLE:

a. Liaison with AGIF Board in effectively communicating with all members, governments, the media and the general public and to maintain effective communications vehicles to help deliver the Federation’s messages (i.e., AGIF Web site, AGIF TV, press releases, press conferences).

b. Review all major communications to Federation Members (i.e., email broadcasts, marketing and promotional materials). Provide feedback to AGIF Secretary as requested.

c. Liaison with AGIF Secretary on matters concerning and promoting AGIF in Asia Golf Monthly, Asia Golf Business Monthly and at Asia Pacific Golf Summits.


4. WATER MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE:

David Cao
Former Irrigation Manager for Mission Hills Properties, Shenzhen, currently an Irrigation consultant in the Asia Pacific area, recruited for his “hands on experience”.

John Pryor
Hydroscapes – Singapore, Irrigation Consultant, recruited for his proactive educational activities via Hydrobul.

Kok Min Yee
Golf Course Superintendent, Tanah Merah Golf & CC, recruited for his standing in the golf community as an exemplary practitioner. 

David Ellis.
Rain Bird International

 

COMMITTEE ROLE:

To provide a web based Water Management resource and education source for AGIF members for materials and training regarding the best practices in Water Management, (i.e., Proper use of Central Control Systems, alternate water sources, cost of operation manual vs. automatic etc.) to meet the educational needs of the Federation’s membership base.

To prove value and results for participating members, by the development of a web based water management template that will show a baseline of water use today and then an ongoing plan that documents improvements made to decrease water consumption or use water more efficiently.


5. ENVIRONMENT/SAFETY COMMITTEE:

Braydon Winch (Regional Head, Professional products – Syngenta)

John Matheson (Director, International Professional Products – J.R. Simplot Company)

David Ellis (International Business Manager – Rain Bird)

One Other To Be Confirmed

COMMITTEE ROLE:

a. Develop AGIF policies on Environment & Safety

b. Identify & endorse relevant industry accreditation schemes by country

c. Provide advice & counsel to the AGIF Board on matters pertaining to Environment & Safety

d. Develop AGIF environmental & safety messages for public dissemination


6. REGIONAL/NATIONAL GOLF ORGANISATIONS COMMITTEE:

Mark Adams  (IMG Golf Course Services)

Spencer Robinson (Asian Golf Monthly)

Kevin Haglof (Acushnet Golf)

A.S. Khamis (ASEAN Golf Federation)

Roger Foo (Sheshan Golf Club)

 

COMMITTEE ROLE:

Lobbying efforts with local/national governments to give golf improved tax status whether on import taxes for golf equipment, sales tax on green fees, etc.

Lobbying efforts with local/national governments to encourage transparency and efficiency in the approval process for developing new golf facilities – possibly with an emphasis on lower cost, public golf facilities

Development of programs to encourage new golfers to try the sport including juniors, women, etc. – could possibly target school or club-led junior programs in various countries.

If voted into the Olympics by the IOC, then develop a strategy on how to maximize this new recognition of golf as an Olympic sport to grow the game and the golf industry throughout Asia.

One initial suggestion is to possibly target a few key countries (or the entire region) to do an Economic Impact Study showing the size of the golf industry, the number of persons it employs, the revenues generated, etc  This could include core industries within the golf industry such as golf facilities/golf capital investment, golf equipment, golf real estate/tourism, endorsements/tournaments (please see attached chart).  If armed with such economic impact information the AGIF could then encourage the national associations to lobby governments on lowering duty and tax rates on equipment and golf course services.

More action committee are in the process of being established and if and member of the golf industry would like to be involved in the various activities of these committee, please feel free to contact the Mike Sebastian, the Secretary of the Asian Golf Industry Federation at mike.sebastian@agif.asia

 

7. CLUB OWNERS AND PRESIDENTS COMMITTE:

Paul T. Stringer (Nicklaus Design)

Khen Jee Wong (Jebsen and Jessen Technology)

David Lee (Ernie Els Design Asia)

Sylvan Braberry (Singapore Island Country Club)

COMMITTEE ROLE:

The primary function and goal of the Club Owners and Presidents Committee is to work directly with the AGIF and liaise with Club Owners and Presidents within the Asia Pacific Region.

The Committee will use its best efforts to reach out to Club Owners and Presidents of the Asian Pacific Region to determine the major concerns and issues confronting today\'s Golf Clubs. After determining the key issues that the Asian Pacific Region faces, the Committee will work towards problem solving and solutions for the Golf Clubs in the short and long term.

The Committee will work closely with such established organizations such as AGCOA (Asian Golf Club Owners Association) and the NGCOA (National Golf Club Owners Association, USA) to see how AGIF can assist the AGCOA become more of a solution for its\' clubs and members in the region. Through communication, education, and the integration of ideas, the AGIF can be a positive influence on both established organizations and find ways to have both organizations work on international issues facing clubs.

The Committee will liaise with the AGIF Education Committee to assist them with proper workshops and educational seminars as it relates to existing Golf Club staff, Club Presidents, and Owners. These may include but are not limited to Club Communications, Membership Services, Agronomy, Budgets, Human Resources, and Club Rules and Regulations.


8. EDUCATION COMMITTEE (COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS):

Richard Walne (The Toro Company)

John Matheson (JR Simplot)

John Neylan (Australian Golf Course Superintendents Association)

Ian Butcher (Elmwood College)

Brad Burgess (Sports Turf Solutions)

Jim Prusa (Pacific Golf Management)

One Other To Be Confirmed

COMMITTEE ROLE:

To improve education programmes (special events, seminars and workshops) and materials to meet the diverse educational needs of the entire cross-section of the Asia Golf Superintendents.

To enhance the professional status of members with proper industry recognised certification.