Asian Golf Industry Federation Is Born


After more than one year in planning, the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) has been formed. This is widely considered to be a milestone development especially when one considers that, unlike the United States of America or Europe, there is no effective and structured trade organization to represent the multi-billion-dollar golf-trade industry in Asia.

Major stakeholders in the industry have banded together to form this important trade body. The AGIF is made up of representatives from:

• Golf Equipment Manufacturers
• Golf Course Suppliers
• Golf Management Services
• Golf Course Architects
• Golf Real Estate And Development Companies
• Golf Organizations
• National Golf Associations
• Others (any business associated or affiliated with the golf industry.

The prime mission of the AGIF is to develop and keep pace with the growth of the golf industry in the Asian region on a multi-tiered level.

The AGIF will try to work on a universal platform with all of its members to deliver a level of service and expertise to the industry and work towards achieving a recognized global standard in Asia. The AGIF will also work towards offering professional leadership development, ethical standards and responsive services.

The inaugural Board of Management is now in place and is headed up by Wong Khen Jee, Managing Director of Jebsen & Jessen Technology. Khen Jee will serve as President of AGIF. In a post-election interview, he said, "The AGIF is long overdue and we are delighted that a bunch of dedicated and committed professionals have got together to get this very important trade organization to be organized and launched."

Khen Jee added, "We will be moving full steam ahead to set out programs and activities aimed at making the golf industry In Asia truly world class."

The elected officials include:

President - Wong Khen Jee - Managing Director, Jebsen & Jessen Technology (S) Pte Ltd

Vice President 1 - Denise Adams - Senior Vice President, Kitson & Partners

Vice President 2 - John Holmes, President, Jennings Turf International

Treasurer - Howard Swan - Principal, Swan Design

Secretary - Mike Sebastian, Publisher, Asian Golf Monthly/Asian Golf Business

Board Member, Golf Course Maintenance Equipment liaison - Richard Walne - Managing Director (Asia/Pacific/Australia), The Toro Company

Board Member, Turf and Irrigation liaison - David Ellis, International Business Manager, Asia/Pacific, Rain Bird International Inc.

Board Member, Fertilizer/Pesticide liaison - Braydon Winch, Regional Head of Professional Products, Syngenta

Board Member, Club Management liaison - Marcus Fishenden, Director of Operations, Troon Golf

Board Member, Course Design/Project Development liaison - Paul Stringer, Executive Vice President, Nicklaus Design

Board Member, Golf Equipment liaison - Alex Boezeman, President of Asia Representative Director, Callaway Golf K.K.

Board Member, Training/Education liaison - Mark Adams, Senior Vice President/Director, IMG Golf Course Services

A full report on the AGIF will appear in the June issue of Asian Golf Business. The organization's website - http://www.asiangolfindustryfederation.com - will be operational by the end of May 2009.