Danang, Vietnam: Decorated golf course architects, sustainability and club management gurus, golf tourism experts and prominent golfing administrators painted a bullish outlook for golf’s future at the 2023 Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) Conference.

For the second year in succession, the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Danang was the venue for a three-day gathering at which the state of the industry and latest golfing trends were discussed and debated.

Chris Gray, President of the AGIF, said: “It was fascinating to hear so many thought-provoking presentations – and encouraging that there is so much optimism around the game and its growth in our part of the world.

“A big thank you to all the speakers, delegates and sponsors, without whom the conference would not have been possible.”

Speakers included Brad Burgess (Sports Turf Solutions), Adam Calver (Laguna Golf Lang Co), Cho Minn Thant (Asian Tour), David Dale (Golfplan), DJ Flanders (Troon), Chris Gray (The R&A), Gareth Knight (Toro), Harley Kruse (Kruse Golf), Tim Lobb (Lobb + Partners), Kelly Nguyen (Hoiana Shores Golf Club), Nguyen Thai Duong (Vietnam Golf Association), Nguyen An Hoia (Danang Department of Tourism), Pascal Orczech (Golfasian), Eric Pfeifer (Greg Norman Golf Course Design), Karen Proctor (Textron Specialized Vehicles), Mark Reeves (BRG Group), Araya Singhsuwan (59Club), Richard Walne (Toro) and Simon Wordsworth (59Club).

“What a week! It was a pleasure to present and be a speaker at the Asian Golf Industry Federation Conference in Danang,” said Lobb, who spoke about the importance of a sense of place, protecting the cultural identity and providing emotional stimulation in golf course designs.

“Vietnam is a world class golfing destination and only getting better,” added Lobb, whose sentiments about the host country were echoed by Flanders, newly-appointed Executive Vice President at Troon International.

Flanders said: “I enjoyed the opportunity to speak about global golf trends at the Asian Golf Industry Federation Conference. It’s always rewarding to put yourself in a room with some of the best of our business to network and grow overall industry knowledge.”

In addition to updates from the Vietnam Golf Association and Danang Tourism, delegates heard how golf clubs are achieving gender balance in Vietnam from a panel chaired by Proctor and including Calver and Kelly Nguyen.

Creating career opportunities for caddies, providing mentorships and having a support network were all discussed.

Another popular session was a fireside chat with Dr Aylwin Tai, an influential figure in golf in China since 1984.

As well as reminiscing about how the country’s first modern-day golf course at Chung Shan Hot Spring was built entirely by hand, Dr Tai confirmed that from a high of some 650 courses a decade ago, the number of golf courses in the country has now dwindled to 300, largely due to local government clampdowns.

Spencer Robinson, the Asian Golf Industry Federation’s Chief Communications Officer, and Mark Donohue (Rain Bird), acted as the Master of Ceremonies.

Toro and The R&A were silver sponsors with the event also being supported by Husqvarna and Vietnam Golf.

During the conference, Madam Nguyen Thi Nga and Richard Walne, two long-standing stalwarts of the region’s golfing industry, were honoured by the AGIF for their contributions to golf in the region over an extended period of time.

While Madam Nga, Founder of the BRG Group, was named as the first recipient of the ‘Contribution to Growing Golf in Asia Award’, Walne, Managing Director Asia-Pacific and Australia with Toro and Past President of the AGIF, was presented with the Federation’s first ‘Lifetime Contribution to Golf Award’.

Gray said: “As the region’s foremost industry body, the AGIF is pleased to introduce a number of special awards that acknowledge the efforts of individuals who are dedicated to the growth and development of the golf industry in the region.”

Gray said the AGIF would be adding a number of other award categories next year, including a Most Valuable Technician award, sponsored by Foley Company.