Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Asia’s premier golf industry gathering teed-off today with key decision-makers, general managers and club professionals displaying their playing prowess at the inaugural Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) Business Leaders Invitational.

The tournament at Tropicana Golf & Country Resort marked the start of a landmark three-day event of golf, knowledge, networking, awards and live action from the world’s finest female golfers at the LPGA Maybank Championship.

Featuring an exclusive video interview with Sir Nick Faldo as well as a host of globally acclaimed speakers and panellists addressing the golf industry’s most pressing issues, the AGIF Annual International Summit is being staged at the Sime Darby Convention Centre on October 29-30.

Another highlight of the week will be the AGIF Golf Awards Dinner tomorrow night, honouring prominent individuals and organisations who have made important contributions to the golf industry in the region.

Among more than 40 participants in the Business Leaders Invitational were AGIF Board Members Mark Donohue (Rain Bird) and Owen Hester (Green Dynasty).

Also in the field were Barry Hornby (Club Car), Mark Ray (Trojan Battery Company), James Cronk and James Quilley (Guru Collective), Graham Horvath (Golf Caddies), Mark Matehaere (Envoy Golf), Tusch Daroga (DLF Golf & Country Club), David Wong (Deemples), Thad Bell (Ernie Els Design), Rob Weiks (Rain Bird), Matt Legge (Brookwater Golf Club), Karin Bindra (K&A Golf), Brodie McDonald (Tanah Merah Country Club), Taimur Hassan Amin (Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation), Dadi Wiratmo (Gading Raya Golf Club) and Dean Nelson, Ciri Shek and Shirley Chan (all Plover Clove Golf Club in Hong Kong).

Malaysian competitors included Datuk Manibalan (Malaysian Association of Golf Recreational Club Owners), KP Low (MST Golf), Johan Fariz (Golf Course Managers’ Association of Malaysia), Farroul Hossey (Impian Golf Club) and Tang Meng Loon (Gamuda Land).

Rishi Narain, Head – Events, Sponsorship and Membership at the AGIF, said: “What a fabulous way to commence our week of exciting activities. The AGIF Golf Business Leaders Invitational is a first-of-its-kind event that offers a unique opportunity for participants to come together and connect over a game of golf at a world-class championship course.

“The tournament is the perfect ice-breaker, setting the stage for productive conversations and building relationships at the Summit.”

For the second year in succession, the Summit is aligning with the richest LPGA Tour event in the region. Adjacent to the Sime Darby Convention Centre, the West Course at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club is hosting the US$3 million Maybank Championship – featuring many of the world’s top players – from October 30-November 2. Delegates at the AGIF Summit will be granted access to attend the tournament.

Gold sponsors of the 2025 AGIF Annual International Summit are The R&A, Club Car and Trojan Battery Company with Centaur Asia Pacific and Jebsen & Jessen as Silver sponsors. Tourism Malaysia is the Event Partner and Sime Darby Convention Centre the Venue Partner.

The Malaysian Association of Golf Recreational Club Owners, the Golf Course Superintendents’ Association of Malaysia and the Golf Club Managers Association of Malaysia are Supporting Partners.

AT A GLANCE

Name: AGIF Annual International Summit
Date: October 29-30, 2025
Venue: Sime Darby Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Organisers: Asian Golf Industry Federation
Gold Sponsors: The R&A; Club Car; Trojan Battery Company.
Silver Sponsor: Centaur Asia Pacific; Jebsen & Jessen.
Event Partner: Tourism Malaysia.
Venue Partner: Sime Darby Convention Centre
Supporting Partners: Malaysian Association of Golf Recreational Club Owners (MAGRO); Golf Course Superintendents’ Association of Malaysia (GCSAM); Golf Club Managers Association of Malaysia (GCMAM).

Name: AGIF Business Leaders Invitational
Date: October 28, 2025
Venue: Tropicana Golf & Country Resort, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Organisers: Asian Golf Industry Federation

Name: AGIF Gala Awards Night
Date: October 29, 2025
Venue: Sime Darby Convention Centre
Organisers: Asian Golf Industry Federation

*For further details about sponsorship opportunities and attending the Summit as a delegate, please email events@agif.asia