ASIAN GOLF INDUSTRY FEDERATION
Asian Golf Industry Federation AGIF Logo

AGIF Annual International Summit 2025

The AGIF Annual International Summit 2025 promises to be a dynamic three-day experience, bringing together golf industry leaders, innovators, and professionals from across the region.

The Summit kick–starts with the networking AGIF Golf Business Leaders Invitational Tournament on Tuesday, October 28. The seminar sessions will be held at theSime Darby Convention Centre on Wednesday and Thursday (October 29-30), featuring a curated line-up of high-impact speakers, panel discussions, and interactive educational sessions.

Delegates will also enjoy exclusive networking opportunities and access to the LPGA Tour’s Maybank Championship, making this a truly world-class industry gathering.

For any queries, please contact us at events@agif.asia.com
REGISTER FOR SUMMIT
AGIF Conference Agenda
REGISTER FOR GOLF TOURNAMENT
Delegate Pricing
Conference Fee
  • Malaysian Nationals : USD 85 / MYR 360
  • Foreign Nationals (AGIF Members) : USD 210
  • Foreign Nationals (Non-AGIF Members) : USD 260
Note : The above fee is inclusive of two-day conference attendance, coffee/lunch (both days), Gala Dinner, Maybank LPGA Championship pass and poolside barbeque.
View Hotel Detail
AGIF Golf Business Leaders Invitational Tournament Fee

US$100 inclusive of 18-hole green fee, shared caddie and cart, breakfast and lunch and eligibility for gifts and prizes.

Eligibility: AGIF members, golf course owners, directors, general managers, superintendents, club professionals, conference sponsors, speakers, and special invitees. 

Venue: Tropicana Golf & Country Resort, Kuala Lumpur

Golf Tee-Time: 8 am Shotgun start

Download AGIF Golf Business Leader’s Invitational Detail
Event Schedule
Day One: Tuesday, October 28, 2025
  • AM – AGIF Golf Business Leaders Invitational at Tropicana Golf & Country Resort
  • PM – Leisure time / planned excursions
Day Two – Wednesday, October 29, 2025
  • 9:00 am – 5:00 pm – Conference Sessions at Sime Darby Convention Centre (including lunch and coffee breaks)
  • Post-lunch: Separate Turf Management Sessions
  • 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Gala Dinner & AGIF Golf Awards ,
    Dress Code : Smart casuals
Day Three – Thursday, October 30, 2025
  • 9:00 am – 1:00 pm – Conference at Sime Darby Convention Centre (including coffee break, lunch and closing session)
  • Separate Turf Management Sessions
  • 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Poolside Barbeque at KLGCC during Maybank LPGA Championship
Download AGIF International Summit KL - 2025 Details

Why The AGIF International Summit 2025 In Kuala Lumpur is Unmissable

Business Leaders Golf Tournament: Tuesday, October 28

Start strong at Tropicana Golf & Country Resort, playing alongside industry influencers in the exclusive Business Leaders Invitational – networking on the fairways at one of Asia’s top courses.

Evening Networking

Awards & Gala Dinner on Wednesday, October 29:
Celebrate excellence in golf with an elegant evening of recognition and connections at the Sime Darby Convention Centre.

Poolside Barbecue on Thursday, October 30:
Unwind at KLGCC while mingling with peers and watching world-class LPGA stars.

Exclusive Insights

Interact with global experts including leaders from The R&A and Golf Course Managers Association of Malaysia. Sessions focus on the impact of AI, sustainability, technology, golf tourism, changing demographics and strategies shaping the future of the Asian golf industry.

Watch the LPGA Maybank Championship

The US$3 million LPGA Maybank Championship runs alongside the Summit – giving delegates unique access to watch the world’s best women golfers in action at KLGCC.

Who You’ll Meet

A high-profile audience of golf course owners, general managers, global executives, and leading suppliers will reveal cutting-edge innovation.

The Annual Golf Industry Gathering

AGIF brings together a three-day landmark event of golf, knowledge, networking, awards and live LPGA Maybank Championship.

Conference Speakers

Chris Gray

Head of Sustainable Golf &
Agronomy Asia-Pacific
R&A
Singapore
Read more

Owen Hester

Managing Director
Green Dynasty
Singapore
Read More

Dr. Yasmin Rasyid

Sustainability Scientist / General Manager
Sime Darby Property
Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
Read More

Mark Matehaere

Founding Director
EnvoyGolf
Sydney , Australia
Read More

Chris Geraghty

General Manager
59 Club Asia
Phuket, Thailand
Read More

Paul Wilson

Managing Director
Laguna Phuket
Phuket , Thailand
Read More

Tang Meng Loon

President / Director of Gamuda Group
Malaysian Association of Golf Recreational Club Owners
Gamuda Land, Malaysia
Read More

James Cronk

President / Co-Founder Golf Industry Guru
Cronk Group Inc.
Canada
Read More

Nick Brown

Export Sales Manager
Campey Turf Care Systems
England, United Kingdom
Read More

Catalina Tapia

Co-Founder, CEO & Creative Director
Golf Caddies
Pattaya , Thailand
Read More

Rob Weiks

Southeast Asia Area Manager – Golf
Rain Bird Corporation
Vietnam
Read More

SN Farhana Hamzah

President of (GCSAM) / Golf Superintendent at The Els Club Desaru Coast
GCSAM / Els Club Desaru Coast
Malaysia
Read More

Jessie Lu

Product Management &
Marketing Manager, Asia
Club Car (Shanghai) Co.,Ltd
Shanghai, China
Read More

Evan Du Plessis

Head of Agronomy
Sports Turf Solutions
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Read More

Joshua Ho

Chief Executive Officer
Singapore Golf Association
Singapore
Read More

Chuah Choo Chiang

Leadership & Consultancy for Sports/Golf Business Owner
C3PR
Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
Read More

Pascal Orczech

Director of Business Development
GolfAsian
Bangkok, Thailand
Read More

Thad Bell

Regional Director
Ernie Els Design
Vietnam
Read More

Mark Ray

Regional Sales Manager
Trojan Battery Company
Queensland, Australia
Read More

Jack Cheong

Senior Course Superintendent
The Royal Selangor Golf Club
Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
Read More

Mark Ooi

Technical Services Manager
Envu
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Read More

Bähmän Doaeian

Head of Global Sales
Soil Scout
Finland
Read More

Kneale Diamond

Sales Manager
CapillaryFlow

Read More

Mohd Nizam Othman

Head Agronomy
KLGCC
Malaysia
Read More

David Wong

Founder and CEO
Deemples
Malaysia

Read More

Richard Allen

Founder and Owner
EcoBunker Ltd
United Kingdom

Read More

People You Will Meet

Adam Calver

General Manager
Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Mark Donohue

Mark Donohue

Regional Director
Rain Bird - Southeast Asia
Singapore

Henry NG

Regional Manager Asia
Sustane Natural Fertilizer
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Graham Horvath

Co-Founder
Golf Caddies
Thailand

Bryan Littlejohn

Area Sales Manager
Centaur Asia Pacific
Singapore

Low Kok Poh

Executive Chairman
MST Golf Group
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Datuk Manibalan

Managing Director / Vice-President of
The Golf Club Managers
Association of Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Templer Park Country Club
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Topics Being Discussed

Innovation and Future Trends

  • Using AI to improve efficiency, operations and profits at your club.
  • Smart Technology for Sustainable Golf Course Management (using drones, new software, data analytics to optimise water, energy, and turf care).
  • Digitising the Member Guest Experience (booking systems, mobile apps, CRM integration).
  • AI and Predictive Analytics for Turf Health (disease forecasting, stress alerts, and treatment planning).

Operational Sustainability

  • Golf Course Design and Renovation (eco-conscious course architecture that minimises land disruption and maximises natural features).
  • Working towards carbon neutrality at golf clubs.
  • Is solar power viable for your golf club.
  • Using smart-tech to minimise water usage.

Education & Demographics

  • HR – Getting and keeping younger people in the golf industry.
  • Importance of investing in education and training for staff/management.
  • Attracting youngsters – Change the rules.
  • Shorter formats and Screen Golf – Is this for your club?
  • Ladies – Future Potential.

Tourism

  • Constant innovation to build tourist inflows.
  • International marketing strategies for tourism growth.
  • Improving service standards for visitors.

Official Hotel

St. Giles Boulevard Hotel

Lingkaran Syed Putra, Kuala Lumpur, 59200, Malaysia

Room Types & Rates

Urban Room(Single /Twin Sharing)

RM 356 Nett / USD 84

Premier Room (Single /Twin Sharing)

RM 410 Nett / USD 97

Suite

RM 680 Nett / USD 161
Note:
The above prices are per night, inclusive of breakfast and taxes. Applicable exclusively for AGIF guests from 27 to 30 October, 2025

Address:
Mid Valley Megamall, 57G, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, Wilayah Persekutuan - 59200, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
For Booking please send your details in the following format via email.
Full name :
Gender :
Check In Date :
Check Out Date :
Room Type :
Unit Price (MYR) :

Email:
nurina.salessblv@stgiles-hotels.com,
salescoor.sblv@stgiles-hotels.com and
"Copy" to events@agif.asia

Our Sponsors & Partners

Gold Sponsors

R&A - Executive AGIF Member

Silver Sponsors

Event Partner

Supporting Partners

GCMAM - Logo

Venue Partner

Kneale Diamond

Sales Manager
CapillaryFlow
Topic : Welcome by AGIF President - Update on AGIF plans
PROFILE : 

Experienced Sales Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the consumer goods industry. Skilled in Negotiation, Budgeting, Golf Instruction, Sales, and Strategic Planning. Strong sales professional graduated from Myerscough College.

Bähmän Doaeian

Head of global sales
Soil Scout
Finland
Topic : Let Your Soil Speak
PROFILE : 

Raised in his father’s tire shop, Bähmän Doaeian learned business through grit, trust, and practical problem-solving.

He now leads global sales at Soil Scout, helping 190+ turf managers use real-time soil data to elevate turf health at top golf courses and stadiums.

As CEO and co-founder of Veenro Oy, he’s building DeepLink—an AI-powered job-matching engine focused on human potential and cultural fit. His team delivers municipal pilots and multilingual, voice-enabled tools for job seekers and employers.

With strengths in sales strategy, partnerships, product-market fit, and people-first negotiation, Bähmän Doaeian bridges tech and business to scale solutions with measurable impact.

Mark Ooi

Technical Services Manager
Envu
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Topic : Welcome by AGIF President - Update on AGIF plans
PROFILE : 

Chris Gray leads The R&A’s Sustainable Agronomy Service across the Asia-Pacific region, providing expert guidance to golf courses on environmentally responsible turf management and course development.

With deep experience preparing venues for major championships like The Open and the AIG Women’s Open, he helps clubs implement best practices in irrigation, turf selection, and resource efficiency. His work supports long-term sustainability and resilience in golf course operations amid climate and regulatory challenges.

Jack Cheong

Senior Course Superintendent
The Royal Selangor Golf Club
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Topic : Welcome by AGIF President - Update on AGIF plans
PROFILE : 

Jack has served as Golf Course Superintendent at RSGC since 2007, leading major renovations and pioneering the use of TifEagle greens in Malaysia. Under his tenure, RSGC hosted the Maybank Championship Malaysia 2016, co-sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours.

He holds a degree in Golf Course Operations from the USA and an MBA. A former President of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Malaysia (GCSAM), Jack has spoken at turfgrass conferences across Asia and contributed to Golf Digest Malaysia. He champions professional development and continuous education for golf course superintendents.

SN Farhana Hamzah

President of Golf Course Superintendents’ Association of Malaysia (GCSAM)/ Golf Superintendent at The Els Club Desaru Coast
GCSAM / Els Club Desaru Coast
Malaysia
Topic : Welcome by AGIF President - Update on AGIF plans




Owen Hester

Managing Director
Green Dynasty
Singapore
Topic : Renovation Projects - Key Considerations
PROFILE :

Owen Hester serves as the Managing Director of Green Dynasty Pte Ltd, a globally recognised leader in Golf Construction Management with offices located in Singapore, Dubai, and the United States.

Green Dynasty has overseen significant redevelopment and renovation projects at prominent golf facilities across Asia, including Sentosa, Seletar, Sembawang, and Laguna in Singapore, Royal Selangor and KLGCC in Malaysia, as well as notable works in the Philippines and Brunei.

The company's expertise lies in developing tailored methodologies for each course, enabling effective project execution while appropriately managing member expectations, club resources, and budget constraints.

Chris Gray

Head of Sustainable Golf &
Agronomy Asia-Pacific
The R&A
Singapore
Topic : Welcome by AGIF President - Update on AGIF plans
PROFILE : 

Chris Gray leads The R&A’s Sustainable Agronomy Service across the Asia-Pacific region, providing expert guidance to golf courses on environmentally responsible turf management and course development.

With deep experience preparing venues for major championships like The Open and the AIG Women’s Open, he helps clubs implement best practices in irrigation, turf selection, and resource efficiency. His work supports long-term sustainability and resilience in golf course operations amid climate and regulatory challenges.

Mark Ray

Regional Sales Manager
APAC at C&D Trojan Battery Company
Queensland, Australia
Topic : The Latest in Global Battery Technology
PROFILE :

Over 25 years of experience in B2B sales, operations, and technical support across APAC & Oceania. For the past 18 years, has managed key sales initiatives for motive and industrial batteries, including Trojan, Lithium-Ion, and VRLA, overseeing distributor networks, OE accounts, and technical training.

Pascal Orczech

Director of Business Development
Golfasian
Bangkok, Thailand
Topic : International Best Practices in Golf Tourism
PROFILE :

Pascal Orczech is a seasoned business development leader with nearly 20 years in the travel and tourism industry, specializing in automation and digital transformation. As Director of Business Development at Golfasian, he drives scalable growth through AI-powered lead generation, CRM automation, and workflow optimization.

His expertise in e-commerce and data-driven marketing has helped expand Golfasian’s global footprint. Passionate about innovation, Pascal is at the forefront of intelligent business solutions in tourism.

Chuah Choo Chaing

Golf Business Owner
C3PR Services
Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
Topic : Public Relations - Tell your story for Profit
PROFILE :

Leads Marketing and Communications for the PGA TOUR in APAC, managing media strategy, partnerships, and PR for tournaments in China, Korea, Japan, and supporting international events.

Focuses on growing fan engagement and raising exposure for the TOUR and elite golfers, including top Asian players.

Evan Du Plessis

Head of Agronomy
Sports Turf Solutions
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Topic : Innovation in Grasses
PROFILE :

Evan Du Plessis is a passionate and adaptable Turf Professional with a deep commitment to excellence and responsibility. Known for his exceptional communication skills, Evan has consistently fostered positive working relationships across all levels—from staff and management to corporate guests and club members.

With a forward-thinking mindset, Evan stays at the forefront of industry advancements, continuously integrating the latest technologies and environmental developments into his work. His dedication to innovation and collaboration makes him a respected voice in the turf management community.

Rob Weiks

Southeast Asia Area Manager – Golf
Rain Bird Corporation
Singapore
Topic : Smart Irrigation with new Technology
PROFILE :

Southeast Asia Area Manager at Rain Bird International with 33 years of hands-on experience in golf course and turf management, horticulture, and landscape design.

Recognized for international sales and leadership awards, with expertise spanning golf course construction, agronomy, irrigation management, tournament operations, and sustainable maintenance practices across diverse turf types and challenging environments.

Joshua Ho

Chief Executive Officer
Singapore Golf Association
Singapore
Topic : Success Stories : From The Region
PROFILE :

Joshua Ho is Chief Executive officer of the Singapore Golf Association, providing strategic direction and overseeing operations since 2021. He joined SGA in 2019 as High-Performance Manager after earning a Bachelor of Business Management from Singapore Management University.

Jessie Lu

Product Management & Marketing Manager, Asia
Club Car (Shanghai) Co.,Ltd
Shanghai, China
Topic : New Technology and Sustainability
PROFILE :

With over 15 years of commercial leadership in dynamic B2B sectors, Jessie is responsible for Asia Product and Marketing in Club Car. Combining deep market expertise with a multinational educational background from both Asia and Europe, Jessie provides valuable strategic direction on the evolution of the golf industry.

Catalina Tapia

Co-Founder, CEO & Creative Director
Golf Caddies
Pattaya , Thailand
Topic : How Thailand uses data analysis to boost sales and quality
PROFILE :

Catalina Tapia is CEO of Golf Caddies, based in Pattaya , Thailand. She brings experience from Kata Collective, Ashurst, Havoc Creative, and AECOM, and holds an Associate Diploma in Graphic Design and Photography from the University of Western Sydney.

James Cronk

President / Co-Founder Golf Industry Guru
Cronk Group Inc.
Canada
Topic : Best Practicies from North America / New Tools for Training and Education
PROFILE :

James Cronk is a golf industry leader with over 30 years of experience as a golf professional, club manager, and speaker at major global events. Through CRONK GROUP and GOLF INDUSTRY GURU, he helps clubs improve service, operations, and profitability, working with private clubs, public courses, athletic clubs, and resorts worldwide.

Nick Brown

Export Sales Manager
Campey Turf Care Systems
England, United Kingdom
Topic : Essential Machinery for SE Asia
PROFILE :

Tang is Executive Director of Club Operations and Township Management at Gamuda Land, overseeing Kuala Lumpur’s Kota Permai and Johor’s Horizon Hills Golf & Country Clubs. He is also enrolled in the AGIF-administered CCM programme, recognized globally as the gold standard in club management certification.

Tang Meng Loon

Chairman / Executive Director
Malaysian Association of Golf & Recreational Club Owners Bhd (MAGRO)
Gamuda Land, Malaysia
Topic : Career Planning - What are your options ?
PROFILE :

Tang is Executive Director of Club Operations and Township Management at Gamuda Land, overseeing Kuala Lumpur’s Kota Permai and Johor’s Horizon Hills Golf & Country Clubs. He is also enrolled in the AGIF-administered CCM programme, recognized globally as the gold standard in club management certification.

Thad Bell

Regional Director
Ernie Els Design
Vietnam
Topic : Construction principles for Long Term Efficiency
PROFILE :

Thad Bell is a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) with over 28 years of international experience in golf course design. His portfolio spans a wide range of projects, from par 3 layouts to award-winning resort courses, across Mauritius, South Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

Thad has played a key role in numerous new-build and renovation projects through his long-standing collaboration with Ernie Els Design. Known for his hands-on approach, he ensures that each project is thoughtfully developed on paper and meticulously executed in the field, recognizing that successful implementation is critical to a course’s long-term success.

Thad currently serves as the Regional Director for Ernie Els Design’s Asia-Pacific office, where he is leading the firm’s expansion into the Asian market. His expertise and commitment to quality continue to shape memorable golfing experiences across diverse landscapes and cultures.

Samuel Choong

General Manager
Tropicana Golf & Country Resort
Laguna Phuket
Selangor, Malaysia
Topic : Solar Panels - can this work at your club ?
PROFILE :

Samuel Choong is General Manager at Tropicana, Malaysia, with over 25 years of experience in commercial operations, marketing, and business development. They have held senior roles at Diageo, Pan Malaysian Sweeps, and Maxxium Fine Wines & Spirits, driving strategic growth, market expansion, and key account management across diverse sectors.

Paul Wilson

Managing Director
Laguna Phuket
Phuket , Thailand
Topic : Value of Golf - Creating the ultimate golf destination in Thailand
PROFILE :

Mr. Wilson is Senior Assistant Vice President at Laguna Phuket, overseeing operations, destination events, and the Laguna Golf Group’s three courses. A PGA Fellow Professional, he joined Laguna in 2013 and has led award-winning renovations and golf management projects across Asia.

Mark Matehaere

Founding Director
EnvoyGolf
Sydney , Australia
Topic : Attracting & Retaining Leaders in the Golf Industry: A Practical Guide to Success From Australia
PROFILE :

Mark Matehaere is the founder of EnvoyGolf and a founding director of Ellington Savage. With over 35 years’ experience in executive search, he has advised leading organisations across sectors and guided golf clubs throughout Australasia and beyond. He shares practical insights on what he has observed to work in attracting and retaining high-impact leaders.

Dr. Yasmin Rasyid

Sustainability Scientist / General Manager
Sime Darby Property
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Topic : Maintaining Sustainability Practices at KLGCC
PROFILE :

Yasmin is a sustainability scientist with over 26 years’ experience in environmental management and community development. Founder of EcoKnights and now with Sime Darby Property, she drives sustainable township development, decarbonization, and high-impact community initiatives.

Her expertise in sustainability, leadership, and community development, drives impactful decarbonization and social initiatives at Sime Darby Property. She’s also a mentor, creative soul, and passionate volunteer who finds peace in nature.

Chris Geraghty

General Manager
59 Club Asia
Phuket, Thailand
Topic : How Europe Measures the Member/ Visitor Experience
PROFILE :

Chris Geraghty, Managing Partner & General Manager of 59club Asia is a seasoned operator having experience in hotel, resort, F&B, and golf contexts. Chris held General Manager positions for Troon Golf at world class facilities in North Africa, The GCC, and Southeast Asia.

Chris has a wealth of experience with 59club tools and resources having been a customer of 59club for many years prior to joining the Company at the end of 2024. Chris has achieved five gold flags as a customer of 59club and was recognized as Golf Manager of the Year for Asia in 2023, perfectly positioning Chris to support client venues throughout the region to maximize the value of working with 59club.

Mohd Nizam Othman

Head Agronomy
KLGCC
Malaysia
Topic : Course preparation for a major tournament
PROFILE : 

Mohd Nizam is a Certified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS) and Class A member of the GCSAA, managing four premier golf courses including Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club and Kota Seriemas GCC.

He has been honored as Golf Course Superintendent of the Year in 2015, 2016, and 2018, and received the Life-Time Achievement Award in 2017 by the Asian Golf Awards. With extensive experience as Tournament Superintendent across PGA, European, LPGA, and ADT tours, he also led a successful renovation of TPC Kuala Lumpur in just 10 months.

Nizam is a sought-after speaker at turfgrass conferences across Asia and holds a certification from the Audubon Sanctuary Program.

David Wong

Founder and CEO
Deemples
Malaysia
Topic : Going digital to increase revenues
PROFILE : 

David Wong is the founder of Deemples, a fast-growing platform connecting over 80,000 golfers across cities. With 17 years of experience in sales and management across industries like digital media, analytics, and publishing, she excels at launching businesses in new markets.

Her global journey spans the USA, China, Singapore, and Malaysia, where she now leads Deemples' expansion. David is passionate about building scalable tech solutions that bring people together..

Richard Allen

Founder and Owner
EcoBunker Ltd
United Kingdom
Topic : What's new with bunkers?
PROFILE : 

Richard Allen is the Founder of EcoBunker Ltd and the inventor of a patented, sustainable bunker construction method using recycled synthetic sod. With a background in civil engineering, he has supported over 200 successful planning applications in areas such as flooding, drainage, and infrastructure.

Richard has submitted multiple patents addressing golf course maintenance challenges and continues to consult on technical development projects. His passion for problem-solving and innovation has helped unlock the full potential of golf courses worldwide.