AGIF Annual International Summit 2025

PROFILE : 

Peter Yong is the founder of FinLit, a financial wellness platform designed to
empower employees through digital education and personalized financial planning. He champions the belief that companies can—and should—do more to support their workforce’s financial well-being.

Through FinLit, Peter helps organizations build teams that are more engaged, productive, loyal, and profitable. He’s also the creator of Mr Money TV, a fast-growing YouTube community where he shares insights on money, career growth, and personal
values. Peter brings a fresh perspective on impact investing by investing back into people.

PROFILE : 

Calvin Koh is a seasoned media and communications professional with over two
decades of experience across broadcast, corporate, and sports media. He began his
career as Assistant Director for the award-winning drama series ‘Growing Up’ with the
Television Corporation of Singapore.

His production work spans the Asia Pacific region, including major projects in Shanghai, Seoul, and Kuala Lumpur. Calvin later transitioned into sports communications, serving in senior management at the Asian Tour and covering prestigious golf tournaments, including four Majors.

Today, he consults for global news agencies, educational institutions, and leading sports organizations such as World Table Tennis and Geylang International FC.

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.

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..

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.