AGIF Sustainability promotes environmental and financial factors which are vital in the sustainability of the turf and club management industries in the Asia Pacific region. In the golf industry, there has been a degree of over building in many countries which did not take into account both environmental and fiscal sustainability. In the private / social / government club sector, the same over-build has taken place in certain markets. Both in the golf and club sectors, attracting new members/facility users to replace their traditional patrons is the biggest challenge to their fiscal sustainability.
Both golf and club sectors are also challenged to engage in more environmental practices by the younger patrons which they hope to attract and the governments who regulate them. Turf specific environmental practices are common to both golf and sports turf and are of a high profile in public perception. Professional development in both club and turf management play a huge part in executing sustainable practices as line managers must have the credibility and power within their organisation to press through with sustainable plans.
AGIF Financial Sustainability
Growing the Game
Attracting new golfers
Youth development
Female participation
Expanding access
AGIF Financial Sustainability
Growing the Industry
Certification in Greenkeeping
Club Management Certification
Certificate in Groundskeeping
Attracting new employees
* Caddie to Clubhouse Manager Education
* PGA Player to Industry Professional Education
* Women in the Workplace
AGIF Environmental Sustainability
Environmental Certification
Turfgrass agro-chemical application
Water management
Course design
Plastics utilisation
Waste management
Recycling programmes
SN Farhana Hamzah
GCSAM / Els Club Desaru Coast
President of Golf Course Superintendents’ Association of Malaysia (GCSAM)/ Golf Superintendent at The Els Club Desaru Coast Malaysia
Owen Hester
Green Dynasty
Managing Director Singapore
Topic : Renovation Projects - Key Considerations
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
The R&A
Head of Sustainable Golf & Agronomy Asia-Pacific Singapore
Topic : Welcome by AGIF President - Update on AGIF plans
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
APAC at C&D Trojan Battery Company
Regional Sales Manager Queensland, Australia
Topic : The Latest in Global Battery Technology
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
Golfasian
Director of Business Development Bangkok
Topic : International Best Practices in Golf Tourism
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
C3PR Services
Golf Business Owner Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
Topic : Public Relations - Tell your story for Profit
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
Sports Turf Solutions
Head of Agronomy, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Topic : Innovation in Grasses
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
Rain Bird Corporation
Southeast Asia Area Manager – Golf Singapore
Topic : Smart Irrigation with new Technology
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
Singapore Golf Association
Chief Executive Officer Singapore
Topic : Success Stories : From The Region
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
Club Car (Shanghai) Co.,Ltd
Product Management & Marketing Manager, Asia Shanghai, China
Topic : New Technology and Sustainability
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
Golf Caddies
Co-Founder, CEO & Creative Director Pattaya , Thailand
Topic : How Thailand uses data analysis to boost sales and quality
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
Cronk Group Inc.
President / Co-Founder Golf Industry Guru Canada
Topic : Best Practicies from North America / New Tools for Training and Education
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
Campey Turf Care Systems
Export Sales Manager England, United Kingdom
Topic : Essential Machinery for SE Asia
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
Malaysian Association of Golf & Recreational Club Owners Bhd (MAGRO)
Chairman / Executive Director Gamuda Land, Malaysia
Topic : Career Planning - What are your options ?
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
Ernie Els Design
Regional Director Vietnam
Topic : Construction principles for Long Term Efficiency
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
Laguna Phuket
General Manager Tropicana Golf & Country Resort Selangor, Malaysia
Topic : Solar Panels - can this work at your club ?
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
Laguna Phuket
Managing Director Phuket , Thailand
Topic : Value of Golf - Creating the ultimate golf destination in Thailand
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
EnvoyGolf
Founding Director Sydney , Australia
Topic : Attracting & Retaining Leaders in the Golf Industry: A Practical Guide to Success From Australia
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
Sime Darby Property
Sustainability Scientist / General Manager Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Topic : Maintaining Sustainability Practices at KLGCC
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
59 Club Asia
General Manager Phuket, Thailand
Topic : How Europe Measures the Member/ Visitor Experience
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.
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