ASIAN GOLF INDUSTRY FEDERATION

AGIF Board of Directors

Chris Gray

Chris Gray
President

Head of Sustainable Golf & Agronomy
Asia-Pacific The R&A

Adam Calver

Adam Calver
Vice President

General Manager
Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club

Mark Donohue

Mark Donohue
Treasurer

Regional Manager for Southeast Asia
Rain Bird

Michael Wong
Secretary

Director of Golf & Sports
Singapore Island Country Club 

Tim Trinka

Tim Trinka
General Counsel

Senior Attorney
Dentons Lee

Register Now for
AGIF CONFERENCE 2024

The 2024 AGIF Conference promises to be a fascinating two days with a line-up of high-quality speakers, the chance to attend the LPGA Tour’s Maybank Championship and a variety of networking opportunities.
Delegate Pricing

International Attendees: US$200 per delegate
Malaysia-based Attendees: MYR350 (US$80) per delegate
Golf Club Attendees: MYR350 for first delegate;
Additional delegates from the same Club at MYR100 per delegate

Payment Details
(1) Account Name: Asian Golf Industry Federation
Bank: DBS Bank, 12 Marina Boulevard, Marina Bay Financial Centre, Tower 3, Singapore 018982.
Account Number: 0003018798017022 – USD
Bank Code: 7171
Swift Code: DBSSSGSG
 
(2) PayPal payment link:
Hotel Recommendations
The following recommended hotels are all within close proximity to the Sime Darby Convention Centre and Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.
Executive Member
Consist of any entity (corporate body) engaged in the provision of goods and services to Club and/or Sports Facility or their contractors, or the ownership, development, operation or management of these facilities.
Full Business Member
Consist of any entity (corporate body) with 11 or more employees engaged in the provision of goods and services to Club and/or Sports Facility owners or their contractors, or the ownership, development, operation or management of these facilities​.
Associate Business Member
Consist of any entity (corporate body) with 10 or less employees that is engaged in the provision of goods and services to Club and/or Sports Facility owners or their contractors, or the ownership, development, operation or management of these facilities​.
Facility Member
Any entity that operates a public or private club and/or sports facility.
Multi Facility Member
Any entity which owns more than one public or private club and/or sports facility.
Individual Member
Work, or are seeking employment, at a public or private club and/or sports facility.
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SANCTIA:Reignwood Residence Collection
Ultra-Luxury Low-Rise Residences

Location
Reignwood Park, Lam Luk Ka (Pathum Thani), near Rangsit / Bangkok outskirts

Website
https://www.reignwoodpark.com/residences-collection/sanctia

Distance
Robinswood Golf Club:
~2–5 mins (within community, ~500 m)

Don Mueang International Airport:
~20–25 mins (~18–22 km) (approx. based on location)

Suvarnabhumi Airport:
~50–60 mins (~55–65 km) (approx.)

 

Room Options & Pricing

  • One-Bedroom Suite (40 sqm) - Inventory: 50 units
    • Regular Rate: THB 1,300 Net
  • Two-Bedroom Suite (65 sqm)
    • Inventory: 10 units
    • Regular Rate: THB 1,700 Net

Email: 
sanctia@reignwoodth.com ,
and copy events@agif.asia 

Tel: +66 (0) 80-043-2814

Novotel Bangkok Future Park Rangsi
4.8 Star Hotel

Location
Rangsit / Future Park Mall area

Website
https://all.accor.com

Distance
Robinswood Golf Club:
~15–20 mins (approx. 12–15 km)

Don Mueang International Airport:
~10–15 mins (10–14 km)

Suvarnabhumi Airport:
~45–50 mins (~54 km)

 

Price (May avg)
~4,000 – 7,000 THB /  110 – 200 USD

 

 

Visit Website
Samala Hotel Bangkok
4.3 Star Hotel

Location
Sukhumvit Soi 15, Central Bangkok

Website
https://www.samalahotelbangkok.com

Distance
Robinswood Golf Club:
~40–45 km (~45–60 mins) (central city → north Bangkok)

Don Mueang Airport (DMK):
~25 km (~30–40 mins)

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK):
~30–35 km (~30–40 mins)

 

The Samala Hotel offers special rates for different room types.

  • Superior Room - Size: 24 sqm

    • Single Occupancy: THB 2,600 per night
    • Double Occupancy: THB 2,900 per night

     Deluxe Room -  Size: 26 sqm

    • Single Occupancy: THB 2,800 per night
    • Double Occupancy: THB 3,100 per night

    Premier Room - Size: 27 sqm

    • Single Occupancy: THB 3,000 per night
    • Double Occupancy: THB 3,300 per night

    Executive Room - Size: 36 sqm

    • Single Occupancy: THB 3,300 per night
    • Double Occupancy: THB 3,600 per night

     Premier Executive Room - Size: 35 sqm

    • Single Occupancy: THB 3,600 per night
    • Double Occupancy: THB 3,900 per night

     Samala Jacuzzi Room - Size: 36 sqm

    • Single Occupancy: THB 4,500 per night
    • Double Occupancy: THB 4,800 per night
     
    *Bed type will be subjected to availability.
Visit Website

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

Calvin Koh

Managing Director
The Picture Suite
Singapore

Read More

Peter Yong

Co-Founder and CEO
FinLit
Selangor, Malaysia

Read More

Chris Gray

Head of Sustainable Golf &
Agronomy Asia-Pacific
The R&A
Singapore
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.

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.

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.

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.

Chris Geraghty

General Manager
59club Asia
Phuket, Thailand
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.

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.

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.

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
PROFILE :

Nick Brown has been appointed Export Sales Manager at Campey Turf Care Systems. With over 20 years of experience in golf and sports turf, and extensive knowledge of international markets, he brings deep regional expertise across Asia and Australasia, focusing on innovation, customer relationships, and global market growth.

Catalina Tapia

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

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.

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




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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Calvin Koh

Managing Director
The Picture Suite
Singapore
Topic : Public Relations - Tell your story for Profit
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.

Peter Yong

Co-Founder and CEO
FinLit
Selangor, Malaysia
Topic : Going digital to increase revenues
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.