Sporting Insights Asia will support Zen Green Stage, the UK-based moving floors specialist, as it enhances its global operations and extends its reach into the Asia Pacific region.
As part of the partnership, a new insight study will deliver data that will help Zen to take proactive decisions as it communicates its product range and identifies potential partnerships.
Going beyond the numbers, head of Sporting Insights Asia (formerly SMS Asia), Eric Lynge, who has 25 years’ experience in leadership positions within the media and sports industry in the Asia Pacific will also be advising Zen on strategic matters pertaining to the launch of the firm’s adjustable playing surface products across the region.
Four of the world’s top 20 golfing countries by facility numbers are in the Asia Pacific region: Japan, the Republic of Korea, China and Thailand (source: R&A Golf Around The World Fourth Edition / Sporting Insights).
Starting immediately, Sporting Insights will assist with Zen’s expansion into those markets, plus Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.
Launch monitors, simulator software, putting technology, balance plates and 3D motion capture systems of all kinds can gather more data than ever before through use on a Zen Green Stage adjustable playing surface.
Zen Green Stage General Manager Andy Hiseman said: “We believe that the new global standard in golf practice now involves activating the floor, and that Zen Green Stage represents the leading technology in this market segment.
“As our moving floors become more common worldwide, we find ourselves dealing with multiple sales channels and different types of end user wherever we go. Eric Lynge will help us to manage that complexity in the Asia Pacific region, which itself comprises an extraordinary variety of markets and different approaches to golf.
“As well as helping us to form new strategic partnerships in the region, he will also be triggering direct sales discussions with potential Green Stage owners. These will typically be Tour golfers and their coaches, PGA instructors, golf facility owners, governing bodies and private individuals.”
Lynge noted: “The golf market is ready to take realism to a new level with Zen Green Stage. Over recent years, I have had the opportunity to view various off-course technologies both in theory and in practice and it was clear, from the moment I first saw Zen make the floor move, that this serves the fast-growing indoor golf market in an incredibly compelling and comprehensive manner.
“Green Stage creates an accurately-adjustable playing surface for golf facilities and private golfers without tying them to any particular other golf technology, and it is versatile enough to enhance both coaching environments and golf entertainment centres.
“It is a world-class product, and I am excited to help the Zen team actively expand into Asia Pacific in a way which matches their recent expansion into North America and Europe.”
Taimur Hassan Amin will continue as Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) for a further two years. Hassan’s appointment to serve a second term in office was confirmed during the annual general meeting of the region’s ruling golfing body.
“I’m honoured to continue in the role,” said the multi-time former Pakistan Open Amateur champion.
“I’m very thankful to all our member countries for their support as we strive to grow and develop golf around the Asia-Pacific, at both grass-roots and elite level,” he added.
New Zealand’s Philip Hassall will remain Vice Chairman and Treasurer, while Australian John Hopkins is staying on as Chairman of the APGC’s Championship Committee.
Long-term APGC Directors Raevadee T. Suwan and Dato’ Rabeahtul Aloya Abbas are both standing down for personal reasons. However, Raevadee will continue to oversee the staging of the Queen Sirikit Cup, the Asia-Pacific Ladies Amateur Team Championship.
“I would like to thank Rae and Dato’ Rabe for their duty, loyalty and dedication in serving the APGC Board,” said Hassan, adding that the new Board members will be announced within the next fortnight.
At the annual meeting, Brunei Darussalam Golf Association was ratified as the 47th representative body to join the APGC.
“We’re pleased to welcome our friends from Brunei to the APGC and look forward to seeing the game grow there,” said Hassan, who was speaking ahead of the back-to-back showpiece tournaments on the Confederation’s calendar of events – last week's 13th Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) at Amata Spring Country Club and the upcoming fourth Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) at Siam Country Club.
“We’re especially grateful to The R&A and the Masters Tournament for their support and encouragement, not just with the AAC and the WAAP, but with everything we are doing,” he added.
As well as acting as the hosting partner for major amateur events in the region, the APGC supports member organisations in the development of golf in their respective countries.
The APGC also works to ensure adherence to the Rules of Golf as approved by The R&A, and partners with The Masters Tournament and the International Golf Federation in the promotion of golf.
There’s a major new player in the Vietnamese golf industry - the T&T Group, which is embarking on a crusade to place Northern Vietnam on the international golfing map. This will tee off with the group's maiden golf venture, Văn Lang Empire Golf Club and its two Greg Norman-designed courses.
Australian legend and acclaimed course architect Norman is sculpting 36 holes on a spectacular 168-hectare site in the province of Phu Tho for the group, which was founded in 1993 and is among the top-10 multi-sector private economic corporations in the country.
During a two-day visit to Vietnam earlier this week, Norman met with T&T Group Chairman Do Quang Hien before making his first trip to the site. As well as presenting Hien with the completed golf course plans, Norman discussed his environmentally-friendly design philosophy which ensures the use of local vegetation and retention of the natural topography.
With the company’s 30th anniversary on the horizon, T&T Group Vice Chairman and Deputy General Director Do Vinh Quang recently announced the formation of T&T Golf to manage and oversee its diversification into the Royal and Ancient sport - commencing with the Văn Lang Empire project at an estimated total investment of VND 35,000 billion (about USD1.475 billion).
“As part of the T&T Group, T&T Golf’s goal is to become a leading brand in golf in Vietnam, reaching out to the world. Golf courses operated and managed by T&T Golf will not only be challenging for golfers, but also will be the ‘bridge’ to culture, history and nature, helping local economies to ‘take-off’," said Quang.
“We have brought together a team of experts and professional partners that will create a world-class golfing facility at Văn Lang Empire Golf Club. It is our vision to create unforgettable experiences for golfers and international visitors to Vietnam."
Norman and his design team at the spectacualr site
Norman noted that Vietnam is the place to realise the dream of golf course designers. "It’s full of wonderful elements of weather, rivers, hills, friendly people, and unique cuisine … and it’s really easy to move around. There aren’t many places that have that many advantages," said the former World No 1 and two-time Open champion.
“I always hold a firm belief in taking advantage of what nature gives us to design each special golf course in a different way. At Văn Lang Empire Golf Club we have found common ground when pursuing the philosophy of sustainable development and creating values for the community and society.”
Ground was first broken on the site in February with the club’s state-of-the-art Golf Academy scheduled to open on December 24. The projected opening date for the two golf courses is September 2, 2023.
Located in Lam Son commune (Tam Nong, Phu Tho), The Prime Course is being laid out over an area of 93 hectares. Meanwhile, The Legend Course is situated in the Lam Son and Quang Huc communes and spans close to 75 hectares.
The Văn Lang Empire project is the latest addition to Norman’s impressive portfolio of work in Vietnam, that includes a host of award-winning layouts such as BRG Da Nang Golf Resort, The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip and KN Golf Links at Cam Ranh.
PGA NovaWorld Phan Thiet has strengthened its reputation as a premier new destination for golf in the region by securing the title of Best New Golf Course at last week's Vietnam Golf & Leisure Awards.
The bi-annual Vietnam Golf & Leisure Awards honours the best golf courses in Vietnam and has been organized since 2007 by Vietnam Golf & Leisure Magazine.
The 2022 awards were staged in coordination with the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Vietnam Golf Association and General Department of Physical Education and Sports, with the aim of increasing golf participation across the country. The panel of judges included leading industry experts, as well as public votes from both the domestic and international community.
Originally opened in April 2021, the PGA Ocean Course was designed by Australian legend Greg Norman. The 7,400-yard layout aims to host a number of high-profile championships in the years to come, offering a range of world-class facilities and technology including a state-of-the-art contemporary clubhouse, a 320-yard PGA-accredited driving range, and the latest GPS tracking software from Tagmarshal.
The course features a mix of both parkland and links-style land, with stylishly rugged bunkers lined with native grass that punctuate the undulating fairways, while serving up stunning views over the East Sea. Signature ‘mini fairway’ tees up to 100 metres in length allow every hole to be set up in different ways to offer a varied challenge for every standard of golfer.
Made with 100% Zoysia grasses, which use less fertiliser and require less water, the PGA Ocean Course was also built with the environment in mind as the resort seeks to become one of Asia’s most sustainable golf destinations.
Andrew Bowles, Nova Golf Clubs – Golf Director and Advisory, noted: “It is amazing that the PGA Ocean Course has won not only one but two titles this year. Everyone at the club has worked extremely hard to create one of the best golfing experiences in Vietnam and these awards are recognition of that.
"Golf is one of many key facilities that are being offered at NovaWorld Phan Thiet – the 1000ha coastal mega city – Tourism - Wellness with 7km coastline, and as more people come to visit, we are excited to demonstrate the outstanding course conditioning, playability and the challenge offered by both the PGA Ocean and Garden Courses.”
Hoiana Shores Golf Club received the Best Golf Course award, while the top 10 golf courses in Vietnam for 2022 were Hoiana Shores, The Bluffs Grand Ho Tram Strip, Laguna Golf Lang Co, KN Golf Links Cam Ranh, PGA NovaWorld Phan Thiet, Vinpearl Golf Nha Trang, BRG Danang Golf Resort, Ba Na Hills Golf Club, SkyLake Resort & Golf Club, and Montgomerie Links Golf Club.
MST Golf took another step forward in its mission to broaden golf’s following with the official opening of the second MST Golf Arena outlet at Tropicana Gardens Mall in Petaling Jaya on Wednesday, September 28.
As the region’s leading golf retailer and golf services provider, MST Golf aims to make golf more inclusive and accessible through the unique MST Golf Arena recipe of entertainment, dining and retail.
The evening launch was attended by MST Golf’s business partners, golf industry leaders, members of the media and some of the country’s top golfers – including Malaysian number one Gavin Green, rising star Shahriffuddin Ariffin and amateur talent Malcolm Ting who won the Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) men’s individual gold medal recently.
Green joined MST Golf Managing Director, KP Low and Tropicana Corporation Group Executive Director, Jared Ang to hit ceremonial tee-shots before the traditional Lion Dance performance to mark the auspicious occasion. Guests were then treated to a sumptuous buffet spread along with free flow of drinks, while enjoying fun games and contests at the indoor golf centre’s tech bays.
“It’s an unbelievable set-up. It’s a great place for people to chill after work. There’s everything here; indoor golf, fitting, shopping, a bar, food,” said Green, who won the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2017.
Located on the ground floor, the 36,000-plus square foot MST Golf Arena at Tropicana Gardens has already become a popular hangout for golfers and their friends since its soft opening on August 18 – including many who want to try golf for the first time.
“We are proud to bring the MST Golf Arena ‘whole-in-one’ experience to Petaling Jaya here at Tropicana Gardens Mall. This location is perfect due to its proximity to a huge suburban population, as well as golf clubs such as Seri Selangor and Tropicana,” said MST Golf Chief Executive Officer, Ng Yap.
“MST Golf Arena is the ideal place to have a great time with friends and family, regardless of whether they play golf or not. By making golf fun and accessible, we hope to broaden the demographics of the golfing population, especially among the younger generations,” he added.
MST Golf Arena at Tropicana Gardens has 13 tech bays and five private rooms, each featuring Foresight Sports’ industry-leading GCHawk or GCQuad launch monitors. Golfers can choose to tee off at some of the world’s top golf courses including Pebble Beach and St Andrews, work on their swings, or just have fun playing one of the many user-friendly, carnival-style games.
Those who wish to hone their putting skills can do so at a long, contoured putting green which features the state-of the-art and interactive PuttView system, or just indulge in some fun putting games.
There are three distinct and thematic F&B areas where guests can enjoy a wide range of international cuisine and drinks, including craft coffee and alcoholic beverages; the White Tee Restaurant, Blue Tee Sports Bar and Black Tee Lounge which doubles up as an excellent corporate and private event space. Guests can also dine at their designated bay tables or in the private rooms.
Equipped with full audio visual and live streaming systems, along with locker rooms with showers, MST Golf Arena at Tropicana Gardens is ready for any event.
“With ample event spaces, MST Golf Arena at Tropicana Gardens is the ideal venue for corporate functions and private gatherings. We are ready to host anything and everything, from product launches and team-building activities to golf clinics and birthday parties,” said MST Golf Arena General Manager, Doris Marchardt.
The connected MST Golf Super Store meanwhile offers the latest products from the leading golf and athleisure wear brands, serviced by well-trained and experienced golf consultants.
For all golfers, from beginners to seasoned players, learning is made fun and easy at The Golf Lab Performance Centre, equipped with the latest technology including Gears Sports, K-Motion, 3-D Balance Plate, Quintic Ball Roll, Swing Catalyst, Speed Set and high-speed multiple camera systems to deliver world-class custom fitting and learning programs.
"Rain or shine, MST Golf Arena is truly a one-stop centre not only for golfers to enjoy golf, food and drinks with their golfing friends, but also for non-golfers who are curious about the game and never had the chance to try it out,” noted MST Golf Managing Director, KP Low.
“Beginners can swing away in a secure, air-conditioned environment to try the game and – if they find that they like it – progress to taking lessons from our well-qualified and experienced coaches. They can also shop for equipment at the adjoining Super Store, which has seen many beginners’ package sets sold,” he added.
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