14 | Cover story
gma conference
Golf Managers
balancing
expectations
The major draw at the 2009
Summit was the appearance
of three of the games greatest
legends - Jack Nicklaus, Gary
Player and Peter Thomson. These
three megastars provided a solid
endorsement of the importance
of the Summit to the global golf
industry.“The Summit is long
overdue for Asia and I am glad
that such an initiative has been
put in place and I hope that
everyone in the industry supports
it and I want to see it grow from
strength to strength,” emphasized
Gary Player.
The legendary Robert Trent
Jones Jr. described the Summit
as follows - “I realize how much
work goes into putting on a large
conference and you certainly did
it right. It was a mighty effort you
put into making this year’s Asian
Golf Summit such a success. Large
and eager crowds, ready to listen
and learn.”
More than 55 world-class speakers
and panellists took part in this
year’s Summit, which was held
at the Putrajaya International
Convention Centre, a multi-million
dollar purpose-built convention
centre.
Some of the highlights of the
Summit included the presentation
of the Asia Pacific Life-Time
Achievement Award to Jack
Nicklaus. The award was made in
recognition of the contributions
that Nicklaus has made to the
development and growth of
golf in the region. The award
includes a special citation, a golf
buggy sponsored by E-Z-Go and
a specially commissioned oil
painting of Nicklaus.
“I am glad that the organizers
selected Malaysia to stage this
international event - we have a
long and impressive heritage
in golf in Malaysia and we are
proud to have played host to the
Summit,” declared Tan Sri Lee Kim
Yew, the founder of The Mines Golf
City and Patron of the event.
The second citation was the Asia
Pacific Humanitarian Award,
which was presented to Gary
Player for his untiring work for
various charities that benefit
underprivileged children.
The final award, the inaugural
Asia Pacific Golf Environment
Award was presented to Robert
Trent Jones Jr. for his efforts to
promote a sustainable awareness
programme related to golf and
the environment.
The Summit was perhaps most
aptly summarized by Michael
Levick, Program Development
Manager, PGA International Golf
Institute who said,“I take my hat
off to your team again this year the 2009 Asia Pacific Golf Summit
in Kuala Lumpur exceeded
expectations in every way, from
the seamless organisation, to
the venues; to the quality of
the speakers and panellists;
to the business opportunities
provided to all the attendees. The
motorcycle police escort of the
coaches from the hotel to the
convention centre each morning
was brilliant, like something out of
a Hollywood movie.”
*A special thanks to Asian Golf
Business for permission to use the
above articles.
The Golf Managers of Australia biannual conference, with this
year’s theme Balancing Expectations, was held in Perth 8 – 13
November with over 130 delegates attending from all over
the nation, including a few imports from New Zealand, US and
Malaysia. Following the opening keynote address from General
Peter Cosgrove, we were fully engaged all week to hear some
world-class speakers such as Norm Spitzig (USA), one of only
fifteen Master Club Manager worldwide. Other topics included
new capital financing models, economic trends, member
retention strategies, environmental management, and general
industry updates. The final keynote address was from another
Peter. Peter Hughes, who was one of the survivors of the Bali
bombings, was a very fitting and inspirational way to close out a
fantastic week.“The quality of keynote speakers and presenters
at this Conference has certainly been the equal to any that I’ve
attended.” Say GMA National President Max Mason.
A general theme through many of the presentati ۜ