Singapore: Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) Chairman Taimur Hassan Amin has hailed the unprecedented opportunities afforded to the region’s elite young players.
Speaking in the inaugural edition of a new APGC webinar series, Amin referred to the enviable prizes on offer to participants in the forthcoming Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) and Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP).
He said: “While the winner of next week’s AAC will be awarded a place in the 2022 Masters Tournament and the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews, the winner of the WAAP will gain access to two professional Majors and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA). What amazing incentives.”
Following a barren 18-month period with tournaments unable to proceed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Amin said he was delighted that the APGC’s showpiece championships are proceeding.
The 12th edition of the AAC is taking place at the Dubai Creek & Yacht Club from November 3-6 with the WAAP following at Abu Dhabi Golf Club from November 10-13.
Despite the frustrations of the enforced inactivity since early 2020, Amin praised the efforts of Asia-Pacific golfers who have stamped an indelible mark on the game during these difficult times.
He highlighted Hideki Matsuyama’s win at the Masters,CT Pan’s bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, Major LPGA titles forPatty Tavatanakitand Yuka Saso, men’s World Amateur Golf Ranking number one Keita Nakajima being crowned as winner of the Mark McCormack Medal, Tsubasa Kajitani winning the ANWA and Atthaya Thitikul dominating the Ladies European Tour.
Amin said: “That’s an impressive list of successes from players who have all progressed from APGC events.
“As a two-time winner of the AAC, Hideki’s victory at Augusta National was an especially proud moment, not just for me but for all my predecessors as Chairman of the APGC, and all those who have been part of the Confederation’s journey.
“Gratitude and thanks also go to The R&A and Augusta National for their vision and support, without which these opportunities for the players would not be available.”
During the wide-ranging interview with APGC Communications Manager Spencer Robinson, Amin also discusses the Confederation’s forthcoming annual general meeting and the prospects for the return of more tournaments to the schedule in 2022.
