Ken and Tenniel Chu, the brothers who run Mission Hills Group in China, top Golf Inc.’s inaugural list of the most powerful people in Asia.
Golf Inc. has ranked the most powerful people in golf since 1998, and will release its international list in the October/November issue. But this year it added a ranking specific to Asia.
“Asia is the fastest growing continent in the golf industry, and yet few people know the power brokers behind the business of golf,” said Jack Crittenden, Editor In Chief of Golf Inc. “This list should help explain the industry better and shape its future growth.”
Three of the 15 on the Most Powerful Asia list will also appear on the Most Powerful International list, which will rank the top power brokers in the world.
The Asia list includes three Japanese, two Chinese, two Koreans, and one person from each of the following countries: Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, India and Vietnam. Brian Curley, an American and Paul Burley, a Brit now living in Singapore, also made the list.
Golf Inc.’s editors, who are based in Asia, Europe and America, compiled the list after careful review and analysis. The editor’s considered each person’s impact on golf course management, education and training, environmental sustainability, financial sustainability, golf course development, promotion of golf and other factors.
The October/November issue will include a profile of each honoree.
Most Powerful Asia
1. Ken and Tenniel Chu
Mission Hills Group
China
2. Arihiro Kanda
Pacific Golf Management
Japan
3. Kim Young Je
SKY72 Resorts
Korea
4. Wang Jun
Forward Group
China
5. Jimmy Masrin
PT Caturkarsa Megatunggal
Indonesia
6. Mike Sebastian
Asia Pacific Golf Group
Singapore
7. Khun Santi Bhirombhakdi
Singha Corporation
Thailand
8. Brian Curley
Schmidt Curley Golf Design
Arizona, USA (Offices in China)
9. Masato Mizuno
Japanese Olympic Committee
Japan
10. Conrad L. Benitez II
The Orchard Golf and Country Club, Federation of Philippine Golf Clubs Inc.
Philippines
11. Ryusuke Kamata
Accordia Golf Company
Japan
12. Jin Roy Ryu
Poongsan Corporation
Korea
13. Paul Burley
IMG
Based in Singapore
14. Dilip Thomas
Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation
India
15. Nguyen Van Hao
Vietnam Golf Association
Vietnam