Despite a slowdown in China, Asia continues to be golf’s fastest-growing market. We identify the ten people who are influencing the region the most. While five made our list of the Most Powerful People in Golf in our September/October issue, they are re-ranked here based on their impact on Asia only.
No. 1 Dr. Ken Chu, Chairman and CEO and
Mr. Tenniel Chu, Vice Chairman, Mission Hills Group
China
Mission Hills Group owns and manages the two largest golf resorts in the world, Mission Hills Shenzhen & Dongguan and Mission Hills Haikou. The Chu brothers have obtained traction in Asia for pursuing a strategy of “Golf and More” to develop recreational facilities that compliment golf and attract a broader audience.
No. 2 Luu Duc Quang
Chairman
BISCOM Golf Club Management
Vietnam
He oversees the largest golf course development expansion in the world, with 20 courses in planning. The company has $1 billion in golf-resort development under construction or recently completed.
No. 3 Tanaka Kotaro
President & CEO Pacific Golf Management
Japan
Kotaro took over the management company in late 2015, moving up from vice president of sales. PGM owns and operates 140 golf courses in Japan and went private about a year ago.
No. 4 Yuko Tashiro
President & CEO Accordia Golf Co., Ltd.
Japan
Tashiro broke through a thick glass ceiling to take over the reigns of Accordia Golf Company in March of 2016 in a reorganization of senior management.
No. 5 Jose Juan Z. ‘Gigio’ Jugo
Chairman, Verde Golf Development Corporation
Philippines
As the Group Head of Ayala Land Premier, Jugo has steered serious Ayala investment into golf with real estate development that has proven highly successful. Expect even more investment in the future.
No. 6 Kim Young Chan
Chairman, CEO, Representative Director
Golfzon Yuwon
Korea
A fast growing golf empire started in 2000, Golzon Yuwan has become established throughout Asia, driving millions of new golfers into the game through its simulators. It also owns three golf courses in Korea and a retail company.
No. 7 Kim Young Je
President and CEO
SKY72 Golf Resorts
Korea
Kim Young Je has been a powerhouse in Korean golf since the early days of the nations golf boom in the 1990s. With five golf courses and the largest public practice facility in the world under his management, he also recently built the 380 room Nest Hotel complex adjacent to the Incheon International Airport and in proximity to his golf courses.
No. 8 Du Sha
Owner and Chairman
Pacific Links International
China
Owns 12 courses in China and an expanding tourism empire.
No. 9 Conrado L. Benitez II
Founder and President,
The Orchard Golf & Country Resort
Philippines
Conrad Benitez is a formidable power broker in the Philippines and his leadership influence extends through Southeast Asia. In addition to his role as founder of The Orchard golf complex south of Manila, he is also promoting golf course management education throughout the region.
No. 10 David Dale and Kevin Ramsey
Golfplan Partners
Golfplan has been successfully engaged in Asia for the last forty years. David Dale and Kevin Ramsey took over ownership from Ron Fream in 2006 and have amplified their brand. They have numerous highly-ranked courses throughout the region and the PGA Tour recently announced a tournament at their Nine Bridges design in Korea.