The Asian Golf Industry Federation has pledged to grow its Annual International Summit and confirmed the industry showpiece will return to Malaysia for the next two years.
“We’re proud to announce we’ll be back here for the next two years – 2026 and 2027. It will be the same location at the Sime Darby Convention Centre and the same week as the LPGA Maybank Championship,” said Rishi Narain, Head – Events, Sponsorship and Membership at AGIF. “So, lock in the dates and spread the word.”
Narain said the initial response to the fourth edition of the Summit, which took place over three days from October 28-30, has been overwhelmingly positive.
He said: “Outstanding speakers, a fabulous venue and location, a glittering Awards programme and multiple networking opportunities during the Summit and at our first AGIF Business Leaders’ Invitational tournament, and the opportunity to watch the world’s best female golfers at the Maybank Championship all contributed to a memorable week.
“The responses we’ve received – in person, in post-Summit messages and in surveys we have conducted among delegates – have been hugely appreciative and encouraging. There’s certainly a sense that the industry needs a successful and well supported event such as this at which personnel from all facets of the industry can gather to discuss the state of the game and help to shape how it progresses.”
With a focus on four themes – innovation and future trends, operational sustainability, education and demographics and tourism, the 2025 Summit attracted more than 140 attendees from no fewer than 18 countries – Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, China, England, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, The Philippines, Scotland, Singapore, Thailand, Wales, Vietnam and the United States.
Over the course of the Summit, there were a total of 40 speakers, all respected experts in their respective fields, including an exclusive pre-recorded interview with six-time Major champion Sir Nick Faldo, who spoke about how golf course architecture has changed with improvements in equipment technology, and the appeal of Asia for golf tourists from around the world.
AGIF President Chris Gray said: “Our thanks and gratitude go to all the speakers who shared their wisdom and knowledge. It was especially pleasing to see so many golf clubs from across Malaysia and around the region send representatives.
“Overall attendance at this year’s Summit was almost double to 2024 and the addition of the Business Leaders’ Invitational and the AGIF Awards Gala Dinner certainly provided new dimensions. The Asian Golf Industry Federation is committed to continue growing our Annual Summit.”
Gold sponsors of the 2025 AGIF Annual International Summit were The R&A, Club Car and Trojan Battery Company with Centaur Asia Pacific and Jebsen & Jessen as Silver sponsors. Tourism Malaysia was the Event Partner and Sime Darby Convention Centre the Venue Partner.
The Malaysian Association of Golf Recreational Club Owners, the Golf Course Superintendents’ Association of Malaysia and the Golf Club Managers Association of Malaysia were Supporting Partners.