APGC Chairman's Vote of Thanks to Japan Golf Association

Oarai Town, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan: Taimur Hassan Amin, Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), has hailed the return of leading amateurs to the starting line-up at the 2022 edition of the Asia-Pacific Open Diamond Cup.

In a message published in the official programme for the ¥100 million tournament that tees-off at Oarai Golf Club on Thursday, Amin said the championship plays an important role in promoting golf in the Asia-Pacific region.

Amin said: “It also provides elite amateur golfers from APGC member countries with a special opportunity to test their skills at the highest level. I would like to thank the Japan Golf Association (JGA) for their generosity in allocating 10 spots for our APGC amateurs.

“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our players were denied the chance to compete for the past two years. However, with the easing of travel restrictions, we’re all delighted that this year’s Asia-Pacific Open Diamond Cup will once more feature a selection of the finest amateur golfers from around the region.”

Amin also expressed his gratitude to Mitsubishi Corporation and Kansai Telecasting Corporation for co-hosting this championship, along with the JGA and APGC.

He added: “Thanks also to the Japan Golf Tour Organization and the Asian Tour for the support they continue to lend to leading amateurs of APGC member countries.

“Special appreciation goes to The R&A, who have graciously awarded the winner of the Asia-Pacific Open Diamond Cup an exemption for direct participation in the Open Championship, the 2022 edition of which will be held over the fabled Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland (July 14-17).”

Amin also highlighted the strong ties between the APGC and the JGA.

“For more than 50 years, the APGC has been a prominent organisation in world golf, responsible for running the major international amateur championships in the region and promoting golf.

“We are especially proud and honoured of our association with the JGA and the Asia-Pacific Open Diamond Cup.”

Since last year’s Asia-Pacific Open Diamond Cup, Japanese amateurs have excelled in the APGC’s pre-eminent events.

While World Amateur Golf Ranking number one Keita Nakajima emerged triumphant in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC), following in the footsteps of Hideki Matsuyama and Takumi Kanaya, it was Mizuki Hashimoto who was victorious in the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific, the second successive Japanese winner after Yuka Yasuda in 2019.

With two-time AAC winner Matsuyama becoming the 85th Masters champion, Tsubasa Kajitani savouring success in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, and Mone Inami claiming the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, Amin said 2021 will go into the record books as one of the most memorable years in the history of Japanese golf and the JGA.

“In the wake of those glittering performances that proved so uplifting and inspirational for golfers and golf fans across the region, we look forward to celebrating more triumphs for golfers from Japan and the Asia-Pacific region in the months and years ahead,” he said.