APGC Trio Join World Ranking Advisory Group

Tokyo, Japan: A three-strong delegation will represent the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) on a newly-formed World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) Advisory Group.

The WAGR Advisory Group serves as a representative body providing expert insight, player and organisational perspective, and strategic recommendations that guide the development, maintenance, and continual improvement of the rankings.

Members serve as liaisons for their region or stakeholder group and their athletes, ensuring the ranking system remains fair, transparent, and reflective of elite competitive performance.

The Advisory Group makes representations to the WAGR Committee, which is comprised of USGA and The R&A leadership and staff members who work across the rankings daily.

The three APGC representatives are Jun Nagashima from the Japan Golf Association (JGA), Golf New Zealand’s Gregg Thorpe and the Korea Golf Association’s Won Ko.

Philip Hassall, Chairman of the APGC, said: “Given the size and diversity of the Confederation’s membership, it’s important that the APGC has a voice at the top table on important issues such as the world ranking, which affects all our member nations.

“Our thanks to Jun, Gregg and Won Ko for agreeing to represent the APGC on the Advisory Group and state the case for all our member nations.”

Nagashima, Manager of Athlete and Coach Development at the JGA, said: “Our core purpose is to collect feedback, concerns, and recommendations regarding the WAGR system from our diverse regional stakeholders and relay them directly to the leadership of The R&A and the USGA.”

“It’s imperative that the World Amateur Golf Ranking is fair, accurate and trusted globally, which is why we need to keep discussing this topic and hearing from APGC member nations if and when they have particular concerns about the WAGR system.

“It’s important to maintain open communication and collaboration among APGC member nations, as well as with the leadership at the USGA and The R&A.”

The organisations that are represented on the Advisory Group are: European Golf Association; Golf Great Britain & Ireland; Augusta National Golf Club; Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation; Oceania; USGA Regional Affairs Staff Member; National Collegiate Athletic Association; R&A – Middle East and India; R&A – Asia-Pacific; R&A – Latin America and Caribbean; R&A – Africa and R&A Global Golf Alliance Staff Member.

The Advisory Group will meet bi-annually, with additional meetings scheduled as needed. 

*Click here to watch a video interview with Jun Nagashima.