Floro’s Opening Address Strikes a Chord

Singapore: Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation Board (APGC) member Bones Floro delivered a powerful opening address at the inaugural Asia Golf Convention (AGC).

Staged at the Singapore Island Country Club, the half-day AGC was part of the Singapore Golf Association’s (SGA) inaugural Golf Week.

Along with the SGA, the ASEAN Golf Federation and the Asia Golf Leaders Forum, the APGC was a co-organiser of the Convention that featured a strong line-up of leaders from the region’s golfing community.

Into his fifth year as Secretary-General and Chief Operating Officer of the National Golf Association of the Philippines and his second year as an APGC Board member, Floro is also Deputy Secretary-General of the National Olympic Committee of the Philippines.

Speaking on behalf of the APGC at the VRSE Asia-organised Asia Golf Convention, Floro said: “Congratulations to Tan Chong Huat and his team at the Singapore Golf Association on launching this initiative which has brought together industry gurus and sports officials from across Asia to share their insights on a wide range of topics that impact all of us who are involved in this wonderful game.

“It was especially encouraging to have participation from senior representatives of the national golfing associations in Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam, among the 47 member organisations of the APGC which was formed in 1963 and has been a constant fixture in the game’s remarkable growth and development over the past 60 years.

“Across Asia-Pacific, the Royal & Ancient sport continues to expand at a considerable rate. Today, it’s estimated that our region has almost 20 million golfers with a significant rise in the number of women and juniors taking up the game in recent years.”

Floro hailed Asia’s ever-increasing presence in the global golf industry and on the global golf tours.

He said: “At the APGC, we’re proud that many of the superstars in the highest echelons of the professional game developed their talent and sharpened their games in our blue ribbon tournaments.

“The Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship has been developed in conjunction with The R&A and the Masters Tournament and rewards the winner with starting spots at the Masters and Open Championship.

“Meanwhile, the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific, developed by the R&A and the APGC, offers the winner places in three LPGA Majors.

“As well as overseeing a portfolio of seven major amateur events, the APGC supports member organisations in the development of golf in their respective countries.

“Furthermore, we work to ensure adherence to the Rules of Golf as approved by The R&A, and partner with the Masters Tournament and the International Golf Federation in the promotion of golf.”

In his summing up, Floro added: “As I’ve outlined, there’s good cause for optimism that golf will continue to thrive in the Asean and Asia-Pacific regions.

“But we must not rest on our laurels. It’s incumbent upon all of us gathered here to ensure a bright outlook for future generations.”