Orlando, Florida, United States: Nobuko ‘Nicki’ Hirayama’s role as a trail-blazer for women in golf in Asia has been recognised by the Women’s Golf Day (WGD) movement.

A Director at the Japan Golf Association (JGA) for 10 years and a member of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) Board since 2015, Hirayama has been named as one of four 2024 Inspire Action Award winners.

These annual awards recognise individuals and locations who align with WGD’s commitment to Engage, Empower and Support women around the globe every day.

Taimur Hassan Amin, Chairman of the APGC, said: “It’s appropriate that Nicki is receiving this award in what is the 40th anniversary of her involvement in the golf industry.

“She is now into her fifth decade as a stalwart of the sport in Asia, during which time she’s been a much-admired administrator whose contribution to growing the game in her native Japan and around the region has been immense.”

It was in 1984 that Hirayama joined Dunlop Sports Enterprises in Japan, rising to the position of Managing Director and remaining an advisor to the company through 2015. During her tenure she was, among many other things, responsible for overseeing the Dunlop Open, one of the premier events on the Japan Golf Tour.

For the past two decades, Hirayama has been a permanent presence at the JGA, serving on the Women’s Committee, International Affairs Committee and Public Relations Committee.

As well as being Director of the second edition of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Japan in 2010 (won by Hideki Matsuyama), Hirayama was Tournament Director for the 2001 World Golf Championships – World Cup in Japan and Chairperson on the Organising Committee for the 2014 World Amateur Team Championships in Japan.

Hirayama also serves as a Board member of the International Golf Federation (IGF), alongside many of the most powerful people in the game, including IGF President Annika Sorenstam, Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive at The R&A, Mike Whan, CEO at the United States Golf Association, Augusta National Golf Club Executive Director Will Jones and Seth Waugh, CEO at the PGA of America.

The three other 2024 Inspire Action Award winners were Natalie Farahani, Dobson Ranch Golf Course, US; Lissette De Los Santos, Centro Español, Dominican Republic; and The Links at Crowbush Cove, PEI’s Finest Golf Group, Canada.