McKee Set for Third Stint as Patsy Hankins Trophy Captain

Bogor, Indonesia: Joanne McKee is relishing the opportunity to complete a hat-trick of triumphs when she returns as non-playing captain of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) team at the 2027 Patsy Hankins Trophy.

Hong Kong-based McKee led the APGC team to victory over their European Golf Association counterparts in Qatar in 2018 and in the United Arab Emirates in 2025.

“I’m absolutely thrilled. It’s a real honour and a privilege to be given the chance to lead this elite team of players,” said McKee, whose appointment was confirmed at last week’s Queen Sirikit Cup in Indonesia where she was acting as captain of the Hong Kong, China team.

“Watching the players at the Queen Sirikit Cup, it’s clear the talent that we have is amazing. I’m not thinking about the third win quite yet. I’m just looking at the players and am excited to see who will be available … and to forming the team bond as soon as possible.”

Philip Hassall, Chairman of the APGC, said: “We’re delighted that we’ll once more have the steady hand of Joanne at the helm in 2027. She did an exceptional job on the two previous occasions she’s been captain and we look forward to her leading from the front once more next year.”

The fifth edition of the Patsy Hankins Trophy is scheduled to be staged at Al Ain Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates in the first week of January, 2027. Al Hamra Golf Club was the venue in 2025 when McKee’s team overwhelmed their European rivals 20-12.

In her first stint as captain in 2018, McKee led the APGC line-up to a 23½-8½ success. That star-studded team included Thais Atthaya ‘Jeeno’ Thitikul and Patty Tavatanakit, Japan’s Yuka Saso and Australian Grace Kim. Tavatanakit, Saso and Kim have all gone on to win LPGA Tour Major titles, while Jeeno is the current world number one ranked female golfer.

The Patsy Hankins Trophy is a biennial team match play tournament, played concurrently with the men’s Bonallack Trophy.

Mirroring the Ryder Cup format, the Patsy Hankins Trophy features a match play format format with teams of 12 players from Europe and the Asia-Pacific region competing over three days. The first two days consist of five foursomes and five four-ball matches, while the final day includes singles matches.

The trophy is named after Patsy Hankins (1945-2015), one of the most respected golf administrators New Zealand has produced.

The inaugural Patsy Hankins Trophy took place at Vidago Palace Golf Course in Portugal in 2016 with the Asia-Pacific team winning 17-15. Europe’s sole victory to date came at La Manga in Spain in 2023, by a 19-13 margin.