Narain Targets More Bonallack Trophy Glory

Singapore: History-making Rishi Narain has been appointed to lead the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation’s (APGC) bid for a fourth successive Bonallack Trophy victory.

A driving force behind the APGC ‘All-Stars’ triumphs over the European Golf Association (EGA) in the Ryder Cup-style team match play contests in 2023 and 2025, Indian Narain has been confirmed as Captain for the 2027 showdown at Al Ain Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates next January.

Philip Hassall, Chairman of the APGC, said: “Over the previous two editions of the Bonallack Trophy, Rishi has proved himself to be a truly outstanding leader, instilling a phenomenal team spirit and inspiring his players to perform at their peak. We’re delighted that he’ll continue as Captain as we seek an unprecedented fourth win in a row.”

A member of India’s gold medal-winning Asian Games golf team in 1982 and a stalwart of the region’s golfing industry for more than four decades, Narain’s achievements were recognised this year when he was inducted into the Indian Golf Hall of Fame.

Since the turn of the century, he’s been a key figure in many areas of the Indian golf industry, including publishing, player management and event promotion and management.

Narain, who currently serves as Head – Events, Sponsorship, and Membership at the Asian Golf Industry Federation, said: “Being Captain of the APGC team at the past two editions of the Bonallack Trophy have been among the most rewarding and memorable experiences of my working career.

“It’s a great honour to once again be asked to lead a team containing so many incredibly talented players from our region in what is one of the most high-profile events in amateur team golf. I’m excited at the prospect of attempting to retain the trophy.”

Launched in 1998, Europe won seven of the first nine stagings of the biennial event including five-in-a-row from 2006 to 2016. But the tide turned in 2018 when Asia eked out a one-point win in Doha.

Due to Covid, the 2020 contest was cancelled with the Trophy returning to the schedule in 2023 when, with Narain at the helm for the first time, Asia triumphed 17-15 at Spain’s La Manga Club. In another nail-biting finale in 2025, Asia withstood a late European challenge to emerge victorious 16½-15½ at Al Hamra Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates.

Narain is the first individual to Captain the Asian team on three occasions. Japan’s Taizo Kawata (2002 and 2004), New Zealand’s Roger Brennard (2006 and 2008) and Australian Matt Cutler (2016 and 2018) have all led the APGC team twice, with Australians Bruce Nairn (1998) and Roger Hunt (2000), Pakistan’s Taimur Hassan Amin (2012) and Korean Kang Hyung-mo (2014) each having a single stint in the role.

Among the star names to have appeared in the Bonallack Trophy since its inception are Cameron Smith, Geoff Ogilvy, Min Woo Lee, Hideki Matsuyama, Takumi Kanaya and Kiradech Aphibarnrat for the Asia-Pacific and Jon Rahm, Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Danny Willett and Francesco Molinari for Europe.

The Bonallack Trophy takes place over three days. Five foursomes matches in the morning and five fourball matches in the afternoon are played on both of the first two days. On the final day, all 12 players complete singles matches. With a total of 32 points on offer (one for a win, 0.5 for a half and 0 for a loss), 16.5 points are needed to secure victory.

The announcement of Narain’s appointment comes a week after it was confirmed that Joanne McKee will captain the APGC’s Patsy Hankins Trophy team for a second time in a row and a third occasion in all.

Played concurrently with the Bonallack Trophy, the Patsy Hankins Trophy features the leading female amateur golfers from the APGC and the EGA playing in a similar format to the men.