Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Philip Hassall and General Abdulla Al Hashmi have paid tribute to outgoing Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) Chairman Taimur Hassan Amin.
Hassall and General Abdulla were formally voted in as the next Chairman and Vice Chairman during the APGC’s annual general meeting at the Grand Hyatt Dubai today.
Amin, an APGC Board member for 20 years and Chairman for the past six years, will officially stand down from the post on Sunday following the conclusion of the 16th Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Emirates Golf Club.
Flanked by Hassall and General Abdulla, Amin said: “I’m proud that we have had a smooth transition. These are exciting times for Asian golf in general, and for the APGC in particular. I have every confidence that the new Chairman Philip Hassall and Vice Chairman General Abdulla will guide the Confederation with wisdom and vision. Under their leadership. I’m sure the region’s rise in the global golfing world will continue.”
Hassall, who has acted as the Confederation’s Vice Chairman since 2019, said: “This week has been a lot about reflection and the great contribution that Taimur has given to the APGC over the past 20 years.
“When he joined the organisation, we had just one event – the Nomura Cup (Asia-Pacific Men’s Amateur Team Championship), which was held every two years. Now we have a fantastic schedule of events and fabulous partners in The R&A and Augusta National.
“When you look back, the progress under Taimur’s leadership has been quite phenomenal. I have big shoes to fill, but I know I have a good friend at the other end of the phone that will be happy to provide advice and guidance.
“I’m looking forward to working with the General. We’ll be working hard in the interests of our member countries. We’ll have an open-door policy and will address any concerns that come up.
“As a Board, we’ll be looking at making strategic decisions. We believe it’s an important step for us to have a professionally-run organisation and we’ve been going through an extensive recruitment process to bring in someone in a General Manager-type role.”
General Abdulla, President of the Emirates Golf Federation, said: “Thank you Taimur for your leadership and dedication to the APGC and the game. Before you started visiting and encouraging this region, we didn’t know about the APGC. Things have really progressed in this part of the world under your leadership.
“As Vice Chairman, I’m looking forward now to working with Philip and supporting his vision for all of our countries in the APGC. We want to hear your voices and make the APGC stronger. Working together as a family, we want to achieve our visions and help our young players develop and become champions.”
New Zealander Hassall, who has served as a Director of the APGC for 15 years, will be the fifth Chairman of the Confederation following Malaysian Tommy Lee (1999-2014), Australian David Cherry (2014-2017), Japan’s Kei Muratsu (2017-2019) and Amin (2019-2025).
On Tuesday night, Amin was honoured during an APGC Board dinner attended also by his family at which he was presented with a plaque and a commemorative photo montage of his time in office.
