R&A Chief Executive Reflects on AAC Success Story

Chonburi, Thailand: Creating pathways to the top is the key to growing the game across the Asia-Pacific. That’s the view of Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive at The R&A, golf’s ruling international body.

Speaking during his visit to the 13th Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) in Thailand, Slumbers reiterated his support for the event which was created by The R&A, the Masters Tournament and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) in 2009.

He said: “The R&A has spent a lot of time, many, many years, in working right across Asia to promote the game, and with a lot of it the grass-roots level, a lot of it is trying to introduce the next generation of young players. 

“But the thing we have really learnt and the thing I have really learnt and the AAC has taught me is what really matters to make it work is the pathways to the very top.

“The Masters led with the invitation (to Augusta National), and we followed six, seven years later (Open Championship). 

“Without a doubt, it has been the best decision that we made, and I think the best decision that both of our organisations made because it creates that pathway to the very top. That’s what really drives participation and growth of our sport.”

Slumbers, who was attending his eighth AAC, added: “This event has been a huge success story. To have the senior members of The R&A and Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley here really elevates the event, too. Their presence adds credibility and gravitas.

“I love professional golf at the top end. I admire the skill. But my job is mostly about amateur golf. Why do I love this event? I’m more interested in the bottom half of the field than the top.

“We know who the good players are. But the cut was level-par, on a tough course playing nearly 7,200 yards. That is pretty good. A few years ago, it probably would have been three or four-over.

“We really care about the game becoming more popular. The perception of the game is really important to me. We need to get away from this view that it is a game for rich white men.

“That’s a bad perception and not where I came from in the game. But to build that pyramid there has to be a pathway for players. Yes, at the top end there is a springboard. But there is another at the bottom, one that creates opportunities. This event does that perfectly.”