Wakabayashi Joins Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation Board

Singapore: Japan Golf Association (JGA) committee member Akira Wakabayashi has joined the Board of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC).

Wakabayashi replaces Nobuko ‘Nicki’ Hirayama as the JGA representative on the APGC Board.

Philip Hassall, Chairman of the APGC, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Akira-san to the Board and look forward to his input as we move forward in what is an exciting time of growth for the Confederation. We also offer our sincere thanks and gratitude to Nicki for all her efforts on behalf of the APGC during the past decade. She has been a trail-blazer for women in golf in Asia.”

Wakabayashi, who sits on the JGA’s Foreign Affairs Committee, is a former President at The Royal Golf Club in his native Japan and was an influential figure in the launch of The Royal Junior, one of the foremost tournaments for high school students in Japan which has expanded to include leading regional players nominated by the APGC.

The 54-hole stroke play event is staged at The Royal Golf Club, part of the portfolio of Nippon Kabaya Ohayo Holdings Inc, an Official Partner of the APGC.

As a youngster, Wakabayashi spent time studying in the United Kingdom and South Africa before returning home and graduating from Tokai University where he specialised in International Studies.

During a distinguished working career, Wakabayashi held senior positions at Ito Engineering Co (Senior Managing Director), Siam Ito Engineering Co (Chief Executive Officer), Excel Pack Kabaya Co (Senior Director), Nippon Kabaya Ohayo Holdings Inc (Director) and Tokyo Leisure Development Inc (Managing Director and President).

He said: “As the representative body for 47 male and female national golf associations, the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation plays a crucial role in the development of the sport across our region. As a member of the Board, I look forward to contributing to the continued growth and well-being of golf.”

A Director at the JGA for 10 years and part of the APGC Board since 2015, Hirayama was recognised by the Women’s Golf Day in 2024 when she was named one of four Inspire Action Award winners. 

Hassall said: “Nicki is 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 served 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, ex-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, ex-CEO at the PGA of America.