Francis Chan, CGCS, serves as the Director of Golf Course Operations at Kinrara Golf Club in Malaysia and for Greencare Services. Chan emphasizes the universal challenge of maintaining consistent course conditions, particularly greens, year-round despite varying weather.

This goal resonates across global golf operations, particularly in Asia's tropical climates.

Hailing from Kuching, Sarawak on Borneo Island, Chan grew up in a region known for its rainforest environment. Malaysia, with over 200 golf courses serving a population of approximately 35 million, features notable designs such as the Arnold Palmer-created Damai Golf and Country Club (opened in 1996) and multiple Ernie Els properties. Golf Digest has shone a spotlight on the country in the past and highlighted it as a "golfing paradise" with diverse and challenging layouts.

Chan's entry into the industry was unconventional. His tertiary education was unrelated to turf management, and he began his career at Kemira, a Finnish chemical solutions firm, followed by a role as a sales and technical executive in Nufarm's turf care division. These positions built his foundation in fertility and agronomy.

In 2010, Chan transitioned to superintendent at Octville Golf & Country Club Resort in Johor, Malaysia, where he faced severe course deterioration from prior operators, he encountered initial setbacks, including member complaints and management pressure. With guidance from Singapore-based superintendent Lim Hua Kiat, who advocated practical action and accountability, Chan implemented changes that restored the course back to a satisfactory standard.

Upon joining Kinrara Golf Club in 2025—a public 18-hole facility in Kuala Lumpur with Tifdwarf bermudagrass greens and Axonopus compressus (tropical carpetgrass) fairways—Chan led a revival effort. The course had been neglected and closed for three months; his team of 20 skilled staff reopened it in September 2025, earning positive feedback from golfers across the region.

Malaysia's year-round tropical climate supports continuous play, and the COVID-19 pandemic boosted golf's popularity among younger demographics, aided by promotions from Asian Tour and LPGA leaders.

Francis is one of only 18 active CGCS members outside the U.S. (among 882 total), Chan exemplifies dedication to professional standards, offering valuable lessons for Asian golf operators on resilience, technical adaptation, and course recovery in challenging environments.

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