BANGKOK, Thailand — The 2026 Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) Club & Turf Management Conference concluded at Robinswood Golf Club in Lam Luk Ka, Bangkok, marking an increase in regional participation and an expanded educational program.
The event attracted more than 140 delegates, representing a 50% increase in attendance compared to the 2025 conference. Attendees included representatives from more than 20 golf clubs in Thailand, as well as industry professionals from across the Asia-Pacific region, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Golf Industry Asia Co-founder Mike Orloff, was in attendance for this all-day event.
"What an impressive facility, Robinswood Golf Club, and the greater Reignwood Park. The vision for this property will change the golfing and lifestyle landscape in Thailand. It was my second visit in two weeks and the staff have been amazing each time."
"The AGIF is finding its stride with events, with this being the best one I've attended. It's always nice to catch up with familiar faces and to share time with industry peers. Thanks to Rishi Narain for the event and to Stuart Daly CEO of Reignwood Park for the hospitality provided by the team."
Robinswood Golf Club served as the host venue, providing facilities for the presentation sessions, practical machinery demonstrations, and course tours. The event opened with remarks from Chris Gray, President of the AGIF and Head of Sustainable Golf & Agronomy Asia-Pacific for The R&A, alongside Seehachet "Pro It" Saifon, General Manager of Robinswood Golf Club, and Suchart Suwannasri, President of the Thailand Golf Course Association.
"We had great speakers, great networking opportunities and a great venue," said Chris Gray. "It was good to see so many people from the industry reconnecting. I think everyone has learned a lot."
Gray acknowledged the support of the venue management, sponsors, and AGIF member companies. Stuart Daly, Chief Operating Officer at Reignwood Park, noted that hosting the event allowed regional peers to share operational best practices and view the development at Robinswood Golf Club and Reignwood Park.
Seehachet Saifon added that the conference provided a platform for golf club leaders, superintendents, owners, and industry professionals from across Asia to meet and discuss the operational future of the industry.
The educational program covered agronomy, sustainability, club operations, and revenue management. A panel titled "Reignwood – Setting New Standards" featured Seehachet Saifon, Stuart Daly, Joe Marshall (Director of Instruction at The Claude Harmon III Performance Golf Academy), and Kenny Mackay (Director of Golf Course & Grounds at Wentworth Club Ltd), who discussed cross-border operational standards and facility management.
Sustainability was a central theme, with Chris Gray presenting on "The R&A and Sustainability," focusing on the environmental responsibilities of modern golf facilities. Technical presentations accompanied this on resource efficiency and infrastructure:
On course maintenance, the "Turf – Problems & Solutions" panel brought together Nick Brown (Export Sales Manager, Campey Turf Care Systems), David Lunardelli (Director of Agronomy & Operations Asia/Pacific, Troon), and Dean Nelson CCM, PGA (General Manager, Plover Cove Golf Club, Hong Kong) to review current agronomic practices and maintenance solutions.
Long-term facility planning was addressed by a panel on course architecture and development. Jason Winter, Partner at Parslow & Winter Golf Design, delivered a case study on course reconstruction from concept to execution. Martin Moore, President of Flagstick GCCM, presented on durable construction standards in his session "Build To Last," while Chris Geraghty, Managing Partner of 59club Asia, discussed methods for measuring customer experience using data.
Commercial growth through market diversification was explored in the panel session "Women – An Untapped Market!" Moderated by industry representatives, the discussion featured Jerome Ng (Director of Golf Development Asia-Pacific for The R&A), Wantana Kavinjarasrach (General Manager of Sales & Marketing, Siam Country Club), and golf coach Stephanie Oukeo (CEO, 360 Development & Golf). The panelists discussed strategies to increase female participation and create more inclusive environments at club level.
The financial aspects of club operations were analyzed during "The New Era of Revenue Optimisation" panel, moderated by James Shippey (Managing Director, Absolute Golf Services), with translation by Araya Singhsuwan. Panelists included Simon Mees PGA, CMA Dip (General Manager, Absolute Golf Services), Stuart Daly, Pat Wisitnorapat (Owner, Green Valley Country Club), and Thera Siricharoen (CEO & Co-Founder, Golfdigg).
The conference concluded with an official presentation of certificates to the speakers, followed by a networking reception for delegates and partners held in Jack's Bar.
Rishi Narain, Head of Events, Sponsorship, and Membership at the AGIF, reported positive feedback from the post-event attendee surveys. He credited the host venue management, the Thailand Golf Course Association, media partner Golf Plus Channel, and corporate sponsors, including The R&A, Beyond Green, Bunker Solution, Club Car, Jacobsen, Jebsen & Jessen, Rain Bird, SMARTSCORE, and Toro—for the execution of the event.
Narain confirmed that the next AGIF Conference will take place in Hanoi, Vietnam, on September 15–16, held in partnership with the Vietnam Golf Leisure Awards.
This will be followed by the AGIF Annual International Summit at the Sime Darby Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from October 27–29. The summit will run concurrently with the LPGA Tour’s Maybank Championship and will include an industry golf tournament alongside the AGIF Annual Awards Dinner.
