Australian Hickey to oversee 2011 Asian Amateur Championship

Andrew Hickey

Singapore: The Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) has appointed  Andrew Hickey as the tournament director of the Asian Amateur Championship, scheduled to be played over the Singapore Island Country Club’s New Course from September 29 – October 2.

The Australian will oversee the 2011 championship in a role similarly fulfilled through the collaborative efforts of the event’s three organising bodies – the APGC, the Masters Tournament and The R&A.

Hickey was most recently in charge of the high-profile Asian Tour-European Tour joint sanctioned Ballantine’s Championship in Korea. His portfolio of event experience also includes golf tournaments such as the Australian Open, Hong Kong Open and Kazakhstan Open, along with the Melbourne Cup horse racing carnival and a contemporary art exhibition at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.

“I am thrilled to be working alongside the leading organisations in the golfing industry and look forward to being part of the team that continues to grow the Asian Amateur Championship into the leading amateur golf tournament in the world,” said Hickey.

“It is a great opportunity to ensure there are sound pathways for the development of the game within the Asia-Pacific region, from which, in the coming years, players will be regularly challenging the established golfing powers for positions as the world’s best players,” he said.

The president of the APGC Kwangsoo Hur was confident that the appointment of Hickey will further elevate the standing of the tournament. “The Asian Amateur Championship has grown impressively since its foundation in 2009 and the appointment of Andrew as the event’s first dedicated tournament director reflects the event’s place in Asian golf.

“He brings an outstanding pedigree to the role and we all look forward to working with him to continue the championship’s pivotal role in growing golf in the region.”

The third edition of the Asian Amateur Championship will again bring together the leading amateur golfers from around the region with the champion receiving a place in the following year’s Masters Tournament and, along with the runner(s)-up, a berth in International Final Qualifying – Asia for the Open Championship in 2012.

The 2010 Asian Amateur Championship winner, Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, took full advantage of the opportunities provided by his victory, receiving the Silver Cup as leading amateur at the 2011 Masters Tournament. The 19-year-old finished tied for 27th, alongside defending champion Phil Mickelson.