Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates: By any stretch of the imagination, it was a pretty large splash that the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) teams made at the 2025 Bonallack and Patsy Hankins trophies.

While a steady diet of smoothies and protein bars may have helped to fuel the players to their victories at Al Hamra Golf Club, camaraderie and team spirit were also key ingredients.

Throughout the week-long Arabian adventure, a sense of togetherness permeated from both the men’s and women’s camps – a credit to respective team captains Rishi Narain and Joanne McKee.

It was evident in the way the players supported one another on and off the course, in the manner they bought into the philosophies of Narain and McKee and the way they instantly followed the lead of their captains in jumping or diving – or somersaulting in the case of Taishi Moto – into the Arabian Gulf in a celebration that may become a tradition for winning teams.

While the 24 APGC representatives distinguished themselves in the way they played and conducted themselves, the contributions of the captains, and their assistants – Yasunobu ‘Rex’ Kuramoto with the men and Naon Min and Phyllis Tang with the women – should not be under-estimated.

It’s no coincidence that neither Narain nor McKee were new to the job that demands an ability to cajole and inspire along with exceptional leadership skills in team building and bonding, inter-personal relationships and diplomacy.

It’s testament to their dedication that they left no stone unturned in their meticulous planning. Many hours were spent assessing which players should be paired together in the foursomes and fourballs, agonising over the order in which to send their charges into battle and creating a comfortable environment in which all individuals were able to feel at ease in expressing their personalities and their golfing prowess.

Furthermore, neither captain was afraid to make bold decisions.

McKee guessed right that Europe, in an attempt to make a fast start to the final-day singles, would lead-off the last session with Lottie Woad, the women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) number one. History has also informed us that McKee was correct to believe that Eila Galitsky could take the wind out of Woad's sails.

For his part, Narain proved again to be an outstanding strategist, not only in the selection of his pairings but also in second-guessing what tactics his opponents would employ - and how to counter them. Winning both foursomes sessions as well as the singles was due reward.

For Narain and McKee, the triumphs were every bit as memorable as their previous successes.

It was at Doha Golf Club in Qatar in 2018 that McKee led the Asia-Pacific to a 23½-8½ win in what was the second edition of the Patsy Hankins Trophy. It remains the record winning margin in either of the biennial events.

On that occasion, McKee’s team included luminaries such as Yuka Saso, Atthaya ‘Jeeno’ Thitikul and Patty Tavatanakit, a trio that have gone on to fairway fame and fortune.

“There’s no doubt our team in 2018 had standout players that were destined for the top. From our 2025 team, I’m sure several will go on to become superstars. We really did not have a weak link,” said McKee.

Thanks to this week’s 21-11 win, the Asia-Pacific avenged their 2023 loss at La Manga Club in Spain and now holds a 3-1 overall lead in the Patsy Hankins Trophy.

For Narain, winning in the Middle East was every bit as satisfying as the 17-15 success at La Manga.

“After all the time and effort everyone puts in it’s such a magical feeling to lift the trophy at the end of the week,” said Narain, in the wake of the tense 16½-15½ win that mirrored the scoreline in the Asia-Pacific’s triumphs in 2004 and 2018.

Among many reasons to celebrate was the fact that Asia-Pacific has now won the last three editions of the Bonallack Trophy (2018, 2023 and 2025) – a feat they’ve never previously achieved. In so doing, they’ve reduced Europe’s overall lead to 7-5.

As Narain and McKee both noted in their speeches at the closing ceremony, the Bonallack Trophy and the Patsy Hankins Trophy now rate among the strongest events in the global amateur game.

Narain cited the fact that the opening singles encounter among the men featured Singapore’s Hiroshi Tai, the reigning NCAA Division One winner, and Spaniard Jose Luis Ballester, winner of the 2024 US Men’s Amateur Open and currently fourth in the WAGR.

McKee, meanwhile, could point to foursomes and fourball clashes on day two that saw England's Woad square off with Malaysian Mirabel Ting, fourth in the standings.

Addressing the players, APGC Chairman Taimur Hassan Amin caught the mood perfectly.

He said: “You have been the heartbeat of this tournament. We hope you enjoyed this experience as much as we enjoyed witnessing your talent and determination on the course. Whether you leave here as champions or with lessons learned, know that you have made your country and region proud where you have contributed to the legacy of this incredible championship.

“We look forward to seeing how this experience shapes your careers. If history is any indication, some of you will go on to become legends in the world of professional golf. Whatever paths you take, we wish you the very best in your journeys.”