Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates: Rishi Narain, mastermind of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) Bonallack Trophy success in 2023, has been reappointed as Captain for the 2025 event.
Next year’s 12th edition of the Ryder Cup-style match play contest against the European Golf Association (EGA) will be staged at Al Hamra Golf Club from January 8-10.
Meanwhile, Joanne McKee will take charge of the APGC team for the fourth iteration of the Solheim Cup-style Patsy Hankins Trophy, to be held concurrently with the Bonallack Trophy.
McKee acted as Captain of the star-studded APGC team in 2018. With Thais Patty Tavatanakit and Atthaya ‘Jeeno’ Thitikul, Japan’s Yuka Saso and Australian Grace Kim in the line-up, the APGC swept to a 23½-8½ win.
Taimur Hassan Amin, Chairman of the APGC, said: “We’re delighted that Rishi and Joanne have accepted our invitations to act as captains to our respective teams for the 2025 Bonallack Trophy and Patsy Hankins Trophy.
“Both have previously experienced the unique demands of the role and will, I’m sure, be inspirational figures as we bid to retain the Bonallack Trophy and regain the Patsy Hankins Trophy.”
Narain, who was part of India’s gold-medal winning Asian Games golf team in 1982 and has been a stalwart of the Indian and Asian golfing industry for four decades, said: “Captaining the 2023 Bonallack Trophy team was one of the most challenging and enjoyable experiences of my golfing career.
“We are fortunate to have so many talented players across the Asia-Pacific and I look forward to seeing at first-hand the latest batch who will represent us at Al Hamra.
“More than half of the winning team from Spain are now making their way in the professional game and I have no doubt the Bonallack Trophy class of 2025 will be equally motivated to make their mark on the game – and help us retain the trophy.”
McKee, who has been based in Hong Kong for the past 20 years, said: “I have such fabulous memories of being involved in the Patsy Hankins Trophy in Qatar in 2018.
“When I look back at pictures of that team, it’s incredible to think we had players who would go on to become Major champions and world number ones within a matter of years.
“You only have to look at the current World Amateur Golf Ranking to see how strong the Asia-Pacific region continues to be in the global game. I’m honoured and excited to be leading the APGC team in 2025 for what promises to be another memorable week during which we’ll see stars of the future come to the fore.”
Staged biennially, among the star names to have appeared in the Bonallack Trophy since its inception in 1998 are Cameron Smith, Geoff Ogilvy, Min Woo Lee, Hideki Matsuyama, Takumi Kanaya and Kiradech Aphibarnrat for the Asia-Pacific and Jon Rahm, Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Danny Willett and Francesco Molinari for Europe.
In the Patsy Hankins Trophy, which was launched in 2016, Saso, Hannah Green, Tavatanakit and Atthaya have represented Asia-Pacific with Albane Valenzuela, Emma Spitz, Helen Briem, and Lottie Woad, currently number one in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, lining up for Europe.
In the men’s Bonallack Trophy, which is named after the late Sir Michael Bonallack, ex-amateur standout and former R&A Secretary, Europe holds a 7-4 overall advantage.
Last year at La Manga in Spain was just the second time that Asia-Pacific had won the Bonallack Trophy on European soil, the only other occasion being in 2004 at Italy’s Circolo Golf Roma. Asia-Pacific’s two other successes came at Japan’s Hirono Golf Club in 2002 and Doha Golf Club in 2018, the sole previous occasion the event has been staged in the Middle East.
In the Patsy Hankins Trophy, named after the respected late New Zealand golfing administrator Patsy Hankins, Asia-Pacific holds a 2-1 lead overall.
Located in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, Troon-managed Al Hamra Golf Club joined the official DP World Tour venue list in 2022, hosting the Ras Al Khaimah Championship. The fourth edition of the championship will take place a fortnight after the Bonallack Trophy and Patsy Hankins Trophy, from January 25-28.
The Bonallack Trophy and Patsy Hankins Trophy take place over three days. Five foursomes matches in the morning and five fourball matches in the afternoon are played on both of the first two days. On the final day, all 12 players complete singles matches.
With 32 total points on offer (one for a win, 0.5 for a half and 0 for a loss), 16.5 points are needed to secure victory.
