Maj Md Mahmudur Rahaman Chow (Retd)
Golf is a lifelong family passion for me. I am grateful to the Bangladesh Golf Federation for sponsoring my R&A Level 3 (TARS) certification in 2014. I have since attained R&A Level 4—the highest rules certification—and continue advanced training in course rating.
My family shares this dedication. My younger son, a Master's graduate, attended Alabama State on a full scholarship, played NCAA Division 1 golf, and now competes professionally in Florida while working in finance. My elder son holds a position at a golf club and plays professional golf in Florida as well, and my wife is an active club-level golfer.
Driven by a mission to “take golf to its roots and change the narrative,” I have leveraged my international officiating experience to deepen my understanding of the game. Over the last three years, I have been actively officiating international golf tournaments and participating in both online and in-person development seminars and workshops hosted by the IGF, R&A, JGTA, PGAF, and LPGA.
I have visited over 100 golf clubs across many countries—including India, the USA, England, Thailand, Malaysia, the UAE, KSA, China, and Nepal—offering me a unique global perspective on the game from both sides of the ropes over the last 20 years.
Infrastructural Advancement
The global golf landscape is defined by massive scale and significant investment. Based on my research and visits, the distribution of facilities in these countries is as follows:
- Golf courses in the USA: 16,000+ (Florida: 1,200+)
• Golf courses in England: 2,400
• Golf courses in China: 600
• Golf courses in Thailand: 300
• Golf courses in India: 250
• Golf courses in Malaysia: 200+
Development Costs (9-Hole Course)
A standard 9-hole course (750–4,000 yards) requires significant capital due to land value and modern design requirements:
- USA: ~$8 million (Tk80 crore)
• India: ~Tk60 crore
Transforming Golf into a Sovereign Industry
These countries utilized a “Triple-Helix” model—synergizing government policy, private innovation, and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)—to build a viable industry.
- Targeted Incentives: Tax holidays for golf development, manufacturing and importing equipment, plus subsidies for training academies and clubs.
- Media Visibility: Rebranding golf as an accessible, high-value sport to attract major corporate sponsorship.
- Global Partnerships: Inviting business giants such as LIV Golf, DP World, Aramco, HSBC, Rolex, FedEx, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, Korn Ferry, IBM, AT&T, Cadillac, BMW, Emirates, and others to invest in and sponsor the golf ecosystem.
The Standard and Continuity of Golfing Professionalism
These nations prioritized career professionals who mastered the technical and commercial aspects of the game—specifically ROI, global rankings, and narrative-driven development. A key driver of their success is continuity, stability, and professionalism.
The R&A: Golf executives such as Dominic Wall (Director of Development, Asia-Pacific), Shona McRae (Director of Rules), and Grant Moir (Executive Director of Rules) have each served for over 15 years.
USA (USGA): Todd Stice provides decades of specialized technical knowledge.
India (IGU & PGTI):
- Major General (Retd) Bibhuti Bhushan (DG, IGU): A central figure with a PhD in Sports and Golf Management.
- Tushar Malhotra (Director, IGU): Over 20 years of regulatory expertise.
- Sampath Chari (PGTI): A legendary official with over 27 years of service.
Malaysia (MGA): Admiral (R) Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor has led Malaysian golf administration for over 15 years.
Thailand: Mr Boonchu Ruangkit—a legendary figure often called the “Godfather of Thai Golf”—has been a driving force for over two decades.
Asian Tour: Mr Jittisak Tamprasert has served as Director of Rules of the Asian Tour for 24 years.
These administrators are not merely paid managers; they are highly qualified experts in almost all aspects of golf, including rules, rating, ranking, and course maintenance, backed by both formal education and decades of field experience.
Strategic Focus: Changing the Narrative
They have shifted from “elite exclusivity” to broad-based development by prioritizing:
- Mass Access: Taking the game to its roots to dismantle the “elite-only” stigma.
- Global Benchmarking: Focusing on international country, tournament, and player rankings. Valuing their national flags by ensuring representation only by quality players.
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- Infrastructure Efficiency: Prioritizing high-quality course conditions over luxury facilities and clubhouses to ensure the sport remains accessible and sustainable.
Strategic Insights into Golf Development
These nations transformed golf into a viable career path by integrating education, psychology, and fitness. Unlike other sports that rely on diplomas, golf, being a sophisticated psychological game, is even taught as a formal university subject in the USA, Malaysia, England, and India.
In developing countries, golf development still remains at the academy level, with the main input coming from underprivileged golfers.
The Development Model
They thrived by categorizing and prioritizing the game into three tiers—Professional Golf, Elite Amateur Golf, and Recreational Club Golf.
Age-Specific Development Pillars
The strategy in the USA, Thailand, India, and China revolves around three critical age-driven factors:
- The Golden Window (Ages 8–20): National programs prioritize this 12-year span. It is viewed as the essential timeframe to master swing mechanics, mental resilience, and competitive discipline.
- The “Pro” Threshold (Age 20): Thailand, in particular, enforces a strict performance pathway. Amateurs are often encouraged to turn professional by age 20 to ensure they enter the global circuit while their physical and competitive peaks are still ahead of them.
- Mass School Recruitment: The USA and India aggressively target schools to recruit children at the earliest possible ages (5–10), ensuring a massive and diverse talent pool that feeds into the elite levels.
Tournament and Course Classification
These nations measured development by global standards through two primary channels:
- Ranking Focus: Federations prioritize hosting World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and professional ranking events to elevate the country’s international standing.
- Infrastructure Tiering: Golf courses are purpose-built for specific functions:
- Championship Courses (18 Holes): For elite amateur and professional competition.
- Executive Courses (9 Holes): For fast play and skill development.
- Corporate/Resort Courses (3, 6, or 9 Holes): Focused on business networking and leisure.
Holistic Development
Golf training and overall development must extend beyond players to the entire ecosystem:
- Certified Officials & Referees: To ensure the professional conduct of tournaments.
- Professional Administrators: Running federations, associations, and clubs like businesses.
- Expert Coaches: Specialized in modern swing mechanics and sports psychology.
The American Multi-Layered Model
The USA offers a structured “ladder” for success:
- Academic Pathways: College golf (NCAA Divisions 1, 2, and 3) serves as the bridge to elite ranks.
- State-Level Tours: Elite amateur and professional tournaments available in every state.
- The Pro Ladder: A tiered system including the PGA Tour, USPGA, Korn Ferry Tour, and various mini-tours (Mackenzie, Atlantic, etc.).
- Specialized Circuits: Dedicated junior tours, ladies' tours, and disabled golf tours to ensure broad growth.
The “Dual-Track” Development Model
The curricula at the university and academy levels are meticulously designed to identify and polish high achievers. These athletes are groomed to turn professional and carry their national flags on the global stage.
The Contingency Path (Industry Expertise)
Recognizing the competitive nature of golf, the system provides “safety nets” for players who do not reach the professional ranks.
Career Diversification
Student-athletes who transition away from active competition are encouraged to specialize in technical fields such as:
- Golf Management: Club operations and federation, association, or club administration.
- Golf Architecture: Course design and master planning.
- Turf Management: Agronomy and high-end greenkeeping.
- Course Rating: Technical officiating and handicapping expertise.
- Golf Rules & Officiating: Mastering the R&A/USGA frameworks to become certified referees and tournament administrators.
Conclusion
For several years, Bangladesh has faced poor performance in international amateur golf. While neighbors like India, Nepal, and Pakistan consistently rank among the top 100, Bangladesh remains unranked.
Closing this gap requires adopting the professional, development-first management models proven successful by our neighbors.
Maj Md Mahmudur Rahaman Chow (Retd)
EC Member, Bangladesh Golf Federation
