1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,027 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZB. 3 00:00:12,747 --> 00:00:15,747 Speaker 2: Royal Wellington Golf Club will host the eighth edition of 4 00:00:15,787 --> 00:00:20,027 Speaker 2: the Women's Amateur Asia Pacific Golf Championship from February twelve 5 00:00:20,067 --> 00:00:23,187 Speaker 2: to fifteen next year, bringing together the region's elite women 6 00:00:23,307 --> 00:00:28,787 Speaker 2: amateur golfers competing for starts in three major championships. Developed 7 00:00:28,787 --> 00:00:33,067 Speaker 2: by the RNA and Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the prestigious 8 00:00:33,107 --> 00:00:37,307 Speaker 2: Championship provides a pathway to the international stage. The champion 9 00:00:37,467 --> 00:00:41,907 Speaker 2: earns life changing opportunities to play in the AIG Women's Open, 10 00:00:42,147 --> 00:00:47,507 Speaker 2: the Amundi Avion Championship and the Chevron Championship. Previous Women's 11 00:00:47,547 --> 00:00:50,627 Speaker 2: Amateur Asia Pacific participants have also gone on to win 12 00:00:51,027 --> 00:00:56,187 Speaker 2: five major championships in just the last eight years. Beyond 13 00:00:56,267 --> 00:01:00,187 Speaker 2: the elite competition, the Championship continues its vision to support 14 00:01:00,227 --> 00:01:03,667 Speaker 2: the development of world class players in countries throughout the 15 00:01:03,707 --> 00:01:08,227 Speaker 2: region via the Women's Amateur Asia Pacific Academy. This was 16 00:01:08,267 --> 00:01:11,467 Speaker 2: launched this year. It provides players from emerging golfing nations 17 00:01:11,787 --> 00:01:16,147 Speaker 2: with access to world class coaching opportunities more regularly available 18 00:01:16,147 --> 00:01:20,067 Speaker 2: to players from larger golfing Nations. The second Academy has 19 00:01:20,107 --> 00:01:23,067 Speaker 2: taken place at Royal Wellington this week and has focused 20 00:01:23,107 --> 00:01:28,867 Speaker 2: on the Pacific Islands region. Invited players from American Samoa, Fiji, Guam, Papua, 21 00:01:28,907 --> 00:01:32,147 Speaker 2: New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga and there's a 22 00:01:32,187 --> 00:01:36,187 Speaker 2: New Zealand contingent as well. Let's bring in Nick Shan, 23 00:01:36,427 --> 00:01:39,947 Speaker 2: Assistant Director Asia Pacific at the R and A. Can 24 00:01:39,947 --> 00:01:43,827 Speaker 2: we start with the Women's Amateur Asia Pacific Academy. Nick, 25 00:01:43,867 --> 00:01:45,907 Speaker 2: What are these players who have come from all over 26 00:01:45,947 --> 00:01:50,107 Speaker 2: the Pacific experienced in the past week or so? 27 00:01:50,227 --> 00:01:54,947 Speaker 3: Well, Jason, They've experienced a fantastic week with experts in 28 00:01:55,027 --> 00:02:01,667 Speaker 3: the field of sports science, track man, data analysis, sports psychology, 29 00:02:02,427 --> 00:02:07,267 Speaker 3: swing techniques, short game and strength and conditioning in a 30 00:02:07,307 --> 00:02:10,387 Speaker 3: week that they've been fortunate enough to spend time at 31 00:02:10,507 --> 00:02:13,947 Speaker 3: roy Wellington, which is the venue for the championship. It's 32 00:02:13,987 --> 00:02:17,147 Speaker 3: been an eye opening experience for them to firstly receive 33 00:02:17,747 --> 00:02:20,827 Speaker 3: all of that information in a week preparing them to 34 00:02:20,947 --> 00:02:23,587 Speaker 3: succeed during a tough championship week. 35 00:02:23,947 --> 00:02:26,267 Speaker 2: Indeed, I mean eye opening as you say, but it 36 00:02:26,307 --> 00:02:28,987 Speaker 2: could also be life change and could you could you 37 00:02:29,067 --> 00:02:31,427 Speaker 2: see in some of these young players, you know, these 38 00:02:31,987 --> 00:02:34,867 Speaker 2: these light bulbs going off with the with the amazing 39 00:02:34,907 --> 00:02:37,547 Speaker 2: experiences that they would never I'm sure have had before. 40 00:02:38,947 --> 00:02:43,227 Speaker 3: Yes, those experiences in terms of the exemptions into the 41 00:02:43,227 --> 00:02:48,187 Speaker 3: major championships that Amundy, every Young Championship, that AIG Women's Open, 42 00:02:48,867 --> 00:02:53,427 Speaker 3: the Yevon Championship in America, these are experiences many can't buy, 43 00:02:53,547 --> 00:02:57,867 Speaker 3: the exemptions which professionals would love to have. So for 44 00:02:57,987 --> 00:03:02,227 Speaker 3: any budding young elite amateur as a fantastic prize which 45 00:03:02,427 --> 00:03:06,227 Speaker 3: they really just dream off. So actually playing for the 46 00:03:06,467 --> 00:03:09,467 Speaker 3: first prize, to have three exemptions into three of the 47 00:03:09,667 --> 00:03:15,067 Speaker 3: five professional ladies' major championships is a fantastic goal to Trainagy. 48 00:03:15,267 --> 00:03:16,987 Speaker 2: Indeed, I want to talk more about the tournament in 49 00:03:17,027 --> 00:03:19,827 Speaker 2: a moment, but in a wider sense, Nick, how big 50 00:03:19,867 --> 00:03:23,427 Speaker 2: a goal is building a long term pathway for women's 51 00:03:23,427 --> 00:03:25,947 Speaker 2: golf across the Asia Pacific region. 52 00:03:27,467 --> 00:03:31,707 Speaker 3: It's a tall path, Jason, because Asia Pacific is a 53 00:03:31,707 --> 00:03:38,107 Speaker 3: mathive region and trying to accommodate players from developing countries 54 00:03:38,147 --> 00:03:43,867 Speaker 3: to gain that experience within the academy setting, gaining that 55 00:03:44,027 --> 00:03:48,107 Speaker 3: knowledge from all of the experts. It's a long tour order, 56 00:03:48,547 --> 00:03:50,787 Speaker 3: but we've started it. And we're going to expand it 57 00:03:50,827 --> 00:03:54,947 Speaker 3: across Asia Pacific, trying to give as many players from 58 00:03:54,947 --> 00:03:56,787 Speaker 3: developing countries that opportunity. 59 00:03:57,027 --> 00:03:59,147 Speaker 2: And I guess what it also does is when those 60 00:03:59,187 --> 00:04:01,787 Speaker 2: players do go back home, they take with them some 61 00:04:01,947 --> 00:04:04,107 Speaker 2: knowledge as well, don't they from the week they've just had. 62 00:04:04,387 --> 00:04:06,067 Speaker 2: Is that part of it as well that you'd expect 63 00:04:06,067 --> 00:04:10,227 Speaker 2: them to you to benefit others in their countries once 64 00:04:10,267 --> 00:04:10,867 Speaker 2: they get back. 65 00:04:12,027 --> 00:04:15,227 Speaker 3: Most definitely we want them to share that knowledge with 66 00:04:15,787 --> 00:04:19,907 Speaker 3: either younger budding players that are developing in their country. 67 00:04:20,547 --> 00:04:22,947 Speaker 3: And if the players who've come out of the academy 68 00:04:23,027 --> 00:04:27,387 Speaker 3: become those players, those store warts which the younger players 69 00:04:27,387 --> 00:04:30,747 Speaker 3: can look up to in terms of achievements, or simply 70 00:04:30,827 --> 00:04:34,027 Speaker 3: just being able to participate in the Women's Amitasia Pacific, 71 00:04:34,507 --> 00:04:36,667 Speaker 3: that's an achievement in its own which we'd like to 72 00:04:36,747 --> 00:04:40,267 Speaker 3: profile for younger players in the developing countries. 73 00:04:40,427 --> 00:04:41,987 Speaker 2: Yeah, well, the Academy is a great part of this. 74 00:04:42,107 --> 00:04:44,427 Speaker 2: Let's talk about the tournament now in February next year. 75 00:04:44,587 --> 00:04:47,507 Speaker 2: Very much looking forward to having this at Royal Wellington 76 00:04:47,547 --> 00:04:51,467 Speaker 2: Golf Club, developed by the RNA and Asia Pacific Golf Confederation. 77 00:04:51,587 --> 00:04:54,467 Speaker 2: Of course, tell us about this tournament how big do 78 00:04:54,507 --> 00:04:55,387 Speaker 2: you expect it to be? 79 00:04:57,507 --> 00:05:02,267 Speaker 3: Well, Jason, it's the most televised female amateur tournament in 80 00:05:02,307 --> 00:05:08,827 Speaker 3: the world. It's the only championship which has three exemptions 81 00:05:08,867 --> 00:05:15,347 Speaker 3: into three professional major championships, and it's a very young championship. 82 00:05:15,867 --> 00:05:18,107 Speaker 3: We've had seven editions. We're going to be staging the 83 00:05:18,227 --> 00:05:23,907 Speaker 3: eighth at roy Wellington, a classic parkland layout. We were 84 00:05:24,067 --> 00:05:28,027 Speaker 3: very thankful for the support from New Zealand Major Events 85 00:05:28,067 --> 00:05:30,787 Speaker 3: and the Wellington Council as well as Golf New Zealand 86 00:05:31,347 --> 00:05:35,427 Speaker 3: and we look forward to staging a special event during 87 00:05:35,427 --> 00:05:36,547 Speaker 3: that week in February. 88 00:05:36,587 --> 00:05:38,827 Speaker 2: Will you have to make many adjustments to the course? 89 00:05:39,227 --> 00:05:42,387 Speaker 2: Are there are there alterations that are needed or is 90 00:05:42,427 --> 00:05:44,467 Speaker 2: the course pretty much good to go as it is. 91 00:05:46,187 --> 00:05:50,347 Speaker 3: It's really good to go as it is. It's being 92 00:05:50,467 --> 00:05:54,387 Speaker 3: well kept and maintained by John Sprague's Sam and his team, 93 00:05:55,067 --> 00:05:59,747 Speaker 3: overseen by their committee. It's just a classic parkland layout. 94 00:06:00,587 --> 00:06:03,747 Speaker 3: We'll have the greens running at it's probably about ten 95 00:06:03,787 --> 00:06:05,987 Speaker 3: on the stump meter and at that time of the 96 00:06:06,107 --> 00:06:09,227 Speaker 3: year it will already be a test for all the player. 97 00:06:09,467 --> 00:06:12,267 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'll look at some I know Royal Wellington it's 98 00:06:12,267 --> 00:06:15,267 Speaker 2: a terrific place to spend a day playing golf, let 99 00:06:15,307 --> 00:06:17,947 Speaker 2: alone watching some of the top amateurs from around the world. 100 00:06:18,027 --> 00:06:21,027 Speaker 2: So I say here, I mean you've got ambitious targets 101 00:06:21,067 --> 00:06:24,187 Speaker 2: for attendance, hoping to get ten thousand through the gates 102 00:06:24,187 --> 00:06:25,107 Speaker 2: across the four days. 103 00:06:26,347 --> 00:06:30,027 Speaker 3: Yes, we're going to have a Royal Village supported by 104 00:06:30,387 --> 00:06:33,307 Speaker 3: roy Wellington and Golf New Zealand. There's going to be 105 00:06:33,307 --> 00:06:37,027 Speaker 3: a lot of fun games and activities as well as 106 00:06:37,027 --> 00:06:42,507 Speaker 3: food trucks. So we welcome golfers, nine golfers, juniors, adults 107 00:06:42,507 --> 00:06:47,427 Speaker 3: to come. There will be sessions getting people who don't 108 00:06:47,427 --> 00:06:51,267 Speaker 3: know golf putting a club in their hand and really 109 00:06:51,267 --> 00:06:55,347 Speaker 3: getting them excited about trying the sport out. So everybody's 110 00:06:55,347 --> 00:06:58,307 Speaker 3: most welcome to come out to Royal Linton into Upper 111 00:06:58,347 --> 00:07:01,747 Speaker 3: Hut during those during that championship week, I know. 112 00:07:01,707 --> 00:07:04,267 Speaker 2: You'll get a lot of interest in that. February twelve 113 00:07:04,347 --> 00:07:07,787 Speaker 2: through fifteen, the eighth edition of the Women's Amateur Asia 114 00:07:07,867 --> 00:07:10,987 Speaker 2: Pacific Championship. Nick, thanks for joining us with an update. 115 00:07:11,027 --> 00:07:13,067 Speaker 2: Look forward to catching up again when the new year 116 00:07:13,147 --> 00:07:13,707 Speaker 2: rolls around. 117 00:07:13,907 --> 00:07:14,467 Speaker 3: Appreciate it. 118 00:07:14,507 --> 00:07:16,467 Speaker 2: Thank you, Jason, No, thank you Nick. Nick Shan, their 119 00:07:16,467 --> 00:07:19,347 Speaker 2: assistant Director Asia Pacific at the r and A. For 120 00:07:19,387 --> 00:07:22,627 Speaker 2: those in the Wellington region, that's a four day period 121 00:07:22,627 --> 00:07:24,627 Speaker 2: to put a ring around for the golf fans. Twelve 122 00:07:24,707 --> 00:07:28,347 Speaker 2: to fifteen February next year, the Royal Wellington Golf Club 123 00:07:28,667 --> 00:07:33,267 Speaker 2: hosting the eighth edition of the Women's Amateur Asia Pacific Championship. 124 00:07:34,067 --> 00:07:37,227 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 125 00:07:37,347 --> 00:07:40,747 Speaker 1: to news talks b weekends from midday, or follow the 126 00:07:40,787 --> 00:07:42,227 Speaker 1: podcast on iHeartRadio.