General Abdullah Alhashmi has been appointed as the new Vice-Chairman of the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), succeeding New Zealander Philip Hassall, who will take over as Chairman.
Hassall and Alhashmi will officially start their roles at the Confederation’s annual general meeting in Dubai in late October, after Taimur Hassan Amin’s term as Chairman concludes.
Alhashmi, who joined the APGC Board in 2022, is now stepping into the Vice-Chairman role while continuing as Vice-President of the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF), where he has significantly contributed to the growth of golf in the UAE.
Previously, he served as a commander in the UAE Air Force and as Defence Attaché to Australia and New Zealand, where his interest in golf began, eventually leading him to golf administration.
General Abdullah expressed, “I’m honored to be named Vice-Chairman of the APGC and eager to help elevate golf’s status in the region and globally.”
Uniting Arab Golf
Reflecting on his career, he stated, “I was the first UAE delegate to join the APGC Board. My early responsibilities included integrating Arab Nations into the APGC to promote amateur golf and leverage the Middle East as a hub for elite amateur tournaments.
“While the UAE and the Middle East have traditionally hosted high-level professional events, we must now focus on hosting more top-tier amateur championships,” General Abdullah added.
“For instance, we successfully hosted the 2023 World Amateur Golf Championship (WAGC) at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa, and in October, we will host the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) at Emirates Golf Club on the Majlis Course.”
The APGC, which includes over 45 member countries such as the UAE, aims to strengthen friendships among golf associations in the Asia-Pacific and globally. It promotes golf development within member countries, ensures compliance with the Rules of Golf and Amateur Status as approved by The R&A, and encourages growth through elite amateur competitions.
In partnership with The R&A, the International Golf Federation (IGF), and Augusta National Golf Club, the APGC hosts several prestigious amateur tournaments, including the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC), the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship (WAAP), the Queen Sirikit Cup, the Nomura Cup, and other elite events.
For more details, visit: www.apgc.online
