On a remarkable day of high-quality golf and high drama at Al Hamra Golf Club, Captain Rishi Narain’s Bonallack Trophy side emerged triumphant by the narrowest of margins.

With Asia-Pacific claiming 6.5 points from the 12 singles matches, the result ended 16.5-15.5 in their favour.

Here are the teams for the 2025 Bonallack Trophy and Patsy Hankins Trophy

 

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It was more clear-cut in the Patsy Hankins Trophy, where Captain Joanne McKee’s team turned on the style, winning eight and halving one of the singles encounters to score an emphatic 20-12 success overall.

“What an incredible effort from everyone involved. Congratulations to the players, the captains, and their support teams. They should be proud of their achievements,” said Taimur Hassan Amin, Chairman of the APGC.

It was a day of multiple magical moments, including holes-in-one for Japan’s Mamika Shinchi and Denmark’s Marie Madsen, and a majestic five-wood approach into the par-3 18th green by Eila Galitsky, who set the tone for the day by claiming the prized scalp of England’s World Amateur Golf Ranking number one Lottie Woad in the opening singles encounter.

Leading 11½-8½ overnight, the Asia-Pacific girls came out all guns blazing, never giving their opponents a chance of staging a comeback. Astonishingly, the Asia-Pacific won the first seven matches out – Galitsky, Zhou Shiyuan, Mirabel Ting, Ren Jiyia, Vivian Lu, Jeong Min-seo, and Suvichaya Vinichaitham.

“It was just phenomenal,” said McKee, who lived up to her promise of jumping into the Arabian Gulf if her team triumphed. She was followed into the water skirting the 18th hole at Al Hamra by her assistant captains and all 12 of her players.

Narain and his team were not shy in replicating the celebration when their victory was confirmed some 90 minutes after the girls had clinched their win.

As had been the case at La Manga in 2023, the Bonallack Trophy went down to the wire.

Locked at 10-10 heading into the singles, fortunes fluctuated throughout the day, with punches and counter-punches being thrown.

First blood went to the Europeans, with WAGR number five José Luis Ballester swatting aside Singapore’s Hiroshi Tai 5&4 in the top match. In so doing, he completed a 100 per cent record this week, winning all five of his matches.

Pablo Ereno Pérez, his partner in crime in the foursomes and fourballs on Wednesday and Thursday, was held to a half-point by Japan’s Taishi Moto.

In match number three, China’s Zhou Ziqin brushed aside Swede Algot Kleen 6&4, the largest winning margin of the day.

But it was Europe who regained the initiative when Benjamin Reuter and Arni Sveinsson overcame Thai Thanawin Lee and Indian Kartik Singh, respectively, and Czech Republic’s Filip Jakucik halved with New Zealand’s Joshua Bai.

The pendulum swung again in favour of the Asia-Pacific when New Zealand’s Zack Swanwick, Enrique Dimayuga of the Philippines, and Japan’s Rintaro Nakano all won handsomely.

With just two matches still on the course, the outcome was still up in the air.

While Vietnam’s Nguyễn Anh Minh and Estonia’s Richard Teder were making their way down the 18th all square, Thai Phichaksin Maichon was one-up on England’s Charlie Forster after 16.

As Anh Minh and Teder were conceding short par putts on the home hole and settling for a half, news filtered back that Phichaksin had triumphed on the 17th green. His 2&1 win confirmed Asia-Pacific’s retention of the Bonallack Trophy and sparked wild scenes of celebration among the Asia-Pacific contingent.

Main Image: Emirates Golf Federation

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You’d be forgiven for not realising that, in Ras Al Khaimah, a very similar event is taking place within the amateur side of the game: the Bonallack Trophy and Patsy Hankins Trophy.

The Bonallack Trophy is a prestigious amateur male golf event, modelled on the Ryder Cup, where every two years teams representing Europe and Asia-Pacific compete against each other, with the venue alternating between courses in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

The inaugural event took place in 1998 in Perth, Australia, and has since become a key fixture in the amateur golf calendar. In 2016, to further promote women’s golf and recognise the talent emerging from the Asia-Pacific region, the Patsy Hankins Trophy was introduced alongside the Bonallack Trophy.

The event has consistently attracted strong fields, with past participants including future Major champions such as Justin Rose, Francesco Molinari, Rory McIlroy, and Shane Lowry. Other notable players who have competed include Hideki Matsuyama, Cameron Smith, and Jon Rahm.

The format of both the Bonallack and Patsy Hankins Trophies follows that of the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup, featuring various match-play formats between two teams of 12. Over the course of three days, a total of 32 matches will be played, each contested over 18 holes. The first two days will feature five foursomes matches and five four-ball matches. The final day will see all 12 players compete in 12 singles matches.

Here are the teams for the 2025 Bonallack Trophy and Patsy Hankins Trophy:

Bonallack Trophy:
Team Europe (Non-playing Captain, Joachim Fourquet, France)

Jose Luis Ballester (Spain)

Dominic Clemons (England)

Charlie Forster (England)

Lev Grinberg (Ukrain)

Filip Jacubčík (Czech Republic)

Algot Kleen (Sweden)

Pablo Ereño Perez (Spain)

B. Reuter (Netherlands)

G. A. Sveinsson (Iceland)

R. Teder (Estonia)

P. Wernicke (Germany)

Tim Wiedemeyer (Germany)

Team Asia Pacific (Non-playing Captain Rishi Narain, India)

Joshua Bai (New Zealand)

Enrique Dimayuga (Philippines)

Thanawin Lee (Thailand)

Phichaksn Maichon (Thailand)

Nguyen Anh Minh (Vietnam)

Taishi Moto (Japan)

Rintaro Nakano (Japan)

Jeffrey Wong Ngai Shen (Hong Kong)

Kartik Singh (India)

Zach Swanwick (New Zealand)

Hiroshi Tai (Singapore)

Zhou Ziqin (China)

Patsy Hankins Trophy:
Team Europe (Non-playing Captain, Myrte Eikenaar, The Netherlands)

Emma Bunch (Denmark)

Beth Coulter (Ireland)

Aine Donegan (Ireland)

Francesca Fiorellini (Italy)

Carolina Lopez-Chacarra (Spain)

Marie Eline Madsen (Denmark)

Carolina Melgrati (Italy)

Patience Rhodes (England)

Louise Rydqvist (Sweden)

Nora Sundberg (Sweden)

Rocio Tejedo (Spain)

Lottie Woad (England)

Team Asia Pacific (Non-playing Captain, Joanne McKee, Hong Kong)

Eila Galitsky (Thailand)

Sophie Han (Hong Kong)

Cindy Hsu Huai-chien (Chinese Taipei)

Jeong Min-seo (Korea)

Arianna Lau (Hong Kong)

Vivian Lu (New Zealand)

Aira Nagasawa (Japan)

Ren Yijia (China)

Mamika Shinichi (Japan)

Suvichaya Vinichaitham (Thailand)

Mirabel Ting (Malaysia)

Zhou Shiyuan (China)

Main Image: Al Hamra Golf Club

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Staged biennially, the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup-style match play contests pits teams representing the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) against their counterparts from the European Golf Association (EGA).

Featuring the best amateur golfers from the two regions, the 12th staging of the Bonallack Trophy and the fourth version of the Patsy Hankins Trophy will be held from January 8-10, 2025.

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry – Chris Graythen

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, Yuka Saso, Hannah Green, Patty Tavatanakit and Atthaya Thitikul 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.

Lottie Woad reacts to making birdie on the 17th hole during her victory in the 2024 Augusta National Women’s Amateur – Maddie Meyer

Taimur Hassan Amin, Chairman of the APGC, said: “After the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic which prevented us from staging these events between 2018 and 2023, we’re delighted to be back on track with the biennial scheduling.

“The Bonallack Trophy and Patsy Hankins Trophy are special events for both the APGC and the EGA as we get to see stars of the future who will go on to win professional Major titles.

“The continued success of these match play contests are testament to the close working relationship between the APGC and the EGA. We also greatly appreciate the support of the Emirates Golf Federation and Al Hamra Golf Club. Their efforts are central to the success of the 2025 gathering.”

Caroline Huyskes, President of the EGA, said: “We’re really looking forward to yet another exciting encounter between Asia-Pacific and Europe. Matches between teams of geographic regions always prove to be so special. They mobilise an energy in their own right and bring an unforgettable experience for the players and all involved.

“The level of play, sportsmanship and friendship is just amazing. We’re thankful to our close friends at the APGC for organising the 2025 edition and look forward to visiting Al Hamra Golf Club and the UAE, which will surely be outstanding hosts for this great event.”

Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, Mr. Taimur Hassan Amin, and Vice Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation, General Abdullah Alhashmi, at the 2022 Nomura Cup

General Abdulla Al Hashmi, Vice Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) and a Board Member of the APGC, said: “The EGF is honoured to play host to the 2025 Bonallack Trophy and Patsy Hankins Trophy.

“The talent on both sides of our regions is so high that, among past players who have taken part in the Bonallack and Patsy Hankins, we have now won numerous Majors and countless PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour events.

“We offer a very warm welcome to all players and officials and are confident that another memorable week of golf is in store in January.”

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 women’s Patsy Hankins Trophy, named after the respected late New Zealand golfing administrator Patsy Hankins, Asia-Pacific holds a 2-1 lead overall.

Al Hamra Golf Club

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.

Designed by Peter Harradine and opened in 2007, the Al Hamra course measures 7,400 yards from the back tees and plays to a par of 72, meandering around four inter-connected open water lagoons merging seamlessly with the water of the Arabian Gulf.

Originally planned to be built on the salt flats bordering the water edge, some five million cubic metres of sand combined with expert shaping came together to create gentle elevation changes as the terrain moves around the lagoons rising and falling from plus one to plus eight metres.

Paul Booth, General Manager at Al Hamra, said: “Al Hamra Golf Club and the team are incredibly excited to be hosting the prestigious Bonallack Trophy and Patsy Hankins Trophy.

“These events highlight the pinnacle of amateur golf, bringing together the best talents from across Europe and Asia-Pacific. Our team is dedicated to delivering a world-class experience for all participants, spectators, and partners, showcasing the exceptional facilities and hospitality that Al Hamra and the beautiful Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates have to offer.”

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.

Images: Supplied

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By Kent Gray
Todd Clements has waltzed through the final stage of Sunshine Tour Q-School in South Africa but won’t be relinquishing his amateur status immediately.

The MENA Tour’s runaway 2017 amateur order of merit champion finished second of the 108 starters at Randpark G.C. in Johannesburg, a second round eight-under 64 highlighting the brilliant performance in the 90-hole marathon.

However, the 21-year-old still has amateur ambitions, chief among them being selected to represent England at the Eisenhower Trophy in Ireland this September. The world amateur teams championship will be played at Carton House near Dublin from Sept. 5-8 and would be a fitting sign-off to a stellar amateur career which included victory in the 87th English Amateur Championship at The Berkshire last August.

Photo courtesy Sunshine Tour

There is a chance he could cut the amateur umbilical cord in August if he were to miss Eisenhower selection although that appears unlikely barring a massive loss of form. At 18th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR, a spot behind Dubai prodigy Rayhan Thomas), Clements is the highest ranked Englishman and is set to be named in a four-man team for next month’s European Nations Cup in Spain in what is a precursor to Eisenhower selection.

Whenever he turns professional, the Londoner will have options as he eyes the ultimate goal of a 2019 European Tour card. He can take up the Sunshine Tour card at any stage this season and is also likely to play the remodelled MENA Tour which has been shortened to an August-November season with expanded 72 hole (from 54) events offering more prize money and Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.

Clements opted to play in Joburg for the experience of cut-throat Q-School pressure looking ahead to the European Tour qualifiers, the first stage of which he will automatically skip if he can get his WAGR inside the top 15. He handled the Randpark test with aplomb too, rounds of 67-64-68 and “bad day at the office, it happens” 74 taking him into the final round with a share of the lead. He had led by as many as seven strokes at one stage during the week only for a self diagnosed intercostal muscle strain (rib area) picked up on the range ahead of Friday’s final round seeing him blow out to a closing 75 and second place at -12. He finish four shots behind South African professional Thriston Lawrence (closing 65) and a shot ahead of fellow amateur Louis Albertse (RSA).

“I actually picked up a slight injury in the morning so to go through the pain barrier and get finished and finish second overall was quite a delight actually,” Clements told GolfDigestme.com

“The whole experience exceeded my expectations in all honesty. I went to further my experience in the golfing world so to be able to compete straight away was a delight really. That was the goal, to give myself options when I do turn professional and now I’ve got those options.”

Clements finished leading amateur in seven of the nine events he entered during last season’s MENA Tour including the last six events of the year on the trot. There were runner-up finishes at the Dubai Creek Open (T-2 with Thomas) and Golf Citizen Abu Dhabi Open as he finished 110 points ahead of compatriot Sam Hobday despite playing six fewer events.

The developmental Middle East and North Africa circuit is meant as a finishing school for aspiring pros and is certainly proving its worth in Clements’ case. The Colchester lad seems at ease with his game after one of the most mentally challenging examinations.

Photo courtesy Sunshine Tour

“It’s a longer tournament so your concentration levels have to be a bit higher but I actually found it very similar to any other events which is great,” Clements said of Sunshine Tour Q-School.

“When it comes down to it, you are just playing golf every day whether you’re playing for a living, the Eisenhower, the Nations Cup or European Tour Q-School, you just try and play golf. That was actually quite reassuring that there isn’t much of a difference and if you get that kind of mind set, you can definitely compete.”

Clements intends having the rib injury checked upon his return to London on Monday. He puts it down to overuse after a hectic schedule which included representing Europe in the Bonallack Trophy in Doha a fortnight ago. “Hopefully it’s not too serious,” he said.

Related: Thomas adds Bonallack Trophy to amateur CV

.@ThristonL claims a four-stroke victory over England’s @ClementsTodd at the final stage of qualifying school @RandparkGolf

Read more: https://t.co/z2KnN4zNhR pic.twitter.com/MKvh2wCZcg

— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) March 24, 2018

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The 18-year-old Indian contributed one from a possible three points as his Asia-Pacific team edged Europe 16.5-15.5 in a thrilling finish to the Ryder Cup-style matches at Doha Golf Club in Qatar. It was Asia-Pacific’s first win since 2004.

Europe went into Saturday’s 12-singles matches with a 11-9 advantage but Asia Pacific won the final day 7.5 to 4.5 to sneak home, reportedly on the last hole of the last match.

Sadly for Dubai-based Thomas, he couldn’t contribute on Saturday, beaten 1up by Norwegian Kristoffer Reitan. The Dubai Creek member’s sole point came in Friday’s foursomes when he combined with Gregory Foos to pip Finns Sami Valimaki and Matias Honkala 1up.

Thomas’ friendly MENA Tour rival Todd Clements contributed 2.5 points from a possible five for the Europeans, the English 21-year-old winning his singles match 3&2 over Japan’s Takumi Kanaya on Saturday.

The prestigious event is named in honour of Sir Michael Bonallack, one of Great Britain and Ireland’s (GB&I) greatest ever amateur golfers and former Secretary of The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (1984-99).

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By Kent Gray
MENA Tour stars Rayhan Thomas and Todd Clements endured a tough day personally although the former ended Thursday at the prestigious Bonallack Trophy in Qatar slightly happier than the latter.

After oddly being left out of the Asia-Pacific line-up for the opening fourball matches in the Ryder Cup-style matches at Doha Golf Club, world amateur No.19 Thomas made his bow in the afternoon foursomes alongside Filipino Lloyd Jefferson Go.

But the Dubai-based Indian Thomas and Go were stopped 2&1 by Robin Dawson (Ireland) and Marc Hammer (Germany) as Europe staged an afternoon comeback of sorts following a 3½-1½ reverse in the fourball matches.

Todd Clements

With a 3-2 advantage in the fourball matches, Europe closed the to within a point as Asia-Pacific which will take a 5½- 4½ lead into the second day (of three) on Friday.

Clements, who emulated Thomas by winning the 2017 amateur order-of-merit title on the developmental MENA Tour, also did it tough Thursday. He partnered fellow Englishman Matthew Jordan in both matches but lost to Australians Min Woo Lee and Shae Wools-Cobb 1 down in their fourball match and 2&1 in the foursomes.

The event is named in honour of Sir Michael Bonallack, one of Great Britain and Ireland’s (GB&I) greatest ever amateur golfers and former Secretary of The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (1984-99).

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By Kent Gray
Range work. Revision. Repeat. The next month will feel like Groundhog Day for Rayhan Thomas but the Indian teen is happily in the zone, making the most of a rare gap in the calendar to prep for his next big school and amateur golf examinations.

Thomas is counting down to the 10th Sir Michael Bonallack Trophy in Qatar next month so if he’s not catching up on his studies ahead of a critical Year 11 exam later this month, he’s working on “tidying up” his game in readiness to represent Asia-Pacific in the biennial Ryder Cup-style matches against Europe.

The 18-year-old MENA Tour product wasn’t happy to miss the cut at last month’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic, rounds of 73-77 leaving former Open champion Darren Clarke the only player (albeit a major champ) between Thomas and the foot of the 132-player leaderboard.

A holiday visiting family back in Kerala over Christmas/New Years was wonderful and so too is hindsight. With the beauty of some of the latter, Thomas knows he wasn’t ready for the historically low scoring during the Desert Classic.

Related: Practice round with Rory at Desert Classic was “off the wall”

“I didn’t have enough preparation time before the Desert Classic but there’s no excuses, I should have been ready,” said the Dubai Creek member, speaking with a self-awareness that belies his tender years.  “I wasn’t happy with my ball striking or my touch and feel around the greens, the whole lot.”

If he doesn’t have his nose in text books, you’ll find Thomas on the range, often under the watchful guidance of Butch Harmon School of Golf Dubai Director of Instruction Justin Parsons, determinedly putting things right.

“I’ve always had a pretty shut [club]face at the top and been a bit across the line which is okay if my timing is on, but when it’s not, my misses a wide,” the world No.18 said. “So I’m working on trying to get a little bit more out in front and hopefully my misses will be a lot smaller.”

Europe leads the Bonallack Trophy 7-2 ahead of the 10th matches at Doha Golf Club from March 8-10. Selection is another huge accomplishment for Thomas given the competition’s alumnae, major champions Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Danny Willett and Geoff Ogilvy among the big names. World No.2 Jon Rahm and Ryder Cuppers Chris Wood and Nicolas Colsaerts are other former European reps while Thomas will follow decorated countryman Shiv Kapur and Japan’s world No.6 Hideki Matsuyama in representing Asia-Pacific.

Rory McIlroy, Joost Luiten, Oliver Fisher and Richie Ramsay helped Europe to a 18-14 win at the 2006 Sir Michael Bonallack Trophy at Auckland G.C. in New Zealand. Sandra Mu/Getty Images

After the Bonallack Trophy, Thomas will return to the Sage Valley Junior Invitational near Augusta in April and is also eyeing another tilt at The [British] Amateur Championship at Royal Aberdeen and Murcar Links in June. He missed the cut last year – and thus the matchplay stages of the 122nd Amateur at Prince’s and Royal St George’s – by a solitary stroke.

Thomas has his final Year 11 exam in between the U.S. and Scotland and needs to keep up his grade averages over the next year ahead of joining Oklahoma State University, one of the most decorated schools in collegiate golf who count Rickie Fowler among their former stars.

Related: Ray’s a Cowboy and Rickie Fowler’s delighted!

Thomas might have a full year of correspondence school left before his U.S. odyssey but it doesn’t stop him talking like a proud Cowboy already.

“Oklahoma just won a big event in Hawaii, it was by 12 or 14 strokes we won by and it was a big event. We’ve got a fantastic roster and a great coach as well. I can’t wait.”

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