15-year-old Kartik Singh will play on the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation All Star team this January
Asia-Pacific non-playing captain Rishi Narain announced India’s Kartik Singh on his 12-member All-Star Men’s Team for the upcoming Ryder Cup-style match against the European All Stars in UAE this January.
The All-Star lineup led by 2024 US NCAA Division 1 individual champion, Hiroshi Tai of Singapore, is tasked with defending the Trophy they won in Spain in 2023, at the links-style Al Hamra Golf Club in Ras-Al-Khaimah, UAE, from January 8-10 in 2025.
Under the guidance of non-playing captain Rishi Narain, the APGC team boasts a dynamic blend of youthful energy and seasoned skill. Narain, who also captained the victorious Asia Pacific All-Star team at La Manga in 2023, expressed his excitement at leading a squad full of promise. “We are fortunate to have such a talented team. We have 5 players ranked in the top 100 of the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) which is better than we had in 2023. Our top players are able to travel to Dubai from their colleges in America which has been a huge boost to our winning again.” said Narain.
The 2024 team is composed of 12 top-ranked players from across the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan, New Zealand, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, India, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam. Notably, five players from the squad are ranked in the WAGR (World Amateur Golf Ranking) top-100, with another five in the top-200, ensuring a strong competitive presence on the international stage.
15-year-old Kartik Singh, ranked 152nd this week in the WAGR, the sole Indian player in the team, has had the experience of playing on the International Junior squad in the Junior Presidents Cup in Montreal, Canada a few weeks back and will reunite with 3 others from that squad.
In previous years, India has had notable representations on the Asia Pacific All-Star team for the Bonallack Trophy:
- Harmeet Kahlon (1998) – Europe won
- Ashok Kumar (2000) – Europe won
- Keshav Mishra and Shiv Kapur (2006) – Asia won
- Ajeetesh Sandhu (2006) – Europe won
- Chikkarangappa S. and Khalid Joshi (2012) – Asia won
- Karan Taunk (2014) – Europe won
- Aman Raj (2016) – Europe won
Additionally, Indian golfer Avani Prashanth made history last year by being the only Indian to be selected for the Patsy Hankins Trophy (PHT), the equivalent ladies event but recently turned pro, missing out on a chance to repeat.
The Asia Pacific All-Star Men’s Team
The team features some of the brightest rising stars in amateur golf. Phichaksn Maichon (Thailand), currently ranked 24th in the WAGR, is among the highest-ranked players and has acquired a reputation for strong performances. Joining him is Hiroshi Tai from Singapore, ranked 30th and the first Asian golfer to win the prestigious NCAA Division 1 Men’s Individual Championship in 2023. Tai’s victory earned him invitations to both the US Open and the 2025 Masters Tournament, marking a milestone for Asian golfers.
Other notable players include Nguyen Anh Minh from Vietnam, who led his country to a historic win at the Asia Pacific team championship last month (Nomura Cup), and Rintaro Nakano from Japan, who placed second in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC). Together with teammates like Thanawin Lee (Thailand), Enrique Dimayuga (Philippines), and Jeffrey Wong (Hong Kong), the team demonstrates an exceptional range of skill and experience.
With captain Rishi Narain at the helm, the Asia-Pacific All-Star team is poised for a competitive showdown against Europe in a few weeks from now, and the inclusion of youngster Kartik Singh adds to India’s presence as a force to reckon with in the region.
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