A new chapter in the history of the Bonallack and Patsy Hankins Trophies will be written when Al Hamra Golf Club plays host to the 2025 editions of the events in January.
Staged biennially in parallel, the Ryder Cup-style match play contests pit 12-player men’s teams and 12-player women’s 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 in the United Arab Emirates. The new date for the match represents a significant change in the calendar, having most recently been held in August 2023.
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.”
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, 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.”
Team Europe will head to Al Hamra with hopes of winning back the trophy from Asia-Pacific. Despite leading in terms of overall wins since the inauguration of the match in 1998, the European men’s side has narrowly been defeated in both of the last two editions.
The European women’s team earned their first ever victory in the Patsy Hankins Trophy at La Manga last year, having lost the first two editions played in 2016 and 2018.
A DP WORLD TOUR VENUE
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.”
ABOUT THE BONALLACK AND PATSY HANKINS TROPHIES
The Bonallack and Patsy Hankins Trophies are Ryder Cup-style match play events between the best amateur golfers of Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Taking place every other year and over three days, the contests feature five foursomes matches in the morning and five fourball matches in the afternoon of the first two days and 12 singles matches on the final day.
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.
The Bonallack Trophy is named after the late Sir Michael Bonallack who was one of the most decorated amateur players in the history of the game, winning The Amateur Championship and English Amateur Championship five times each and the Brabazon Trophy four times. He also represented Great Britain & Ireland in an impressive nine Walker Cup teams and helped England to the European Amateur Team Championship title on three occasions.
Sir Michael also made enormous contributions to the game off-course, including 16 years as Secretary of The R&A, six years as Chairman of the European Tour, President of the English Golf Union, Honorary President of the PGAs of Europe, and Chair of the Official World Golf Rankings amongst many other roles.
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.
Inaugurated in 2016, the women’s contest and trophy are named in memory of Patsy Hankins, a former golf administrator from New Zealand. Her legacy as a trailblazer in golf administration grew due to her long list of achievements and kind and gentle approach. From fostering the development of the women’s game to playing a key role in the joining of men’s and women’s golf, Patsy was incredibly influential and will leave a long lasting legacy in the game not only in New Zealand but around the world.
Yuka Saso, Hannah Green, Patty Tavatanakit and Atthaya Thitikul have represented Asia-Pacific in the match while Albane Valenzuela, Emma Spitz, Helen Briem, and Lottie Woad, currently number one in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, have played in the match for Europe.