Iain Roberts Looking to Expand Golf School in Asia and North America

Iain Roberts, a golf coach and executive, is planning a series of innovative business ventures that will keep him busy on both sides of the Pacific Ocean.

Roberts has spent the past few weeks talking with golf industry leaders in North America and Asia on a range of issues including player management, coaching, development, licensing and expanding the Iain Roberts Golf School.

“I’ve had productive discussions with the LPGA Tour, various players and their agents, and other senior golf industry figures,” said Roberts, who recently left Mission Hills in China after five years as Group Executive Director. “There are a number of exciting opportunities in both the US and Asia. The LPGA, especially, understands that Asia is the future of golf and it is keen to enhance its profile and presence in the region.”

UK-born Roberts, a former European Tour player, has worked in Asia for more than 20 years. At Mission Hills, he oversaw numerous elite tournaments, supervised the world’s largest golf academy and ran one of the sport’s biggest junior development programmes.

“In my time at Mission Hills I was heavily involved in tournaments such as the HSBC Champions, World Cup and World Ladies Championship, and worked with greats of the game like Gary Player, Greg Norman, Nick Faldo and Annika Sörenstam,” added Roberts. “These experiences have opened a number of doors in the US and led to some interesting conversations. I’m hoping to announce some concrete plans in the near future.”

Last year the Professional Golfers’ Association of Great Britain and Ireland awarded him Master Professional status – a rare honour that has been granted to just 38 of the organisation’s 7,800 members.

For the foreseeable future Roberts will remain based in Hong Kong.

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