As the Omega PGA Championship neared its climax at Clearwater Bay yesterday, a glow of satisfaction filled Seamus O'Brien as he sat back in the Asian PGA's hospitality suite and reflected on the progress of his most ambitious project.
There was not a trace of smugness in the tone of the man who has masterminded the revolution of professional golf in Asia.
Merely a steely conviction that his vision to create a world-class golfing circuit in the region is coming ever closer to fruition.
'When we started, how many thought we'd still be here now?' he asked. The answer would be very few. For when O'Brien announced his grand intentions, scepticism and opposition abounded.
Yet three years after its formation, not only are the APGA and the Omega Tour still here, but they are continuing to grow in strength and credibility.
'We've probably got as far as we could possibly have imagined. The Omega Tour is recognised as the fastest developing circuit in the world and is poised to be among the top four globally by the turn of the century,' said O'Brien.