The Future of Golf in Malaysia is the theme for a high-profile panel discussion this week.
The July 27 debate will be the centrepiece of a Mini Summit taking place on the sidelines of the fifth course to be offered under the Business Management Institute (BMI) Asia Pacific education programme at Kuala Lumpur’s Kota Permai Golf & Country Club.
Among those who will be participating are senior representatives from the Ministry of Sport, Tourism Malaysia, Malaysian Golf Association (MGA), the Golf Course Managers Association of Malaysia (GCMAM), the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Malaysia (GCSAM) and the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF), the event organisers.
Eric Lynge, the AGIF’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “It promises to be a lively discussion, focusing on the main issues facing golf and golf development in Malaysia.
“The AGIF remains bullish for the long-term prospects of the game in Malaysia … and across the region.
“We believe that golf clubs and those in golf club management in Malaysia have a crucial role to play. We look forward to hearing the thoughts of some of the respected figures from golf in Malaysia about the future prospects for the Royal and Ancient sport in the country.”
Club managers from around Malaysia are being invited to attend the half-day event that will tee-off with a presentation from Kevin Fish, a former United Kingdom Club Manager of the Year, and Bill Sanderson, who has spent more than two decades helping people and businesses to develop and grow through training, coaching and advice.
The title of their subject is: Changing Club Environments – Learning from Europe.
A spokesperson for the MGA, the country’s ruling golfing body, said: “The Malaysian Golf Association is committed to raising standards in all areas of the golf industry in the country. We applaud the efforts of the AGIF in bringing important educational programmes to our region.
“The MGA fully supports these undertakings and encourages all those in golf club management in Malaysia to take advantage of these opportunities to learn and to broaden their experience.”
Mohd Rom Muslim, President of the GCMAM, said: “We all recognise that within our chosen industry the on-going challenges are immense, but the rewards can be substantial.
“Those rewards, however, can only be attained through excellence … and attaining excellence requires considerable training and education.”
The Mini Summit will also feature a signing ceremony between the Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) and the Asian Golf Industry Federation.
Officially established in 1984, UUM is the only university in Malaysia that specialises in management education. It is the intention for UUM and the AGIF to work closely on the subject of club management.
