Philippine Golf Course Management Conference Date for Sua

James Sua will share his wealth of knowledge when he takes to the podium at next month’s Philippine Golf Course Management Conference.

Organised by the Federation of Golf Clubs Philippines in co-operation with the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, the two-day event (May 3-4) in Dasmarinas City is presented by the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF).

More than 125 golf course superintendents, course maintenance managers, golf directors and club managers are expected to be present at The Orchard Golf and Country Club.

Sua, a Certified Golf Course Superintendent for 19 years, will join Christine Chan Wai-yee, Golf Course Superintendent at The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course in Hong Kong, as one of the main presenters.

Eric Lynge, the AGIF’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Not only is the Federation committed to building the capacity of turfgrass managers in Asia … but also having education delivered by experts based in Asia.

“In James and Christine, we are thrilled to have two of Southeast Asia’s best-known and most respected turfgrass experts joining us in Manila. As course superintendents, both have excelled and been pioneers.

“Now they are continuing to blaze a trail for their colleagues and peers in Asia by speaking publicly about the practical experiences they have gained over the course of two decades.”

While Chan will focus a presentation on the Golf Environment Organisation’s (GEO) OnCourse programme and certification, Sua’s keynote address will turn the spotlight on the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for Golf.

A 25-year member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, Sua will make a separate presentation on his experience in the upgrading of the National Service Resort and Country Club’s nine-hole course in Singapore in 2015.

Formerly Golf Course Maintenance Manager and Golf Course Superintendent at Singapore’s National Service Resort & Country Club, Sua formed JDI Consulting in 2009.

In his capacity as a golf course consultant, Sua has clients in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam. He is currently consulting for the Taiwan Golf Course Association, overseeing the conditioning of 33 courses.

“I look forward to exchanging views and experiences with the course superintendents from the Philippines,” said Sua.

Of the conference’s return to the acclaimed Cavite facility, a former host to the Johnnie Walker Classic, Lynge added: “The AGIF is delighted to return to The Orchard Golf and Country Club once more for what has historically proved a highly successful event.

“Our thanks and appreciation go to President Conrad Benitez and his team at The Orchard. Without their generous support and the backing of our sponsors it would not be possible to stage events such as these.”

A full day of seminars is scheduled for May 3. The following day will feature field demonstrations and an equipment exhibition, open to members and non-members of the Federation.

In 2017, the AGIF organised Turfgrass Management Seminars and Field Days in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

In addition to last month’s Turfgrass Management Exposition in Pattaya and the Philippine Golf Course Management Conference, the AGIF will stage a Vietnam Turfgrass Management Seminar and Field Day at Ho Chi Minh City’s Song Be Golf Resort on May 10. Plans are to run at least another three events in 2018.

For further information and to book exhibition space, please contact the AGIF Secretariat at pk.ong@agif.asia