Productive Year for Asian Golf Industry Federation

More than a dozen educational events across the region have highlighted another productive year for the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF).

“We have seen progress with the programmes presented as we continue to strive to be one of the leading golf organisations within the region,” said AGIF President Richard Walne, delivering the Board report at the Federation’s annual meeting.

As well as running Turfgrass Management Seminars and Field Days in Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, there were three BMI modules for club managers and five Mini Summits.

“The success of our education programmes continues to improve each year, as the AGIF increases its focus on education,” added Walne, addressing representatives from member companies at the TPC Kuala Lumpur.

“In particular, the strengthening of our relationship with the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) has been significant. We have now completed the second year of our landmark agreement with the CMAA to utilise their acclaimed BMI curriculum, which delivers classroom learning to club managers across the Asian region.

“In line with our license agreement, we are permitted to run these programmes throughout Asia, excluding China. To date we have brought in 35 managers from clubs in Malaysia, Singapore, China, Indonesia and Thailand to our programme.”

Emphasising the Federation’s growing influence and ambitious plans, Walne, Managing Director Asia Pacific & Australia with The Toro Company, revealed exciting developments for the year ahead.

These include the proposed launch of a greenkeeping certification programme and new formats for turfgrass education and club management education.

Discussions are also under way to initiate a major conference and exhibition for the turfgrass and club management community in Asia.

Walne concluded that the diversity of the AGIF membership was underlined with the addition of new member companies from a variety of areas of the golf industry.

Among their number are Air2G2, Albatrozz, Aspen Software, Capillary Concrete, Global Turf Consulting, Green Dynasty, Indigrow, Jonas Club Software, Kyi Hla Han Golf Design, Lagardère Sports, PGA of America, SPH Pacom and WIPA Tec.