As the 2009 golf season blossoms, with the US Masters capturing world attention later this month, The PGAs of Europe has widened its ‘working together’ relationships with like-minded bodies, as never before.
The latest organisation to agree a policy of the mutual usage of logos, the ready exchange of knowledge and information, and a general philosophy of co-operation to the benefit of the sport, is IAGTO.
The International Association of Golf Tour Operators is the global trade organisation for the golf tour industry. Established in 1997, IAGTO’s membership comprises 1138 accredited golf tour operators, golf resorts, hotels, golf courses, receptive operators, airlines and tourist boards in 74 countries worldwide.
With, specifically, 323 golf tour operators in 48 countries, IAGTO presents a range of interests that coincide inevitably with the daily duties of the 15,000 PGA professionals under the umbrella of The PGAs of Europe’s 36 member countries in Europe and beyond.
IAGTO describes itself as, ‘Sitting at the heart of the golf tourism industry, sponsoring Golf Travel Market, running the annual Golf Tourism Awards, commissioning regular golf travel surveys, administering the Golf Travel Writers Association, and fulfilling its function as the world’s only international golf travel organisation.’
This latest ‘joining forces’ with a golf body whose activities either coincide with, or run side by side, with those of The PGAs of Europe, add to similar understandings reached in recent months with European Golf Course Owners Association (EGCOA) and European Golf & Travel Media Association (EGTMA).
Over a longer period of time excellent and productive collaborations have been carried out with the likes of The R&A, The Ryder Cup and The European Tour, as well as working closely with many others including Golf Environment Organisation, FEGGA, EIGCA, EGIA and CMAE.
“As a philosophy we wish to cooperate to mutual benefit with those well-administered organisations whose activities impact on the development of the game and the careers of PGA professionals” explained chief executive Ian Randell.
This approach is particularly evident with regard to communications and publicity and the constant requirement to ‘spread the gospel of golf’ by highlighting the work of The PGAs of Europe.
In addition to the website www.pgae.com , the monthly e-newsletter ‘Working Together’, (readily available free of charge to all interested parties), and such publications as the Annual Review, the association provides regular material for many publications including PGA Professional, ProShop Europe, SGB, Golf Business News, and GolfPlus Turkey.
To this list has now been added Golf Business Development (GBD), a new trade publication introduced in March and one with which The PGAs of Europe will gladly co-operate on the basis that its purpose is to further the strong bonds that already exist between the sport and its industry. The launch edition of Golf Business Development is at www.golfbusinessdevelopment.com – select ‘Current issue’.
The PGAs of Europe Newsletter: