As a sport played by over 80 million people in 130 countries, golf has a significant global reach. Unfortunately, however, the popularity of golf across the African continent is relatively low in comparison to the rest of the world. This is largely due to limited golf development programmes and the fact that golf has traditionally been inaccessible to many Africans.
The Africa Golf Summit owned and managed by Pure Grit Project and Exhibitions Management (Pty) Ltd, launches today (24th June 2015) at the prestigious Serengeti Golf Club. The summit, taking place from the 9-11 September 2015 aims to provide a platform for break-through opportunities of key players in the golfing, tourism, economic development and sporting sectors. The summit encompasses two distinct aspects functioning to complement each other. The conference aspect brings together specialists from a diverse range of business and government professions aimed at providing much-needed dialogue in the areas of evolution and growth in the golfing industry and its impact on inbound and domestic tourism while the exhibition aspect creates a platform for conclusion of effective business and networking.
The summit will promote the Africa Golf Centre of Excellence Programme seeking to establish three key pilot projects in Southern Africa, West Africa and East Africa through public-private partnerships. These partnerships signify the passion for youth golf implementation through skills transfer allowing the continent of Africa to cultivate and hone in on global opportunities. The golf centre will promote golf as an Olympic sport; encourage golf development in local communities and creating a space for local enterprise.
Youth development in golf is a key focus area especially with limited resources having an effect on training, education, life-skills and learning opportunities. The Centre of Excellence will focus on uplifting and nourishing the youth sector exposing raw talent and building an allied industry of partnerships and opportunities enabling golf as a sport to be promoted on an Africa stage.
“Golf is not just a sport, but a foundation for development in multiple sectors including community development and empowerment, tourism industry development and youth development”, says Kwakye Donkor – Publisher of South African Golf and Leisure Vacations book.
Africa Golf Summit has received letters of encouragement and support globally from West Africa Amateur Golf Association in Nigeria, Swan Golf Designs Limited and Golf Consultants Association based in England, Hills & Forrest International Golf Course Architects based in United States of America as well as the Southern Africa PGA Tour (Sunshine Tour) based in South Africa.
“I believe AGS will bring together industry experts, private sector to craft an executive golf industry strategies that will drive sustainable golf development and social cohesion across Africa. It is my hope that through the AGS, golf will become one of Africa’s most favoured investments sector as well as sport, education, tourism, enterprise developments, destination marketing tool across the continent,” says Gary Player, the golfing legend.
Serengeti Golf & Wildlife Estate http://serengeti.co.za
Africa Golf Summit www.africagolfsummit.com