The UK presence at next month’s inaugural Africa Golf Summit (AGS) will be led by the Golf Consultants Association, whose chairman, Howard Swan, is one of the keynote speakers.
The AGS, which takes place at the Serengeti Golf Club from September 9-11, 2015, is “a pan-African initiative to bring together the global golf industry stakeholders to deliberate how the golf industry impacts on the broader African economy”.
Managed by Pure Grit Project and Exhibitions Management (Pty) Ltd, the AGS has attracted a wide range of golf-industry stakeholders, as well as government and private-sector delegates. Specialist speakers have been drawn from South Africa, Africa, the USA and the UK.
And Swan, who travels extensively lecturing about the need for education in the industry, will talk about the ‘Golf Centre of Excellence’ – a pan- African approach to growing the business of golf in Africa through education, skills development and small enterprise.
Swan, golf course architect at the family firm of Essex-based Swan Golf Designs, explained: “Having the opportunity to return to South Africa and assisting in the organisation of the summit gives me a great amount of satisfaction. And also that we take a strong representation from the United Kingdom and continental Europe: the R&A, the Golf Environment Organisation, Rainbird, TORO, Jacobsen, as well as Paul Gray from Rory McIlroy’s home club in Northern Ireland.
“Africa remains relatively undeveloped in the game and the summit is well placed to spread the word and to see golf and golf facilities expand significantly in the years to come. I am particularly delighted to be leading the initiative to establish Centres of Excellence throughout sub-Saharan Africa to grow the game at grass-roots level and to have golf provide a learning experience to many, many Africans who have not yet had the chance to take it up.
“The GCA is well placed to assist in the openings which are sure to arise in the continent, offering expert and experienced advice to governments and developers alike.”
Other topics to be explored and debated include the development of a blueprint for a sustainable golf industry in South Africa and across Africa; growing a sustainable golfing community; golf tourism and hospitality; golf sports development; golf estate and property development; golf-course design, construction, operations and management; and the hosting of tournaments, to boost job growth, tourism and the economy.
Other keynote speakers include Scott Ferrell, president of Gary Player Design USA; Steve Isaac, the director, golf course management, at the R&A; and Jonathan Smith, chief executive of the GEO.
The organisers have just announced the attendance of Ms Tokozile Xasa, Deputy Minister of Tourism to address the Summit and additional presentations from Thulani Nzima of South African Tourism and Grant Hepburn of Golf RSA.
The Africa Golf Summit takes place at the Serengeti Golf Club, Johannesburg, from September 9-11, 2015. Registration closes on Wednesday 2nd September
Africa Golf Summit www.africagolfsummit.com
View more stories about Exhibitions and Conferences and latest list of Most-read stories