In the wake of the outstanding response to last week’s Philippine Golf Course Management Conference, officials said they are committed to extending their support for the superintendents.
Presented by the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) in partnership with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), the two-day gathering at The Orchard Golf and Country Club in Dasmarinas City attracted almost 100 superintendents, course maintenance managers, golf directors and club managers.
Steve Wilson, Manila-based member of the AGIF’s Education Committee and Director of Business Development for Bernhard & Co, said: “The feedback we have received from delegates and sponsors has been very encouraging. There’s no doubt that this event has the potential to grow significantly in the coming years and become one of the most important get-togethers for superintendents in Southeast Asia.”
Richard Walne, Chairman of the AGIF’s Education Committee and Toro’s Managing Director, Australia & Asia Pacific, added: “The over-riding objective of the AGIF in collaborating with the GCSAA and respective local golf associations is to bring about these type of events for the benefit of the Asian golf industry.
“The Federation will continue to invest in gatherings such as this as they have such a positive impact on the industry as a whole.”
The Philippines event marked the first joint AGIF-GCSAA undertaking since the signing of a Strategic Alliance Agreement between the two organisations six weeks ago. The second event takes place in Vietnam this week.
JD Dockstader, the GCSAA’s Chief Business Development Officer, said: “We very much look forward to working with the AGIF. As we saw in Manila there is so much potential in this part of the world. ”
The Philippine conference was organised by the Federation of Golf Clubs Philippines in co-operation with the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) and the Philippine Sports Commission.
Rogelio Manalo, President of the Federation of Golf Clubs Philippines, said: “In closing this year’s Philippine Golf Course Management Conference, it’s appropriate to extend our gratitude to all those who have contributed to making it such a successful event.
“Congratulations especially to Conrad Benitez and his team at The Orchard Golf and Country Club for hosting and consistently outdoing themselves in planning and organising this annual event which has now become the primary golf education activity for the country.
“What has been accomplished here during the conference I am sure will eventually rebound to efficient management and vastly improved golf courses in our country.”
The opening day at The Orchard featured presentations from GCSAA-affiliated turfgrass experts Dr Elizabeth Guertal, Bruce Williams and Jim Prusa on Warm Season Turf Grass Selection, Basic Soil Science, Golf Industry Trends in Asia and Team Management Planning.
Following a talk on Irrigation Water Management by Nicer Landas to tee-off day two, delegates attended a field demonstration at which sponsors displayed their latest wares.
Gold sponsors for the event were Jacobsen, Rain Bird, Syngenta and Toro, while Bernhard & Co and Foley United were Silver sponsors. Flowtronex was a Bronze sponsor.
Asian Golf Industry Federation www.agif.asia
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America www.gcsaa.org