For the second week in succession, the Asian Golf Industry Federation’s (AGIF) Certificate in Greenkeeping (CIG) programme has made history.
Having broken new ground last week when completing its first Introductory Course in Dubai, the CIG is now making its India debut.
“This is another momentous progression for the Certificate in Greenkeeping and for the aims of the Federation and The R&A to raise course maintenance standards across Asia,” said Richard Walne, Chairman of the AGIF’s CIG committee.
Being held at Karma Lakelands on the outskirts of Delhi, the latest Introductory Course is being attended by a record-setting 24-strong class.
In addition to representatives from 17 clubs in India, also in attendance are greenkeepers from Sri Lanka’s Victoria Golf Club and Saudi Arabia’s Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.
“The response we received to our first venture in India has been overwhelming. Our full classes are normally restricted to 20 students, but because of the interest here we’ve increased the numbers.
“As we’ve been so heavily over-subscribed, we’re now potentially looking at staging another class in India in 2024,” said Walne, who thanked the host venue for their generous hospitality.
A 235-acre campus of lush green landscapes, water bodies, meadows and lawns, Karma Lakelands is home to a boutique nine-hole golf course, sculpted by Pacific Coast Design’s Phil Ryan.
The set-up for the CIG’s Introductory Course was overseen by Sandeep Trehan, Karma Lakelands’ Chief Operating Officer, and Course Superintendent Anil Sharma.
Walne said: “We are grateful to Sandeep and Anil for all their contributions. The welcome extended to us this week has been exceptional, from providing the training room to daily lunches, coffee breaks and access to the golf course as part of the learning curriculum.”
Trehan teed-off proceedings with an overview of Karma Lakelands’ philosophy and commitment to eco-responsibility which has included initiatives on organic agro, waste management, bio composting, water harvesting and conservation, sewerage treatment, solar energy and bee farming.
Among other things, Trehan is also embarking on his Certified Club Manager training, a Club Management Association of America (CMAA) programme that is being run by AGIF for the Asia-Pacific region.
The 17 Indian clubs participating this week are Bangalore Golf Club, Clover Greens Golf Course, Delhi Golf Club, DLF Golf Resort, Gulmohar Greens Golf & Country Club, Jammu Tawi Golf Course, Karma Lakelands, Kharghar Valley Golf Club, MEGEPTA, MEHTA, Oxford Golf Resort, Prestige Augusta, Prestige Golfshire, SEPTA, Wave City, Willingdon Sports Club Mumbai, and Zion Hills Golf County.
The Progression Course and Confirmation Course will both be held in 2024 at different locations in India.
In partnership with The R&A and delivery from the New Zealand Sports Turf Institute (NZSTI), the CIG was launched in 2018 with the specific aim of improving the professional knowledge of greenkeeping staff and providing an educational framework for the golf greenkeeping industry in the region.
The CIG programme has already made its mark in Malaysia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam.
With the India launch, the total number of students who have enrolled in the programme has broken through the 165-barrier with individuals from clubs in 12 countries – Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Malaysia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the UAE and Vietnam.
A total of 64 individuals have now completed the programme and more than 75 are currently part way through.
“Our thanks for their continued support goes to The R&A and our Education Partners – Jacobsen, Jebsen & Jessen, John Deere, Syngenta and Toro. Their backing and encouragement has given us the impetus to expand the reach of the CIG significantly in 2023,” added Walne.
*For enquiries about the CIG, please contact PK Ong at pkong@agif.asia or visit https://agif.asia/certificate-in-greenkeeping/
