The Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) have agreed to a partnership that shares educational resources designed to raise the profile and standard of turfgrass maintenance in the Asian region.
As part of this strategic alliance agreement, the GCSAA will provide educational content to AGIF workshops, seminars and field days.
The AGIF will begin deploying these GCSAA resources in the coming months with a series of four turfgrass management education seminars and expositions across the region.
GCSAA speakers will keynote educational programming at the first two events, set for Manila’s Orchard Golf and Country Club in the Philippines (September 5-6) and Vietnam’s Danang Golf Club (September 9-10). Two more events are scheduled to be held in China, in November.
“The GCSAA is committed to educating course managers, wherever they are,” said Rhett Evans, Chief Executive Officer of the association. “The AGIF is committed to growing the game in Asia and can work effectively across national borders. It’s clear that better education and reliable agronomic information improves the professional standing of individual superintendents and furthers the industry.”
The GCSAA was founded in 1926, and today serves some 18,000 members in more than 70 countries worldwide. The AGIF was formed and incorporated in August 2009 to support research, education and grow-the-game initiatives in the Asian marketplace.
“Education is one of the core elements of the Federation and we look forward to working with GCSAA on a long-term basis in Asia,” said Tim Trinka, President of the Singapore-based AGIF. “Through our collaborative efforts, I am convinced that we can make a difference in offering quality education to superintendents in the region.
“We are committed to developing more programmes for the benefit of our member companies, superintendents across the region, and for the greater good of the golfing industry.”
Earlier this year, the AGIF joined with the Thailand Golf Association and the Thai Golf Course Superintendents Association for an education session that attracted nearly 300 speaker and delegates.
Richard Walne, Chairman of the AGIF’s Education Committee and Toro’s Managing Director, Australia & Asia Pacific, said: “We are pleased that the AGIF will be collaborating with the GCSAA and the respective local golf associations to bring about these events for the benefit of the Asian golf industry.”
GCSAA www.gcsaa.org
Environmental Institute for Golf www.eifg.org
Asian Golf Industry Federation www.agif.asia