The 2012 PGAs of Europe Annual Congress coincided with the exact date of the European Golf Association’s 75th anniversary, providing the perfect opportunity to acknowledge the sterling three-quarters-of-a-century-long service the association has made to the game.
The Congress, supported by Glenmuir and Associação Turismo doAlgarve, was greatly honoured to welcome General Secretary of the European Golf Association (EGA), Richard Heath. Having presented on the future of the EGA, detailing their new strategic plan, it seemed fitting that PGAs of Europe Chief Executive, Ian Randell, and President, Jean-Etienne Lafitte, would present Mr Heath with a commemorative plaque to mark their distinguished past.
“During its own period of advancement, the EGA has been the catalyst for many developments in the game of golf throughout Europe, including the establishment of many professional events that comprise the PGA European Tour calendar today,” said Richard Heath.
“Continuing to foster the future of the amateur game in close cooperation with our member federations, we wish to create the best pathways for our future elite players into their professional careers. Therefore, we view our relationship with the professional bodies as a partnership to be maintained and progressed.
“We very much appreciate the formal recognition we have received from the PGAs of Europe in celebration of our past 75 years and look forward to our seeking further opportunities for mutual support in our service to the game.”
The EGA was initiated in 1937 during a meeting held in Luxembourg and has since grown to comprise of 43 of the continent’s amateur federations, associations and unions with the aims of developing the amateur game across Europe.
“We offer our full congratulations to the EGA on its 75th Anniversary and are delighted to have Richard with us to speak and represent the EGA here in Portugal,” Ian Randell said of the acknowledgement.
“It is important that our Associations work closely together to provide representation to both the amateur and professional elements of golf inEuropeand continue to foster relations and share good practice across our member countries and we look forward to continuing our work together in the years ahead.”
European Golf Association www.ega-golf.ch