Education programmes and partnerships, research and communications will all feature prominently among the core activities of the Asian Golf Industry Federation going forward.
Recommendations of the Board to revise the Federation’s membership categories were also unanimously approved at an Extraordinary General Meeting in the Chinese capital.
Tim Trinka, President, AGIF, said: “This was a hugely significant meeting of the AGIF membership. In years to come, I think we may well look back on this as a watershed moment in the history of the Federation.
“The fact that so many member companies attended the EGM and gave the Board such an overwhelming stamp of approval is tremendously gratifying.
“Furthermore it underlines our belief that the AGIF is uniquely positioned to take advantage of its position as the umbrella organisation for the entire golf industry in Asia.”
Based on the recommendations contained within the Signature Group’s Strategic Plan, the AGIF Board said it has identified the following priorities for implementation in 2014:
- To position itself to become the facilitating co-ordinator of local educational efforts in Asia through partnerships with major, established golf organisations;
- To build the largest database of Asian golf information in one, centralised location – becoming the ‘go to’ place in Asia for information that supports golf operations, course development, retail, tourism, and real estate;
- Change the membership structure and pricing to reflect changing times within the industry; to create new categories of membership; to do away with entrance/joining fee and to ensure the AGIF is an all-inclusive body.
In that regard, a new category of membership for golf facilities has been added.
“Golf Facility Members will consist of public or private golf facilities, driving ranges and/or screen golf facilities,” said Trinka. “Golf facilities represent an enormous part of our industry and we very much look forward to welcoming many of them into the AGIF family.”
Among other recommendations from the Board was to begin a search for a Chief Executive Officer, who would be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day running of the operation, carrying out the instructions of Board.
The EGM was held just days after the staging of the second AGIF Turfgrass Management Exposition in Thailand which attracted a record turnout of almost 280 delegates from 20 countries.
“The AGIF Education Committee is deeply committed to superintendent education programmes that are accessible and relevant in Asia,” said Trinka, adding that a similar event will be staged in China later in the year.
Asian Golf Industry Federation www.agif.asia