The Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Associations (FEGGA) has announced that the major sponsor of the International Golf Summit 2003 will be Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd.
The International Golf Summit is an initiative, conceived and organised by the Golf Course Superintendents of America Association (GCSAA), which enables golf course superintendent and greenkeeping associations from around the world to meet annually and discuss the latest issues affecting their profession. Since its inception nine years ago it has been hosted by the GCSAA at the annual conference and exhibition held each February in the USA.
Three years ago there was a proposal to expand the Summit’s objectives and to move it to alternative parts of the globe. Following a submission by FEGGA it was agreed that the first of these venues in 2003 will be St Andrews, the spiritual home of greenkeeping, and will be themed ‘Following in the footsteps of Old Tom Morris’.
FEGGA will combine the Summit with their own Conference, which will be held immediately following the end of BTME, and delegates will travel from Harrogate by train to St Andrews for the weekend 24th – 26th January.
FEGGA is the umbrella organisation for the 20 greenkeeping associations across Europe. Among its many aims is the promotion of educational standards and professional recognition.
During tripartite talks with Ransomes Jacobsen and The Gleneagles Hotel it was decided that a new FEGGA scholarship scheme would be introduced, based upon the Gleneagles Excellence in Golf Award Scheme (GEGAS). In order to facilitate this new scheme it was agreed that this year’s Gleneagles Golf Development Conference, originally scheduled for 24-26 November, will now be rescheduled into 2003 and become a bi-annual event. This will allow the resources of all participants to be totally focussed on the new training scheme.
The GEGAS scheme is a 12-month educational and practical training programme, based at The Gleneagles Hotel, for aspiring greenkeepers from around the globe who wish to develop their skills to become golf course managers or superintendents of the future.
FEGGA, in conjunction with Ransomes Jacobsen and Gleneagles, now plan to roll out the training initiative across Europe with students being nominated by their national greenkeeping associations for possible selection on to the scheme.
Dean Cleaver, FEGGA secretary commented, “Obviously we are tremendously delighted that Ransomes Jacobsen have agreed to act as major sponsor for the International Summit and welcome their support. Equally, we are extremely grateful to Jimmy Kidd and The Gleneagles Hotel for their commitment to the new FEGGA scholarship scheme. In time we hope that the Gleneagles Golf Development Conference will alternate between north and south Europe with FEGGA students attending both events.”
Jimmy Kidd, golf courses and estate director at The Gleneagles Hotel said, “Following the decision to expand the Gleneagles Excellence in Golf Award Scheme model across Europe, a second venue will be selected at a prestigious golf resort in southern Europe to complement the current scheme at Gleneagles.
“This year’s Golf Development Conference at Gleneagles will be rescheduled to 19th –22nd November 2003. This permits the resources of all participants to be totally focused on the new student training scheme and the 2003 Golf Development Conference.”
FEGGA dean.cleaver@btinternet.com
Ransomes Jacobsen www.textronsolutions.com
Gleneagles Hotel www.gleneagles.com