The Bulgarian Golf Greenkeepers Association (BGGA) was founded in Sofia earlier this month with the help of a three year sponsoring arrangement from Company Kirov, the biggest supplier for earthmoving machinery in Bulgaria and the Bulgarian distributor for Toro maintenance machinery.
The management board is:
• Chairman and executive, Arne Van Amerongen was ‘baptised’ at Carnoustie Links and has worked in the golf course industry for more than 25 years. Arne is the golf project supervisor for the Pravets Golf and Country Club which is located 55 kilometres north east of Sofia. The course is designed by the golf course architect Peter Harradine, senior architect of Harradine Golf. Work on site will start next month.
• Vice chairman, Mark Van Der Looy has worked for over 20 years in the golf course industry including assignments with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. He has already been in Bulgaria for one year and is the project manager for The Black Sea Rama project, designed by Gary Player, and a new project near Sofia which is in the preliminary planning stages.
• Secretary, Steve Wood has thirty-three years in the golf course industry. He has already been in Bulgaria for three years and works as the golf course manager at the St. Sofia Golf Club and Spa in Ravno Pole, 10 kilometres outside Sofia.
“History is made and I am proud to work with such a good team,” said Arne Van Amerongen, chairman BGGA. “My special thanks again go to the Company Kirov who helped us realize this goal. We have created this new organization in a very short time and with a lot of energy and support.”
The first national Bulgarian Golfers Greenkeepers tournament will take place at St. Sofia Golf Club and Spa in Ravno Pole, on Friday 19th October 2007, sponsored by Company Kirov and Toro.
Arne Van Amerongen can be contacted through email Arne@Harradine-Golf.Com and mobile: Int +359 (0) 88 66 505 99