The Italian Golf Federation’s consulting agronomist and ecology officer, Stefano Boni, is the latest experienced industry figure to join the not-for-profit Golf Business International.
The multi-faceted Boni, 43, is the principal of Stefano Boni Golf Services Company, based in Livorno, and, in addition to his degree in agronomics, he also has a four-year superintendent diploma, a five-year club manager diploma, a CMAE club manager diploma, and is a qualified rules official.
He provides freelance advisory services to golf clubs and associations, and has been with the Italian Golf Federation as agronomist and ecology officer since 2011. He helps the federation provide turfgrass and sustainability services to all affiliated clubs; promotes the GEO certification and the use of OnCourse program at national level; carried out Ryder Cup 2022 environmental initiatives; and had a supervisory role at the Italian Open.
He has also penned numerous articles in Italian golf magazines on golf course design and maintenance, sustainability and golf history, and is a lecturer at the Italian National Golf School.
He said: “Thanks to my activity with the Federation I have been in contact with many different types of clubs and ideas – and that’s helping me with the other activities that I am carrying out.
“I help golf clubs to optimise and enhance their all-round management, providing consultancies and direct assistance on several aspects: course management, club management, marketing and sponsorship research, organisation and running of competitions and promotional events … multi-functionality.
“My clients vary from resorts to private clubs and ongoing developments. My most recent project for a golf club is the design of a national golf academy for young disabled golfers.”
Golf Business International chairman Howard Swan said: “Stefano is a great addition to our team bringing a lot of international experience across a broad spectrum of activity. I hope he is the first of a flurry of new international recruits as we look to expand our reach across the globe. Indeed, Stefano is keen to build on our existing relationships with organisations in mainland Europe and to help develop a core membership there.”
Formed originally as the Golf Consultants Association in 1999, Golf Business International, which rebranded in 2017 and is now a ‘preferred partner’ of England Golf, is unique in its ability to make available a team of highly respected and experienced golf industry professionals to deal with any aspect of the business of golf through from conception to end.
Golf Business International www.golfbusinessinternational.com