In 1982, I made my first trip over to England as a speaker. I was part of a group that shared ideas and information to fellow greenkeepers at Cambridge University. It was a multi-week trip and perhaps the genesis of what became the infectious travel bug that still exists within me today.
The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) was created in January 1987 due to an amalgamation of the British Golf Greenkeepers Association, The English and International Golf Greenkeepers Association, and The Scottish and International Golf Greenkeepers Association. Today BIGGA has 6,000 greenkeepers and turf professionals who are very involved in continuing education to hone their craft.
Membership is global and reaches far. The R&A (governing body of golf in the UK, Ireland, Europe and Asia) penetrates far and governs most of golf east and west across the ponds. Likewise, BIGGA has members in all those parts.
While golf began in Scotland, it was not until about 500 years later that a formal association started. To some degree, BIGGA followed in the footsteps of GCSAA the same way they began in 1926. Small regional chapters evolved into national associations. Since the infancy of BIGGA, there have been a number of other associations formed in Europe, including FEGGA (Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers), The Ireland GCSA and various other groups in Western Europe. More on those in a future piece.
BTME
The BIGGA Turf Management Exposition (BTME) is held at the beginning of each year. In alternate years, there are a big show and smaller show. The components of the show are like the Golf Industry Show in that they offer:
-- Widespread educational offerings
-- The latest in technology
-- Networking opportunities
-- Trade show with all the major manufacturers and many distributors
-- A time for the BIGGA annual meeting
-- Presentation of awards
The show is held in Harrogate, England, which is a short train ride from Manchester International Airport. This was my first train ride in years and the trains were very punctual and a nice relaxed ride.
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Aside from having a decent-sized convention and conference center, there are a variety of lodging options throughout this very old town that has received tourists and visitors for years. Since the hotels by the convention center book up early, I opted to get a bed and breakfast about a 10-minute walk from the conference site. Quite amazing for an American to walk by places like the Crown Hotel, which were built shortly after Columbus discovered America. If you want to get a real feel for England, visiting a town like Harrogate is a must.
The BTME educational initiative had over 2,900 delegates in attendance this year. The Continue to Learn Program broke all records and the numbers have now doubled since three years ago. A wide variety of seminars and workshops were presented with speakers from all over the world.
Sami Strutt, head of member development, was very pleased with the growth and quality of the program. Strutt and her team did a wonderful job of organizing all the educational events.
There were 114 exhibitors and 4,722 people at the trade show. It filled four halls and it is anticipated that the next BTME will use five halls. Things are looking up for the golf industry in Ireland and the UK. Pat Galavan, managing director of TurfCare, said, “we are very pleased with the turnout at the show this year……greenkeepers are very interested in our product line and the latest technology.”
Billy McMillan shared that he felt good about the direction of the industry. “After a few years of adjustment to economic downturns, the industry is now moving forward with golf facilities re-investing in infrastructure by updating and remodeling their golf courses,” McMillan said.
Grand Slam of Certification
One of the highlights of the BTME was the recognition given to Lee Strutt. For those of you who don’t know, Strutt is a very goal-oriented fellow and when he sets his mind to something there is no stopping him. Strutt manages a golf course like the rest of his peers but somehow has found time to become certified by the three major golf course superintendent/greenkeeper organizations.
Strutt became a Master Greenkeeeper (MG) with BIGGA in 2001. He is one of only 65 greenkeepers that hold that designation. After that, Strutt obtained his
Accredited Golf Superintendent (AGS) designation from the Canadian GCSA in 2008. In 2014, Strutt joined the ranks of certified golf course superintendents (CGCS) in the GCSAA. At the BTME in 2015, he was awarded the designation of master superintendent (MS) by Canadian GCSA President Christian Pilon.
“It has been a challenge and I surely like a challenge” Strutt said. Officially, Strutt is now Mr. Lee Strutt, MG, AGS, CGCS, MS. While that is a mouthful, it is a well-deserved set of designations by the leading groups in the golf course management industry. None of these designations are easily achieved and to earn just one of them would be an accomplishment in and of itself.
SKY72 Seminars and Training Conference-Korea
The SKY72 Winter Seminars and Training Conference started in 2010 in order to address the training needs for five golf courses. The practical focus has been on addressing the fundamental subjects of irrigation management, Integrated Pest Management, fleet management and equipment operation, and golf business management. An array of expert Korean and foreign speakers have been invited as guest instructors over the years in order to assure a world-class level of the highest quality.
SKY72 is Korea’s largest golf operation, consisting of five golf courses and the world’s largest driving range facility. SKY72 Ocean Course, a Nicklaus Design, has been recognized as the Best in Korea by Asian Golf Magazine’s “Best in Asia Awards” and the week long winter training effort has been put in place to assure consistent course conditions year around.
The CEO and owner representative of SKY72, Kim Young Je, places the greatest emphasis on achieving the highest levels of customer/member satisfaction and recognizes that this can only be attained through continual training of the golf course teams. Kim, known in Asia for his high-energy passion for excellence, believes that the more training this provided employees, then the less “management” required. Thus, it was Kim Young Je who gave the order to start a formal training and continuing education program.
Kim Wan Jae, SKY72’s Chief Operating Officer, also has worked closely with the director of golf courses, Jim Prusa, in establishing the best training program offered by any golf course facility in the world. Kim Wan Jae also emphasizes that the company’s training efforts have become well known and that this helps in attracting the best and brightest people in staff recruiting. In fact, it has been so far reaching for a golf course operation to conduct such continuing education that SKY72 decided several years ago to open up the winter program to all other golf courses as a step to support Korea’s golf industry. SKY72 stands as a model for golf course operators worldwide in conducting its open training efforts. It believes that by opening its programs even to competitors it will raise the water level of the industry and that will “float all boats higher” for the good of golf. Attendees have even included management and staff from a U.S. military course in Korea.
In recent years, the SKY72 training program has even attracted the attention of the Korea national government, which now provides a small level of grant funding for the effort. SKY72 has also respectfully coordinated its efforts with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Korea in order to avoid any duplication or timing conflicts. The company is always open to cooperating with and supporting such legitimate organizations.
Regarding the reasons and objectives of SKY72 training, Prusa explains that, “in addition to constantly upgrading our staff skill levels and training new people, we have our superintendents and assistants also serve as instructors. By their teaching, they develop their own knowledge to a highly expert level. I believe if one wants to truly learn a subject, then teach it.”
Basic staff training and continuing education needs throughout Asia, as in all other parts of the world, are continually needed and always will be. Each successive generation in golf management deserves the right to have the latest information and practices made available. Of course, as in all other industries, those golf courses that provide such training opportunities will also attract the best, brightest and most loyal employees – all to the benefit of raising the consistent golf course conditions to the highest level of customer/member satisfaction. SKY72’s success can be attributed to the passion of its senior executives and its commitment to staff training.
While the topics and grass types may differ around the globe, the conference is a perfect example for other countries or regions to follow to provide high quality education.
Sustainable Turfgrass Management in Asia in 2015
A few years ago, I ventured to Thailand not knowing what to expect at an educational conference that was being held there. I had followed Dr. Micah Woods for some time and saw the research he was conducting in various parts of Asia. The more that I read about the research, the more interested I became in the grasses and golf courses of Asia. This was my third trip to this conference and it only grows and improves with each and every year.
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The 2015 conference was held in March and it had close to 300 delegates in attendance from 22 countries. Unquestionably, this conference has become the “go-to” event in Southeast Asia. This conference began as a field day at the Asian Turfgrass Center in 2007. Following the inaugural event, a cooperative event was held in 2008 between the Thai GCSA and the Asian Turfgrass Center. Those early events found 60 to 80 in attendance. By 2009, the current version of the conference began with 120 delegates being welcomed by the Thai Golf Association.
Now in its seventh year, there is a wonderful collaboration of the Thai GCSA, Asian Turfgrass Center, Thai Golf Association, The R&A and the Asia Golf Industry Federation. There are two days of meaningful education and a day of field trials and equipment and product displays at a local golf course.
For a conference of this magnitude, it is amazing that it is all organized and managed with volunteers. The Thai GCSA ran a superb show. Woods, chief scientist for the Asian Turfgrass Center, coordinates the education with a wide array of speakers. The intent is to utilize Thai-based information and speakers as a foundation. Much of Woods’ research is on the grasses and golf courses of Thailand. Other speakers from neighboring countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines have also provided valuable information. Each year several American professors attend and share some valuable information from warm-season research in the U.S.
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The Asia Golf Industry Federation offers opportunities to showcase equipment, products and technology out on a golf course. This has grown annually and is a great way for companies to reach out to a large number of golf course superintendents. The R&A is the governing body of golf in the region. Through their support and participation, it helps grow the game in Southeast Asia.
With delegates from 22 countries, you might think there would be some language issues, but that was not the case. Most of the presentations were in English and the one that was not had intermittent translation and fell into the category of the pictures tell a thousand words. For those who only spoke Thai, there were simultaneous translators who did an excellent job.
Like most conferences, there were numerous opportunities for good food and fellowship and lots of networking. This year, the conference was in Pattaya and Woods tells me that it will return there March 7-9, 2016. Thailand is a great host country and all of the superintendents are so hospitable. Rates to attend, housing and meals are very affordable.
Woods is always willing to share his information, and if you go to this website, http://www.asianturfseminar.com/downloads.html, you will find a wealth of information.
China Golf Show
One of the most interesting shows of the year is the China Golf Show. It is held each March in Beijing, China, at the Convention Center that is a part of the Olympic Village. The main focus of the show is the actual show itself with education being secondary. The square footage of the show floor would have only about 25 percent of the same type of vendors we would see at the Golf Industry Show. The rest of the show floor is consumer-oriented with clothing, balls, sticks, etc. That being said, it is hard to gauge the exact attendance as it affects the golf maintenance and construction side because attendees are free to roam through all areas.
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As many are aware, the golf business in China is struggling. There has been a moratorium on golf course construction for the last few years. While some golf courses have been given the green light, others have been closed by the government. There definitely is contraction at this time. Once estimated at 500 golf courses in all of China, there are more likely 475 or less at this time.
With those numbers, why would anyone even bother with a show? Architects and builders estimate that there are as many as 120 projects with rough drawings that could be ready to go when the government gives the green light. Nobody seems to know when that will be, but the best estimate is it may be a couple of years away. Controlled growth with proper permits and environmental sensitivity will be the key to golf success in China.
There are several areas where courses are being built that are designated as tourism areas and many of those are in the south of China. Chinese people love golf. While there may not be many courses in China and they are not always accessible, that doesn’t mean golf tourism isn’t coming on strong. Much of that tourism will be Chinese people travelling to the many parts of Southeast Asia to play those golf courses that are much more available and affordable. With the onset of ASEAN, the borders of many Asian countries are much easier to navigate and tourism will grow quickly in the years ahead.
In preceding years, there was a second show held in Shenzhen in December of each year. That show will concentrate on education in 2015 rather than operate as a trade show. The buzz from the vendors was that they found it hard to support two shows in a country with less than 500 golf courses.
Bruce Williams is GCI’s senior contributing editor.
