Palmerston North, New Zealand: New Zealand Sports Turf Institute (NZSTI), a member of the Labosport group, is pleased to announce its partnership with the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) in delivering the inaugural Certificate in Greenkeeping (CIG) programme, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – the first of its kind in Asia.
The AGIF has used NZSTI’s expertise to develop a programme that will improve the professional knowledge of greenkeeping staff and provide an educational framework for the golf greenkeeping industry in the region. The initiative is backed by The R&A.
Richard Walne, AGIF President, said: “The objective was to be able to offer an accessible, affordable and internationally recognised certification for superintendents. Thanks to the support of The R&A, we have succeeded in those objectives.”
Walne, who is also Toro’s Australia and Asia Pacific Managing Director, added: “The Certificate will provide a much-needed education path for turfgrass professionals in Asia, which already exists in North America, the United Kingdom, and Europe, and Australia, and New Zealand.”
Steve Isaac, Director – Sustainability at The R&A, said: “The R&A has agreed to support the AGIF Certificate in Greenkeeping as part of our greenkeeper education programme. This is a positive development for the golf industry in Asia and we are excited at being involved with this initiative.”
Olivier Ducrocq, Managing Director of New Zealand Sports Turf Institute and Labosport Asia-Pacific, said: “We are looking forward to the opportunity to showcase our expertise in the delivery of sports turf management for the betterment of the golf industry in Asia.”
The programme focuses on the core knowledge and skills required to operate safely and efficiently as a greenkeeper on a golf course, and in a way that protects the turf, prevents damage to the reputation of the course and improves productivity.
The CIG is a 12-month programme with five modules.
An initial five-day Introductory Course (November 26-30) and Workplace Supervisor Course (November 28-30) will be held in Kuala Lumpur and will include modules 1. Golf Course Ecology and 2. Lead Greenkeeping Staff.
A five-day Progression Course will follow in early 2019, focusing on the three other modules:
(3) Sports Turf Surface Management
(4) Sports Turf Rootzone and Soil Water Management
(5) Pest, Weed, Disease and Disorders
Education will continue through distance learning and will conclude with a three-day Confirmation Course, which will involve practical assessment and completion of the final exam.
Education Partners in the programme are Jacobsen, Jebsen & Jessen, John Deere, Syngenta and Toro, all Executive Members of the AGIF. AGIF is a not-for-profit organisation boasting more than 100 member companies from all areas of the golfing industry.
For further information, please contact New Zealand Sports Turf Institute at training@nzsti.org.nz