Singapore: Representatives of Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) member companies are being presented with free learning opportunities during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The educational offerings, along with other exclusive content, are part of an extensive AGIF initiative to conduct an increasing number of activities on-line.

Eric Lynge, the AGIF’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “In lieu of onsite education, we are building up several options for on-line education.”

As an important start to this effort, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is offering AGIF members exclusive access to its online learning portal through July. Education includes live webinars, 20 of the most requested videos and e-learning modules to assist turf managers’ learning and development.

“For the GCSAA to open its library to our members is a wonderful gesture which certainly will assist them in further promoting the wide knowledge bank which they have and is applicable to Asian turf managers. We are very grateful to the GCSAA for making this library available to our members,” said Lynge.

Meanwhile, a further trio of available webinars – accessible at https://agif.asia/webinar-announcement/ – are produced by Golf Inc., Profile Products and the first of the AGIF’s Industry Talk in Asia shows, hosted by Jebsen & Jessen Technology, Turf & Irrigation Division.

Industry Talk will be aired live on Monday (April 27) at 11 am via Facebook and YouTube and will be moderated by Henrik Friis, Regional Director of Jebsen & Jessen Technology, Turf & Irrigation Division and an AGIF Board member. Richard Walne, Managing Director APAC, The Toro Company, and President, AGIF, and David Townend, Managing Director, Azalea Hospitality and Vice-President, AGIF, along with Lynge, will be participating and sharing their views on the state of the industry.

Fast Consistent Grow-Ins: How Biotic Soil Media Can Change Golf Course Construction is the topic of the Profile Products webinar.

Presented by Joe Betulius (VP Sports, Golf and Landscape), John Maeder (Profile Golf Business Manager) and Wes Martin (Director of Business Development), the webinar focuses on how to rebuild depleted soils utilising Biotic Soil Media. This game-changing technology is being introduced to golf course construction after extensive and successful use in mine reclamation and on challenging construction sites.

Highlights from this webinar are the benefits of ProGanics, while on-going product developments that are impacting soil health on project sites around the world are highlighted.

Meanwhile, the Golf Inc. Innovative Strategy Conference webinar focuses on how to rebuild your business and reinvigorate the golf industry after the Coronavirus crisis.

Golf Inc. has created a virtual conference for golf course operators and industry professionals that addresses challenges that lie ahead for golf clubs amid the pandemic.

Sessions include: 

• What to expect from the economy post-Coronavirus.
• What golfers want now: How customer needs and wants have shifted.
• Revenue generation ideas post-Coronavirus.
• Tech to the rescue: Using technology to bring customers back.

Lynge said that the AGIF is continuously looking at new ways of operating in the current situation.

He said: “We have had to adapt and are still in the process of diversifying in the way that we serve our members and the industry. As we have not been able to run our traditional education events, which are the core of our activities, we are transitioning much of our communication via our digital platform.

“We have revamped our website – www.agif.asia – which has a cleaner look to communicate industry news to the industry. There is clearer information on our education, membership and a new jobs section which we feel will be very popular once entities start hiring again.

“We have also started a series of podcasts with industry leaders and will be looking to host our own webinars as well as those from our education partners.

“In general, we are taking this opportunity to build our connection with the industry which is already robust with close to 10,000 signed up viewers of our newsletter, in addition to our website, Facebook and LinkedIn pages.

“We are confident that when we come out of this situation, we will be a stronger entity with an increased and deeper contact with the club and turf industry in Asia.”

*The AGIF’s Industry Talk webinar can be accessed via:

Facebook: Turftechjjsea
YouTube: Jebsen & Jessen Technology Thailand

**To access Golf Inc. webinar, please visit www.golfincinnovation.com  

***To access Profile Products webinar, please visit https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/8702140159987277836