Cardiff, Wales: Tim Lobb has become the 12th President of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects (EIGCA).

Elected as President at the 2021 Annual General Meeting, Australian Lobb pledged to focus his term on the importance of design in the future of golf.

Lobb said: “We, as golf course architects, have the power to shape the future. We need to design courses that are relevant in our modern day society. It is our chance, now, in a post-Covid world, to bring families and young people into golf. We must create the facilities that make golf interesting and fun.

“I will use my term as EIGCA President, and the platform this provides, to drive ahead with the message that the design of a course is fundamental to safeguarding the future of golf. We need to stress how the design of courses helps promote the game of golf, for all.”

Lobb’s pledge to focus on the importance of design in the future of golf, follows three themes:

• Collaboration: Greater collaboration with other international associations to promote the exchange of ideas and experiences to achieve a broad understanding of the golf industry from a global perspective.
• Awareness: Seek an enhanced appreciation in the wider (non-golfing) community of the positive environmental effect of well-considered golf course design.
• Impact: Encourage stakeholders in the wider golf industry to understand and appreciate the importance of the expertise of golf course architects and the fundamental impact it will have on the future of golf for all.

Lobb has worked in golf course design for 25 years. After starting his career in Melbourne, he moved to the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.

In 1998 he settled in the United Kingdom where he worked with European Golf Design and later formed a partnership with Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett.

Headquartered in England, in 2016 he formed LOBB + PARTNERS and has additional offices in Canada and South Korea.

“I wish to thank Christoph Städler for what he has achieved during his term as President and for his support by nominating me for this role. I look forward to the next two years and welcome Caspar Grauballe who begins his term as Vice President,” added Lobb.

The EIGCA represents Europe’s most qualified golf course architects. Members have shown through their skill, experience and training that they are able to design and oversee the construction of golf courses to the highest standards.

EIGCA works to enhance the status of the golf course design profession, increase the opportunities for members to practice throughout the world and educate future golf course architects.