Danang, Vietnam: Representatives from four of golf’s best-known course architecture companies will lay out their plans for sustainable designs at this week’s Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) Danang Conference.

Nicklaus Design’s Paul Stringer, Golfplan’s David Dale, Greg Norman Golf Course Design’s (GNGCD) Eric Pfeifer and Johnston Design and Agronomy’s Andrew Johnston will participate in a 75-minute panel session that will be among the highlights of the three-day gathering (August 29-31).

Entitled Sustainable Golf Design, the quartet’s session that commences at 11 am on Wednesday will bring down the curtain on the inaugural AGIF Danang Conference, held in conjunction with Danang Tourism and the BRG Group and with backing from Toro (Gold Sponsor) and John Deere and Rain Bird (Silver Sponsors).

Chris Gray, the AGIF President, said: “Given that sustainability is one of the key themes running through the conference, we’re honoured to have four such respected individuals address what are considered to be some of the most pressing issues facing golf.

“It will be fascinating to hear the views of Paul, Dave, Eric and Andrew and will be the ideal way to sign off the conference.”

President of Nicklaus Design, Stringer has travelled to nearly 90 countries over his span of 35 years in the golf business. 

A former Senior Vice President at Troon Golf, Stringer was responsible for establishing and operating their Asia Pacific region and opened offices in Sydney, and Tokyo. 

Throughout his nearly 20-year tenure at Nicklaus Design, Stringer has built a reputation for developing business strategies and securing international partners within the golf industry.

In his role as Director of Design & Operations, Asia Pacific, Pfeifer oversees GNGCD’s full-service management of golf course development projects.

Currently based in Danang and proficient in Vietnamese, he primarily represents GNGCD for the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions and is actively involved in the firm’s global business development.

Having begun his design career in the United States, Pfeifer’s international experience is fuelled by a passion for foreign language, culture, and growing the game of golf worldwide.

Principal/President of Golfplan – Dale & Ramsey Golf Course Architects, Dale joined Golfplan after graduating from Washington State University.

His 73 course completions in 18 different countries around the world and 28 remodelled courses is a small footprint in the global canvas compared with the masterplanning experiences in more than 70 countries. 

Among the high-profile courses Dale has authored are The Club at Nine Bridges in Korea and Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong Course in Singapore.

The environmentally sustainable Nara Binh Tien Golf Resort (Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam) opened this year, celebrating the lift of travel ban due to the global Covid pandemic.

Meanwhile, with more than 100 projects and 36 years of golf course design, construction, agronomy and club management, Andrew Johnston is one of the most accomplished and respected professionals in the golf industry.

Since 2010, Johnston has been the Director of Agronomy, and in 2013 took on the added responsibility of General Manager at Sentosa, one of Asia’s pre-eminent golfing destinations and one of the most recognizable global international properties.

Further to his leadership role at Sentosa Golf Club, Johnston maintains involvement with golf developments around the globe as Owner of Johnston Design and Agronomy, now celebrating its 12th anniversary.

The AGIF Danang Conference forms part of a week-long golfing festival in Danang that will also see BRG Da Nang Golf Resort play host to a 54-hole event on the Asian Development Tour (ADT), the Asian Tour’s feeder circuit.

AT A GLANCE

Name: AGIF Danang Conference: Golf Tourism and Sustainability Strategies
Date: August 29-31, 2022
Venue: Sheraton Grand Hotel, Danang, Vietnam
Organisers: Asian Golf Industry Federation, Danang Tourism, BRG Group
Gold Sponsor: Toro
Silver Sponsors: John Deere; Rain Bird