Delhi, India: Chris Gray, Head of Sustainable Golf and Agronomy Asia-Pacific with The R&A and President of the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF), will deliver a keynote address at next month’s Indian Golf Industry Association Summit.

To be held on October 13-14 at Qutub Golf Club, the conference and exhibition aims to bring together golf industry leaders from around India and the Asian region.

Following a two-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Summit returns for its ninth edition.

Among the highlights will be a presentation from Gray entitled ‘Sustainable Golf Development’ during which he will shine a light on best practices for golf clubs and golf course construction.

“India is a growing market for golf with tremendous potential,” said Gray, who has more than 30 years’ experience as an agronomic consultant, golf course superintendent and golf course project manager in the Asia-Pacific, Central Asia and Middle East regions.

Gray’s role at The R&A primarily focuses on sustainability practices and providing agronomic assistance to The R&A’s championships in the region, working closely with The R&A’s sustainability and agronomic teams at the Home of Golf in St Andrews, Scotland.

Gray said: “Congratulations to the Indian Golf Industry Association for bringing this important gathering back to the schedule.

“I very much look forward to hearing and seeing the progress that is being made in the Indian golf industry – and exploring ways in which the AGIF can work with our counterparts in India towards a sustainable future for golf.”

To that end, Richard Walne will make a presentation on the AGIF’s expanding Certificate in Greenkeeping programme.

Among other AGIF member companies that will be represented in Delhi are Troon, Toro, Sustane and Golfasian.

Having spent the past 22 years with Troon Golf in multiple senior roles in Europe, Australasia, the United States and the Middle East, Declan McCollam is ideally placed to talk about ‘Key Golf Management Issues for a High-Quality Facility’.

Currently, McCollam is General Manager at the Prestige Golfshire Club & Prestige Augusta Golf Village in Bangalore, both managed by Troon Golf.

Mark Siegel, Owner and Managing Director at Golfasian, Southeast Asia’s foremost golf tour operator, will speak on the topic of ‘Developing Golf Tourism – Learning from Thailand and Vietnam’.

The conference will involve both international and domestic specialist speakers, while an exhibition will bring together industry experts supporting all aspects of golf course maintenance.