Hanoi, Vietnam: Spots are filling up fast for Vietnam’s first Certificate in Greenkeeping (CIG) introductory course.

With less than two months to go before the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF)-administered programme makes its debut in Vietnam, three-quarters of the 20 available slots have been filled.

Richard Walne, Chairman of the AGIF’s Education Committee, said: “Since news of the programme’s move into Vietnam was announced at last month’s AGIF Danang Conference, the response has been extremely encouraging.

“Many of the country’s leading golf clubs have already signed up to send participants and we’re looking forward to welcoming a full intake.”

The Introductory Course has been scheduled to be conducted in Hanoi from November 21-24. The Progression Course will be staged in Danang in April, 2023 with the Confirmation Course scheduled for Ho Chi Minh City in October, 2023. Venues will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

“The idea is to expose the students to as many settings as possible,” said Walne, adding that the programme is targeted at individuals with a minimum two years’ experience in the turfgrass industry who are currently employed at golf clubs and who aspire to progressing their careers.

Since launching in 2018, CIG courses have been staged in Malaysia and Thailand. To date, the courses have attracted students from Cambodia, China, India, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand with 18 individuals completing the programme. Currently, 31 are part way through and a further 30 waiting to sign up.

Focusing 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.

In partnership with the New Zealand Sports Turf Institute and with backing from The R&A, the specific aim of the CIG has always been to improve the professional knowledge of greenkeeping staff and provide an educational framework for the golf greenkeeping industry in the region.

Recognising the positive sustainable impact of this programme, The R&A was a founding supporter of the CIG. AGIF members Jacobsen, Jebsen & Jessen, John Deere, Syngenta and Toro are Education Partners in the programme.

*For further details on the CIG, please contact PK Ong at pkong@agif.asia or visit https://agif.asia/certificate-in-greenkeeping/