Hanoi, Vietnam: Organised by the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF), Vietnam’s first Certificate in Greenkeeping (CIG) introductory course has enjoyed a flying start.

Being held at Long Bien Golf Course, the CIG’s debut in Vietnam has attracted a full intake of 22 students representing many of the country’s best-known golfing facilities.

“This is the CIG’s first venture into Vietnam and the enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge among our attendees has been uplifting,” said Richard Walne, Chairman of the AGIF’s Education Committee.

No fewer than 15 clubs from across the country are represented at the Introductory Course – Hoiana Shores Golf Club, Nara Binh Tien Golf & Beach Resort, Hilltop Valley Golf, Yen Bai, Vinpearl Golf Nam Hoi An, Stone Valley, Song Be, Harmonie, Chih Linh, Muong Thanh Xuan Thanh, BRG Legend Hill, BRG Ruby Tree, BRG Kings Island, BRG Da Nang Golf Resort and BRG Ha Nam.

All materials for the five-day course, which will conclude on Friday, have been translated into Vietnamese.

The Progression Course is due to be staged in Danang in March, 2023 with the Confirmation Course scheduled for Ho Chi Minh City in October, 2023. Venues and dates 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, Thailand and Vietnam with 26 individuals completing the programme. Currently, a further 60 are part way through.

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 (NZSTI) 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/