Singapore: The Asian Golf Industry Federation’s (AGIF) ground-breaking Certificate in Greenkeeping (CIG) programme continues to make excellent progress.

A dozen students attended the latest Progression Course at Kuala Lumpur’s Glenmarie Golf & Country Club.

Richard Walne, Chairman of the AGIF’s Education Committee, said: “After the frustrations we’ve all had to endure these past couple of years, we’re delighted to have our Certificate in Greenkeeping programme back on track.

“The response from all our students has been overwhelmingly positive. The attendees are so glad to be able to resume their certification.”

The five-day course at Glenmarie included representatives from six Malaysian clubs – Els Club Desaru Coast, Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, Meru Valley, Palm Resort Golf Club, Rahman Putra Golf Club and Saujana Golf & Country Club.

There were also participants from Cambodia’s Vattanac Golf Resort as well as Sentosa Golf Club and Singapore Island Country Club.

This intake is due to graduate following the Confirmation Course, which is planned for May, 2023.

Adding a new dimension to the Progression Course was the staging of a ‘Mentor’s Workplace’, featuring several of the region’s best-known course superintendents who have acted as mentors to the attending students.

Following the disruption caused by the pandemic, beginner courses for new these intakes commenced in August and were held concurrently with outstanding Confirmation Classes.

In partnership with the New Zealand Sports Turf Institute (NZSTI) and with backing from The R&A, the CIG was launched in 2018 with the specific aim of improving the professional knowledge of greenkeeping staff and providing an educational framework for the golf greenkeeping industry in the region.

The CIG programme focuses 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.

To date, the courses have attracted students from China, India, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand with 26 individuals completing the programme. Currently, a further 60 are part way through.

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.

Walne said that in view of the current demand, there will be a new intake for Malaysia in the first half of 2023.

“We welcome learners from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and other nearby countries to join this intake,” said Walne.

Those interested in registering, please contact PK Ong at pk***@**if.asia or visit https://agif.asia/certificate-in-greenkeeping/