Danang, Vietnam: Twenty-two students from Vietnam have completed their Progression Course in the Asian Golf Industry Federation’s Certificate in Greenkeeping (CIG) programme.

Hoiana Shores Golf Club hosted the five-day gathering which was attended by three members of the AGIF’s Education Committee – Richard Walne (Chairman), Henry Ng and James Gordon.

The Introductory Course for Vietnam’s first CIG venture was held at Hanoi’s Long Bien Golf Course last November.

Walne said: “The CIG’s debut in Vietnam has been an overwhelming success, attracting a full intake of 22 students representing many of the country’s best-known golfing facilities.”

A total of 15 clubs from across the country were represented at the Progression Course – Hoiana Shores, Nara Binh Tien, Hilltop Valley Golf, Yen Bai, Vinpearl Golf Nam, Stone Valley, Song Be, Harmonie, Chih Linh, Muong Thanh Xuan Thanh, BRG Legend Hill, BRG Ruby Tree, BRG Kings Island, BRG Da Nang and BRG Ha Nam.

As well as practical lessons held on the course there were daily classroom sessions with all course materials having been translated into Vietnamese.

Walne said: “Our thanks go to Hoiana Shores Golf Club for supporting turf education and letting us use their facilities.

“We also appreciate the support from Henry, James and PK Ong, the AGIF’s Membership and Administration Manager for her organisation of the event.”

The Confirmation Course for the Vietnamese intake is scheduled to take place at a venue in Ho Chi Minh City in the third week of September.

“Our programme uses three different locations during the 12-month programme, allowing students to see different turf conditions and maintenance practices,” said Walne.

In partnership with the New Zealand Sports Turf Institute (NZSTI) and with backing from The R&A, the specific aim of the CIG is 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.

Walne said the CIG 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, Thailand and Vietnam. To date, the courses have attracted students from Cambodia, China, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam with 27 individuals completing the programme. Currently, 59 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.

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