Phuket, Thailand: After a three-year hiatus, the PGA of Great Britain & Ireland Members’ International Conference made a successful return to an in-person event.

Members from around the world gathered at the award-winning Laguna Phuket where delegates listened to an impressive cast of speakers, networked at a variety of social events, and enjoyed the five-star facilities on offer at the beachside venue.

“We were delighted to be able to return with the PGA Members’ International Conference to the stunning Laguna Phuket in Thailand,” said Robert Maxfield, Chief Executive of the PGA of GB&I, an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF).

Maxfield, who delivered the opening address at the four-day conference, added: “The conference is a great way to meet fellow Members, share ideas and learn from some of the most respected figures in the golf industry.

“We’ve received incredible feedback from Members and delegates who attended the conference. Our thanks go to our esteemed panel of speakers, our presenting partners Toro, and everyone who made the effort to attend.

“Our gratitude also goes to Paul Wilson, Deputy Managing Director at Laguna Phuket, all of his team and everyone at the resort for making us feel so welcome and for providing such excellent hospitality throughout our stay.”

A total of 44 delegates attended the event, including 36 PGA Members and, for the first time, several golf industry professionals, including representatives from the club management sector and turfgrass companies.

They included Andy Brown, Senior Sales Manager for Global Business Development at Toro UK, who delivered a presentation on behalf of the conference’s Presenting Partner.

Also among the speakers were representatives from numerous AGIF member companies: AGIF President Chris Gray, Head of Agronomy and Sustainability for The R&A in Asia, DJ Flanders (Senior Vice President, Troon International), Eric Lynge (Director, Sporting Insights Asia), Mark Siegel (CEO, Golfasian) and Brad Burgess (Managing Director, Sports Turf Solutions).

Burgess said: “It was an honour to speak about turfgrasses at the PGA International Meeting. It’s a great concept to combine people from all sectors of the industry with PGA Professionals over several days.”

PGA Member Dean Nelson, who joined St Andrews Bay Development as Chief Owners Representative last year after serving as Director of Golf at Hong Kong Golf Club for 12 years, said: “After Covid had postponed the conference for the previous few years, I was keen to return to Phuket and get together with my regional colleagues.

“Learning from industry leaders and experts provided invaluable information and insights into best practices currently being used throughout the region. It was a thoroughly enjoyable conference and a great way to stay up to speed with the PGA and the latest developments in our association. The networking opportunity with industry peers allows the re-connection that has been missed over the past few years.”

Also offering insights into their work and current trends was PGA Master Manager Simon Wordsworth, Founder of 59 club, while delegates experienced the resort’s PGA Academy and Tour-level practice facilities when DP World Tour and Asian Tour short game specialist coach and PGA Member Matthew Tipper staged two outdoor clinics.

PGA of GB&I Executive Directors Tristan Crew and Richard Barker were also in attendance to provide International Members with an update on the Association’s activities in 2022, which included the launch of PGA Play and PGA Excel.