Danang, Vietnam: The Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) will welcome its second Certificate in Greenkeeping (CIG) intake from Vietnam in May.

Following the overwhelming response to the country’s inaugural CIG programme, a new Introductory Course has been confirmed to take place in Danang from May 15-19.

Richard Walne, Chairman of the AGIF’s Education Committee, said: “The CIG’s debut in Vietnam was a huge success, attracting a full intake of 22 students representing many of the country’s best-known golfing facilities.

“With just 20 spots on offer for the forthcoming new class in Vietnam we encourage all interested parties to register as soon as possible.”

The Progression Course is scheduled to be held in Ho Chi Minh City with the Confirmation Course in Hanoi. Dates will be confirmed shortly. The Introductory and Progression courses are both held over five days while the Confirmation Course is staged over three days.

“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.

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.

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.

Featuring 22 students from 15 clubs across the country, the Introductory Course for Vietnam’s first CIG venture was held at Hanoi’s Long Bien Golf Course in November, 2022. Last month, the Progression Course was completed at Hoiana Shores Golf Club.

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

Meanwhile, the AGIF’s first new CIG class for 2023 will be staged in Malaysia from May 8-12.

Walne said: “The fact that we’ve had full intakes at all our recent courses is a clear indication of the popularity of the Certificate in Greenkeeping.

“The growing demand for us to stage new Certificate in Greenkeeping classes around the region is hugely encouraging.

“It’s especially pleasing to see so many golf clubs embracing the programme and enrolling their superintendents and course maintenance staff.”

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