Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: The Asian Golf Industry Federation’s (AGIF) ground-breaking Certificate in Greenkeeping (CIG) programme is poised to go from strength-to-strength.

With the completion of the latest Introductory and Confirmation classes the total number of students who have enrolled in the programme has broken through the 100 barrier with individuals from clubs in no fewer than nine countries participating.

Richard Walne, Chairman of the AGIF’s Education Committee, said: “That’s a good landmark and an indication of how the Certificate in Greenkeeping has been embraced across the region.

“With the continued support of the New Zealand Sports Turf Institute (NZSTI) and with backing from The R&A and our Education Partners – Jacobsen, Jebsen & Jessen, John Deere, Syngenta and Toro – we look forward to further growth in the months and years ahead.”

Walne was at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC) in the Malaysian capital last week to congratulate 16 students who completed their graduation.

Meanwhile, a new batch of 22 students embarked on their Introductory Course – the first new CIG class for 2023.

To date, the CIG courses have attracted students from Cambodia, China, India, Malaysia, Oman, Singapore, Thailand, the UAE and Vietnam.

Following the week-long KLGCC gathering, 43 individuals have now completed the programme and more than 60 are currently part way through.

It’s anticipated a further 20 students will sign up for the second Introductory Course in Vietnam, scheduled for the third week of September.

That week will also see the Confirmation Course for the first Vietnamese intake who began their journey in November, 2022 and went through the Progression Course in March.

In partnership with the NZSTI and 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.

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.

The Introductory and Progression courses are both held over five days while the Confirmation Course is staged over three days.

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