Hai Phong, Vietnam: Pioneering Vietnam-based graduates of the Asian Golf Industry Federation’s (AGIF) Certificate in Greenkeeping (CIG) programme will take the game to new heights in one of the world’s fastest-growing golfing markets.

“Congratulations to the 21 students from the first batch of greenkeepers in Vietnam to complete the CIG programme and receive their Certificates of Achievement,” said Richard Walne, Chairman of the AGIF’s CIG committee.

Students from a host of prominent golf clubs across Vietnam attended the Confirmation Course at Vinpearl Golf Hai Phong, at the conclusion of which they were presented with their CIG certificates, jointly issued by the AGIF, The R&A and the New Zealand Sports Turf Institute (NZSTI).

Walne said: “It’s been fabulous to see the growth of all those who have participated. The enthusiasm along with the desire to learn has been outstanding.

“As Vietnam continues to make its mark as a premier golf tourism destination, course conditioning and presentation will become increasingly important.

“Having graduated from the Certificate in Greenkeeping, these pioneering men and women will now take the knowledge they have gained back to their clubs and pass it on to their colleagues.”

Soft launched at the AGIF’s Danang Conference in August 2022, the programme received an overwhelming response, teeing-off with a full class at the Introductory Course last November. The Progression Course was staged in March.

In between these courses, students were required to complete online assignments. “This ‘blended’ workplace learning was crafted to allow the students to apply the technical skills and processes learned to a variety of turf situations,” said Walne.

Based on a combination of scores from written assessments, practical assessments and oral presentations, Song Be’s Pham Quoc Toan had the distinction of topping the class.

Second overall was Nguyen Van Dai of Muong Thanh Golf Club Xuan Thanh, with Tran Anh Nhat (BRG Da Nang Golf Resort) and Le Trung Dung (Hilltop Valley Golf) joint third.

Running concurrently with the Completion Course was the second Introductory Course, filled with students from the Vinpearl group of golf courses as well as representatives from Trang An, Laguna Golf Lang Co, Long Bien, Kim Bang, Royal Long An, Dalat Palace and Sonadezi. There was also one student who made the journey from Karnataka in India.

Walne said: “Our thanks and appreciation go to the management and staff at Vinpearl Golf Hai Phong for their warm hospitality and great support towards this CIG programme. The grounds team not only helped to make this programme possible, but also to ensure it was a great success.”

Walne also expressed gratitude to AGIF Full Business Members Flagstick and Sports Turf Solutions for volunteering their English-speaking staff to act as interpreters at the two classes in Hai Phong.

“It was a wonderful gesture from Flagstick and Sports Turf Solutions. We are fortunate to have companies within the Federation that are so willing to support education within the industry,” added Walne.

Flagstick is a leader in golf course construction management with a portfolio of more than 90 golf course construction projects in more than a dozen countries, while STS is a prominent provider of innovative turfgrass services and solutions.

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.

“With the continued support of the NZSTI and with backing from The R&A and our Education Partners – Jacobsen, Jebsen & Jessen, John Deere, Syngenta and Toro – we are confident that the CIG programme will go from strength to strength,” said Walne.