Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The expansion of the Asian Golf Industry Federation’s (AGIF) Certificate in Greenkeeping (CIG) programme will continue with its Middle East debut this year.

Richard Walne, Chairman of the AGIF’s CIG committee, confirmed that the first Introductory Course in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be staged at the Montgomerie Golf Club in Dubai from November 27 to December 1.

The Progression Course and Confirmation Course will both be held in 2024 at different locations within the UAE.

“This is another exciting development for the Certificate in Greenkeeping of which we are proud,” said Walne of the CIG programme that has already made its mark in Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam and will launch in India in December.

In partnership with The R&A and delivery from the New Zealand Sports Turf Institute (NZSTI), 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 completion of recent Introductory and Confirmation classes in Malaysia and Vietnam, the total number of students who have enrolled in the programme has broken through the 120 barrier. Individuals from clubs in 10 countries have participated – Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Malaysia, Oman, Singapore, Thailand, the UAE and Vietnam.

A total of 64 individuals have now completed the programme and more than 50 are currently part way through.

The CIG programme is crafted for golf course staff who may not have formal education related to the knowledge and skills required to operate safely and efficiently as a greenkeeper on a golf course.

The blended workplace learning will allow the learners to apply the technical skills and processes learned to a variety of turf situations under the supervision of a qualified workplace supervisor.

Walne said: “We’re delighted to be launching the CIG in the United Arab Emirates and are looking forward to seeing many new milestones in the programme in the months and years ahead.

“With continued support from The R&A and our Education Partners – Jacobsen, Jebsen & Jessen, John Deere, Syngenta and Toro – we believe there is great potential for further growth.”

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 registrations and enquiries about the CIG, please contact PK Ong at pkong@agif.asia or visit https://agif.asia/certificate-in-greenkeeping/