Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The Asian Golf Industry Federation’s (AGIF) acclaimed Certificate in Greenkeeping (CIG) programme has broken new ground this week with its Middle East debut.
A total of 16 students from seven countries, representing 13 clubs enrolled in the CIG’s Introductory Course, held at the Montgomerie Golf Club Dubai.
Richard Walne, Chairman of the AGIF’s CIG committee, said: “This is another exciting development for the Certificate in Greenkeeping of which we are proud.
“Our objective has always been to help students learn about the profession and move up in their career. The attendees with us here in Dubai this week are creating history by becoming the first people from this part of the world to benefit from this programme. Our hope and belief is that others will want to follow suit.”
Attendees represented the Montgomerie Golf Club Dubai, Dubai Hills Golf Club, Arabian Ranches Golf Club, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Emirates Golf Club, Al Zorah Golf Club, Trump International Golf Club Dubai, Yas Acres Golf & Country Club, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Al Badia Golf Club, Sharjah Wanderers Sports Club and Oman’s La Vie Club.
Walne said: “We’re delighted to have such a fantastic representation from the golf clubs in Dubai. We’re also grateful to the Montgomerie Golf Club Dubai for extending every courtesy, including training facilities and access to the golf course as part of the training curriculum, daily lunches and coffee breaks.
“The AGIF is very appreciative of their support and hospitality towards this initiative as this helps with the education outreach.”
Jordan Fairweather, Cluster Director of Agronomy for EMAAR, was instrumental in bringing the CIG programme to the Middle East.
He said: “I knew about the Certificate in Greenkeeping programme when it was launched in Malaysia in 2018 and got involved with it. After the borders reopened post-Covid, I contacted the AGIF about bringing this programme to the UAE.
“I hope the delegates will learn as much as they can, especially about the various varieties of grasses as this will help them in their work.”
The Progression Course and Confirmation Course will both be held in 2024 at different locations within the UAE.
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.
The CIG programme has already made its mark in Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam and will launch in India next week.
With the UAE launch, the total number of students who have enrolled in the programme has broken through the 140 barrier with individuals from clubs in 10 countries – 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.
“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 in the CIG,” added Walne.
*For enquiries about the CIG, please contact PK Ong at pkong@agif.asia or visit https://agif.asia/certificate-in-greenkeeping/