ASIAN GOLF INDUSTRY FEDERATION
Asian Golf Industry Federation AGIF Logo

Certificate in Greenkeeping


Malaysia

Certificate in Greenkeeping


India

Certificate in Greenkeeping


Thailand

Certificate in Greenkeeping


Vietnam

Certificate in Greenkeeping


UAE

The Certificate in Greenkeeping (“CIG”) was launched in 2018 after several years of discussion and development. The purpose of CIG is to create viable consistent education for professionals looking for a career in turf management. After a review, the AGIF selected the New Zealand Sports Turf Institute (“NZSTI”) as our education partner in the development and implementation of the CIG. The R&A recognized the positive sustainable impact of this programme and is a founding supporter of the CIG. AGIF members - Jacobsen, Jebsen & Jessen, John Deere, Syngenta and Toro - are Education partners of this programme.


The CIG has since been launched in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, United Arab Emirates and India as at end of 2023. The total number of students who have enrolled in the programme has broken through the 160 barrier with individuals from clubs in 12 countries -Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Malaysia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the UAE and Vietnam. More than 60 students have now completed the programme.
Certificate in Greenkeeping – AGIF
Jebsen & Jessen

Programme Overview

Purpose: To produce skilled greenkeepers for golf courses throughout Asia with common standards which are recognized across Asia.

Focus: Core skills and knowledge 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

Learner Profile: Aimed at people working in or aspiring to, leading hand or second in charge positions, must work on turf on a daily basis and have the ability to carry out and complete all practical tasks and online assignments, minimum 2 years turfgrass experience and a current employee of a club and have a golf course superintendent / manager as a mentor

Workplace Mentor Profile: Ideally the line manager of the candidate(s) attending the CIG programme. Minimum 5 years turfgrass management experience. Must be able to assist the programme advisors and trainers to implement workplace learning for the candidate(s) attending the CIG programme.

CIG Newsletter Issues

CIG Newsletter - Issue 1
CIG Newsletter - Issue 2
CIG Newsletter - Issue 3
CIG Newsletter - Issue 3
CIG Newsletter - Issue 4
CIG Newsletter Issue 5
CIG Newsletter - Issue 5

Delivery Of The Programme

Introductory Course

One five-day course at the commencement of the programme which will introduce the main aspects of:

Module 1: Golf Course Ecology

Module 2: Lead Greenkeeping Staff

Progression Course
One five-day course, 4-6 months into the programme which will introduce the main aspects of:
 
Module 3: Surface Management on the Golf Course
 
Module 4: Rootzone and Soil Water Management on the Golf Course
 
Module 5: Manage Golf Course Pests and Diseases
Confirmation Course
One three-day course at the completion of the programme  (10 to 12 months after commencement) which involves both practical and written assessments and oral presentation of a chosen topic

Programme Delivery

Face-to-face course
  • Introductory, Progression and Confirmation Courses taught by experienced agronomists and expert tutors
     
  • Translation in selected countries
     
  • Taught at a golf course in host country
Workplace Learning

  • Learning through guided workplace tasks and portal

  • Teaching and support resources for mentors and learners

  • Workplace mentor and NZSTI support network

Assessment
  • Online assessments in between the courses
     
  • Written and practical examinations, and oral presentation of a chosen topic at Confirmation Course

AGIF CIG Gallery

SN Farhana Hamzah

GCSAM / Els Club Desaru Coast
President of Golf Course Superintendents’ Association of Malaysia (GCSAM)/ Golf Superintendent at The Els Club Desaru Coast
Malaysia




Owen Hester

Owen Hester

Green Dynasty
Managing Director
Singapore
Topic : Renovation Projects - Key Considerations
Owen Hester is the President of Green Dynasty Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based golf course development and consulting firm active across Southeast Asia and China. With over a decade of industry experience, he has led award-winning projects like Sentosa’s New Tanjong and Stone Forest Golf Club.

Prior to founding Green Dynasty in 2010, he was VP at Flagstick GCCM. A Homesglen graduate, Owen also serves on the board of the Asian Golf Industry Federation, promoting sustainable growth in the sport.

Chris Gray

The R&A
Head of Sustainable Golf &
Agronomy Asia-Pacific
Singapore
Topic : Welcome by AGIF President - Update on AGIF plans
Chris Gray leads The R&A’s Sustainable Agronomy Service across the Asia-Pacific region, providing expert guidance to golf courses on environmentally responsible turf management and course development.

With deep experience preparing venues for major championships like The Open and the AIG Women’s Open, he helps clubs implement best practices in irrigation, turf selection, and resource efficiency. His work supports long-term sustainability and resilience in golf course operations amid climate and regulatory challenges.

Mark Ray

APAC at C&D Trojan Battery Company
Regional Sales Manager
Queensland, Australia


Topic : The Latest in Global Battery Technology
Over 25 years of experience in B2B sales, operations, and technical support across APAC & Oceania. For the past 18 years, has managed key sales initiatives for motive and industrial batteries, including Trojan, Lithium-Ion, and VRLA, overseeing distributor networks, OE accounts, and technical training.

Pascal Orczech

Golfasian
Director of Business Development
Bangkok

Topic : International Best Practices in Golf Tourism
Pascal Orczech is a seasoned business development leader with nearly 20 years in the travel and tourism industry, specializing in automation and digital transformation. As Director of Business Development at Golfasian, he drives scalable growth through AI-powered lead generation, CRM automation, and workflow optimization.

His expertise in e-commerce and data-driven marketing has helped expand Golfasian’s global footprint. Passionate about innovation, Pascal is at the forefront of intelligent business solutions in tourism.

Chuah Choo Chaing

C3PR Services
Golf Business Owner
Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia

Topic : Public Relations - Tell your story for Profit
Leads Marketing and Communications for the PGA TOUR in APAC, managing media strategy, partnerships, and PR for tournaments in China, Korea, Japan, and supporting international events. Focuses on growing fan engagement and raising exposure for the TOUR and elite golfers, including top Asian players.

Evan Du Plessis

Sports Turf Solutions
Head of Agronomy,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Topic : Innovation in Grasses
Evan Du Plessis is a passionate and adaptable Turf Professional with a deep commitment to excellence and responsibility. Known for his exceptional communication skills, Evan has consistently fostered positive working relationships across all levels—from staff and management to corporate guests and club members.

With a forward-thinking mindset, Evan stays at the forefront of industry advancements, continuously integrating the latest technologies and environmental developments into his work. His dedication to innovation and collaboration makes him a respected voice in the turf management community.

Rob Weiks

Rain Bird Corporation
Southeast Asia Area Manager – Golf
Singapore
Topic : Smart Irrigation with new Technology
Southeast Asia Area Manager at Rain Bird International with 33 years of hands-on experience in golf course and turf management, horticulture, and landscape design.

Recognized for international sales and leadership awards, with expertise spanning golf course construction, agronomy, irrigation management, tournament operations, and sustainable maintenance practices across diverse turf types and challenging environments.

Joshua Ho

Singapore Golf Association
Chief Executive Officer
Singapore
Topic : Success Stories : From The Region
Joshua Ho is General Manager of the Singapore Golf Association, providing strategic direction and overseeing operations since 2021. He joined SGA in 2019 as High-Performance Manager after earning a Bachelor of Business Management from Singapore Management University.

Jessie Lu

Club Car (Shanghai) Co.,Ltd
Product Management & Marketing Manager, Asia
Shanghai, China
Topic : New Technology and Sustainability
With over 15 years of commercial leadership in dynamic B2B sectors, Jessie is responsible for Asia Product and Marketing in Club Car. Combining deep market expertise with a multinational educational background from both Asia and Europe, Jessie provides valuable strategic direction on the evolution of the golf industry.

Catalina Tapia

Golf Caddies
Co-Founder, CEO & Creative Director
Pattaya , Thailand
Topic : How Thailand uses data analysis to boost sales and quality
Catalina Tapia is CEO of Golf Caddies, based in Pattaya , Thailand. She brings experience from Kata Collective, Ashurst, Havoc Creative, and AECOM, and holds an Associate Diploma in Graphic Design and Photography from the University of Western Sydney.

James Cronk

Cronk Group Inc.
President / Co-Founder Golf Industry Guru
Canada
Topic : Best Practicies from North America / New Tools for Training and Education
James Cronk is a golf industry leader with over 30 years of experience as a golf professional, club manager, and speaker at major global events. Through CRONK GROUP and GOLF INDUSTRY GURU, he helps clubs improve service, operations, and profitability, working with private clubs, public courses, athletic clubs, and resorts worldwide.

Nick Brown

Campey Turf Care Systems
Export Sales Manager
England, United Kingdom
Topic : Essential Machinery for SE Asia
Tang is Executive Director of Club Operations and Township Management at Gamuda Land, overseeing Kuala Lumpur’s Kota Permai and Johor’s Horizon Hills Golf & Country Clubs. He is also enrolled in the AGIF-administered CCM programme, recognized globally as the gold standard in club management certification.

Tang Meng Loon

Malaysian Association of Golf & Recreational Club Owners Bhd (MAGRO)
Chairman / Executive Director
Gamuda Land, Malaysia
Topic : Career Planning - What are your options ?
Tang is Executive Director of Club Operations and Township Management at Gamuda Land, overseeing Kuala Lumpur’s Kota Permai and Johor’s Horizon Hills Golf & Country Clubs. He is also enrolled in the AGIF-administered CCM programme, recognized globally as the gold standard in club management certification.

Thad Bell

Ernie Els Design
Regional Director
Vietnam
Topic : Construction principles for Long Term Efficiency
Thad Bell is a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) with over 28 years of international experience in golf course design. His portfolio spans a wide range of projects, from par 3 layouts to award-winning resort courses, across Mauritius, South Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

Thad has played a key role in numerous new-build and renovation projects through his long-standing collaboration with Ernie Els Design. Known for his hands-on approach, he ensures that each project is thoughtfully developed on paper and meticulously executed in the field, recognizing that successful implementation is critical to a course’s long-term success.

Thad currently serves as the Regional Director for Ernie Els Design’s Asia-Pacific office, where he is leading the firm’s expansion into the Asian market. His expertise and commitment to quality continue to shape memorable golfing experiences across diverse landscapes and cultures.

Samuel Choong

Laguna Phuket
General Manager
Tropicana Golf & Country Resort
Selangor, Malaysia
Topic : Solar Panels - can this work at your club ?
Samuel Choong is General Manager at Tropicana, Malaysia, with over 25 years of experience in commercial operations, marketing, and business development. They have held senior roles at Diageo, Pan Malaysian Sweeps, and Maxxium Fine Wines & Spirits, driving strategic growth, market expansion, and key account management across diverse sectors.

Paul Wilson

Laguna Phuket
Managing Director
Phuket , Thailand
Topic : Value of Golf - Creating the ultimate golf destination in Thailand
Mr. Wilson is Senior Assistant Vice President at Laguna Phuket, overseeing operations, destination events, and the Laguna Golf Group’s three courses. A PGA Fellow Professional, he joined Laguna in 2013 and has led award-winning renovations and golf management projects across Asia.

Mark Matehaere

EnvoyGolf
Founding Director
Sydney , Australia
Topic : Attracting & Retaining Leaders in the Golf Industry:
A Practical Guide to Success From Australia
Mark Matehaere is the founder of EnvoyGolf and a founding director of Ellington Savage. With over 35 years’ experience in executive search, he has advised leading organisations across sectors and guided golf clubs throughout Australasia and beyond. He shares practical insights on what he has observed to work in attracting and retaining high-impact leaders.

Dr. Yasmin Rasyid

Sime Darby Property
Sustainability Scientist / General Manager
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Topic : Maintaining Sustainability Practices at KLGCC
Yasmin is a sustainability scientist with over 26 years’ experience in environmental management and community development. Founder of EcoKnights and now with Sime Darby Property, she drives sustainable township development, decarbonization, and high-impact community initiatives.

Her expertise in sustainability, leadership, and community development, drives impactful decarbonization and social initiatives at Sime Darby Property. She’s also a mentor, creative soul, and passionate volunteer who finds peace in nature.

Chris Geraghty

59 Club Asia
General Manager
Phuket, Thailand
Topic : How Europe Measures the Member/ Visitor Experience
Chris Geraghty, Managing Partner & General Manager of 59club Asia is a seasoned operator having experience in hotel, resort, F&B, and golf contexts. Chris held General Manager positions for Troon Golf at world class facilities in North Africa, The GCC, and Southeast Asia.

Chris has a wealth of experience with 59club tools and resources having been a customer of 59club for many years prior to joining the Company at the end of 2024. Chris has achieved five gold flags as a customer of 59club and was recognized as Golf Manager of the Year for Asia in 2023, perfectly positioning Chris to support client venues throughout the region to maximize the value of working with 59club.