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Who is the EVQGCD designed for?
This qualification is aimed at those serious about pursuing a career in golf course design. It is not designed for hobbyists or anyone with a passive interest in learning how to design or re-design all or part of a golf course.
Historically, the most successful graduates of this course are either:
If your academic or practical background does not match the above, it does not mean you will not be able to complete the course. Passion, perseverance, and a strong aspiration for a career as a golf course architect contribute to success.
The EVQGCD enrols a limited cohort of students every two years. A minimum of six to a maximum of eight students are accepted onto Year One, from which historically 67 to 85% of students graduate.
Course structure
This two-year course is a blend of in-person workshops and online learning divided into four modules (see below for course content), each spanning 6-7 months.
Each module is led by an experienced golf course architect, some of the most senior within the EIGCA membership. The Programme Manager, Dr. Sergio Carballo, is a recent graduate of the course who is dedicated to guiding students through their learning journey with EIGCA.
Each module begins with an in-person workshop where students meet and spend a few days under the guidance and tutelage of experienced architects. These mandatory workshops connect the online learning with its practical application. While the first four workshops take place in the UK, the fifth is solely for presentations of the final design projects at the end of Year Two, and could be held anywhere in Europe.
The online learning content, created and presented by experienced architects, helps students build their knowledge for the practical assessments and essays. Delivered via a state-of-the-art online platform with an app, access to the content is available whenever and wherever the students want to study.
Finances
Students should anticipate needing to have finances in place for upwards of £10,500 for the two-year EVQGCD course.
See below under Practical application of studies for information on the difference between being employed or mentored.
Additional expenses for the mandatory workshops (in the UK) and final project presentation (which may be anywhere in Europe) are estimated to be in the region of £2,000 for accommodation, plus travel.
Payment is in stages over the two-year course. All students pay £4,675 for Year One. The balance due for Year Two, is:
The accommodation fees for the workshops (one workshop per module plus the final design project presentation) are payable to the venues and are not part of the core fee.
Included in the fee:
Note: Payment for each module must be made in full before the learning materials can be accessed. Non-payment puts the student’s place on the course in jeopardy, with the risk of expulsion.
Subjects covered
The course comprises four modules, each of approximately 6-7 months in duration.
Module 1
Module 2
Module 3
Module 4
Practical application of studies
The practical application of what is taught throughout the course is vital.
While not mandatory, on-the-job training as an employee of an EIGCA member, or mentored by an EIGCA member, is recommended in the Foundation Year One. However, this becomes compulsory in Year Two.
Mentorship
If not employed by an EIGCA member, students may apply for a mentor through EIGCA’s Student Attachment Programme. This programme assists in finding a mentor within the Institute’s membership, however, it is the student’s responsibility to secure a mentorship before being allowed to progress to Year Two.
Note: Mentored students are subject to a £1,000 payment in addition to the course fee which must be paid before advancing to Year Two.
Students are required to spend 2-3 days each month with their mentor to learn about the practicalities of golf course design, and will usually include visits to ‘live’ projects.
Whether employed or mentored, students will be exposed to a range of tasks which complement the course content, including:
Assignment grading
The EVQGCD comprises a Foundation (Year One) and Advanced Golf Course Design (Year Two), each with two modules.
There is no award or official recognition if the student does not progress to Year Two. If a student passes Year One and progresses onto Year Two, they automatically step on the first rung of EIGCA membership and are entitled to use the designation Candidate for Membership (CfM). If the student subsequently fails to graduate or withdraws from the course, the CfM designation is rescinded.
Foundation (Year One)
A 50% pass mark applies to all assignments (essays and design projects). One re-submission per assignment is permitted which is capped at a maximum 50% grade.
Students averaging 60% or above across all assignments automatically progress to Year Two (subject to confirmation of employment with / mentorship by an EIGCA member) and payment of the associated course fee.
Students averaging 50-59% across all assignments may apply for admission to Year Two of the next course intake. To be considered for re-admission, the student must either re-take the module/s with the greatest negative impact on their overall mark or demonstrate an improvement in their knowledge or skill by completing a new assignment – as advised by the EIGCA Education Board.
Note: as the course is run every two years, the next Year Two intake will be two years away.
Students failing to achieve a minimum of 50% on any assignment will have failed Year One and will not be eligible to progress to Year Two without repeating Year One.
Note: as the course is run every two years, the next Year One intake will be 12 months away.
Grades from Year One carry over to Year Two and contribute to the final grade.
Advanced Golf Course Design (Year Two)
Just as in Year One, a 50% pass mark applies to all assignments (essays and design projects). One re-submission per assignment is permitted which is capped at a maximum 50% grade.
Students averaging 60% or above across all assignments automatically graduate from the course and are awarded one of the following:
Graduates who choose to remain in EIGCA membership, retain their Candidate for Membership status and have earned the right to use one of the following:
Students failing to achieve a minimum of 50% on all Year Two assignments, or who withdraw from the year, may apply to re-take Year Two in the next intake. Re-admission is subject to availability of a place with those already part of the next intake given priority.
Note: as the course is run every two years, the next Year Two intake will be two years away.
Course Dates
The next intake is in March 2024 (date to be confirmed).
Key dates for the application process are:
I am lucky enough to have a landscape architecture background and to have already worked in a golf course architecture office so a lot of the technical aspects I was already familiar with. I have also played a lot of golf and I think that being a keen golfer, plus having some sort of architectural background definitely helped me a lot.
What I found the most interesting was to learn about the history of golf course architecture, the strategic elements of design and to be able to discuss and argue with teachers and students of differing opinions.
I was surprised with the amount of time we had to dedicate to the course. I definitely underestimated it.
Working a full time job and doing the course was not easy. At one point, most, if not all weekends and evenings were spent working on the assignments we were tasked to do.
The difficulty and time needed to complete the course makes it much more of an achievement once you have completed it. It would not have the same gravitas if it took little to no effort.
Unfortunately I was in the middle of my course when COVID hit so the second half of my course was very limited in terms of interaction between students and teachers but this was no one's fault.
At the end of the day, I am very happy that I took part and completed the course. I definitely feel like I am a better golf course architect for it.
Michael Harradine CfM
