EIGCA celebrates 25th anniversary in Scotland
Estimated reading time 3 min
EIGCA’s annual meeting is the main gathering of the EIGCA community so was the perfect opportunity to celebrate the Institute’s 25th anniversary.
One hundred and forty members, candidates for membership, students, (corporate) partners, affiliates, patrons and guests came together for three days of golf, conference, dinners and networking. This was a true global event with attendees from 23 countries across four continents and members from EIGCA, ASGCA, SAGCA and JSGCA.
Day one was golf at Cabot Highlands with 40 golfers. Day two at Nairn Golf Club with 98 golfers. Day three at Royal Dornoch with 97 golfers. Members competed for the President’s Cup, with Wilfried Moroder reigning supreme. Non-members competed for the Paul O’Brien Cup which was won by SAGCA member, Lyne Morrison.
After a night in the Nairn area, the event transferred to the other side of the Moray Firth to be based at the Dornoch Station Hotel. After playing Royal Dornoch, our Partner’s Dinner in the evening celebrated EIGCA’s (corporate) partners and affiliates to thank them for their continued support and collaboration.
The conference on the final day focused on changing the public perception of golf. The first session: chaired by GEO Foundation’s Jonathan Smith, focused on the growing environmental and social pressures. The panel (below) explored the challenges golf courses face — and the opportunities they have — to become more sustainable, inclusive, and valued by their communities. The message from the panel was clear: this is a moment of opportunity. If golf can adapt and communicate its value, it can not only survive — it can lead.
Panel:
- Andy Brown, Toro
- Hal Philips, Journalist
- Ru Macdonald, ex-DP World Tour
- Paul Bush, ex-Visit Scotland
The final session, led by Sam Thomas of GEO Foundation, emphasised the importance of sharing real stories — from on-the-ground innovation to big-picture strategy — to change how people view golf and highlight the positive impact of golf on both people and planet. A panel of EIGCA members spoke of real-world case studies with the challenges faced and how these were overcome with positive impacts delivered:
- Caspar Grauballe – Trump Turnberry (Scotland)
- Christian Lundin – Crownwood (Sweden)
- Matt Schiffer, Old Bridge Golf Course (New Jersey, USA)
- Bruce Charlton and Mike Gorman – Hoiana Shores (Vietnam)
The conference ended with the signing of a global pledge to strengthen the commitment of EIGCA, ASGCA and SAGCA for a combined effort to tell more of golf’s story XXXXXX. The pledge was signed by the President of each of the three institutes.
Delegates were asked to sign a pledge to demonstrate their own committment and to submit their own case studies to be curated on how their work is making a positive impact on people and the planet.
After a networking session for members and partners to continue conversations started earlier in the week, EIGCA members attended an in-person forum with Council members and the Executive Officer to hear what EIGCA is doing on their behalf and to support them.
Awards and presentations
- New Members – Cynthia Dye McGarey and Paul Jansen
- New Bronze Partner – Alcimex
- New Affiliate – Stuart Tate
- President’s Cup – Wilfried Moroder
- Paul O’Brien Trophy – Lyne Morrison
- Harry Colt Award – Andy Brown
Plans for the 2026 Annual Meeting in the spring are in the final stages and will be announced with an opportunity to register interest in attending for advance ticket details.
