Steady membership numbers, increase in partners, future industry collaboration

A steady membership level, an increase in the number of partners and future industry collaboration were the order of the day at EIGCA’s 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM) (Thursday 28th April 2022).

Despite the many challenges thrown the way of business in recent years, EIGCA membership numbers remain steady at 101 in 25 countries (78 members, 1 Fellow, 10 Candidates for Membership, 12 Retired). Since the last AGM, six months prior, there has been three upgrades to full Member, one retirement, and no resignations*. Membership numbers are supplemented by six students who are nearing the half way point of their two years of studies, and on successful completion of their first year this summer, will automatically become Candidates for Membership.

EIGCA’s Partnership Programme is the primary forum for golf course architects and providers of associated products and services to connect and work together. Since the last AGM, EIGCA has welcomed three new and one upgraded Partner, plus a new Affiliate^.

Looking ahead, EIGCA President, Tim Lobb MEIGCA, updated the membership on the 2022 Annual Meeting in Iceland at the end of June, explaining how the event reflects EIGCA’s role as a leader in golf course design and its goal of increased collaboration across the golf industry. “We are using our Annual Meeting this year to initiate a global pledge between EIGCA and our American and Australian counterparts (ASGCA and SAGCA respectively). With the theme of ‘Is the climate emergency a golf emergency? A Net Zero Event for Golf Development and Design’, we are actively increasing our knowledge and education on climate change to understand how we can each help reduce the carbon footprint in our organisations and across the golf course design world.”

*Upgraded members: Alex Hay MEIGCA (Canada), Ben Stephens MEIGCA (England) and Peter Skofic (Slovenia). Retired member: Robert Berthet (France)

^Upgraded partner: Hunter Industries (Silver from Bronze). New Partners: All Golf Services (Silver) and Whitemoss Eco Supplies (Bronze). New Affiliate: Adrian Mortram.