A message from the President, David Krause, 2009 - 2011

A new decade has begun for the millennium and also for the EIGCA as we are proudly preparing to celebrate our 10th anniversary as an Institute! It is an achievement that I am very proud to have been a part of as member of Council these last 10 years.

The EIGCA has continued to grow and develop both in numbers and recognition throughout Europe. Our present Institute began as an amalgamation of the British Institute of Golf Course Architects, the European Society of Golf Course Architects and the Association Française des Architectes de Golf. There was some intense negotiation and a lot of patience required at times indeed, but we achieved our goal in the end and in bringing these groups together we have created a truly European, united group of architects.

We have achieved a great deal over the last 10 years…

• We have held conferences – from our conference in Cambridge in December 2001, which was quite an international occasion with the late Desmond Muirhead among the speakers, through our Fifth Anniversary Celebrations in St Andrews in 2005 to our forthcoming 10th anniversary as part of a World Forum of Golf Architects in collaboration with the American Society of Golf Course Architects and the Society of Australian Golf Course Architects;

Toro Student Golf Course Architecture Award
• We have organised study tours – to the USA, Spain and Ireland – the latest very successful tour – In Search of MacKenzie – was to Australia and New Zealand, along with ASGCA and SAGCA;
• We were one of the first European golfing organisations to publish a Statement of Environmental Policy and are working closely with GEO and other organisations on the Guidelines for Sustainability in Golf Facility Development, which are to be launched at the World Forum.
• We developed our education programme, introducing seminars in different European countries, and we have trained and brought to the profession many new golf course architects from all over the world:
• And we have developed a unique library of golfing books and journals.





EIGCA Industry Partners' Dinner in Mallorca, 2006

However, the real benefit to being a part of this organisation is the interaction with the lively and colourful people that we are involved with. Not only our members and staff, but also the people we associate with in the various golfing bodies with which we work together and support. Organisations such as The R&A, FEGGA, EGCOA, PGAE, GEO, EGA and the European Tour, our Gold Industry Partners, Toro and RainBird, and the many other silver and bronze partners who help us to continue our development are also very much a part of the enjoyment of getting together.




EIGCA AGM/Conference in Girona, Spain, 2008

In this new decade, despite the current economic conditions, I believe the golfing industry will continue to grow and expand its boundaries. The game has finally become, once again, an Olympic sport. This achievement, due in a large part to the commitment of The R&A, is significant to the recognition of the game of golf by governments across the globe. It will provide a great opportunity for those who are willing to work in the newly developing golf regions and eventually make the game more accessible to all. And for those who are willing to invest in the development of golf courses, the benefit of a strong, well educated organisation like the EIGCA will insure that golf projects taken on by our members are in good hands.

David Krause, EIGCA President