President's Message

It is hard to believe that it is already a year since I wrote my last message. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the out-going and new council and committee members who gave and give their precious time freely with great commitment and enthusiasm.
A very special thanks also goes to Julia Green our Executive Officer for her unwavering and professional support and her able assistant Virginia Turner without forgetting Sue Stranger our efficient librarian. I would also like to thank our patrons the R&A, the EGA and the European Tour for their important contribution.
Last, but not least, thank you to our sponsors. I sincerely hope that our membership will ensure they are duly considered during the award of contracts and procurement of merchandise.

It has been a very interesting year with long council meetings conducted simultaneously in three languages which combined with the diversity of each council member has provided some very lively and stimulating debates.
Unfortunately we have made little headway regarding the recognition of our profession by the EU authorities. I have definitely not abandoned this quest and our investigations and efforts in to this subject have shown that our method must include a probable and likely joint approach with the Royal and Ancient using the environment and ecology as a prime locomotive.
Surely, the fact that anybody regardless of his or her standard or level of qualifications, experience and knowledge can be given the responsibility to alter the landscape on large areas of land with considerable influence on the related ecological and environmental repercussions and financial consequences should be of great concern to the EU authorities!

Speaking on another related subject I must admit that I am always quite surprised by the fact that our profession is constantly swamped by famous and not so famous touring pros who seek an additional or alternative income during or after their peak by demanding and obtaining incredible fees for “designing” courses.
Although these players are fantastic and admirable exponents of the game most of them would not even be able to trace the logo of their generous sponsors.
It must be said however that they are quite justified in demanding such fees as the golfing industry is rich in gullible promoters who think that their course will be played more often or by a larger and superior public if “designed” by a famous player.
This notion is constantly nourished and duly propagated by very clever and imaginative marketing strategists and the player?s entourage who have to promote such concepts in order to survive.
In some cases the marketing machine proudly announces that such and such a great player has just designed his first course! Would you trust an architect if your building was the first one he?d ever designed? Why can?t the players simply declare that they sponsor, endorse or act as advisors on a course? Why do they insist that they “designed” it? Ironically, and because of the money and hype involved, the players are always offered the best sites, more than enough land and enormous budgets. This allows them to pay an army of experts and designers and hand-pick contractors to deliver a product which is usually very good. One would have to be a complete blockhead to produce a poor course under such perfect conditions and circumstances! I will therefore take this opportunity to recognise and thank the real unsung heroes of our industry and profession who deliver a very efficient service without hype and very little recognition. These are the golf course architects who are extremely qualified, possess enormous knowledge and experience and do not require (and cannot afford) many assistants to complete their work to the highest standards. They regularly produce great courses with very little land, mediocre sites, very tight budgets and minimal fees! They are also the pride and joy of most players and club members and provide the undisputed back-bone and foundation of this beloved and fantastic game. One has to be a very good golf course architect to produce a good course on a small site and a limited budget!

Finally, I would also like to mention the fact that acceptance of membership in to the EIGCA is conditioned by strict stipulations such as skill, education, experience and training including the capability to design and supervise the construction of golf courses to the highest international standards. EIGCA members must guarantee the best interests of the client at all times although the EIGCA does not try to regulate or influence independent styles as this must remain the free choice of each architect and the client who employs him.