The EIGCA Annual General Meeting and other Presentations

The President welcomed the following, some of whom are new to the Institute and some have successfully upgraded from their previous category:

Senior Members: Caspar Grauballe, Paul O’Brien, and Christy O’Connor Jnr

Associate Members: Jari Koivusalo, Paal Midtvaage, Brian Noble, Nick O’Connell, Peter Skofic, Philip Spogard and Snorri Vilhjalmsson

Graduates: Rogelio Abarca, Virginia Costa, Jeffrey Danner, Thomas Jepsen, John Kemp, Ally McIntosh, Nick Norton, Robert O’Friel, Stuart Rennie, Jason Sloan, Alan Walker and Andrew Watson

The President presented certificates and badges to those present.

Speaking about his admission to the Institute as a Senior Member the former European Tour and Ryder Cup player Christy O’Connor Jnr said, “It was a great honour for me to become a Senior Member of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects at the World Forum of Golf Course Architects held recently at St. Andrews the home of golf.

“I am very proud to be a member of the EIGCA, especially as it represents Europe’s most qualified designers and includes the wonderful greats such as C. K Cotton, J Hamilton Stutt and Fred W Hawtree in its history. The Golf Forum was a resounding success as it a provided a platform for the world’s best architects to discuss the many challenges and opportunities that we are currently facing.”

David Krause and Rainer Preissmann were re-elected as President and Vice President respectively. Ronan Branigan stepped down from and Ross McMurray was elected to the Council. Ross will be Chairman of the PR Committee and Ronan will remain on that Committee.

The meeting ended with a presentation by Rainer Preissmann about the venue for next year’s AGM in Berlin, sometime in April.

At the Gala Dinner, David Krause, the current President – to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the merger that created EIGCA – presented past Presidents with Certificates of Appreciation in recognition of their work and dedication during their time as President.

He also presented gifts to Tom Mackenzie, Virginia Turner, Sue Stranger, and Chris and Julia Green, and framed photos with the signatures of the participants of the MacKenzie Tour to Phil Ryan (SAGCA) and Toro representatives John Lawrence, Kenne James and Andy Brown to thank them for their work and support in putting the Tour together.

During their seminar session Rick Phelps, Vice President of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, presented gifts – to David Krause and Graham Papworth (EIGCA and SAGCA Presidents) and books for the EIGCA library and a cap with Pete and Alice Dye’s and Jack Nicklaus’ signatures to Julia Green.

In the photo gallery below, the new and upgraded members of EIGCA are seen receiving their certificates from David Krause, EIGCA President.