PGA of Australia Joins ‘Grow the Game of Golf’ Project

The PGA of Australia has announced their partnership in the ‘Grow the Game of Golf’ project.

The project managed by the European Golf Course Owners Association has engaged the support of a range of prominent golf organizations such as the PGAs of Europe, clinic European Tour, medstore European Golf Industry Association, Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Associations, Club Managers Association of Europe, Golf Environment Organization & the European Institute of Golf Course Architects.

The Grow the Game of Golf website has been developed over the last couple of years into an invaluable online resource for golf course owners, managers and golfers alike. The website contains an in depth catalog of various initiatives to encourage golf participation and up to date statistic on the development of the game.

PGA’s of Europe Chief Executive Ian Randell believes the PGA of Australia can add significant value to the project by providing an international perspective in one of the World’s fastest growing industries.

He said “The PGA of Australia, with over 100 years of experience, are an influential and respected body within golf not only in their own country but also across Australia and within the PGA World Alliance. They have been party to many significant grow the game activities and as such we look forward to hearing further of the initiatives which are working in their region and sharing those in Europe with them.”

The PGA of Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Brian Thorburn said: “The PGA of Australia is delighted to become an official partner of the Grow the Game project. The EGCOA has done a fantastic job of establishing a website which focuses specifically on growth initiatives and we certainly hope, with the assistance of our members, that we can contribute to the wide range of strategies which have global relevance in terms of their application.”

The ‘Grow the Game of Golf’ website provides participation data from a range of European countries and is focused on encouraging and inspiring golf clubs and other golf organisations to develop the game, particularly at grass roots level.  The PGA of Australia’s contribution is initially expected to be related to the provision of best practices within the industry, with feedback from some of its leading experts in golf and game development.

“Ideally, we would like to contribute to the sustainability of the sport in terms of interest, participation and overall growth,” Thorburn said.