PGAs of Europe 18th Anniversary Issue

T H E P R OF E S S ION A L G OL F E RS ’ A S S O C I AT ION S OF E U R OPE

COMING OF AGE A CELEBRATION OF THE FIRST 18 YEARS

INTRODUCTION

A Tribute to Past Efforts: High Hope for the Future

By Ian Randell, Chief Executive

The purpose of this special ‘milestone’ publication is to recognise, and to place on permanent record, the efforts and achievements of all those people who have contributed to the PGAs of Europe’s first eighteen years in existence.

It is due to the diligent services and support of a large number of personalities that the Association has ‘come of age’ blessed with the necessary maturity to serve its membership in the demanding challenges of a profession that never stands still.

In this category we wish to publicly acknowledge the part played by our Corporate Partners and other business associates, especially those who have been ‘on board’ for a considerable period, including the likes of Golf Europe, Golfsmith, Chervo, Golf Pride and, of course, The R&A. Without them, and other Partners who have joined us in more recent years, the PGAs of Europe would not be what it is today, an organisation that can, as Chairman Sandy Jones states, ‘ talk to any leading golf body in the world and be respected by them’ When, 15 months ago, I took up the reins from Lawrie Thornton, who had been secretary for the first 15 years, I engaged with the board in a series of strategy discussions aimed at building on the foundations that had been put down so firmly.

Seven areas have been identified as part of the ‘Working Together’ philosophy that has become a symbol of what we stand for in the worldwide community of golf. These are Membership, Education, External Relations, Communication, Commercial, Events and Golf Development.

Some of the 18-year history of these subjects is covered briefly in these pages, with reflections on how we arrived at where we are but, more importantly, we do have a very clear vision of where we would like to be in the immediate years ahead.

As members are well aware we carried out extensive consultation with them in 2007 in order to ensure that we deliver what they want from us while meeting the standards of service that they expect.

Regarding Education, the appointment of Tony Bennett as Director of Education, is a ground-breaking step. A Heads of Education Summit is envisaged as we progress towards a European Qualifications Framework while developing an elite team of specialist tutors.

As for ‘external relations’ the key point here, to add to the relationships already forged with other leading bodies, is to become a respected voice within the European Union and to achieve some input to the Reform Treaty so far as it relates to sport in general and golf in particular.

All of this, of course, requires modern communications. To this end we introduced the monthly e-newsletter some 19 months ago, produced an Annual Review publication last autumn and are in

the process of enhancing our web site while adding additional pages.

The Working Together e-newsletter has proved a most popular innovation and should you enjoy this publication I am sure that you will enjoy the monthly updates. It will soon be possible to join the circulation list for this on our website or by emailing info@pgae.com and leaving your name and email address.

On the commercial front, we constantly seek new opportunities and would welcome partners from the world of education, travel, destinations and are exploring the possibility of pan-European partnerships that bring true benefits to both parties. Most importantly, however, we strive to keep our existing and long-standing Partners as crucial to our operation.

As outlined inside the joint-initiative with The R&A regarding Golf Development on a global scale continues to be a huge success while a sum of some €2.2M has been accrued for grass root causes under the Ryder Cup European Development Trust.

New tournament openings are also constantly being sought: Enquiries have been made extensively about the feasibility of creating a World Pro-am series while efforts are on-going to restore the PGAs of Europe Championship.

With the lessons learned in 18 years of operations behind us, and confronted by a golf world that expands on a world-wide scale as never before, the future can be exciting, indeed.

This publication is a celebration of the first 18 years of the PGAs of Europe and a tribute to everyone who has played his or her part.

1990 The first Press Release

2007 Sandy Jones. Annual Congress:

“THE PGAS OF EUROPE HAS MADE REMARKABLE PROGRESS. WE CAN NOW TALK TO EVERY LEADING GOLFING BODY RIGHT ACROSS THE WORLD AND BE RESPECTED BY THEM.”

THE PRESIDENTS: 1994-2008

There are few more emphatic indications of the association’s status in the world golf community than the calibre of the six dignitaries who have undertaken the duties of President.

Christer Lindberg (1994-1998) The Swedish visionary who helped to instigate a uniform coaching and teaching philosophy both in his own country and in Europe.

John Jacobs OBE (1999-2000) Widely acknowledged and revered, across the golfing world, including in the USA, as the pioneer and ‘father figure’ of modern coaching.

Jaime Ortiz-Patiño (2001-2002) ‘Mr Valderrama’, owner of the famous course, he was instrumental in taking the Ryder Cup to Spain, and thereby into continental Europe for the first time, in 1997.

Sir Michael Bonallack Kt. OBE (2003-2004) Europe’s greatest amateur, former Secretary of The R&A, one of golf’s most popular and respected administrators, and an inspirational speechmaker.

Manual Agrellos (2005-2006) When the President of the Portuguese Federation and Past President of the European Golf Association took on his role with the PGAs of Europe he became the first person to have been figurehead of both the amateur and professional bodies across the continent.

Ken Schofield CBE (2007-2008) Executive Director of the PGA European Tour for some thirty years, he has a unique insight to the sport on an international perspective alongside an insatiable and infectious love of everything sporting.

Education

One of Sport’s Greatest Success Stories The success of the PGAs of Europe’s education policy has been one of the greatest success stories in the last 18 years, not only of golf, but also of the entire sporting world.

A concept of some 37 countries, in both their amateur and professional ranks, being prepared to help, advise and support each other, while using their most qualified specialist consultants, coaches and tutors to do so, virtually free of charge, might well be unique.

So where did it all begin?

Two anecdotal examples, and no doubt many more, can be found in the pages of the association’s publications during this period, and each concerns an individual who was to become the Chairman of the Education Committee.

‘Not possible to progress, with no opportunity to learn’

in France when there was no opportunity to learn,” he recalled.

“Therefore I started discussions with my fellow PGA professionals about what should be done.”

As a result, in 1974, France’s first-ever coaching seminar was staged. “You can’t imagine what it meant to us to have world-famous coaches speaking to us about their teaching methods and ideas, about which we knew nothing.” he added “It was a little revolution...”

By 1990, when Jean-Etienne was one of the enthusiastic band who kick-started the PGAs of Europe, a golfing boom was underway in France.

That experience insipired his desire to spread the education message wider and wider afield...

In 2004 Jean-Etienne Lafitte was awarded the Lindberg Bowl for his services to golf.

‘Only when best coaches teach the best players do you breed winners’ Jean-Etienne Lafitte

Jean-Etienne Lafitte was the first chairman of the Training Standards Committee when it was introduced in 1991. His background was that of a pioneering PGA teaching pro in France where, back around 1970, the Federation asked him to take charge of the national junior team.

“I had a very strong feeling in my mind that it was not possible to progress professional golf

Some 30 years ago two men, good friends and members of the same golf club, were sitting at a softball match, a popular sport in Sweden. During a break in play one of them said to the other: ‘How would you like to start a junior coaching scheme at the golf club?’

The question was posed by Christer Lindberg. The answer, from Leif Ohlsson, was in the affirmative.

Leif was neither a golf pro, nor an outstanding player. But he was a

Leif Ohlsson

leading educationalist, a lecturer at Sweden’s famous Bosön Sports Institute in Stockholm where the nation’s elite athletes prepare.

From that casual conversation began Sweden’s development as a leader in golf education and Leif’s involvement in the PGAs of Europe’s own progress in this specialist field.

Almost inevitably he was to succeed Jean-Etienne Lafitte as Education Committee chairman and, in this capacity, to join the main board.

Leif is the ultimate sports lover, an enthusiast about any discipline that involves a high degree of skill with a sharp competitive edge.

During his many Presentations in every conceivable situation in which teaching and learning is the theme, he has unconsciously coined at least two phrases that would make ideal slogans for his cause.

“Only when the best players are taught by the best coaches do you produce winners…” was one. “Education is a ladder that never ends,” is the other.

Here, maybe, are two clues as to why European golf has reached its current high status.

MEMBERSHIP

THE 18-YEAR MEMBERSHIP GROWTH FACTOR:

Fifteen New Countries... 9,000 extra PGA ProFESSIONALS When the founding group of officials set in motion a series of events that led to the formation of the PGAs of Europe in 1990 they had only an outline idea of

This was, after all, the first time that they had all been represented by one central body. As a result a ‘European Community’ of professional golfers was up and running. But where would it lead ?

association was to become.

Now, 18 years on, the answer is there for all to see: the story has been of growth… growth… and more growth.

Twenty-two national PGAs was undoubtedly a great start and a most rewarding response to those exploratory steps. As they collectively represented a total of 6,100 individual working professionals, it all suggested that a significant new body was taking shape in its embryo form.

• The membership of 22 has become 30 ‘Full Members’ • An additional category of ‘International Member’ has developed, currently comprising 7 PGAs from outside of the continent of Europe.

• The total number of PGA Professionals across member PGAs has grown from 6,100 to 15,000.

just how big and significant the

Not even the most visionary of those pioneers could have envisaged such PGAs as GB&I, Germany, France, Sweden and Spain being joined by what back then would have seemed to be unlikely golfing nations such as Bulgaria, Iceland, Brazil, India, Jamaica and Mexico.

But the story doesn’t end there.

With several other national PGAs seeking membership how long will it be before that original membership of 22 countries is doubled?

1990: 22 Member PGAs 2008: 37 Member PGAs

Teaching & Coaching Conference

How the TCCs Have Given an Insight to Modern Methods The next two were staged in Switzerland and France, firstly in Montreux in 1992 and two later in Nîmes, Those ground-breaking conferences attracted up to around 400 PGA professionals, all keen to experience well-researched presentations by specialist speakers.

The periodic Teaching & Coaching Conference, of which there were eight between 1990 and 2007, have been a resounding success story for the PGAs of Europe’s Education Committee. Like other initiatives, it has grown impressively.

Instigated by one of the pioneering directors, Donato di Ponziano, under the jurisdiction of the then Training Standards Committee, it is not surprising that the inaugural event was staged in Milan, Italy, in 1990 to give the newly-formed association a significant send-off.

It is interesting to note, some 16 years on, that most of the audience at Montreux were taking in for the first time, the work of the leading American in his field, Ralph Mann. (now Dr Ralph Mann). “In the era of the computer,” reads the report “Ralph Mann is a researcher who will no doubt have made his mark on the analysis of the swing...”

“With his Compusport team, he has made a biochemical study of the golf movement by recording 50 swings of the best American pros, before asking the computer to produce the

perfect swing... staggering, but for the time being unattainable in the context of traditional teaching.”

Amazing how all that ‘staggering’ progress sounds old hat now.

This is just one outstanding example of how the TCC series has spread the gospel of sound modern teaching and coaching techniques around the PGAs of Europe membership, while embracing the bewildering world of advancing technology.

1990 – Milan (Italy) 1992 – Montreux (Switzerland) 1994 – Nîmes (France) 1995 – Torremolinos (Spain) 1999 – Torremolinos (Spain) 2003 – Munich (Germany) 2005 – Munich (Germany) 2007 – Malmö (Sweden) 2009 – Birmingham (UK)

The Ryder Cup European Development Trust

€2.2M Supporting ‘Grass Roots Schemes’

On Friday September 28, 2001, the European Ryder Cup Board, announced that the PGAs of Europe was to become 20% stakeholders in a new Partnership structure along with The European Tour (Managing Partner, 60%) and The PGA (Founding Partner, 20%).

The purpose of this was for the resultant PGAs of Europe’s share arising from the revenue surpluses to become available for grass root development throughout the continent to thereby recognise the contribution of mainland Europe in the biannual Matches.

Sandy Jones, chief executive of The PGA, chairman of the PGAs of Europe and member of the European Ryder Cup Board, explained: “The PGA has agreed to reduce its shareholding to recognise the game across Europe.

“The Ryder Cup will commit funds in the form of a licence fee to acknowledge that the PGA were made the custodians of the Ryder Cup, by Sam Ryder... and also through a device such as a Trust Fund to support initiatives through and across Europe.”

As history now records, the process was inevitably slowed down by the postponement of the Matches scheduled for The Belfry in 2001, and

played a year later, with all the financial implications that this complicated situation entailed.

However, The Ryder Cup European Development Trust was set up in 2004 and, early in 2008, it was reported that some €2.2M had accrued and that ‘funds have been invested in various projects in Germany, Ireland, England, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Italy and Poland with further applications on a wide variety of schemes from a further 13 countries.

An invitation was sent out to all relevant golfing bodies, and specifically amateur Federations and Unions, to apply for grants in support of appropriate schemes to be considered by the Trust.

Any potential applications or ideas for projects can be made direct to the PGA at rctrust@pga.org.uk or by calling Emma Hadlow on: +44 (0)1675 470 333.

Alternatively enquiries can be made via PGAs of Europe Ltd at info@pgae.com or calling Ian Randell on +44 (0)1675 477 899.

GOLF DEVELOPMENT Programme

An Exotic Start to a Unique Programme

They’ve spread their expertise and goodwill to South America’s highest capital city in the world, to sun-baked plains of Africa via warravaged areas of Central America and even to burkha-clad muslim ladies in an Islamic Republic.

How else could the gospel of golf have been spread to places such as Bolivia’s mountain-top major city of La Paz, to Botswana’s remote interior, to politically unstable countries such as Guatemala and El Salvador or to the religiously fundamental Iran, without the work of the Golf Development Programme?

The answer, almost certainly, is ‘no way’ because only the joint initiative that integrates The R&A’s Open Championship revenue surpluses and the PGAs of Europe’s unique network of profoundly qualified consultants/tutors could comfortably service such an ambitious project.

More than 20 regions across four continents have benefited from what were originally known as ‘missionary’ visits, and subsequent grant-funded programmes, and thereby have laid the foundations of a comprehensive golfing structure for the future where none existed before.

Where and how it all began is hazily concealed in the mists of time, but an intriguing clue can be found in the Winter 2003 issue of the quarterly publication International GolfPro News.

Back in the early 1980s, it reports, the then PGA Midland Region secretary, Lawrie Thornton, was asked by the R&A if he could recommend a coach to visit Pakistan to provide a course of lessons.

As a result, PGA pro Steve Wildman, who at the time was ‘between jobs’, agreed to go. On arrival he was taken to a ‘hushhush location and instructed to await the arrival of his ‘pupil’... who proved to be General ul-Haq Zia (who in 1977 had led a military coup to take control of the country) complete with armed body guards.

A somewhat exotic start, perhaps, but this appears to have been the prelude to a system that has developed into a carefully-organised, world-wide programme of aid to those emerging golfing countries who ask The R&A for help.

GOLF EUROPE, TOURNAMENTS & AWARDS

The Munich Show has Simply Grown & Grown...

While growth has been a familiar theme of the association during its first 18 years of activities, none has been more successful than the annual Golf Europe Trade Exhibition, staged each October in Munich by Messe Munchen and endorsed by the PGAs of Europe.

Second only to the USA’s Orlando Show, Munich has established itself in the past 15 years, since its inception in 1993, as a ‘must be there’ entry in the desk diaries of sales managers and directors in the golf industry, not just in surrounding countries, but around the world.

Exhibitors, trade visitors and PGA professionals converge on the magnificent New Trade Centre each October, primarily to view what’s new in the business of equipment, clothing and services for the coming year... but also to network, meet up with friends and colleagues and generally feel part of the golf community at large.

Year 1993 2000 2002 2005 2007

Exibitors 252 266 321 315 297

The overall figures illustrate that, in its 15 years, Golf Europe has more than doubled its customer base while attracting interest from up to 24 new countries. These are from many parts of the world, especially the Far East and new outlets in Eastern Europe. The following random attendance figures tell an undeniable story of growth and development:

Trade Visitors 2380 3904 4500 6061* 5427

Countries 36 47 47 60 56

*2005 was the 2nd year that the Show followed the Teaching & Coaching Conference, in an adjacent hall, that attracted more than a thousand PGA professionals using the opportunity to take in both important events and thus boosting the Show attendance.

ITC Playing Standards Have Improved Across Europe Austria’s victory in the 2007 International Team Championship at Roda Golf & Beach Resort, Murcia, Spain was a resounding indication of how the countries in mainland Europe have advanced in their playing standards since the series began at La Manga in 1990.

During the next ten years teams from the UK, predominantly Scotland but supported by England,

Ireland and Wales, exerted a nearmonopoly on the top three placings, a situation that existed until Spain won it three times in succession at the turn of the century.

Now many countries, with their education programmes turning out more well-trained professionals every year, can field trios of players capable of competing for, and capturing, the prestigious prize.

International Teams Championship: Honours Board 1990 Scotland 1991 Holland 1992 Scotland 1993 Scotland 1994 Not played 1995 Spain 1996 Scotland 1997 Scotland 1998 Ireland

1999 England 2000 Wales 2001 Spain 2002 Spain 2003 Spain 2004 England 2005 France 2006 Scotland 2007 Austria

Awarding Excellence... from Seve to the Club Pro Some of Europe’s greatest names, plucked from the folklore of golf, and others who are comparatively unknown, but who have performed near miracles behind the scenes, have been honoured by the Association in the last 18 years.

Many of the world’s best players, leading administrators, TV personalities,, golf’s leading ladies, course designers, coaches, educationalists and the best club pros in the business…all have been honoured by the PGAs of Europe.

At the Annual Awards Dinner each year, the Lindberg Bowl is presented to someone whose contribution has covered a period of many years, often at the highest level, while 5-Star Professional Awards, currently sponsored by ProSport Media, go to PGA pros nominated for unselfish day-by-day excellence in pursuance of their duties.

As an additional honour, to reflect the appreciation of the business side of golf, the Golf Legend

Award was introduced in 2003 as a joint initiative with the European Golf Industry Association.

An overall list of all those honoured in the various schemes would be to lengthy to re-produce here…suffice it to say that it would include such a crosssection of golfing celebrities as (in no particular order!)

Severiano Ballesteros, John Jacobs, Peter Alliss, Sir Michael Bonallack, Jaime Ortiz-Patinö, Ken Schofield, and many more.

Milestones: Some important events along the way

Manuel Agrellos

How the PGAs of Europe Has Progessed, Year-by-Year

1993

1999

PGA of Europe re-constituted as an independent company.

John Jacobs succeeds the late Christer Lindberg as President.

Golf Europe Trade Fair launched in conjunction with Messe Munchen in Munich

5th TCC is staged at Torremolinos

Heinz Fehring (Germany) and Richard Perthen (Denmark) appointed to the Board.

Norman Fletcher (GB&I) joins the Board

1989 Iran

El Salvador

ITC Trophy

Four-country meeting at Wentworth is initiated in May by GB&I to examine feasibility of forming a Professional Golfers’ Association of Europe, attended by France, Germany and Sweden.

1990 PGA of Europe officially launched during a meeting at La Manga, Spain, in October, attended by 22 countries and resulting in a board comprising Christer Lindberg (Sweden, Chairman), Jean-Etienne Lafitte (France, Teaching Standards), Deiter Cabus (Germany, Employment Conditions), Donato di Ponziano (Italy, Conferences), & John Lindsey (GB&I, Sponsorship & Finance).

Lawrence Thornton becomes full-time Association Secretary.

Inaugural PGAs of Europe Team Championship, won

by Scotland at La Manga.

Ghana

1st Teaching & Coaching Conference (TCC) is staged in Milan.

1991

Frank Thomas

Training Standards Committee formed under the chairmanship of Jean-Etienne Lafitte.

1994 3rd TCC staged in Nimes

2001

Sandy Jones elected Chairman to succeed Christer Lindberg.

Jaime Ortiz-Patiño becomes President

Donato di Ponziano and Jean-Etienne Lafitte appointed joint-deputy chairmen.

Training Standards Committee re-named as Education Committee

Christer Lindberg begins his term as the association’s first President.

Roma Agreement - GB&I, Sweden, Italy and France officially agree that their professional qualifications will be mutually accepted.

1995 4th TCC at Torremolinos on Costa del Sol, Spain

1996

European Ryder Cup Board announces, at a Wentworth Press Conference, that agreement has been reached by the European Tour and the Professional Golfers’ Association ‘to embrace the PGA of Europe within a new structure’ as 20% Partners.

Beko Pro-am at Kemer G&CC, Istanbul, is endorsed by PGAs of Europe for the first time.

Website www.pgae.com is launched.

Director of Golf Seminar takes place in Spain alongside the PGAs of Europe’s staging of the World Golf Conference.

Karl-Axel Lunell (Sweden), appointed to the Board.

2002 1997 Re-instatement of the PGA of Europe Championship at Budapest Golf Park and Country Club, won

by Claude Grenier, Austria.

1992

Sir Michael Bonollack

The PGAs of Europe Championship is staged for the first time at Pevero, Costa Smeralda, Sardinia, and is won by Richard Dinsdale of Wales.

2nd TCC staged in Montreux

1998

Five-Star professional Awards introduced at Annual Congress

Michael Sorling (Sweden) joins the Board, replacing Karl-Axel Lunell

The inaugural PGAs of Europe Fourball Championship is staged at Atalaya Park, Costa del Sol and is won by the Welsh pair James Lee and Simon Edwards.

In a groundbreaking Annual Congress entitled ‘Working Together’, all national Unions and Federations are invited with a view to starting a new era of co-operation between amateur and professional bodies.

Milestones: Some important events along the way

2003 Sir Michael Bonallack becomes President The 6th Teaching and Coaching Conference is staged in Munich, in tandem with the 11th Golf Europe Trade Exhibition and, in featuring such renowned US speakers as Tiger Woods’ coach, Hank Haney, and the World No.1. short game specialist, Dave Pelz, attracts a record, global attendance in excess of one thousand teaching professionals.

Peter Alliss is the first winner of the inaugural Golf Legend Award, a joint initiative between the PGAs of Europe and the European Golf Industry Association to be presented annually at Golf Europe in Munich.

Marianne Hildebrand, a leading official of the European Union in Brussels delivers an informative presentation to delegates at the Annual Congress on the question of the proposed constitution of the new EU Reform Treaty as it relates to sport in general and golf in particular. “Things are in place (in administering golf in Europe) that I was not aware of,” she confesses in praising the PGAs of Europe as ‘mature and well-organised’.

2004 Formation of Ryder Cup Europe LLP is completed, comprising the European Tour (Managing Partner), the PGA (Founding Partner) and the PGAs of Europe. The European Tour are 60% stakeholders and the other two 20% each.

2005

The 7th Teaching and Coaching Conference is staged in Munich, hosting a TCC record attendance of over 1,000 PGA professionals.

Four PGAs of Europe directors are named on newly constituted boards of Ryder Cup Europe LLP. Heinz Fehring, Michael Sorling and Donato di Ponziano are involved in the new administration along with existing Ryder Cup director, Sandy Jones.

The PGAs of Europe board is extended from eight members to 12 in order to co-opt the quartet of Tony Bennett (Portugal), Frank Kirsten (Holland), Jonathan Mannie (Austria) and Guido Tillmanns (Germany).

2006 The Aegean Airlines Pro-am is launched at Crete GC on the Greek Islands, and is endorsed by the PGAs of Europe and won by Liam Bond (Wales) After some 25 issues, the quarterly publication International GolfPro News ceases publication and is replaced by the monthly e-newsletter, Working Together.

After its lengthy sojourn at Atalaya Park, Costa del Sol, broken by a twoyear switch to Tunisia, and supported by a new sponsor in Calidona, the International Team Championship, Annual Congress and Awards Dinner switches to a new venue in Spain, Roda Golf and Beach Resort, Murcia, with Dave Thomas-designed course and PGA-branded academy.

Calidona announces plans to build two new resorts in the vicinity, including one at Corvera, adjacent to the city of Murcia, which will feature a PGAs of Europe academy and office facility.

Manuel Agrellos becomes President

John Little (Luxembourg) joins the board, replacing Richard Perthen (Denmark) who has retired.

Lawrie Thornton goes into early retirement after 15 years as secretary and then general secretary of the PGAs of Europe.

2007 Ken Schofield becomes President

The term ‘Associate Members’, relating to non-European PGAs, is changed to International Members.

Ian Randell, whose career in golf administration began at the

PGA’s Belfry HQ and included a spell as chief executive of the Ladies European Tour begins as the association’s first-ever chief executive.

The original membership of 22 national PGAs has now been extended to 36, included six International Members. Eighteen of the members have mutually recognised qualifications.

A three-day Tournament Organisation Seminar is staged at the Belfry, and is well attended by member PGA delegates.

Marianne Hildebrand

Tony Bennett

The 8th TCC is staged in Malmö, Sweden..

2008 Tony Bennett is appointed as the association’s first-ever Director of Education.

Frank Thomas

Kempinski ‘The Dome’ Pro-am is launched on the Pasha and Sultan courses at Antalya, and endorsed by the PGAs of Europe. Austria’s Niki Zitney is the first winner.

A 5-man PGAs of Europe delegation takes the groundbreaking step of becoming the first representatives of any golfing organisation to meet with the European Commission Sports Unit in Brussels during this crucial period that a new EU Reform Treaty is being ratified.

A trio of directors, Donato di Ponziano, Frank Kirsten and Norman Fletcher accompany chief executive Ian Randell and consultant Steve Pope for potentially far-reaching discussions.

The Ryder Cup European Development Trust announces that, over the past four years, upwards of €2.2m has been raised ‘on the back of the biennial contest’s success, has been earmarked for, and in several cases invested in, grassroots golfing projects across Europe. To date funds have been invested in various projects in Germany, Ireland, England, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Italy and Poland with further applications on a wide variety of schemes from a further 13 countries under consideration.

Ken Schofield

Peter Alliss

T&CC

Ian Randell

MEMORABLE QUOTES

Who said what, & when

1997 Cementing the cornerstone for future progress

1993

1994

The first Chairman... & his vision

A thousand years of collective knowledge

“Recent growth in the popularity of golf across the European continent has brought in its wake not only the need for more facilities to learn and play the game, but also a much greater demand for teachers to provide instruction for the thousands of budding Ballesteroses and debutant Descamps.

The necessity of maintaining and improving standards of training qualifications has never been more important - and particularly in this most critical of years, 1993.

The acceptance and free movement across national boundaries of qualified personnel in all professions is a basic principle of European Community Law. The majority of the separate Professional Golfers’ Associations from all over the continent, becoming aware of new freedoms, met first in May 1989 to consider how best they might benefit by forming an ‘Association of Associations’.

By harnessing the experience, enthusiasm end energy of those committed to our objectives the PGA of Europe will provide the service industry - the teachers, the club makers, the retailers - for the future of golf. We must ensure that golf maintains its position of respect in the world of sport for honesty, integrity, behavioural standards and fair dealing.

“They came from the forests of Hungary, from the snow caps of Iceland, and from the sun-baked shores of Greece. A conference of some forty delegates from twentytwo member countries gathered on a green plain surrounded by purple mountains in the South-Eastern corner of Spain, to talk golf, play golf and seek the wisdom of over a thousand years of collective knowledge and experience.”

The Golf Europe ’94 Official Yearbook, reporting on the 3rd Annual Congress at La Manga.

1995 Creating a new European exhibition

The challenge is great, but together we can succeed.

“Our organisation knew that golf was due for rapid expansion in Europe that would have to be supplied with information playing facilities, products and tuition.

It was then that we became aware of the Professional Golfers’ Association of Europe who was equally aware of the impending European growth. They had already organised themselves to address the need for training, and the rationalisation of qualifications of European club golf professionals.

Christer Lindberg, first chairman and first president of the PGAs of Europe.

Jurgen Lohrberg, director of Messe Munchen, home of the Golf Europe Trade Exhibition.

“On looking back the measure and change and advancement of the structure of the sport in Europe is quite incredible. The Professional Golfers’ Associations of Europe has become the catalyst for this development, which has cemented the cornerstones for future progress. The framework is now in place that will safeguard the professional golfing community for generations to come.

Official Yearbook in article entitled: ‘No Longer in Isolation’ The Growing Success of the PGAs of Europe’.

1998 New breed of professionals for the 21st century “Members of our Education panel have been called upon by The R&A to create coaching programmes for the development of the game in India and on the Ivory Coast. At every level of the game there is a blending of traditions, cultures, languages and skills in producing a new breed of professionals who are competent and capable of leading golf into the 21st century.”

The late Christer Lindberg in his final President’s message.

1999 The vision of administrators “The vision of the administrators behind the PGA of Europe is to be commended as it is only through the co-operation and agreement of the nations within our continent that we can form a lasting structure…the future of the professional ranks is fundamental to the future health and success of the sport at all levels.”

John Jacobs in his President’s messsage.

MEMORABLE QUOTES

2002

A wonderful, exciting story

Unanimous decisions on Ryder Cup Partnership

“It is a wonderful, exciting story you have to tell us... Exciting and exhilarating. The game is in very good hands...”

“Let us get one thing straight right now... the decisions announced today were supported by the Professional Golfers’ Association Board Meeting on Monday, then debated by the European Ryder Cup Board on Tuesday and the European Tour Board on Wednesday. We were unanimous in making the decisions.”

Chairman Sandy Jones, who is also chief executive of the PGA and on the committee of the Ryder Cup, on the decision to make the PGAs of Europe 20% stakeholders in the Ryder Cup.

At the centre of European golf “By involvement in the Ryder Cup committee and the staging of this annual Congress, with its theme of Working Together, the PGA of Europe, run by committed people, has come of age, and sent out the strongest possible message to the rest of the world that they are the centre of European golf.”

Ken Schofield, former executive director of the European Tour, on receiving the Lindberg Bowl for his services to golf.

2003 Jean-Etienne: Education driving force

2004 Focussed, motivated people

Sir Michael Bonallack at the Annual Congress on listening to reports of the PGAs of Europe’s input to the Golf Development Programme.

“No-one quite knew what the future would be when we set out, but a good deal of focussed attention by a number of motivated people has taken the PGAs of Europe to the significant position it now holds.”

Lawrie Thornton, then general secretary, and first association secretary, on the PGAs of Europe’s elevation to 20% stakeholders in the Ryder Cup.

2005 Best event of its kind, ever “This was the best organised event of its kind I’ve attended anywhere. The attention to detail in order to make everything go without a problem was amazing.

For precise translation purposes I was required to practice at length and in fine detail in advance.

Nothing was left to chance.

“Jean-Etienne’s contribution to the work of the Education Committee could not have been more significant. He has been a driving force in terms of the progress made in many spheres of education by actually making things happen.

He leaves the chairmanship with our profound appreciation.”

“Also the quality of the auditorium and the presentation facilities and techniques were absolutely first-class and very professional.

I’ve spoken at many such conferences in various places in the world but this was the most impressive without doubt.”

Sandy Jones on Jean-Etienne Lafitte’s handing over the Education Committee chairmanship, after ten years, to Leif Ohlsson.

Frank Thomas, former Technical Director of the USGA, and the inventor of the graphite shaft, ready to speak at the TCC in Munich and reflecting on the same event two years earlier.

2006 A unique network of PGAs “All member PGAs of the PGAs of Europe should remember this: you have both rights AND responsibilities. You have the right to take part in the schedule of activities. You have access to a unique network of PGAs. You will be supported by the Education and by the Membership Committees.

But…and in my view it is an important but…when you wear the PGA crest you undertake the responsibility at all times that the ‘P’ stands for Professional…”

Michael Sorling, Director of the PGAs of Europe and of the Ryder Cup & managing director of the PGA of Sweden.

2007 On the case “We feel as though we’re on the case. One of the principles of successful lobbying is to get in early.“ Consultant Steve Pope on moves to become a key voice for golf in the European Union.

The Professional Golfers’ Associations of Europe Limited Centenary House, The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B76 9PT, England Telephone: +44 (0) 1675 477899 - Fax: +44 (0) 1675 477890 E-mail: info@pgae.com - Web: www.pgae.com

Mission Statement Working Together with our member PGAs to: 1. Membership •

Provide advice, information and support to National PGAs in the areas of development, education, communications and political recognition

•

Provide services and benefits to PGA Professionals in the areas of education, employment and commercial opportunities

2. Education •

Unify and improve standards of education and qualification to increase quality and provide the ability for PGA Professionals to work across the continent irrespective of their country of qualification

3. External Relations •

Build mutually beneficial relationships with other pan-European organisations, international PGAs and the European Union

4. Communication •

Promote the PGA brand and the work of member PGAs and their PGA Professionals

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Operate as a respected voice for European Golf providing information and opportunities to both Professional and Amateur golfers across Europe

5. Commercial •

Seek and maintain commercial partnerships that will benefit the development of the Association

6. Events •

Provide relevant playing opportunities and other events for PGA Professionals

7. Golf Development •

Provide funding, expertise, programs and guidance for the development of golf across the globe

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