For the first time in the events history, the scenic banks of Lake Como will play host to the 2014 IGTM, which promises to continue its status as the elect global event for the golf tourism industry when it opens its doors on October 27th, with delegates from all corners of the world converging on the Italian destination.

Leading sports research agency, SMS INC. will once again be present to share key findings from their golf tourism research conducted amongst core golfers in Europe’s largest golfing markets.

The analysis which tracks golf tourism trends year on year, and help reveal the key motivations for golfers when taking a golf break will be presented at the event by SMS INC.’s Senior Manager Richard Payne, with a special focus on the host destination Italy.

Speaking about the upcoming IGTM, Richard commented, “golf tourism is a multi-million pound industry and IGTM is at the forefront of ensuring that all of the key players in the trade com e together to share ideas, socialise and conduct business. SMS INC. is delighted to extend our relationship with the event and deliver insight to help companies provide a product and service that golfers covet. We are especially excited to reveal European golfers’ views on Italy as a golfing destination, and to help the country establish itself as a leader within golf tourism.”

Peter Grimster, IGTM exhibition manager added “we are particularly excited to confirm SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS INC. as the official Research Partner for IGTM. We are looking forward to the valuable insight that SMS INC. can offer with their well-respected golf tourism research, adding a great deal of credibility to the event at a time when IGTM and the golf travel industry as a whole is moving from strength to strength”.

This was the first time Super SNAG has been demonstrated in Europe and was received with great enthusiasm. SNAG Master Trainer Tony Howarth presented Super SNAG to those attending the conference.

Tony said, “Everyone is so enthused by the introduction of Super SNAG. All those that experienced it at the conference spoke highly of the equipment and its perfect progression from SNAG equipment to traditional equipment.”

The Confederation of Professional Golf 2014 TCC conference played host to many PGA professionals from across the world. The two day event helped to give an insight into a variety of approaches from both grassroots and elite level to benefit PGA professionals from the perspective of coaching and development.  A strong focus around grassroots level of play and the importance of secure player/coach relationships was covered during the two days.

SNAG is passionate about getting individuals from grassroots level and upwards involved in the sport of golf by using specially adapted equipment that enhances the basics of traditional golf in a way that allows an individual to easily develop and enhance putting, chipping, launching and full swing skills.

Tony said, “It was great to see so many likeminded professionals from around the world coming together to hear the speakers brought together by the Confederation of Professional Golf.” He concluded by saying, “It is not only the speakers that help you learn and develop but also the opportunity to share ideas and experiences with all the coaches attending.”

Bechmann will bring with him a wealth of experience having played a key part in the administration of the game across a number of years and various countries, most notably as Captain of The R&A in 2012/13 as well as currently holding positions on the Executive Committee of the French Golf Federation and a member of the Championship Committee of the European Golf Association (EGA).

“I am deeply honoured to have been invited to become the Honorary President of the Confederation of Professional Golf,” said Bechmann. “Having been brought up in golf by people, such as the late Jean-Louis Dupont, who rated the professional golfers so highly, I look forward to serving the Confederation of Professional Golf.

“I have many friends in the professional ranks whom I have known for decades as players or teachers. The professionals have the most crucial task of educating golfers in the fullest sense of the word: above and beyond the art of playing golf, by teaching etiquette and respect for other golfers, by showing how to move at a good pace on the golf course, and also by convincing all golfers of the relevance of our great game’s history and traditions. As players and teachers, the professionals are the most natural and effective promoters and protectors of the game of golf.”

Born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Paris in 1957, Bechmann has been influential throughout the game from local club level where he has been President of his home club, Golf de Chantilly, since 2010, all the way up to national and international levels, including time served on The R&A’s General Committee, Championship and Rules of Golf Committees, as well as The R&A Coaching Panel. Pierre is also a former captain of The Royal St George’s Golf Club and plays to a handicap of 9.

“We are very excited that Pierre has accepted our invitation to become Honorary President of the Confederation of Professional Golf for 2015 and 2016,” said Ian Randell, Confederation of Professional Golf Chief Executive.

“Pierre’s achievements in the game, and his on-going involvement and strong relationships across the world of golf, will no doubt prove of great benefit in continuing to promote the important role that the Confederation of Professional Golf, our Member PGAs and PGA Professionals play across the continent and beyond.

“I am sure Pierre will continue the great work that Donato and our previous Honorary Presidents have done over the years, and will also have a special part to play in the prevalence of French golf as we look ahead to the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Paris and the continuing legacy work taking place around that.”

Bechmann follows in the footsteps of some of the sport’s most instrumental figures such as World Golf Hall of Fame member and former Chief Executive of the European Tour, Ken Schofield CBE, golf education pioneer and former head of the PGA of France, Jean-Etienne Lafitte, his direct predecessor former Ryder Cup Policy Board Member and influential Italian golf figure, Donato Di Ponziano, as well as John Jacobs OBE, Sir Michael Bonallack OBE, Jaime Ortiz-Patiño, Manuel Agrellos, Heinz Fehring and Christer Lindberg.

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For more information about the Confederation of Professional Golf, visit cpg.golf, follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter, or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

It means McGinley will have five vice captains by his side for the contest against the United States, the trio joining Harrington’s fellow Irishman Des Smyth and Scotland’s Sam Torrance – who were announced in March – in the backroom staff line-up.

As well as all being current players on The European Tour and therefore well known to all 12 players on the European team, which was confirmed at Wentworth Club yesterday afternoon, Harrington, Jiménez and Olazábal will also bring vast Ryder Cup experience to Scotland.

Between them the trio have played in 17 Ryder Cups; Olazábal leading the way with seven appearances between 1987 and 2006, followed by Harrington with six between 1999 and 2010 and Jiménez with four in the same time period.

Olazábal, of course, was the last European captain and guided his charges to the thrilling final day victory at Medinah two years ago. Before that, he was vice captain to Sir Nick Faldo in 2008 and Colin Montgomerie in 2010, while Jiménez was vice captain to Seve Ballesteros in 1997 and Olazábal himself in 2012. For Harrington, it will be a first taste of the vice captaincy role.

“I am delighted to name Padraig, Miguel and José María as the men to join Des and Sam in completing my vice captaincy team for Gleneagles. They will all bring valuable insight and experience to the players and the team room,” said McGinley.

“I know it’s been common in the past to have three or four vice captains but I’ve gone for five because I feel an extra person is justified due to the additional workload which comes from being the home team, in addition to how well I saw such a system working when we ended up having five vice captains under Colin Montgomerie at Celtic Manor in 2010.

“I spoke about the reasons behind choosing Des and Sam in March but the reasons behind having Padraig, Miguel and José María on side are equally compelling.

“Padraig is my oldest friend on Tour and is a guy I have known most of my life. We went to school together, came through the amateur ranks together and have been together in many contests for both Ireland and Europe over the years, so I know what he can bring to the team room.

“As well as being a three time Major Champion, Padraig is also still very active on Tour, obviously in Europe where all the players know him well, but also in the United States where he is familiar both with the Tour itself and its players.

“As far as Miguel is concerned, he is someone that the spectators love as well as being very popular with all the players. However he is also a person that I respect very much. I have sat beside him for over a decade on the Tournament Players’ Committee and have seen him exhibit an integrity on many occasions that is very admirable.

“Miguel’s appointment also maintains the continuity I was looking for when I named him captain of the European team for the inaugural EurAsia Cup match in March. He did very well in Malaysia that week and all the players in that team enjoyed working with him. It will be the same at Gleneagles.

“Finally, José María’s passion for The Ryder Cup is recognised the world over. It was obvious in his legendary partnership with Seve and was also so very apparent two years ago at Medinah, so I’m delighted he has accepted my invitation to be involved again, once more maintaining that important continuity.

“Like Miguel, he brings a wonderful Continental European flavour to the team room and is liked by everyone. He will also bring vital knowledge and experience of every element associated with The Ryder Cup, both on and off the course, which can only be helpful to the European cause.

“With these five guys in place, I have now completed both the playing and back room teams for Gleneagles. I have complete confidence and trust in all five of my vice captains and the help they will give me in the difficult quest of trying to retain The Ryder Cup.”

Harrington said: “I am really looking forward to being part of The Ryder Cup from a different angle to the playing side. That aspect of things is something that really interests me and I’m therefore delighted that Paul has given me the opportunity.

“Paul is a good friend of mine and I think he’s done a great job in the captaincy thus far, therefore I don’t necessarily think he needs that much help. But he knows I’m happy to get involved behind the scenes to give him and the players as much assistance as I can.

“Even though we are friends, it is good to see that Paul trusts my opinion. We have had many healthy debates over the years on Tour about a wide range of subjects, so in some ways this validates all those discussions!”

Jiménez said: “When Paul called inviting me to be one of his vice captains at Gleneagles, I immediately said yes. I am really excited to be involved with the European team once again and I’m honoured that Paul has asked me.

“I thoroughly enjoyed being captain of Europe at the EurAsia Cup in Kuala Lumpur in March which was a great opportunity for me and I am looking forward to bringing the experience I gained there to the team room at Gleneagles. I have a great relationship with all the players, having played alongside them regularly over the years.

“It is going to be an amazing week at Gleneagles. We have a great team and as a vice captain I will give the players and Paul my total support and hope that we can retain The Ryder Cup once again.”

Olazábal said: “I was absolutely delighted when Paul approached me and asked me to be a vice captain – I consider it a real privilege and honour to be part of the European Team going to Gleneagles.

“Everyone knows how much The Ryder Cup has meant in my career and it’s an occasion that I love being part of. It is a unique and special event – and I know that will be the case once again in Scotland in three weeks’ time.

“I think we have a very good team in place but as Paul said yesterday, we are under no illusions about how formidable a test the United States team will present. But he knows I will do everything I possibly can to help him and the players throughout the week.”