Gane found himself at the start of the day three shots behind Hampus Bergman [PGA of Sweden], who himself had played fabulously all week to finish with a total of 271 [nine-under-par], only to go and post his lowest round of the week [65] and snatch victory in the most dramatic of fashion on 270 [ten-under-par].

“It feels absolutely fantastic [to win] – Hampus had been playing great all week so I knew I had to do something very special in the final round to have any chance of beating him“ said Gane.

“The greens make it very difficult to shoot a low number around this golf course but I stayed patient, continued to hit the ball close and give myself enough chances. In the end it turned out to be my day.“

In the team event it was Team Kramer – with amateurs Peter Mueller, Ruben Mueller and Marc Mueller – who claimed victory with 347 points [-59 total], presiding over Team Widhalm [with amateurs Thomas Huengsberg, Martin Leidinger and Klaus Krammer] in second, after a fine final round of 93 points for them came up just short.

Full Scores Available at cp.golf/7th AESGC

For more information visit the Tournament Hub Page https://cp.golf/7thAESGC. For more information on the CPG visit cpg.golf, or find the CPG on Twitter (@cpg_golf), Facebook (@cpg.golf), LinkedIn, Instagram (@cpg_golf) and Anchor.fm.

Visit Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club (aesgc.com).

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Overnight leader Hampus Bergman [PGA of Sweden] and defending champion Chris Gane share first and second place after their matching third-round scores of 68 left them on eight-under-par [202 total] and five-under-par [205 total] respectively.

It was a round of relatively steady scoring, with the greens proving tricky for most and a steady breeze that troubled players on the tee, especially with Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club’s tight fairway setup.

“I didn’t actually play as well today as I did the first two rounds – I struggled with my swing but managed to hold it together” said Bergman.

“I am going to go away and work on the game tonight and be as prepared as I can be for tomorrow’s final round. Regardless, I am really enjoying being in the mix and it has been a fantastic week so far here already in the UAE.”

In the team event, Team Kramer [alongside amateurs Peter Mueller, Ruben Mueller and Marc Mueller] lead the way after a tremendous third round of 94 points gave them a three-round total of 264 [-48] – a 10-point margin over the second placed teams, Team Pilfold and Team Dooley.

Full Scores Available at cp.golf/7th AESGC

For more information visit the Tournament Hub Page https://cp.golf/7thAESGC. For more information on the CPG visit cpg.golf, or find the CPG on Twitter (@cpg_golf), Facebook (@cpg.golf), LinkedIn, Instagram (@cpg_golf) and Anchor.fm.

Visit Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club (aesgc.com).

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Bergman continues to show classy gameplay and low scoring, despite having never seen the course before this week, and despite the challenging wind conditions and greens that have been troubling most so far.

“I Played great today, I felt in control of my driver and the putts fell for me when I needed them to” commented Bergman.

“It is a really tough track but the wind didn’t blow too hard today which allowed me to go at some of the flags so hopefully we can have some more of the same tomorrow.”

Chris Gane also continues to press his claim for a third title, with a solid – albeit slightly disappointing from his own opinion – round of level-par [70], leaving him three shots behind Bergman with a total of 137 for two rounds.

Team Dooley [with amateurs Manfred Engstler, Alfred Velharticky and Claudia Stritecky] lead the team event on 175 points for two rounds, with Team Kramer [alongside amateurs Peter Mueller, Ruben Mueller and Marc Mueller] in close second after their second round of 87 points left them poised nicely for a tightly contested final two rounds.

Full Scores Available at cp.golf/7th AESGC

For more information visit the Tournament Hub Page https://cp.golf/7thAESGC. For more information on the CPG visit cpg.golf, or find the CPG on Twitter (@cpg_golf), Facebook (@cpg.golf), LinkedIn, Instagram (@cpg_golf) and Anchor.fm.

Visit Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club (aesgc.com).

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Once again PGA Members from European Member Country PGAs of the CPG are entitled to one free ticket for each day of the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, with the option of purchasing one additional guest ticket for each day at 50 per cent of the full price.

Full details have been provided to CPG Member Country PGAs – for more information contact your PGA.

For More Information on the Ryder Cup visit RyderCup.com

Having won the previous two editions of the event, British Professional Gane was keen to get his bid for three consecutive titles off to a fast start, crediting some fine iron play and a deaf touch around the greens as the main reasons for such a solid opening score:

“I love coming here every year – the game suits my style well and when you leave behind a cold winter season for the desert heat you always feel a sense of relief and excitement, and it really showed in my performance today” commented Gane.

“The course is very tricky and there are some difficult holes to get through when the wind picks up so hopefully the forecast is good tomorrow and I can continue to play the way I did today.”

Followed closely behind him in second position is Hampus Bergman, who despite this week being his first appearance in an AESGC International Pro-Am, showed no sign of inexperience or nerve, with a tremendous two-under-par score of 68.

In the team event, it was Teams Dooley [with amateurs Manfred Engstler, Alfred Velharticky and Claudia Stritecky] and Bergman [with amateurs Hans Gustavsson, Glenn Adolfson and Arne Ekehed] who took first position, after both shooting 15-under-par rounds (87 Points) in the tough, windy conditions.

Full Scores Available at cp.golf/7th AESGC

For more information visit the Tournament Hub Page https://cp.golf/7thAESGC. For more information on the CPG visit cpg.golf, or find the CPG on Twitter (@cpg_golf), Facebook (@cpg.golf), LinkedIn, Instagram (@cpg_golf) and Anchor.fm.

Visit Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club (aesgc.com).

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Teams of one Professional and three amateurs will compete for a €20,000* prize fund over a three-day Pro-Am format event, that will showcase one of North-Eastern Europe’s best championship golf courses.

Just 20 minutes outside of downtown Vilnius, Vilnius Grand Resort is situated within expansive grounds, surrounded by lakes and pine and birch forests, and brings with it a reputation built on warm hospitality and effortless luxury.

“We are delighted to be continuing our cooperation with the CPG and creating opportunities to host elite level golf in Lithuania, and we look forward to welcoming each and every player taking part in this year’s Vilnius Pro-Am” commented Vilnius Managing Director Ben Brahms.

The golf course – an immaculately presented Par 72 layout, presents various challenges and shot options that will test every level of golfer, and proved in last year’s edition of the event to be a fantastic stage for all players and teams involved.

“We are very excited to be announcing the second staging of the Vilnius Pro-Am for this year,” commented Ian Randell, Chief Executive of the CPG.

“It is an event that presents incredible opportunity for Lithuania – a golfing nation that whilst in the early stages of its development, has high aspirations and a desire to showcase itself to an international audience.”

The 2019 edition saw PGA of Italy’s Federico Elli begin a run of almost-unbeatable form when he claimed victory over the PGA of Greece’s Henrik Engdahl and Lithuanian Professional, Arnas Kaunas, in what was a thrilling first-staging of the event.

The 2020 version will once again see golfers from around the world visit this developing golf destination that will continue to place and establish Lithuania firmly on the golf travel map.

There is no Pro-Am package fee for each participating professional bringing a team of three amateurs, and amateur packages start at €1,450, which includes:

• 5 nights accommodation with breakfast
• 3 lunches at Vilnius Grand Resort
• 3 rounds of golf at The V Golf Club and 1 Official Practice round
• Airport transfers
• Driving Range balls for practice
• Starter packages for 3 tournament rounds
• Welcome Reception at Trattoria Verde restaurant,
• Latino Party – social event at Bora Bora restaurant
• Gala Dinner & Prize-Giving Ceremony
• Unlimited access to The V SPA & Wellness Aqua pool area and gym
• Special discounts for The V SPA & Wellness treatments
• Access to Vilnius Grand Resort activities during the Pro-Am week: boats, water bicycles, beach, basketball and tennis courts
• All taxes are included

To find out more about the Vilnius Pro-Am, or for registration queries, contact Miglė Banytė at +370 688 48244 or migle.banyte@vilniusresort.com.

For More Information and To Enter, Click Here 

Teams of one Professional and three amateurs will compete over 54 holes at Education City Golf Club’s José María Olazábal-designed course for a prize fund of €10,000*, providing extended opportunities for professionals to compete in another CPG sanctioned event during the off-peak golf season.

Qatar is becoming one of the fasting growing golfing nations in the middle east, providing world-class golf courses, high-end hospitality and a golfing climate suited to the winter and early spring months. Teams will get the opportunity to experience this first-hand in a week designed to entertain and delight.

General Manager of Education City Golf Club, Michael Braidwood commented: “We are excited to be hosting our first CPG international Pro-Am with a golf course that will be in perfect tournament condition at the time of hosting.

“The Marriott Marquis Hotel City Centre Doha Hotel is ideally located in the heart of the city so the competitors can enjoy the best of both worlds – tranquil golf by day and city life after play. We also have an exciting itinerary lined up and are working hard to line up more activities, including Fifa 2022 stadium tours.”

There is no Pro-Am package fee for each participating professional bringing a team of three amateurs, and amateur packages start at QR7,199 (approx €1,800) and include:

• Hotel stay at the 5* Marriot Marquis City Centre Hotel on a B&B basis
• 4 rounds of championship golf
• Full use of practice facilities throughout the practice and tournament days
• 1 free hour for your team at our world-renowned Centre of Excellence
• Welcome reception and lunch each day at the golf club
• Gala dinner and prize presentation
• Tournament gifts
• Golf transfers
• Optional tourist excursion

Prices:

• 5 nights golfer in single QR7,995
• 5 nights golfers in twin QR7,199 per person
• 5 nights golfer with non-golfer in double QR 8,500 per couple

For more information and package details and to enter, visit https://cp.golf/2020Qatar

The 11^th staging of the BlackSeaRama Pro-Am saw a record numbers of entries, showing the continuing popularity of the event, and this year’s edition it will again bring four-person teams together during the 06 – 10 July, to play three of Europe’s best golf courses.

“We are delighted to be welcoming both professional and amateur players from around the world for the 12^th Famous Vivacom BlackSeaRama Pro-Am” commented Marko Stoychev, Deputy Managing Director of BlackSeaRama Golf & Villas.

“After a dozen successful editions of this exciting event, we continue our strive to make the BlackSeaRama Pro-Am better than the last and we look forward to hopefully another record number of entries this time around at our magnificent Gary Player signature golf course”.

BlackSeaRama’s own Gary Player-designed course will be the base for the teams throughout the week, with rounds also taking place on another Gary Player course – Thracian Cliffs Golf & Spa Resort – and the Ian Woosnam-designed Lighthouse Golf & Spa Resort.

Professionals will compete for a prize fund of €30,000* in what has become one of the most significant and emblematic events in the BlackSeaRama Golf & Villas calendar, and the Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG] sanctioned event calendar.

Last year’s Pro-Am was won by British Professional Russell Berry, who compiled a scintillating final round finish to claim a one-shot victory in dramatic fashion, capping what was another incredibly successful tournament.

CPG Chief executive, Ian Randell, commented: “We are thrilled to be sanctioning this year’s BlackSeaRama Pro-Am, the 12^th edition of what is already a very well established event on the CPG calendar, and we look forward to working with BlackSeaRama in making this year’s the best yet.”

There is no Pro-Am package fee for each participating professional bringing a team of three amateurs, and amateur packages start at €990 (special rates available for BSR Members and Homeowners), and include:

• 5-nights accommodation
• Airport transfers Varna-BlackSeaRama, BlackSeaRama-Varna
• Lavish buffet breakfast every day
• Coffee, tea and limited Mini-bar in the villa
• 1 practice round @ BlackSeaRama
• 3 tournament rounds @ BlackSeaRama, Lighthouse and Thracian Cliffs (transfers included)
• 3 Halfway snacks
• Opening Cocktail Reception, 2 Thematic Dinners, and Gala Dinner evening
• Free use of Fitness Center, Infrared and Finnish Sauna, Jacuzzi, Billiard, Table Tennis, Pools, Steam Bath and Relax zone, Wi-Fi Internet
• Access to all functions and activities during the Pro-Am week

For more information and package details and to enter, visit https://cp.golf/2020BlackSeaRama

Two of golf’s leading organizations have committed to support the growth of women’s professional golf through the newly formed LPGA-LET partnership.

The R&A and the men’s European Tour have committed to help the newly formed joint venture between the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and the Ladies European Tour (LET) in its efforts to significantly grow playing opportunities, financial incentives and television exposure for women’s professional golf in Europe and around the world.

As well as providing financial support and leveraging other assets they manage, the bodies will each have one seat on the new LPGA-LET Joint Venture Board of Directors.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “Building a strong and sustainable Ladies European Tour is fully consistent with the aims of The R&A Women in Golf Charter. We support the vision of the LPGA-LET joint venture to create significantly more opportunities for women and girls to pursue their dreams in golf here in Europe and to inspire future generations to take up the sport. We look forward to working with the LPGA-LET team as a board member of this important venture.”

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said, “The European Tour has already had the opportunity to host events involving LET members and we’ve seen their talent and drive first-hand. Looking ahead to our 2020 schedule, we have added another new and exciting co-sanctioned event with the LET in Sweden and are pursuing similar opportunities in other markets. The women professionals bring a different dynamic and fan base to the game – all of which improves our sport – and we look forward to building a strong women’s professional presence through this new collaborative approach.”

While the LPGA might have been the first organization to reach out to the LET in an effort to create an even stronger entity, LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan always knew he could count on the support of others. “It’s exciting to see so many stakeholders in the game give their attention and their support to rebuilding a stronger women’s professional tour in Europe,” said Whan. “This significant commitment by The R&A and the European Tour is an immediate, important endorsement of the vision for the new LPGA-LET partnership.”

“Great businesses typically start with great leadership teams,” said LET Board Chair Marta Figueras-Dotti. “Adding leadership from the LPGA, The R&A and the European Tour to our newly formed board is a recipe for success. I can’t wait to get started!”

The commitment and engagement of The R&A and the European Tour provides more velocity, energy and expertise to help the newly formed LPGA-LET partnership. It’s an exciting time for golf – when top organizations not only look out for their own interests but are also compassionate enough to help support others that are trying to achieve similar results for the women’s game.

VISIT THE R&A

VISIT THE EUROPEAN TOUR

As we begin the new decade and a new year, it seems pretty difficult to argue how the new year can possibly better the last. However, here are three reasons why 2020 will be Golf’s best year yet.

1 – THE 2020 RYDER CUP

2020 marks another Ryder Cup year, as the biennial matches head over to Whistling Straits, north of Chicago for what is no doubt set to be another stellar week for the biggest golf event in the world.

What sticks out for me away from the keenly contested rivalry between the Europeans and the Americans is the stage itself – the golf course. Whistling Straits has huge towering dunes, great big green complexes and a closing stretch of holes that will excite and stir drama left right and centre. Remind you of something? It’s almost a parallel to the 2018 venue, Le Golf National.

I feel a precedent has been set with the style and nature of courses that are selected for the Ryder Cup, that can never be erased. I attended the Ryder Cup for the first time last year, and having experienced a truly unforgettable week, the biggest memory I took away from Paris wasn’t the support, nor Molinari’s winning match, not even that monster putt drained by Noren on the 18th! For me, it was how easy and incredible the spectator experience was made by the golf course and its setup.

I was as excited as the next person when I took the journey to Paris, but I doubted as to how much golf I would actually get to see. For so many previous Ryder Cups, crowds piled in but it seemed only the lucky few would find themselves at the front of the ropes; you almost had more chance of winning the lottery! This was far from the case in 2018 and it is definitely a trend that the 2020 matches will be certain to repeat once again.

2 – THE WORLD HANDICAPPING SYSTEM

2020 also welcomes the first introduction and implementation of The R&A’s ‘World Handicapping System’, aimed at providing a unique, level playing field across the world with a standardised handicapping method.

The R&A’s Assistant Director – Handicapping, Kevin Weir, attended our recent Annual Congress at Penina Hotel & Golf Resort, giving insight to all delegates on the ins and outs of how the new system will work, when it will be implemented across which locations, and how it will impact the game on various fronts.

The 2020 CPG Tournament schedule is already underway with this year’s 7th AESGC International Pro-Am and 2020 Abu Dhabi Pro-Am, and so it has been a radical change that has impacted the CPG quite immediately. However, thanks to our Corporate Partner, GolfBox, [who have been heavily involved with the system and have already implemented into their tournament software], this has been so simple and easy to adhere to.

For more information about GolfBox and why they really are the industry leaders in tournament software solutions and PGA Professional software Solutions, such as ProPlanner, click here.

3 – BREAKING THE BOUNDARIES IN NEW MARKETS

A big trend I think you will also see this year is the breaking and entering of new markets previously untouched [or virtually untouched] by various organisations and bodies within golf.

The Middle East is a real high-growth region for golf and has been for decades, with the European Tour making their presence felt through the Dubai Desert Classic, Abu Dhabi Championship and World Tour Championship being staged in the United Arab Emirates [UAE].

However, other countries outside the UAE are having to play catch up – no doubt because of the lack of facilities available to host such tournaments – but the newly announced Ladies European Tour [LET] event in Saudi Arabia is a welcome sight to get things rolling.

Here at the CPG, this is a trend we are very keen to remain at the forefront of. We have already announced a new tournament to our 2020 CPG Tournament schedule in the 2020 Marriott Marquis Qatar Pro-Am, and we are currently engaging in various golf development and education initiatives with the Jordanian Golf Federation on behalf of The R&A.

This is just the Middle East remember. Vietnam, Korea, Northern areas of Africa and lesser-known regions in South America such as Chile, Columbia and Ecuador are all relatively immature markets but possess oodles of potential. Golf cannot ignore them forever and I think 2020 will be the year they start to stake a claim in the golfing world…

Watch this space, the year is set to be a big one.

Golf Course 2030 was established by The R&A in 2018 to address the challenges posed by climate change, resource constraints and regulation on golf course conditioning and playability and to provide best practice in sustainability to those working in golf course management.

Seven organisations will receive grant awards over the next four years to run sustainability projects and develop solutions that can be shared with golf course managers, greenkeepers and organisations involved in the maintenance and conditioning of golf facilities around the world.

The projects and organisations being funded are:

Course condition and playability

• Golf green quality standard (STRI)
• Quality standards for the golf course beyond the greens (University Centre Myerscough)

Resources

• The Greenkeeper/Golf Course Manager Profile (SRUC)
• Education for the Greenkeeping workforce (SRUC)
• Aggregates: availability and alternative products and solutions (STRI)
• Integrated turf management (STRI)
• Integrated management of diseases, weeds and insect pests on European golf courses (STERF)
• Water management: irrigation and drainage for golf courses (STRI and Environmental Protection Group)

Coastal Change

• Coastal management studies: links survey, innovative coastal management approaches and helping the golf community play its role in coastal management to secure a sustainable long-term future (Royal HaskoningDHV)
• Demonstration Project for an innovative system of erosion mitigation of coastline at risk (Siskin Asset Management and
• Subsea Consulting Services)
• Blue carbon audit of coastal golf courses (St Andrews University)

Steve Isaac, Director – Sustainability at The R&A, said, “This marks our initial investment in research, education and communication projects in support of our Golf Course 2030 initiative. We are funding these projects to develop best practice in sustainability and provide solutions to golf course managers that will help to sustain and improve the standard of golf course conditions and playability for the benefit of those who enjoy the sport.

“The results of the projects being funded will contribute significantly towards meeting the aims of Golf Course 2030 and provide insights to the golf industry as we consider how to address the challenges and opportunities presented by a changing climate, resource constraints and regulation on golf course management.”

The results of each project will be published in reports to be made available to the golf industry via The R&A website following their conclusion.

More information on each project and its objectives can be found here https://www.randa.org/en/sustainability/golfcourse2030

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The discussion about appropriate tee lengths for both adult and junior golfers has been around for a few years now. As I’ve been researching the topic recently, here are a few discussion points, ideas, initiatives and solutions that I’ve come across.

ADULT GOLFERS

The USGA and the PGA of America have been pushing forward their “Tee it Forward” initiative. The premise is very simple – we should encourage people to match up their abilities with the golf course length by letting them tee off closer to the green than the standard tee box, so that they can hit more-lofted clubs into the greens. This, as advertised by the golf agencies including The R&A, will result in faster play, more birdies and more fun. Data seems to be backing this claim, with golf clubs and golf associations saying that incorporating the initiative has resulted in increased participation and satisfaction of golfers.

This discussion has two aspects:

1. Getting rid of labelled tee boxes
2. Shortening the courses

The first point is pretty straightforward – golf clubs should stop using terms like “men’s tees”, and either mix up the colours used for the tees, or even get rid of all the colours altogether.

I’ve seen it done at PGA Sweden National club in Bara [Sweden], where there were no colours on the tees. Each of the 6 sets of tees were labelled with the length of the whole course played from those tees instead [like “53” for the 5,300m length]. Check out their scorecard here.

Although it seems like a simple solution, maybe this course is not the best example for the discussion – it’s clearly a championship course [where the Nordea Masters is often played], and even the shortest tees are not really short [4950m].

For participation purposes, creating more gender-less tees seems like a no-brainer to me. You’ll be able to take complete beginners on the course much sooner [playing in the same way as everybody else], it will speed up play, level the field and improve scores [potentially making people more likely to play more often].

Here is a really cool article that explains the logic behind playing from appropriate distances [“every golfer should have the opportunity to hit par threes in one shot, par fours in two, and par fives in three”] and comes up with a very easy equation that allows people to quickly calculate what tee length they should be playing from [it’s player’s driver distance * 28]:

JUNIOR GOLFERS

The exact same concept applies to junior golfers. Well, in fact maybe it applies much more to juniors than to adults. There is a great blog post by Daniel Coyle that explains how playing on a mis-matched field size in any sport affects the “fun” factor for the kids, as well as how the mere design of the playing fields affect junior’s behaviour [like their attention span].

Obviously this doesn’t apply just to golf, here are a few examples [taken from said blog post and elsewhere] that demonstrate what happens if we put junior players into adult-sized pitches, courts, courses [and using adult-size equipment]. It is mind-blowing to see the exact techniques and behaviours normally associated with young performers REPLICATED by adults when placed in the same [relative] environments:

If a similar video existed for golf, we can imagine what it would look like – Tour Players playing on ridiculously long holes [1000 yards PAR 4’s], and maybe even using long and heavy clubs. It would probably look the same as 8 year olds playing from ladies’ tees.

I have encountered a few very neat solutions to this problem, listed below.

US KIDS GOLF – FAMILY COURSES

Family Courses is probably the one initiative around shortened junior tees that has received the most attention in the golfing world.

Again, the premise is very simple: juniors match their driver carry distance to an appropriate set of tees on the golf course [ball-park distances are easy to check by a simple addition to a driving range].

The golf course is set up in a way that recreates the same shots / clubs used from every tee, starting with a Blue set of tees for those who are able to carry their driver 100 yards.

What’s crucial is that creating these additional sets of tees does not require a huge investment. US Kids are using reasonably-priced, simple and un-obstructive “Tee Plates” to mark the teeing location, allowing fairway mowers to ride over the tees with no problem, reducing the barriers for golf courses to invest in them.

JOLF – JOLF TEES AND “ONE-HITTES”

JOLF [a junior golf system co-founded by Neil Plimmer, a previous guest of the Participation Coaching Podcast] recommends a slightly different approach.

First of all, JOLF Modified Golf Courses have three additional sets of tees (JOLF Red, Yellow, White). As with all the previously mentioned solutions, the appropriate tee length is based on the distance that the player is able to hit the ball with their driver / 7 iron.

Holes’ lengths are based on a simple calculation – Red JOLF Tees are 20% of the white adult tees length, Yellow – 40% and White – 60%.

Quite importantly, the JOLF creators advocate for leaving the choice of what tees to play from to the children. Up to a point where children choose their own starting positions on each hole. As explained to me by Neil Plimmer, he would take a child onto the golf course and say something along the lines of “This hole is a one-hitter [par 3]. I want you to start it from wherever you think you’re able to reach the green in one shot” – For some children this may be just 5 yards away from the green.

OPERATION 36 – DIVISIONS

Matt Reagan and Ryan Dailey, creators of the Operation 36 programme [that’s getting some serious attention in the US right now!] have created a whole structure around playing from appropriate tees and shooting low scores [the general goal behind the whole framework being – shooting 36 shots across 9 holes].

As part of their weekly programme, Operation 36 coaches organise Matches that include juniors playing in various Divisions. There are 6 Divisions, and each corresponds to a set of tees, with Division 1 starting from 25 yards away from the hole, progressing up through Division 5 [200 yards PAR 4] and Division 6 [full tees].

Each participant starts in Division 1, regardless of their age and driving distance.

The challenge is for the juniors to shoot 36 [even par] for 9 holes from their Division. Having done that, they progress to a higher Division.

I find this concept very interesting. It provides a clear structure / framework for the juniors to progress through. From a performance standpoint, it also creates the additional benefit of making juniors comfortable with shooting level scores. The programme seems to be very competitive though, and I’m not sure what effect implementing such a rigid structure could have on more recreational, less ambitious or less skilled children. Especially knowing that reaching the highest accomplishment [hitting 36 from adult tees] is statistically, a feat available to just a few.

CONCLUSION

I have been thinking about the concept of shortened and gender/age-less tees for a while now, and I honestly can’t see too many downsides to this.

I mean, really, why don’t ALL golf courses create shortened tees? What’s stopping them from doing it? It is not the cost, as shown by US Kids. Is it just the “tradition” holding us back?

Shouldn’t we all be actively lobbying for changing the tee structure at our golf clubs?

If the whole industry takes on this change [e.g. allowing to obtain/update a handicap on a shortened course, like in New Zealand; organising competitions from appropriate tees; encouraging members, visitors, recreational players etc. to use appropriate tees etc.], I wonder what would its effect be on:

• junior participation
• adult participation
• adult retention (!)
• junior performance
• pace of play issues
• the state of the golf industry

Katia, General Legal Counsel for long-standing CPG Corporate Partner, Aegean Airlines, has long been associated with the work of the Association in various forms including leading the CPG Sanctioned Event that is now in its 15^th year, the Aegean Airlines Pro-Am, and through her consulting role within the PGA of Greece.

On her appointment, Katia commented: “It is with great honour that I am accpeting this new role as a director, which coincides with the new CPG era and all of its growing momentum, it will be a great challenge.

“I am committed to working with all the members of the Board to share knowledge and expertise in regulations, legal framework and education, as well as in every other field under the CPG’s new projects.”

Hampf, who served as Director of Education for the PGA of Sweden before attaining his current role as Chief Executive, as well as having been a member of the CPG Development Advisory Board [DAB] and Golf Development Team [GDT], brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the Golf Profession, particularly in education and development. He succeeds Marcus Lindell as the representative from the PGA of Sweden, following the recent conclusion of his tenure as Director.

On his election, Hampf commented: “I have been involved with the organisation in different ways since 2007, so it is an honour to have been elected onto the Board of Directors. I am really looking forward to supporting and working with the CPG for the development of the game.”

At the recent CPG Annual General Meeting [AGM], held during the 2019 Annual Congress at Penina Hotel & Golf Resort, Katia and Hampf were unanimously voted in by the Membership. At the same time, President of the PGA of Italy and Head of Education for the Federazione Italiana Golf, Filippo Barbé, was re-elected as a Director, and Rainer Goldrian, Chief executive of the PGA of Germany extended his term.

They now join CPG Chairman Frank Kirsten [PGA of Holland], Ken Schofield, Jonathan Mannie and Chief Executive Ian Randell to complete a truly international leadership structure that reflects the CPG’s vision for Togetherness, Collaboration and Development.

“It is a great pleasure to welcome both Katia and Johan onto the CPG Board of Directors, alongside having Filippo and Rainer’s commitment as valued members of our leadership continued,” commented CPG Chief Executive, Ian Randell.

“We have had considerable involvement with both Katia and Johan for many years with their respective CPG Member Country PGAs of Sweden and Greece and their own direct involvement with the Association.  They each bring diverse and truly valuable skillsets to the CPG that will benefit the organisation in helping to achieve its strategic vision and subsequent objectives moving forward.”