EDUGOLF Project Delivers Key Insights for Advancing Golf Education4 min read

After three years of work and collaboration, the EDUGOLF Project is pleased to announce its successful conclusion, producing information, documentation and learning content across its five key outputs.

These outputs – available to view online at edugolf.eu – are openly accessible for all individuals and organisations across the golf community to inform systems and structures for innovation in golf education.

EDUGOLF, funded under the Erasmus+ Sport Programme of the European Union (Call 2020), was founded on the principle that adapting to change can revitalise the sport and allow it to meet its potential to improve the lives of individuals and society as a whole.

The Project’s stakeholders were tasked with exploring and providing solutions to issues of workforce development, skills and education in golf, with a focus on skills development and education reform, firmly rooted in the belief that those working in golf, in both paid and voluntary positions (and those wishing to do so in the future), are the key to the future of the sport.

The Project was coordinated by the European Observatoire of Sport and Employment [EOSE] with the Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG] working as Technical Lead, alongside multiple partners from a variety of areas of the golf and sport worlds – PGA of Belgium; Polish Golf Union [PGU]; French Golf Federation [ffgolf]; Real Federación Española de Golf [RFEG]; PGA of Sweden; EDGA; University of Applied Sciences for Sport and Management Potsdam [ESAB]; National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport.

“Through the EDUGOLF Project, we’ve seen the power of collaboration and innovation in shaping the future of golf education,” said CPG Chief Executive, Ian Randell. “The valuable outputs produced will not only benefit golf professionals but also contribute to the overall growth and development of the sport. We’re proud to have led this project with EOSE and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the golfing community.”

EOSE Director, Aurélien Favre, added: “EDUGOLF has been a journey of discovery and progress, showcasing the potential for education reform to drive positive change within the golf industry. The collaboration between EOSE, CPG, and our esteemed partners has resulted in invaluable resources that will shape the future of golf education. We are grateful for the opportunity to work on this project and excited to see the lasting impact it will have on golf’s workforce across Europe.”

STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS

The Project built upon strong foundations of work from across the partnership and another Erasmus+-supported programme, Golf Stand. The outputs from that project were game-changing and have shown an impact in education activity across the whole of Europe, but EDUGOLF was able to provide a basis for many of the Golf Stand outputs to be modernised and advanced even further ensuring a continued forward-thinking and future-proofing legacy of the work.

PROJECT OUTPUTS

The outputs generated by the Project are designed to be leveraged by all parts of the golf industry to help inform and align the development of various occupations.

Outputs 02 – 05 are largely built on the research and insights generated by the Research Report in Output 01 made up of literature review, partner desk research across Europe, surveys, interviews and focus groups for a wide-ranging and holistic view of the workforce landscape.

1 – A research report on changing realities and tendencies of the golf labour market and education requirements.

2 – New occupational standards that show clear benchmarks of excellent practice and knowledge specification for golf facility staff to be competent in their jobs.

3 – An Education and Training Handbook that provides advice, direction and guidance for the development of learning programmes.

4 – Innovative online learning modules built on the principles of the handbook in relevant topics areas with detailed content in an e-learning format.

5 – A strategic action plan to ensure continuity and implementation of the Occupational Standards, Education and Training Handbook, and online learning.

NEXT STEPS

Now the Project has concluded, it is Output 5 that will be put into action to initially share the Project’s findings across the continent and drive awareness of its work, closely followed by practical applications.

The Project’s partners have already begun to incorporate the occupational standards within education frameworks and programmes, alongside provision of the content generated as part of the online learning modules developed.

All outputs from the Project are open-access and representatives from the Project Partnership are available to support those who wish to utilise them within their work and activity.

Thanks on behalf of the Project goes to all those involved in the partnership, all who contributed and supported the research and output creation activities, and to the European Union’s Erasmus+ Programme.

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Outputs from the Project are already available to view at edugolf.eu and queries or requests to access the full online learning elements can be directed to info@edugolf.eu

Full list of partners – European Observatoire of Sport and Employment (EOSE); Confederation of Professional Golf (CPG); PGA of Belgium; Polish Golf Union (PGU); French Golf Federation (ffgolf); Real Federación Española de Golf [RFEG]; PGA of Sweden; EDGA; University of Applied Sciences for Sport and Management Potsdam (ESAB); National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport.