PORTO CARRAS GRAND RESORT, GREECE
11-14 OCT 2025

The Royal PGA of Belgium claimed ITC victory for the first time in the 2025 CPG International Team Championship [ITC], producing a stellar team performance at the Festival of Golf hosted at Porto Carras Grand Resort, Greece.

The Belgian trio of Christopher Mivis, Olivier Withofs and Laurent Richard combined for a superb 43-under-par total (389) across the 54-hole championship, holding off strong final-day challenges from Slovakia and Poland, and claiming the first ITC win for Belgium in the championship’s 36-year history.

Just two strokes behind, PGA of Slovakia — represented by Michal Brezovsky, Adam Puchmelter, and Juraj Zvarik — secured the runner-up spot with an impressive -41, while PGA of Poland’s team of Oskar Zaborowski, Alejandro Pedryc, and Marcin Bogusz rounded out the podium at -39.

The Championship – the longest-running event on the CPG schedule – brings together PGA Professional teams from across the CPG Member Countries to compete in a combined strokeplay format and took place at Porto Carras Golf Club for the first time.

Another first for the Championship saw the inclusion of Pro-Am rounds across Rounds 01 and 02 where Festival Delegates including representatives from Member Countries and Partner organisations.

Slovakia’s Adam Puchmelter and PGA of Romania representative, Dan-Sebastian Grecu, won day one’s event with a betterball 49 points, whilst another Slovakian, Juraj Zvarik, and PGA of Serbia General Secretary, Nebojsa Lazic, won day two with 48 points.

The CPG International Team Championship and Festival of Golf were made possible thanks to the support of Porto Carras Golf, AEGEAN Airlines, Real Greek Dairies, Domaine Porto Carras, and Souroti — whose partnership helped deliver a memorable week of golf, learning, and celebration on the shores of Halkidiki.

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The Emirates PGA, a part of the Emirates Golf Federation [EGF], brings with it a vibrant and active national professional scene, with an impressive tournament schedule and a growing commitment to enhancing the value and support offered to its Members.

Through CPG membership, the organisation aims to further strengthen opportunities for UAE-based Professionals, while encouraging the growth of the profession among Emirati nationals.

This new partnership creates exciting opportunities for collaboration across tournament activity, education, and member services, complementing CPG’s long-standing presence in the UAE through events such as the AESGC International Pro-Am, and via the GolfSixes League Project that has been successfully operated by the EGF in Abu Dhabi.

“The Emirates PGA event offering has strengthened significantly this season, with the number of events growing by 22%,” said EGF Director of Operations, Kieren Pratt. “With over 150 members from all corners of the globe, the EPGA provides a diverse and premium tournament, education, and social offering. This expansion not only creates more competitive opportunities for our professionals but also enhances the value we deliver to clubs, partners, and the wider golfing community.”

Together, the CPG and Emirates PGA will explore ways to elevate coaching, playing, and professional standards, while ensuring that local golf professionals are connected to a global network of shared learning, tools, and support via the CPG Learning Institute and wider international programmes.

“CPG, as an Association, has been through significant change over the last few years, working hard to develop a suite of services and products that provide tools, opportunities and experiences to, and through, national associations and their Members, whilst still retaining the core principles and benefits that were founded some 35 years ago,” said Ian Randell, CPG Chief Executive.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming the Emirates PGA back into our membership as they recognise the potential to supplement their own efforts, activities and member benefits through collaboration.”

The addition of the Emirates PGA reinforces the CPG’s growing role as a hub for PGAs across the world – fostering collaboration that strengthens the game at every level

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For more information on the Emirates PGA visit cp.golf/3GhAAfz and for more on CPG Member Countries, visit cpg.golf/members.

Founded with the aim of advancing the professional game in Macau through education, development, and support for local golf professionals, the Macau PGA becomes the latest organisation to align with the CPG’s mission of growing the game through collaboration and shared knowledge.

Through this new partnership, the CPG will work closely with the Macau PGA to help develop coaching standards, support Member services, and provide access to the CPG Learning Institute, international opportunities, and a global community of fellow PGAs.

“We are very excited to join the CPG as members in this global community,” said Keith Lawson, Chairman of the Macau PGA.

“The Macau PGA is relatively small but the membership is diverse including Professionals and Board members from Macau, Hong Kong, China, United Kingdom, Canada, USA, France, and Australia.

“The collaboration with the CPG reinforces our shared dedication to promoting regional player development, enhancing coaching standards, and creating opportunities for members at an international level.”

This collaboration reflects the CPG’s ongoing commitment to helping PGAs around the world achieve their goals, while fostering regional development and creating sustainable pathways for coaches, players, and the sport as a whole.

“The welcome addition of Macau follows recent CPG membership growth into Asia, reflecting the evolution of the Association internationally in providing services to PGAs and their members,” said CPG Chief Executive, Ian Randell.

“We are already working with the Macau PGA to help them achieve their goals and we are committed to providing tools, opportunities and experiences to both the Association and their members as we welcome them into the expanding international community.”

Further updates will follow as both organisations work together to deliver programmes that serve Macau PGA Members and contribute to the long-term development of golf in Macau.

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For more information on the PGA of Macau visit macaupga.com and for more on CPG Member Countries, visit cpg.golf/members.

SAÏDIA RESORTS, MOROCCO
07 – 10 JAN 2025

The CPG Festival of Golf is heading to the incredible Saïdia Resorts in Morocco, with events taking place across Saïdia’s beautiful facilities, with a focus on providing a valuable and practical series of events, exploring innovative ways to increase your earnings and generate income from your coaching business and golf travel.

There are 3 days of sessions that are open to any individuals to attend and learn how to make more from their coaching, travel and business overall:

Innovation in the Business of Travel – The Role of the PGA Professional as the Ultimate Influencer in Golf Travel [08 Jan]

A variety of stakeholders involved in golf travel come together to look at ways of innovating and enhancing golf travel experiences and the business opportunities on all sides, including making money from golf travel for professionals.

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Innovation in the Business of Coaching [09 Jan]

Focusing on the ever-evolving world of the coaching business, in particular how golf professionals should be looking to innovate and maximise their revenue and engagement opportunities in this space.

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Annual Congress: Go Disrupt Yourselves! Innovation in CPG and PGAs [10 Jan]

A focus on challenging assumptions, embracing constraints, disrupting the status quo – all in the name of innovation and ensuring we are all future-proofing our organisations and businesses.

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The Festival of Golf will also feature the CPG International Team Championship, as well as the first ever CPG International Series Grand Finale for the 23/24 season where the season qualifiers will battle it out to be named Series Champion.

To find out more about the schedule across the week, view package information and register, click on the button below.

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This special distinction recognises our long-standing and meaningful contribution to Belgian golf, and makes Belgium the first PGA worldwide to receive such an award.

The predicate Royal, granted by His Majesty the King, is one of the highest honours a Belgian company or organisation can receive. It is only awarded to companies and institutions that are at the forefront of their field and have a history of at least 50 years.

“This award is a tribute to the commitment, dedication and innovation of all our employees and partners,” said managing director Bernard De Bruyckere [pictured, right, alongside [L to R] Tom Blanckaert, Carine Van Cauter, Vincent Vroninks]. “Receiving the Royal designation underlines our continued ambition to pursue quality and excellence in everything we do. It is a milestone in our history and a motivation to continue with even more passion and dedication.”

The association was statutorily established in 1988 but its first national championship was held in 1922. The Royal Palace thought it saw enough evidence in a number of documents from 1937 to consider this date recognised. Since then, the association has played a leading role in the world of golf, both nationally and internationally.

With a strong focus on professionalism, fair play, integrity and knowledge, the association has achieved countless milestones and established itself as a trusted and respected name in the industry. The official presentation of the predicate took place on 18 June at a festive ceremony, which was also attended by representatives of the city of Ghent and the Governor of the province of East Flanders.

“We are deeply honoured by this recognition and see it as a confirmation of our efforts and achievements. The Royal designation motivates us to continue providing outstanding services, and to further expand our contribution to golf,” added Chairman, Tom Blanckaert.

For more information on the ceremony and future plans of the Royal PGA of Belgium, please contact Bernard De Bruyckere, Chief Executive info[at]pga.be.

For more information on the Royal PGA of Belgium visit pga.be

In the world of luxury sports and relaxation, the combination of golf and wellness has emerged as a powerful duo. This synergy not only enhances physical health but also promotes mental well-being, creating an all-encompassing experience for enthusiasts.

At The V Golf Club, located at the prestigious Vilnius Grand Resort in Lithuania, this combination is taken to new heights.

Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Vilnius, The V Golf Club boasts an 18-hole championship golf course designed to challenge and delight players of all skill levels. The meticulously maintained course spans over rolling hills and serene lakes, providing a stunning backdrop for a day on the greens. Golfers can enjoy state-of-the-art facilities, including a driving range, practice areas, and a well-equipped pro shop. The club’s professional staff are always on hand to offer personalised coaching and tips to help you perfect your game, and its facilities are perfect for Professionals bringing their own groups of clients for coaching trips and golf holidays.

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Vilnius Grand Resort is part of the CPG Collection with an exclusive offer for PGA Professionals looking to take groups away on coaching trips and golf holidays – find out more about the offer here.

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After a fulfilling round of golf, what better way to unwind than by indulging in the luxurious offerings of The V SPA & Wellness Center? This world-class facility is designed to rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. The center features a range of wellness treatments that cater to your every need. From invigorating massages and soothing facials to holistic therapies and advanced therapeutical treatments, there is something for everyone.

The V SPA & Wellness offers a deeply relaxing experience that can combine relaxation procedures, therapeutic massages or kinesiotherapy and physiotherapy, as the most direct route to improve health, melt away stress and tension. For those looking to enhance their physical fitness, the wellness center also offers a fully equipped gym, yoga classes, and personalized wellness programs.

Combining golf with wellness activities at Vilnius Grand Resort offers numerous benefits. Golf is a fantastic way to get moderate exercise, improve coordination, and enjoy the great outdoors. Pairing this with wellness treatments enhances the overall experience, promoting relaxation and recovery. Whether you are a seasoned golfer or a newcomer to the sport, the combination of golf and wellness at Vilnius Grand Resort ensures that you leave feeling revitalised and balanced.

Moreover, the Vilnius Grand Resort provides luxurious accommodations that complement the golfing and spa experience. With elegant rooms, fine dining options, and scenic views, it is the perfect retreat for both relaxation and recreation.

Golf and wellness go hand-in-hand at Vilnius Grand Resort in Lithuania, offering a holistic approach to leisure that benefits both body and mind. The exceptional facilities and services provided by The V Golf Club and The V SPA & Wellness Center create an unparalleled experience that is sure to leave you feeling rejuvenated and inspired. Whether you are seeking a peaceful escape or an active holiday, The V Golf Club at Vilnius Grand Resort is the ultimate golf destination. Visit Vilnius Grand Resort and discover the perfect blend of golf and wellness today.

This year, from September 10-13, the resort is also proud to host the 2024 Vilnius Pro-Am, a standout event that attracts golfers from around the globe. This tournament provides an exciting opportunity for members to witness high-caliber golfing firsthand and participate alongside Professionals, whilst making use of Vilnius Grand Resort’s facilities and everything the city of Vilnius has to offer (including the city’s Old Town that is a UNESCO World Heritage site).

For more information about the Vilnius Grand Resort visit vilniusgrandresort.com, the CPG Collection exclusive offer visit cp.golf/3JvXUEq, and the Vilnius Pro-Am visit cp.golf/2024vilnius.

Renowned for its stunning blend of natural beauty and challenging course design, Antognolla Resort and Residences has captivated golf enthusiasts with its tree-lined fairways and undulating greens, earning top ranking in both “Best 18 Hole Golf Course in Italy” and “Best Maintained Golf Course in Italy.”

Rated ‘Outstanding’ in Golfer’s Choice 2024, the Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed course now sits within the top 100 Leading Courses in Europe, and joint-first in Italy. This accolade is one of the most transparent rankings in the golf world, derived from reviews by the Leading Courses community.

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Antognolla Golf is part of the CPG Collection with an exclusive offer for PGA Professionals looking to take groups away on coaching trips and golf holidays – find out more here.

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A testament to its commitment to excellence, Antognolla Resort and Residences underwent extensive renovations in 2018, including bunker upgrades and state-of-the-art drainage systems. These changes have been recognised by visitors, as the course sits as Italy’s best-maintained golf course in Leading Courses rankings.

Earning an exceptional score of 8.8 out of 10, Antognolla Resort and Residences has captivated golfers globally with its natural beauty and impeccable course maintenance, with this new recognition continuing to assert the course as one of Europe’s rising stars.

César Burguière, Director of Golf at Antognolla, said: “Antognolla is on a special journey, and as we see the quick growth of golf here in Italy, we are positioned to be right at the front of this. This new accolade is further recognition that our stunning golf course is one of Italy’s best, and with exciting changes still to come, this is just the start of something very special.”

The vision extends beyond golf however, with ambitious plans underway for the Antognolla Resort and Residences, set to become one of Italy’s premier luxury property destinations.

Set against the backdrop of the stunning Umbrian valley, this exclusive retreat promises world-class facilities and contemporary design, to be operated by Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas.

With its unrivalled charm, championship-calibre course, and commitment to excellence, Antognolla Resort and Residences stands ready to captivate the hearts of golfers and luxury travellers alike, solidifying its status as Italy’s leading golfing destination.

Antognolla Resort and Residences has been the subject of further acclaim, with nominations at the 2024 World Golf Awards in the categories of Italy’s Best Golf Course, and Europe’s Best Golf Course.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANTOGNOLLA GOLF VISIT ANTOGNOLLA.COM

At the heart of this lush estate is the V Golf Club, renowned for its 18-hole course that debuted in the autumn of 2009. This par-72 course stretches over 6,312 meters and masterfully combines the classic elements of Scottish Links with modern American design, ensuring it is always in pristine, tournament-ready condition.

The course’s layout weaves through rolling hills, with natural lakes and streams adding to the scenic beauty and the strategic challenge. Here, each shot comes with its own set of risks and rewards, compelling players to make decisive choices. The design boasts generous landing areas and offers four sets of tees, making the course accessible and enjoyable for golfers at every skill level. Whether you are a beginner aiming to improve your game or an advanced player looking to test your skills, Vilnius Grand Resort promises a memorable golfing adventure.

Vilnius Grand Resort is part of the CPG Collection with an exclusive offer for PGA Professionals looking to take groups away on coaching trips and golf holidays – find out more about the offer here.

This year, from September 10-13, the resort is also proud to host the 2024 Vilnius Pro-Am, a standout event that attracts golfers from around the globe. This tournament provides an exciting opportunity for members to witness high-caliber golfing firsthand and participate alongside Professionals, whilst making use of Vilnius Grand Resort’s facilities and everything the city of Vilnius has to offer (including the city’s Old Town that is a UNESCO World Heritage site).

The quality of The V Golf Club course is matched by its excellent facilities, which include expansive practice areas and well-maintained play zones, all surrounded by stunning landscaping. The resort’s commitment to providing a top-notch golfing experience is evident in every detail, from the strategic layout to the tranquil environment that makes it an ideal spot for relaxation and socialising with friends or family.

Moreover, the resort is distinguished by its all-season appeal, thanks to Vilnius’s favourable weather conditions that make it a perfect golf destination throughout the year.

For those interested in exploring the course in detail, you can view the course map and more info and enjoy a virtual tour of course:

Vilnius Grand Resort not only offers an exceptional golfing experience but also a gateway to create lasting memories in a setting that blends sport with scenic beauty. Whether you’re looking to challenge your golfing skills, relax in luxury, or connect with fellow golf enthusiasts, Vilnius Grand Resort is the destination that has it all. Join us for an unforgettable golfing journey where every detail is tailored to offer you the very best of golf and leisure.

For more information about the Vilnius Grand Resort visit vilniusgrandresort.com, the CPG Collection exclusive offer visit cp.golf/3JvXUEq, and the Vilnius Pro-Am visit cp.golf/2024vilnius.

Compiled by esteemed Member and 2024 CPG 5 Star Professional Award Winner, Iain Forrester, the book serves as a testament to the rich legacy and enduring spirit of PGA Holland.

Through meticulous research and dedication, Forrester discovered that in the span of 100 years, PGA Holland has been guided by only nine chairmen, with seven still among the living.

To honour their contributions, all seven former chairmen were invited to the festive presentation at Lauswolt. Regrettably, Eric Kruijning was unable to attend, yet the presence of the remaining six chairmen [pictured], alongside their partners and the current board of PGA Holland, made for a memorable evening filled with camaraderie and celebration.

The Century Book, a labor of love meticulously crafted by Forrester, is now available free of charge to all PGA Holland members. Its pages hold a wealth of history, offering insight into the evolution of PGA Holland over the past century.

In a symbolic gesture, the first copy of the Century Book was presented by Forrester to Alex Loesberg, one of the esteemed former chairmen.

Following this poignant moment, the board of PGA Holland had a special announcement to make. In recognition of their outstanding contributions and dedication to the organisation, Alex Loesberg, André Jeurissen, and Iain Forrester were bestowed with the title of honorary members of PGA Holland. This prestigious honour serves as a testament to their unwavering commitment to the ideals and principles of PGA Holland, and their enduring legacy within the organisation.

The appointment of these three esteemed individuals as honorary members marks a proud moment in the history of PGA Holland, highlighting the continued dedication and passion of its members towards the advancement of the sport of golf.

For more information on the PGA of Holland visit PGAHolland.nl

Featuring the top professional and amateurs in the country, the event is the final tournament in the She Plays Golf series, which also serves as a qualifying circuit for this year’s CPKC Women’s Open.

As part of its commitment to support women’s golf, PING has partnered with the PGA of Canada to continue offering a separate purse for PGA of Canada Club Professionals at the prestigious event.

“Coming on board as a partner of the PGA of Canada Women’s Championship reflects PING’s dedication to fostering growth and development within the women’s game and providing greater opportunities for athletes to showcase their talent on the national stage,” said Dave Wilson, General Manager of PING Canada. “We believe in the power of golf to inspire and empower individuals and we are thrilled to extend our support of PGA Professionals in this country.”

The full field of the event will be comprised of 60 players, including PGA of Canada members and touring professionals, along with top amateurs and juniors. The field will be cut to the top 30 players plus ties following the second round.

The 54-hole event is set to be played on the links-inspired Heathlands course, which has hosted several notable events over the past few years, including the PGA TOUR America’s Osprey Valley Open.

“We are so grateful to PING for their generous support of women’s golf and the PGA of Canada,” said PGA of Canada CEO Kevin Thistle. “We are proud to welcome both amateur and professionals into this national championship, but it is always nice to do something a little extra for our PGA members thanks to PING.”

For more information about the 2024 ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada, click here.

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.

Entries are now open for the 2024 Vilnius Pro-Am taking place at the beautiful Vilnius Grand Resort just outside of the Lithuanian capital city.

Returning for the first time since 2019, up to 20 teams will compete over 54-holes across Vilnius Grand Resort’s internationally acclaimed V Golf Club, with Professionals competing for their share of the €20,000* prize fund.

The Pro-Am joins the CPG International Series schedule of tournaments created in collaboration with CPG Member Country PGAs. All the Professionals in the field will earn Order of Merit points (24/25 season) that could eventually build to qualification for the Series Final, whilst the Professional winner will earn an automatic invitation to the 24/25 Grand Finale.

The V Golf Club, integrated on the grounds of the Vilnius Grand Resort, is an internationally acclaimed 18-hole golf course spread over 690 acres of breathtaking Lithuanian countryside. The course has a great layout, is fun for all guests and local players, has excellent facilities, a superb grounds maintenance team and USGA design-standard putting greens.

Vilnius is a city where history and modernity blend seamlessly, providing numerous things to do and places to see. As you wander through its picturesque medieval streets and marvel at the awe-inspiring Gothic and Baroque architecture, don’t miss the chance to relax in its serene parks or take in the city from breathtaking viewpoints. Find out more about Vilnius and everything it has to offer at govilnius.lt/visit-vilnius.

For more information about the 2024 Vilnius Pro-Am visit https://cp.golf/2024vilnius

Impact on recreational game kept to an absolute minimum

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The R&A and USGA will update the testing conditions used for golf ball conformance under the Overall Distance Standard (ODS), which will take effect from January 2028. The decision aims to reduce the impact increased hitting distances have on golf’s long-term sustainability while minimising the impact on the recreational game.

The revised ball testing conditions will be as follows: 125-mph clubhead speed (equivalent to 183 mph ball speed); spin rate of 2220 rpm and launch angle of 11 degrees. The current conditions, which were established 20 years ago, are set at 120 mph (equivalent to 176 mph ball speed), 2520 rpm with a 10-degree launch angle.

The revised conditions are based on analysis of data from the worldwide tours and the game over several years and are intended to ensure that the ODS (whose limit will remain unchanged at 317 yards with a 3-yard tolerance) continues to represent the ability of the game’s longest hitters. An analysis of ball speeds among golf’s longest hitters in 2023 shows that the fastest ten players had an average ball speed of 186 mph, while the average ball speed of the fastest 25 was 183.4 mph (the very fastest averaged 190 mph).

The longest hitters are expected to see a reduction of as much as 13-15 yards in drive distance. Average professional tour and elite male players are expected to see a reduction of 9-11 yards, with a 5-7-yard reduction for an average LET or LPGA player.

The change in testing speed is expected to have a minimal distance impact, 5 yards or less, for most recreational golfers. Research shows an average swing speed of 93 mph for male golfers and 72 mph for female players.

Existing balls approved for conformance in 2027 may continue to be used by recreational golfers until January 2030 to give golfers, manufacturers and retailers additional time to adjust. These decisions are in line with the commitments made by the governing bodies at the project’s inception.

A significant portion of golf ball models that are currently in the market – and more than 30 percent of all golf ball models submitted for conformance across the game – are expected to remain conforming after these changes are applied.

Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A, said, “We are convinced that this decision is one of the key ways of achieving a sustainable future for golf, protecting the integrity of the game and meeting our environmental responsibilities. The measure we are taking has been carefully considered and calibrated while maintaining the ‘one game’ ethos deemed to be so important to the golf industry. Importantly, it also keeps the impact on recreational golfers to an absolute minimum. We are acting now because we want to ensure that future generations can enjoy the unique challenge of golf as much as we do.”

“Governance is hard. And while thousands will claim that we did too much, there will be just as many who said we didn’t do enough to protect the game long-term,” said Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA. “But from the very beginning, we’ve been driven to do what is right for the game, without bias. As we’ve said, doing nothing is not an option – and we would be failing in our responsibility to protect the game’s future if we didn’t take appropriate action now.”

The Notice of Decision follows the most thorough and comprehensive examination of the issue in the game’s history through the Distance Insights project, which was launched in 2018 and gathered data, shared research and solicited feedback from golf course owners, players, and stakeholders across the game. Data provided by the seven major worldwide tours has also been analysed by the governing bodies, who have published Annual Driving Distance Reports every year since 2015.

The reports followed the governing bodies’ joint Conclusions from the Distance Insights Project: Implication of Hitting Distance in Golf, which shared the reasons why addressing the continuing trend of hitting distance increases and subsequent course lengthening is critical to the game’s long-term sustainability.

All golf ball and club manufacturers were advised of the decision on Tuesday and were given full technical details and an implementation timeline. The Notice of Decision takes into account the extensive research and feedback received from manufacturers and other industry stakeholders throughout the six-year process and following multiple Areas of Interest and proposals starting in 2021 as part of the Equipment Rulemaking process.

A copy of the letter and technical documents can be found at www.RandA.org/distance-insights.

The extensive feedback received showed worldwide sentiment that the retention of a single set of playing rules and equipment standards is critically important to the sport and should apply across the game. Feedback from manufacturers resulted in the timeline being extended to 2028 to allow more time for innovation and production of new products for elite and recreational players.

In addition to the new ball-testing conditions, the governing bodies will:

Expand the testing approach to better detect ‘Driver Creep,’ which can result in drivers exceeding the limits set out in the Equipment Rules. This is a change in the testing methodology for submitted drivers, to identify and proactively address driver models that are within current tolerance levels and have Characteristic Time (CT) values that are more likely to exceed the limit through regular use.

Continue to monitor drivers and explore possible additional options related to distance. Specifically, we will research the forgiveness of drivers and how they perform with off-centre hits. This is an ongoing review and we will seek input from and continue to work with the industry, including manufacturers, to identify driver design features that can be regulated as a means to reward centre impact position hits versus mis-hits.

The R&A and the USGA are guided by an overarching principle to continue to preserve the fundamental elements of golf – protecting the integrity of golf courses, including their overall length, and ensuring that a variety of skills are needed to be successful.

Longer golf courses require additional resources such as water, the cost of renovating or moving elements like tees and bunkers continues to rise and other long-term impacts have been identified as a result of increased distance. The governing bodies believe that if the sport is to enjoy a sustainable long-term future then these economic and environmental impacts have to be kept under control.

The Overall Distance Standard was first introduced in 1976 and has been updated on three previous occasions (1980, 2002 and 2004). This is the first time that test speeds have been updated since 2004, when the current standard was set based on the longest hitters at that time.

Details on the study and complete technical data on the Distance Insights project can be found at www.RandA.org/distance-insights.

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CPG ANNUAL AWARDS SUPPORTED BY ROLEX

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PGA of Czech Republic Director of Education and Board Member, Tomáš Gryc, Ph.D., has been awarded the 2023 5-Star Professional Award by the Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG] in recognition of his exemplary role as a PGA Professional in his country.

Gryc is not only a PGA of Czech Republic Member himself, operating Prague City Golf Academy, but he also gained his Ph.D. in Sport Sciences from Charles University, renowned as being one of the best universities in Central Europe.

Combined with his work in supporting PGA Professionals, his multi-faceted roles in the education space make him stand out showing excellence in the profession and hugely deserving of the 5-Star Professional accolade that has only been presented to less than 100 PGA Professionals in its 30+ year history.

“It is a great honour and pleasure to get this prestigious award. There has been a lot of work by the Czech PGA and the people around me – so this award is not only for me, it’s for all these people,” said Gryc who received the award at the 2023 CPG Annual Awards Supported By Rolex.

“Playing golf and becoming a PGA Professional is the best thing that ever happened to me – it’s the lifestyle, it is not only a job but it is great fun.”

Gryc’s extensive impact on PGA Professionals, and subsequently golf in Czech Republic, has been felt by every Member of the PGA of Czech Republic, and his substantial involvement in their education recognition process is one example of the education leadership and drive he has shown:

“We started to evolve our education in 2014 so it’s been quite a long time. I think we have developed a lot from where we made our first big steps to the Initial Professional Education [IPE] level and then on to the PGA Professional Level of the European Education Level System [EELS]. And now there is more growing up to be done to keep going, in particular developing online learning.”

His golf career began in the early 2000s where he worked at multiple clubs in various roles such as administration, in the golf shop, course maintenance and marshalling. It was in 2009 that he became a PGA of Czech Republic Member and was then actively involved in teaching golf to players of all kinds, including coordinated children’s golf camps taking place in suburban areas. More recently he has worked with elite players and even supported the management of some of these players.

Through his role with Charles University, Gryc has written and contributed extensively to a variety of sports science-focused research papers and articles. He has worked on various research activities looking at conditioning, skill level and performance analyses in youth golfers, high performance golf, as well as gait analysis, kinematics, biomechanics and sports injuries, both in golf and in other sports.

“Our nomination for Tomáš for this award was a very easy decision for us,” said PGA of Czech Republic President, Jan Mergl.

“For many years now Tomáš has been a fundamental part of our team, guiding our education efforts and ultimately impacting upon every one of the PGA Members in our country. His passion both as a PGA Member and as an academic is clear to see and with so much experience and a varied set of skills then we believe he is exactly what a 5-Star Professional should be – we thank Tomáš for everything he has done for our organisation and its Members.”

Find Out More @ https://cp.golf/2023lpsummit

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With thanks to the CPG Annual Awards Partners – Rolex and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT].

CPG ANNUAL AWARDS SUPPORTED BY ROLEX

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Bulgarian golf resort and host of the hugely successful BlackSeaRama Vivacom Pro-Am, BlackSeaRama Golf & Villas, has been awarded the CPG’s Special Recognition Award 2023 in celebration of the relationship and collaboration together following the 15th anniversary of the Pro-Am earlier this year.

The Pro-Am has been a regular fixture on the CPG’s schedule offering a fantastic opportunity to sample the Cape Kaliakra coastline and the Gary Player-designed championship links course at BlackSeaRama. This year the Pro-Am reached a record number of 43 teams showing just how popular the event is.

BlackSeaRama has partnered with the CPG to add the Pro-Am as a Sanctioned Event on the now-named CPG International Series with it becoming a staple part of the schedule. The strong friendships and business values that exist, make BlackSeaRama worthy winners of the Special Recognition Award.

“It is a great honour for us to receive this award and I would like to thank the CPG for not only this recognition but also the great partnership we have had throughout these years,” said BlackSeaRama’s Sales Manager, Delyana Davidova who collected the award at the CPG Annual Awards Supported By Rolex on behalf of everyone at the resort.

“This year we had our 15th anniversary, so this is a great recognition of our efforts to continuously upgrade the event and bring more and more Professionals from around the world to Bulgaria.

“PGA Professionals and their PGAs are very important to our business – we see a lot of Professionals who take part in the Pro-Am coming back over the years and being very loyal to the event and the club, but also bringing new players with them and in to Bulgaria in general so we really value them. We also see Professionals returning for golf camps and coaching trips, a testament to our exceptional facilities and hospitality.”

BlackSeaRama’s championship links course was the first signature design in Bulgaria and the first Gary Player Project in Eastern Europe. It sits 200m on atop the cliffs looking out to the Black Sea and the course and clubhouse have won various awards since it opened in 2008, including Golf Inc’s ‘best new course in the world’ in 2009.

Bulgaria as a golf destination has continued to grow substantially over the past few decades, attracting players of all types to both the Cape Kaliakra region and closer to the country’s capital, Sofia, as more courses have been, and continue to be, developed. The Pro-Am also sees players sample the neighbouring courses that share the Black Sea coast in the form of Thracian Cliffs Golf Resort and Lighthouse Golf Resort making for a varied and exciting experience for the Pro-Am’s guests.

“15 years ago, golf was just starting as a sport in Bulgaria, making its first steps. The management of the resort decided that the best way to develop the game was to bring experienced Professionals and amateurs into the country to play alongside our local players.

“Through the Pro-Am, they helped to put Bulgaria on the international map of golf. We count on the support of the CPG, its Member PGAs and their PGA Professionals to help us in this ongoing process – so our goal is more than 43 teams next year…!”

Find Out More @ https://cp.golf/2023lpsummit

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With thanks to the CPG Annual Awards Partners – Rolex and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT].

CPG ANNUAL AWARDS SUPPORTED BY ROLEX

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PGA of Holland Professional, Iain Forrester, is the latest recipient of the CPG’s 5-Star Professional Award recognising his excellence in the profession, in particular around the preservation of the game’s history.

Presented at the 2023 CPG Annual Awards Supported By Rolex, the 5-Star Professional Award has an elite group of past winners in its history with less than 100 PGA Professionals receiving the award since it began in 1992.

Whilst Forrester has been Head Professional of Golf & Country Club Hoenshuis for 36 years, he has also been instrumental in reintroducing hickory clubs to modern golfers, and has dedicated his time to preserving the enduring elegance and tradition of the sport.

Not only is he an example of a prominent PGA Professional that has coached golf to thousands of players, supported his fellow PGA Professionals and operated golf facilities, but he is also committed to maintaining the roots of golf and his extensive knowledge in the field set him apart as a distinguished professional in the golf community.

“I’ve had a long career in golf, but I was not expecting to be recognised in this way,” said Forrester on receiving his awards as part of the 2023 CPG Learning & Performance Summit at Fontana, Austria.

“There’s a lot of deserving people in European golf, so I was delighted to hear that I’d been nominated and then to win and be featured publicly like this is a real honour.

“I think a PGA Professional needs to have a diverse skillset – a jack of all trades and a master of one or two. That’s what I’ve tried to do with my career, to be as flexible as possible, learn as many skills as possible and then have a niche that separates you from others.”

This niche is focused on the maintaining and preserving the history of golf and in particular the way it was played in the past with wooden hickory clubs. His own expertise and work includes supplying hickory equipment for collectors and players in events, carrying out clinics, lecturing and presenting and even writing about hickory and golf history in general in articles and books.

In addition to his work with hickory clubs, Forrester is also celebrated for his role as an archivist for the PGA of Holland

in producing their centenary book that will commemorate the organisation’s 100th anniversary in 2024, and is also a member of the Dutch Golf Federation’s heritage committee. His multifaceted contributions to the golf industry exemplify the spirit of the 5-Star Professional Award.

“We at the PGA of Holland were delighted to nominate Iain for the 5 Star Professional Award due to his relentless dedication to golf’s heritage and his role in reintroducing hickory clubs to a new generation of golfers demonstrate a profound passion for the sport,” said Arian Mortier, Chairman of the PGA of Holland.

Whilst Forrester’s passion for keeping the history and traditions of golf alive came from his own family history, he strongly believes in ensuring the sport evolves in a modern way too: “I’m the fifth generation of golfer in my family – I’ve got clubs hanging on my wall that my grandfather used to win championships 100 years ago – and that’s how I got interested in the history.

“Golf has a 5-or-600 year history, and the values of golf have developed over hundreds of years. Tradition is very important, but also tradition shouldn’t be something you get to hang up on – it develops as well. So you have to bring the tradition into the modern age. People laugh at me sometimes because I sometimes coach people with hickory clubs on a TrackMan…but that’s the way I think tradition and history should be – something that evolves.”

Find Out More @ https://cp.golf/2023lpsummit

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With thanks to the CPG Annual Awards Partners – Rolex and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT].

Trackman are a Danish company who, for the past 20 years, have been global leaders in launch monitor technology, and thought leaders in golf club/ball physics and education.

The partnership will facilitate an advanced certification path for PGA Members, whilst also giving those members easier access to Trackman technology for coaching and club fitting. The agreement also includes a special deal for PGA Belgium members to purchase and finance Trackman technology for their own businesses.

Mike Malone, Vice President of Trackman EMEA commented “We’re delighted to agree this partnership with Bernard and the PGA in Belgium. This agreement will strengthen the existing strong relationship whilst enhancing the PGA’s educational offering to members. Both parties work closely with the CPG, so an official partnership was a natural next step.

“We’re very excited to be supporting not only the PGA in Belgium, but at the same time helping drive golf uptake and participation with our many new indoor simulator and range entertainment facilities opening around the country. At Trackman we are dedicated to driving participation and new people to golf, and we believe that starts with PGA coaches.”

Trackman public facilities can be found on our locator at trackman.com/locator.

Bernard A. de Bruyckere, Chief Executive of PGA Belgium commented “We are most pleased to welcome Trackman as our partner which will help our Members to extend their services to the golfing community as part of their teaching and coaching. Our slogan is “We Care for Your Game” and Trackman will be a great asset in this.”

VISIT TRACKMAN.COM

CPG ANNUAL AWARDS SUPPORTED BY ROLEX

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Matthew Tipper, renowned coach to Adrian Meronk and acclaimed short game specialist, has become the latest recipient of the CPG’s highest coaching award, the John Jacobs Award for Teaching & Coaching.

The prestigious award, presented at the 2023 CPG Annual Awards Supported By Rolex – for which Tipper was nominated for by the PGA of Poland – is given to coaches that demonstrate exceptional skill, dedication, and impact in the field of golf coaching, with Tipper joining a who’s who list of past winners, including Phil Kenyon, Michael Bannon, Sergio Bertaina, Neil Manchip and Eduardo Celles.

“The shock has only slowly worn off…and it’s just an incredible honour. Any time you’re mentioned in the same breath as Mr. John Jacobs, I think you have to take a step back for a while and think about it,” said PGA of Poland and PGA of Great Britain & Ireland Member on receiving the award at the Gala Dinner that capped-off the CPG Learning & Performance Summit at Fontana Golf in Austria.

“He’s the godfather of golf instruction. He’s the one who started it. He’s the reason why we have a career. I’m just incredibly proud, and I’m very grateful to CPG and the PGA of Poland for giving me this incredible honour.”

Having worked all over the world as a coach, it was 2010 when he moved to Poland to open a David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Toya Golf and Country Club in Wrocław. It was there where he worked with top juniors in the country, including the now multi-event winner and Olympian, Adrian Meronk.

Tipper has supported Meronk for 14 years on the way to four DP World Tour wins, a successful Continental European Team performance in the Hero Cup, and his representation of Poland in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Tipper was able to be part of Meronk’s coaching setup in Tokyo making for a coaching experience reserved only for a select number of coaches in the world, and was even invited to take the Olympic Oath for Team Polska.

“It made absolute sense for us to nominate Matthew for this award,” said recently elected PGA of Poland President, Piotr Owczarek.

“Ever since he arrived in Poland over a decade ago, Matthew has made every effort to support both Polish amateurs and Professionals through his coaching work and has had a significant impact on golf in our country, especially in the form of his support of Adrian who has helped to put Polish golf on the map. We hope to keep working with Matthew to the benefit of our PGA Members, and for the good of golf and its players in Poland.”

Tipper’s Professional and amateur players boast over 50 national and international titles, and, since joining up with world-renowned short game expert, James Sieckmann, in 2016 and serving as his European and Australasian tour representative ever since, he has also been actively involved in the wider development of coaching in almost 10 countries through the delivery of training and workshops.

Find Out More @ https://cp.golf/2023lpsummit

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With thanks to the CPG Annual Awards Partners – Rolex and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT].

The event was organised as part of the Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG] Learning and Performance Summit which took place over several days.

The event began with EOSE Director of Standards, Ben Gittus, introducing the EDUGOLF project and involving the audience with a series of interactive polls linked to the themes of the EDUGOLF project which aimed to modernise education and training in golf. Ben also presented the key results from the Research Report produced as an output of the project.

Next, Wojciech Waśniewski, CPG Executive Director – Knowledge Development, presented the new Occupational Standards for Professionals in Golf. The standards describe the competences, skills and knowledge needed for effective performance in various job roles in golf. Wojciech also presented the EDUGOLF Education and Training Handbook which aims to support the modernisation of golf education in line with the key aim of growing the game.

Participants took part in group work to test their understanding of the outputs and describe how they could be used by different parts of the golf industry, including employers, training providers and individual coaches or manages.

Look out for the publication of all the EDUGOLF outputs in the New Year!

Visit the project web page at edugolf.eu to learn more about the project. You can contact the EDUGOLF project and ask to be kept informed about developments by contacting info@edugolf.eu or subscribe to project updates on the website.

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

CPG ANNUAL AWARDS SUPPORTED BY ROLEX

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The CPG’s prestigious Christer Lindberg Bowl has been awarded to Former Ryder Cup Match Director, Edward Kitson, recognising his enormous behind-the-scenes impact upon the development of the Ryder Cup across a career spanning no less than 15 matches.

His Ryder Cup career began just a few weeks before the 1989 Ryder Cup at The Belfry, UK, and developed into the role of Match Director which he fulfilled from the 2010 matches at Celtic Manor through to Whistling Straits in 2021. Most recently he assumed the role of Match Director for the hugely successful 2023 Junior Ryder Cup staged at Golf Nazionale and Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, Italy.

Kitson collected the award that recognises significant and impactful service to golf at 2023 CPG Annual Awards Supported By Rolex that took place at Fontana in Austria, as part of the CPG Learning & Performance Summit:

“It’s a great honour and I am incredibly humbled to win this award following on from so many illustrious past winners. It’s all about the team of colleagues that I’ve been lucky enough to work with on the delivery of the Ryder Cup for many years. I’ve had great times with them, and when it comes to the Ryder Cup itself, then when it finishes on Sunday it’s the relief and the enjoyment we all have right at the end that makes it so special.”

Starting off as a caddie for Professionals Bill Longmuir and Barry Lane, Kitson was able to work as a runner during the Volvo PGA Championship at Wentworth after which he was offered the opportunity to work on the 1989 Ryder Cup. Since then, along with roles inside European Tour Properties and European Golf Design, he has been a part of the Ryder Cup makeup and Championship Management Department across a huge number of events.

1997 marked a large step in his Ryder Cup journey by taking on the role of Staging Director for the Valderrama Ryder Cup and he has since gone on to be a significant influence in the development of the matches in general.

Elements such as the spectator experience, hospitality, transport and logistics, venue management and even the golf course itself have been elevated to a level that sees the Ryder Cup as one of the top sporting events in the world and a significant lasting legacy of his impact on the event.

2018 was a clear highlight of his Ryder Cup career where, as Match Director, he led Ryder Cup Europe to host a game-changing event under his leadership. 2023 saw a change of role, but the same hugely successful delivery of the Junior Ryder Cup where Team Europe won the event for the first time since 2004.

Kitson joins a significant list of recipients – many of whom he worked with both at Ryder Cup Europe, the European Tour and through the various matches he was a part of – such as Neil Coles, Emma Villaceiros, Jaime [Jimmy] Ortiz-Patino, John Jacobs, George O’Grady, John Paramor, as well as other key figures in global golf.

Another winner of the Christer Lindberg Bowl Award and current CPG Board Director, Ken Schofield, presented Kitson with the award before the pair were joined by CPG Chief Executive and current Ryder Cup Europe Board member, Ian Randell, in taking part in a Ryder Cup panel discussion that capped off the Gala Awards evening.

“When I joined the European Tour it was less than 30 people and Ken was a great leader,” added Kitson. “He taught me so much of what I know now and how to deal with people. He’s been a wonderful ambassador to the game of golf and it was an honour to receive this award from him.”

Find Out More @ https://cp.golf/2023lpsummit

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With thanks to the CPG Annual Awards Partners – Rolex and the Ryder Cup European Development Trust [RCEDT].

The ITC sees teams of three Professionals from across the CPG’s Member Countries battle it out against each other, whilst the International Team Shield tournament recognises those PGAs with 100 Members or less – Adam Puchmelter, Juraj Zvarik and Michal Brezovsky from the PGA of Slovakia are the first PGA to secure this historic double after a score including a 62 and a hole-in-one.

“I think it’s pretty special to be the first one to win both titles,” said Puchmelter after receiving the Sandy Jones Trophy at the CPG Annual Awards Supported By Rolex that capped-off the CPG Learning & Performance Summit week.

“Fontana did a tremendous job to prepare the golf course and make it happen this week. It wasn’t as windy as yesterday so we took that opportunity and executed it well…we did four days of practice in Slovakia before this so it was pretty worthwhile.”

After the first round was abandoned due to high winds, team Slovakia got to work immediately with Puchmelter acting as leading man. Four birdies in his front nine were followed by four birdies and an incredible hole-in-one on Fontana’s 15th hole (for which he received a Bushnell Wingman Bluetooth speaker) for a 62. Meanwhile Slovakia’s second score came after Zvarik battled for a hugely solid level par 72 enabling the team to finish at -10 for the event.

Second place fell to the PGA of Holland Team of Ralph Miller, Mark Reynolds and Ruben Wechgelaer who were able to sneak under par to one-under courtesy of Miller’s 71 for the day.

For Full Final Scores Visit https://cp.golf/2023ITC

For more information on the CPG Learning & Performance Summit visit https://cp.golf/landp

Trackman are a Danish company who, for the past 20 years, have been global leaders in launch monitor technology, and thought leaders in golf club/ball physics and education.

The partnership will facilitate an advanced certification path for PGA Holland members, whilst also giving those members easier access to Trackman technology for coaching and club fitting. The agreement also includes a special deal for PGA Holland members to purchase and finance Trackman technology for their own businesses.

Mike Malone [pictured, right, alongside Frank Kirsten, centre, and Kenzo Vlassaks, left], Vice President of Trackman EMEA commented “We’re delighted to agree this partnership with Frank and PGA of Holland. Trackman have always had strong support in the region, and this agreement will strengthen that relationship whilst enhancing the PGA’s educational offering to members. Both parties work closely with the CPG, so an official partnership was the obvious next step. We’re very excited to be supporting not only the PGA in Holland, but at the same time helping drive golf uptake and participation with our many new indoor simulator and range entertainment facilities opening around the country. At Trackman we are dedicated to driving participation and new people to golf, and we believe that starts with PGA coaches”

Trackman public facilities can be found on our locator at trackman.com/locator.

Frank Kirsten, CEO of PGA Holland, commented “We present this collaboration with great pride. Our PGA members already use Trackman extensively and with this collaboration they can benefit even more from the great products.”

VISIT TRACKMAN.COM

The participation of a legend, a hole in one, a Slovak sports accident or an endless shootout. This was also about the 7th year of the Penati Slovak Open.

The biggest international golf tournament of the year in Slovakia took place from September 10 to 12 in one of the world’s most beautiful resorts – Penati. The entire event, with a record subsidy of 22 thousand euros, occurred under absolutely perfect conditions, accompanied by sunny and windless weather. The Legend course, with a par of 73, was prepared at the highest level.

The three-day event started with the popular Pro-Am tournament, where professional players teamed up with personalities and partners of the Penati Slovak Open. Victory was claimed by the team led by professional Šimon Zach, who shared the stage with Andrej Chochoľ, Peter Palka, and Milan Sciranka. An additional competition during the Pro-Am day was the professional tournament, traditionally dominated by the Czech Tomáš Beck, finishing 6 shots under par and earning a 1000 euro bonus. His compatriot, Ondrej Lieser, came just one shot short of victory. On hole no. 3, a collection was held for handicapped golfers, who finally received a check worth 1450 euros.

The first round of the main two-round tournament, in which 64 players from seven countries participated, showcased admirable performances. The best starting position after the first day was secured by Denk and Sedláček, who achieved a score of -6. Luca Denk from Austria further bolstered his position with a hole-in-one on hole no. 12 and an eagle on the 15th – the iconic par 6 hole, the longest in Europe, measuring 712 meters. Meanwhile, Czech leader Tadeáš Sedláček recorded 7 birdies. The highest-ranked Slovak after the first day was the holder of a free card, René Bergendi, on the provisional 7th place.

Tournament ambassador Rory Sabbatini was also present at the Penati Slovak Open. The defending champion from 2019 shot 5 under par over two rounds, finishing tied for 4th. The Olympic silver medalist from Tokyo ended the season in Šajdíkove Humence.

Another Slovak, René Bergendi, also finished in 4th place. The 18-year-old golfing talent from our country performed brilliantly on his home course and seemed headed for a sensational victory with 9 shots under par. However, an unfortunate turn on the 18th hole, where two of his balls ended up in the water and he played 4 shots over par, brought his story to a bitter conclusion. Nevertheless, he did not regret his decision on the hole with the island green.

After the end of both rounds, three players were tied for 1st place: the leader after the first day, Austrian Luca Denk, alongside Czech player Marek Siakal and the defending champion from 2020, Olympian from Tokyo, Ondrej Lieser. Denk was eliminated in the first round of the shootout. Spectators at Penati witnessed an endless playoff that ended almost after dark. Siakala and Lieser had to replay par-4 hole number 18 up to 7 times, teeing off from three different locations. In the end, the winner was determined by a better-managed hole played from the red tee, where Siakala landed his first shot on the green, made two putts, and secured a birdie, while Lieser only managed par. In addition to the trophy, the winner of the 7th Penati Slovak Open, Marek Siakala of the Czech Republic, also received a bonus of 10,000 euros and a free card for the Swiss Challenge of the Challenge Tour series.

CLICK FOR FULL FINAL SCORES

The CPG LI provides access to a vast array of courses, modules, and other educational material via a cutting-edge Learning Management System [LMS] powered by Brightspace/D2L. Through this partnership, the PGA of Canada will provide opportunity to learn from self-paced basic and advanced e-learning courses in the areas of golf operations, leadership and coaching to selected Member Country PGAs and their Members.

This content will cater to the educational needs of CPG Member Country PGAs and their individual PGA Members, providing them with tangible benefits and clear value, aligned with their needs and requirements.

Additionally, through the partnership, PGA of Canada will join PGA Holland in creating courses and shared resources in the area of Community Coaching – a game development initiative aimed at nurturing a robust supporting volunteer workforce for PGA Professionals across CPG Membership.

CPG Chief Executive, Ian Randell, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating, “This partnership represents a significant step in our commitment to offering greater opportunity and efficiency to our members. This expansion and enhancement of educational offerings provides our Member Country PGAs and their individual PGA Members, and aspiring PGA Members, with the opportunity to access a greater depth and breadth of resources.

“The PGA of Canada have been a longstanding and hugely impactful Member of the CPG and we, and our members, are extremely grateful for their on-going commitment to sharing their knowledge, expertise and resources. Their contributions will undoubtedly benefit the collective Member Country PGAs and is a great example of international collaboration for PGAs.”

Kevin Thistle, CEO of the PGA of Canada, echoed these sentiments, stating, “The development of PGA professionals across the world is paramount to the growth of the sport, and our collaboration with CPG has resulted in innovative ways to educate golf professionals around the world. We are thrilled to continue lending our expertise to this endeavour and look forward to seeing the positive effects of our contribution across the CPG network.”

This partnership reaffirms CPG’s commitment to its Members by enhancing the educational resources available and the delivery of significant, clear and tangible values, whilst also continuing to strengthen its ties with Member Countries, leading to the overall growth and development of the sport.

For more information on the CPG Learning Institute, contact Wojciech Waśniewski at ww@cpg.golf

Best first round score came from Belgian’s Order of Merit leader, Thibaut Leys, who opened with a 68 (-4), closely followed by Jan-Willem van Hoof and Sven Maurits (69, -3). More pressure came from Tanguy Marionex, Max Albertus and Alan Saddington on 70 (-2) and a few more players on par or better.

Round 2 was played in rain and wind all day, which didn’t bother Jan-Willem Van Hoof very much as he made the turn on -3 for the day. He added another birdie to his back nine to finish -7. Thibaut Leys saw with double bogeys on holes 5 and 12 a good effort go to waste and ended third on 141. Sjors den Ambtman made a great move after his opening 71 with a 69, bringing him in second spot on his own on 140.

In 2024 the Benelux PGA Trophy and Pro-Am will be played on 25-27 July.

The final day was played in a Pro-Am formula 2 best of 4 aggregate with a side team competition called Ultradrive. Each team received a device which is connected to a satellite that can record your place on the course. The player in the team with the longest tee shot on the fairway confirms his position and the device calculates the distance hit. The pro of the team with the biggest total meters on all par-4s and par-5s receives a bonus prize. And it also helps slow play…

The Brut Prize was won by the team of home pro Olivier Withofs with 81 stableford points (-9!). Net Prizes were for the teams of Tanguy Marionex (2nd) and Franco Isola (1st).

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THE CPG INTERNATIONAL SERIES

#CPGInternationalSeries

The CPG International Series is an inclusive and innovative schedule of international tournaments in collaboration with the CPG’s Member Country PGAs. With a broad spectrum of golf events that cater to professionals and amateurs alike, the Series offers the most varied array of playing and earning opportunities in the world.

Professionals and amateurs competing relevant Series events are eligible to receive Order of Merit points, with winners also receiving invitations to the Series Grand Final 2026.

Find Out More About the CPG International Series @ cp.golf/InternationalSeries

The CPG LI is designed to be a service for Member Countries to enhance their education programmes and offerings, as well as the creation, facilitation and sharing of resources and modules from volunteer coaching material through to higher education learning and specialisations and advanced further professional development opportunities that are now commonplace amongst PGAs.

Through significant collaborations with Member Countries such as the PGA of Canada and the PGA of Holland, the CPG LI will offer self-paced basic and advanced e-learning modules in areas such as golf operations, leadership, and coaching.

This educational content, tailored to meet the needs and requirements of Member Country PGAs both in terms of the content itself as well as language, will provide an invaluable resource for professional growth among PGA Professionals across CPG Membership exemplifying the CPG’s philosophy of Members working together to support and enhance each other.

Following substantial research and development, the provision of the LMS acts as not only the vehicle to provide education content, but also the administrative and delivery tools to manage education efforts – whether they be online, blended, or in person – across organisations’ memberships. The platform is already being used by the PGA of Croatia, PGA of Holland, PGA of Poland, and PGA of Ukraine, as well as the EDUGOLF Project, to facilitate the creation, delivery and administration of education.

Ian Randell, Chief Executive of the CPG, highlighted the significance of this new platform, stating, “The CPG LI epitomises our commitment to our Members by offering a centralised, comprehensive, and accessible platform for professional learning. We are excited about the collaborations with the PGA of Canada and the PGA of Holland, showcasing how our collective can work together across borders to support each other’s development.”

CPG Knowledge & Development Advisory Panel Chairman and CPG Board Director, Jonathan Mannie, added: “This new initiative marks a crucial stride in the CPG’s pursuit to provide clear and tangible value to its Member Country PGAs and their individual PGA Members. It also embodies the spirit of collaboration that characterises the organisation, as Member Countries work together to minimise duplication of effort through sharing of resources to increase efficiencies and opportunities.”

Member Country PGAs that utilise the resource can have a localised and branded interface of the platform set-up, use the system in their own education programmes and access chosen courses from other providers. They can either onboard their whole membership or allow individual PGA Members or Trainees to access the platform and the catalogue of available courses, with individual PGA Members only being able to access the Learning Institute through their National PGAs.

For more information on the CPG Learning Institute, contact Wojciech Waśniewski at ww@cpg.golf

With a broad spectrum of golf events that cater to professionals and amateurs alike, the Series offers the most varied array of playing and earning opportunities in the world.

The Series is made up of a combined schedule featuring both CPG Championships and Sanctioned Events/Pro-Ams alongside select Member Country PGA events, with a season-long Order of Merit operating across all events leading up to a Series Final.

With events in conjunction with the PGAs of Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Holland, Luxembourg and Poland already confirmed, the Series brings together competitions from across the CPG and its Member Country PGA network.

More events, both in-person and virtual, are set to be added to the schedule soon with many conversations ongoing with Member Countries, promising an exciting and diverse season of golf.

The Series gets underway with The International Pro-Am in Oslo, Norway, in partnership with Golf Traveller, and will be the first opportunity for players to earn points in the Order of Merit that is also being created. Players, both professional and amateur, will accumulate points throughout the season in relevant events with the highest-ranking players – and winners of the individual Series event – each receiving invitations to the Series Final.

Chief Executive of the CPG, Ian Randell, commented, “The CPG International Series is a ground-breaking initiative with a simple concept of collaboration. It underlines our commitment to providing innovative opportunities and adding tangible value for our Member Country PGAs and their activities. We are delighted by the initial enthusiasm for the Series and will be working over the coming weeks to collaborate with more of our Member Country PGAs to add further tournaments to the schedule.”

Managing Director of the PGA of Poland, Angelika Eratowska, said, “The inclusion of our PGA Polska Championship into the International Series was really an easy decision for us. The opportunity to increase the exposure of the event and elevate it is extremely valuable to us for a variety of reasons, but especially as we can add instant and direct benefit to our Members and the various types of players in the event.”

The Series is the first initiative to come forward from the recently formed Business Affairs Advisory Panel which is co-chaired by CPG Board Members, Ken Schofield and Bostjan Primec, and includes other experts from the world of golf and business in the form of Joe Steranka (former CEO of the PGA of America), Luc Opdebeeck (former President of the Board of Governors of the PGA of Belgium with 25 years’ experience in leading multinational technology companies), John Clark (former Managing Director of PING Europe) and staff member, Fredrik Lindgren who enjoyed a successful playing career followed by many years in the commercial team at the European Tour Group.

The Series itself will have a variety of formats and entry eligibility with inclusivity and diversity of tournaments and players encouraged. As a result, Member Country PGAs will enhance tournaments with international exposure, the opportunity to increase event participation, increased visibility for event partners, and additional incentives to players with Order of Merit points and qualification places for the final available, making for a win-win opportunity across various stakeholders.

By creating a platform for international competition with a variety of event types and entry eligibility, the CPG is fostering a spirit of inclusivity and collaboration in golf, inviting a diverse range of players to participate, and providing the opportunity for Member Countries to enhance their tournament activity.

Find Out More About the CPG International Series @ cp.golf/InternationalSeries

This article originally appeared on dpworldtour.com

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Wil Besseling and Lars van Meijel were on hand to support the running of a GolfSixes League event taking place in advance of the KLM Open as the popular format continues to be introduced to more and more young people.

Ahead of the 103rd edition of the Netherlands’ national open this week at Bernardus Golf, the two home stars joined a local coach on Tuesday in organising playing opportunities for youngsters with little golfing experience.

GolfSixes League started as a grassroots version of the short-form GolfSixes professional team event, which the DP World Tour created in 2017.

It has seen great success across Great Britain and Ireland where it is administered by the Golf Foundation, England Golf, Golf Ireland, Scottish Golf and Wales Golf.

Since last year, GolfSixes League, and its off-course version GolfSixes Mini League, has expanded to also run across a host of other European countries, including the Netherlands.

“This is a great way with the KLM Open to get [children] involved in golf,” said Besseling, who is among those flying the home flag this week.

“Hopefully it is a good start and can help to get them to play golf and have some fun together with other kids.”

Since its inception, the number of participants in Great Britain & Ireland alone has grown to over 6,000, from 524 clubs forming part of 117 leagues in 2023.

GolfSixes League pilots were run in the Netherlands in 2018 and 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic put a pause to them.

Reflecting on the interest of the short format, European Challenge Tour winner Van Meijel added: “18 holes is almost five hours these days and for kids it is not really appealing.

“But it is always really good to play with friends and have a group of kids that you grow up together with and play together. That is the reason I started playing golf.”

The programme is led by the PGA and supported by the Dutch Golf Federation in Holland ensuring the project has become a great success.

In 2022, GolfSixes was played in 5 regions in Holland with 25 teams, involving 170 children, with the aim of increasing that to 250 kids this year.

For more information on GolfSixes League please visit cp.golf/golfsixesleague

49 years old, Ascanio Pacelli has been a professional and a member of PGA Italiana since 1997. He worked as a teacher in various clubs in Lazio (Arco di Costantino Golf and Parco di Roma), playing 50 competitions between Challenge and Alps Tours in the same period. Since 2010 he began to follow the Terre dei Consoli (Viterbo) project and, with the opening of the club the following year, he assumed the role of General Manager. Under his leadership the club hosted Challenge and Alps Tour tournaments, as well as national championships. In 2015 he was elected to the Board of Directors of the Club Managers Association of Europe [CMAE] for a four-year term.

He was a member of the Education Policy Board of the CMAE, following the training process by participating in four courses to become a Certified Club Manager (recognised worldwide) in 2017. He was a speaker at the Management World Conference in San Diego (2016) presenting the Ryder Cup Roma 2022 project, and in San Francisco in 2018. Since September 2020 he has sat on the Federal Council representing the Coaches. His career also includes television, radio and journalistic experiences.

“I am still surprised considering that the idea of the candidacy was born only 50 days ago during a phone call with my colleague Marco Durante,” said Pacelli. “I was lucky to have met in this short but intense journey people who believed in me and whom I thank. Compared to the others I will have to try to gain their trust. Four important years await us, we want to see the Association grow on the basis of what has been done up to now (even in the most challenging times of the pandemic), whilst also trying to take new paths.”

The new Board of Directors is made up of Paolo BATTISTINI, Stefano BETTI, Mauro BIANCO, Monica COSENZA, Nicola MAESTRONI, Matia MAFFIULETTI, Alessandro TRILLINI, and Andrea ZANI.

This article originally appears courtesy of the PGA of Italy – Find out more at pga.it

At the end of March 2023, EDUGOLF project partners from across Europe convened in the beautiful city of Malmö, Sweden, for the 5th full partner meeting, hosted by PGA of Sweden. EDUGOLF runs from January 2021 – December 2023 and is jointly led by the Confederation of Professional Golf (CPG) and the European Observatoire of Sport and Employment (EOSE). EDUGOLF is co-funded by the EU’s Erasmus+ Sport programme.

With a clear focus on growing the game, EDUGOLF’s overall aim is to modernise education and training to meet the changing skills needs of golf in Europe.

PROGRESS SO FAR: RESEARCH AND OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS

As the project enters its final year, Wojciech Waśniewski (CPG) was pleased to report that the first planned output from the project, the European Research Report on the Changing Realities and Tendencies of the Golf Labour Market and Education Requirements, was now finalised and being prepared for publication in the summer of 2023.

Geoff Carroll (EOSE) updated the partners on the second main output, a comprehensive framework of occupational standards, knowledge and skills for the industry. The framework contains over 100 standards covering all key areas of strategic and operational management, sales and marketing, community engagement, game development, events, and all levels of coaching from introductory to elite performance. The standards, skills and knowledge framework is almost ready, with only some minor reformatting and amendments to be done.

NEW EDUCATION AND TRAINING

With outputs 1 and 2 almost ready, the partners turned their attention to the third output, an Education and Training Handbook for Golf in Europe.  The handbook will provide advice, direction and guidance for the development of learning programmes to help professionals in golf (both paid and volunteers) reach the competence required to work in a variety of roles in golf matching the requirements of the occupational standards.

Having endorsed the structure and content of the handbook at their last meeting in Warsaw, the partners divided into breakout groups to begin developing a series of learning module outlines for coaching, game development and management. These module outlines will form a vital section of the handbook by giving training providers guidance on topic areas, learning outcomes, European Qualification Framework (EQF) levels, credit values, suggested content, delivery and assessment methods for each of the modules.

Each group used the occupational standards to identify priority topic areas, developed some preliminary module outlines and agreed a process to complete the task through future online meetings.

INNOVATIVE ONLINE LEARNING

The next major task for the partners in Malmö was to finalise arrangements for the development of innovative online learning courses to support continuing professional development in the industry. The project will use an external online course designer to put the courses together once the partners have identified appropriate content. Three potential topic areas were initially agreed for further development and all partners undertook to seek additional content from their own organisations.

DISSEMINATION

Finally, the partners planned some key dissemination activities to ‘spread the word’ across the golf industry. These activities include national stakeholder workshops in seven European countries in the summer and a final European conference – Modernising Golf Education and Training in Europe – in the last quarter of 2023 which will bring together the industry’s main education and training leads.

After the meeting, Wojciech Waśniewski, Executive Director – Knowledge Development of the Confederation of Professional Golf (CPG) said “From a CPG perspective, it’s really satisfying to see how the key outputs of EDUGOLF are coming together as planned. We can now see how the building blocks for the project’s original vision – growing the European game and retaining the new wave of golfers through more market driven and modern approaches to education and training – are falling into place. With the right support from the industry going forward, EDUGOLF will transform the way we prepare and develop our workforce for many years to come.”

Geoff Carroll, EOSE’s Director for Skills Development commented “EDUGOLF continues to demonstrate EOSE’s fundamental philosophy that workforce development must be firmly based on industry needs and up-to-date flexible approaches to education and training which match those needs. It is pleasing to see how the partners, who represent key national and international stakeholders in the game, have united behind this philosophy and are beginning to see the concrete outcomes.”

Visit the project web page at edugolf.eu to learn more about the project. You can contact the EDUGOLF project and ask to be kept informed about developments by contacting info@edugolf.eu or subscribe to project updates on the website.

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