FEGGA Bringing Together People and Organisations to their Conference in Copenhagen

The Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Associations (FEGGA) recently held their annual Conference in the northern European city of Copenhagen. The conference brought together some 44 organisations from Europe and beyond with an agenda filled with many of the pertinent subjects challenging the golf industry today. The Conference was held at two venues this year; this first day was held at the wonderful and unique setting of Copenhagen Golf Club, where the delegates were treated to a tour of the golf course following a busy seminar schedule. The second day was held at the Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel, which provided excellent facilities for the formalities of the seminar day, along with other meetings coming under the umbrella of the FEGGA Conference.

The main theme was centred around Sustainability, and where better to discuss the big theme, than in Denmark and more so at the Copenhagen Golf Club, which is a wonderful site, but at the same time very challenging in terms of the overall maintenance of the golf course. There is much to learn from the Danish experiences and how they focus on the environmental challenges and embrace what they believe needs to be done. Golf also is very together, golf association and greenkeeper association working closely together, making decisions together to further the game for all to enjoy.

The delegates also enjoyed the FEGGA Scholarship Students presentations, sharing their valuable experiences and proving that we have some very good people coming into our industry today. They all embraced the opportunity to be with their peers, and to thank the organisations that generously make these programmes possible.

The final part of the Conference was a selection of group sessions, based on subjects that organisations felt were important to them and would help either in dealing with the current climate or focusing on their future needs to progress as organisations. These group sessions were very well received and the feedback indicates that we must grow on this for the future, as it helps people and creates good information.

Finally like all organisations that run events, we value the organisations that help us to provide the vital ingredients that encourage people and organisations to attend and feel they are contributing to making a difference to our industry, both now and the future. Judging by the feedback we have received I think we succeeded. In particular FEGGA acknowledges our conference partners; John Deere, Ransomes Jacobsen, Syngenta and Toro for their support and helping us to achieve the Conference goals.

The Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Associations (FEGGA) is a non profit organisation formed in 1996 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Federation is the umbrella body for the National Greenkeeping Associations in Europe. Originally formed to be a communication medium between the Committed to Green Programme of the European Golf Association and European Greenkeeping Associations, the role of the Federation has expanded greatly since 1996.

FEGGA now plays an every-day role in our member associations through the promotion of educational standards and professional recognition along with the many issues facing greenkeepers concerning the European Union and EU legalisation.

Having built a network of contacts throughout Europe, the Federation is assisting the promotion of the profession of golf turf management country by country, working with golfing bodies, our patron members and other allied associations. Many benefits are now visible across Europe with educational programmes, environmental policies and general recognition of the profession.