Projects

The PGAs of Europe is an Association of some 29 individual European country PGAs whose objective is to act as a support role to individual PGAs on a business-to-business basis. It strives to raise standards and opportunities collectively across Europe in the education and employment of golf professionals as well as representing member countries with governments and other legislative and influential bodies in the promotion of the game and the interests of professional golfers in general.

Every year The PGAs of Europe gathers its member countries together for 2-3 days, like any industry collective of organizations with common interest to:

• Inform

• Educate

• Network

• Establish industry standards

• Allow benchmarking off larger countries

• Explore new challenges (eg: environmental issues)

Topics in recent years, have included high focus on environmental, economic and social issues with speakers from around the world including the USA, the most mature golfing market.

The benefit of the congress and the exposure of smaller/emerging golfing countries to knowledge, resource, experience within the golfing industry that otherwise would be a struggle to achieve, at any pace, is invaluable.

In a European Union where mobility of labour is so commonplace, larger PGAs have members working in many countries and at this annual gathering are able to develop their knowledge and experience of the newer markets where their members now live, work and help pioneering the development of golf.

All the PGAs share a common brand ‘PGA' and the enhancement yet protection of that brand and trademark is critical. Common standards and infrastructures, direction of the profession and the business of golf, junior initiatives, player development and teaching are all issues that this collective gathering seeks to achieve which leads to more people playing golf across Europe. On average some 25 countries across Europe are represented each year.

It has become increasingly difficult to make this gathering economically viable for countries to send representation and funding from Ryder Cup European Development Trust since 2003 has made this congress possible and plans to do so for 2009.