Annual Meeting confirmed for October 2021 … with a difference

In anticipation of COVID restrictions allowing face-to-face events again later this year, the EIGCA Annual Meeting is planned for mid-October in Cardiff, Wales.

Just as the world has adapted to a ‘new normal’, so our 2021 Annual Meeting has a twist - the schedule has the annual conference at the start of proceedings with the golf on the final two days. This annual gathering of EIGCA members, partners, patrons and students will begin on Tuesday 12th October and end on Friday 15th October (or Thursday 14th for non-golfers). NB: Students in the new EVQGCD intake will attend workshops on 11th and 12th October.

Day 1 (Tuesday 12th October) – Cardiff Castle

Partners’ Dinner (evening)

Day 2 (Wednesday 13th October) – voco St David’s Hotel

Annual General Meeting – EIGCA Members only (morning)
Annual Conference, including Partners Spotlight (day)
The President’s Dinner (evening)

Day 3 (Thursday 14th October) – Royal Porthcawl Golf Club

Non-golfers depart
First round, President’s Cup (day)
Dinner in the Clubhouse (evening)

Day 4 (Friday 15th October) - Pyle & Kenfig Golf Club

Second round, President’s Cup (day)
Golfers depart (afternoon / evening)

The theme for the conference is Golf for all which focusses on the role of golf course design in equality and inclusion. Sessions will cover: how to appeal to and cater for golfers with disabilities – specifically those with hearing loss; and how golf is helping rehabilitate lives after military service. A spotlight on Women in Golf includes a session on the R&A’s Women in Golf Charter plus talks from high profile women in the sport.

The final agenda and confirmed speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

Delegates to our annual meetings relish the opportunity to play on top golf courses, and this year we have the opportunity to play the President’s Cup on two of the best:

• Royal Porthcawl Golf Club is the highest ranked course in Wales (also top 25 in Great Britain and Ireland and top 100 in the world. This world-class links course has holes facing each point on the compass with sea views from every hole. The course is not only a highlight for every keen golfer, but also an exceptional study subject for any golf course architect.
• Pyle & Kenfig Golf Club, a links course unusually laid out in two loops of nine, provides golfers with stunning views over the Bristol Channel, the Gower Peninsula and the magnificent welsh hills. Affectionately known as ‘P&K’, this Mackenzie Ross course, ranked No. 10 in Wales, has something for everyone, particularly the awesome, breath-taking second nine holes which will test even the very best golfers.

Christoph Städler, EIGCA President, says: “Both courses on which we will play the President’s Cup will challenge all levels of player amongst our party and the conference is an opportunity for a day of learning to widen our knowledge and understanding of diversity and inclusion in relation to golf design. We are confident there is something for everyone who joins us in Wales.

“With the COVID-19 outbreak forcing us to cancel our 2020 Annual Meeting, we hope the travel restrictions which many of us are under will be lifted in time for the EIGCA community to get together in Cardiff. Let us hope our plans work out and we can all meet in person before the year is out.”