The New EIGCA Vocational Qualification in Golf Course Design

Since the new Vocational Qualification in Golf Course Design got under way at the AGM in Potsdam the four students, from Germany, Netherlands, Czech Republic and the UK, all working in EIGCA members’ practices, have been busy working through the library of presentations that has been collated and their first set of design assignments and history essays.

Term 2 began in October with the students attending a two day workshop, held at the Head Office in Bramley, where they were introduced to detail design and carried out a surveying exercise at The Wisley Golf Course in Surrey assisted by EIGCA Members Gary Johnston, David Williams, Tim Lobb and Robin Hiseman.

The next Workshop is to be held in Nice and will coincide with the AGM. Not only will this be the third Workshop for the current students but it will also be the first introduction to the next intake of students.

We are now opening up applications for the next course. This is open only to people working with and supported by EIGCA members. The two-year course consists of 5 two-day biannual workshops and online tuition which includes core presentations, additional material, tests and assignments. Workshops 1, 3 and 5 are held in conjunction with EIGCA AGMs, at different locations in Europe, and 2 and 4 at the EIGCA Head Office in the UK. Another important aspect of this programme is on-the-job training provided by the employer or EIGCA member.