| New
European Course Owners Association The
European Golf Course Owners Association (EGCOA) is a new organisation which has
been formed by the national golf course owners associations in Great Britain (AGCO),
Holland (NVG), Germany (BVGA) and Ireland (IGCOA). Effective
1st April - Membership is available to all countries in Europe which have a national
association of golf course owners.
Proprietary courses in countries where there is no national association can join
EGCOA as an associate member. Membership will also be available for regional golf
course owner groups who do not have their own national association. Affiliate
membership of EGCOA will be automatic for individual golf course owners who are
members of their national associations. There will be no additional cost to the
course owner. The
aims of the new Association include lobbying for tax and VAT changes across Europe,
inter country communication, inter club communication and the development of increased
revenues through travel packages. There will be opportunities for reciprocal play
for course owners at other member courses.The handicapping system across Europe
will also be looked at in depth. The
founding board of directors are Bob Simmons (UK Association of Golf Course Owners),
Frank Scheer (Dutch Golf Course Owners Association), Dr Falk Billion (German Golf
Course Owners Association) and Donal Flinn (Irish Golf Course Owners Association).
EGCOA believes
that it is evident across Europe that golf course owners do not get a fair representation
in the industry nor do they get recognition for the important part they play.
The development of golf is in the hands of the golf course owners who provide
new facilities and make existing facilities available for new golfers. The
Association wants golf course owners to be recognised as a group and have a say
in the way golf is developed and run. Initially the European Association will
operate from Great Britain. Over
300 proprietary golf courses across Europe will be represented by the new Association
which will be launched in Germany next month and in Holland in March. Further
information is available from:
UK: Bob Simmons Int +44 (0)1702 216733
Holland: Frank Scheer Int +31 (306) 97 12 30
Germany: Dr Frank Billion Int
+49 (89) 43 74 96 64
Ireland: Donal Flinn Int +353 (01) 28 73 600 | 
