Belgium Hosts 2008 FEGGA Conference

Dean Cleaver, Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers' Associations

14th February 2008 saw the Belgian Greenkeepers Association welcome 87 delegates, representing 43 organisations and 26 greenkeepers associations, to Brussels for the Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers’ Associations (FEGGA) annual conference.

The Conference began with a visit to the European Parliament, which despite rigorous security procedures turned out to be relaxed, informative and enjoyable. It appeared as though our Portuguese guide also enjoyed participating in an informal debate about the Pesticides Directive currently under review in the European Parliament.

The overall theme of the Conference focused on the relationship between golf and the environment, as well as education. Presentations covered topics such as best practice, sustainability and GEE’s forthcoming certification programme and Environmental Resource Centre (ERC), both of which received very positive feedback. It is expected that the ERC will be an excellent addition to the greenkeepers’ toolkit when it is launched in the coming months.

One distinctly pleasing aspect of the presentations was that they stimulated some excellent debate, with outcomes that will provide focus for FEGGA and all national Associations during the next 12 months and beyond.

This years Conference was jointly sponsored by Ransomes Jacobsen, Syngenta, Floratine and Toro.