The RFEG (Royal Spanish Golf Federation) facilities in Madrid hosted the first in-person meeting of the EDUGOLF project, where members of the European PGAs established new lines of action for the development of the golf industry. The RFEG was represented by its Training Department.

Over two days of work, Ben Gittus, Director of the European Observatory of Sport & Employment (EOSE), and Ian Randell, Executive Director of the Confederation of Professional Golfers (CPG), led the meeting to update the project. Representatives from the eight participating countries (Sweden, France, Poland, Belgium, England, the Netherlands, Ukraine, and Spain) shared their progress made in recent months.

This EDUGOLF project is led by the European Commission through the EOSE and has the support of the CPG (formerly the PGAs of Europe). Its main objective is to conduct an updated analysis of the golf industry and develop strategies to adapt to the new societal paradigm, defining the sector's occupational standards (skills) and advancing the acquisition and retention of new clients/players, updated teaching methodologies, etc.

The RFEG is part of a select group of eight organizations involved in developing this project over 3 years.

Golf, a sport with unique qualities

Golf, as a major sport in Europe, has unique qualities that can stimulate and engage participants from all walks of life and play a leading role in their good physical and mental health, regardless of their age or background.

However, for golf to have the maximum impact across the EU, people involved in golf must recognize that, as society changes, the way people engage with sport in general and golf in particular is also changing.

EDUGOLF's vision is that adapting to change can revitalize sport, helping it to engage with a wider range of EU citizens, improve their quality of life and broaden the sport's participation base.

The focus will be on skills and education reform, based on the belief that those who work in golf (paid and volunteer staff) and those who hope to do so are the key to its future.

Additional information below, in the Related Links section.