The GCAE influences laws that govern at the EU level on behalf of the golf industry, and often in concert with our allied associations. With the shift of decision making from the national to the European level and the growing role of the EU in legislative matters, the role of the GCAE as protector of interest is increasing. Besides protection of interest, the GCAE also offers a multitude of resources that guide our members on European legislative issues affecting them.

The GCAE is part of the EGA Golf Course Commitee. The purpose of the Committee is to present a single European voice to the EU, representing the game of golf, to build relationships with appropriate contacts in Brussels. Protection of interest takes place in cooperation with Burson-Marsteller, a Brussels based organisation.

Golf: A European Success

Organised by the European Golf Association Golf Course Committee – a partnership of bodies across the golf industry – the exhibition showcased golf’s sustainability and celebrate golf’s contribution to Europe in economic, environmental, social and sporting terms.

Golf: A European Success offered the opportunity to liaise and interact with European Parliamentarians and Commissioners on matters of sustainability and golf.

The exhibition highlighted the sport’s impact across Europe – from an economic perspective the golf industry contributes €15billion to the European economy annually; from a social perspective 7.9 million Europeans play golf annually; and environmentally there are more than 6,500 courses in Europe, up to 70% of the area of which can be used for habitat creation.

The Ryder Cup and Solheim Cups, both in European hands after respective victories over the United States at Medinah, Chicago, last September and Killeen Castle, Ireland, the previous year, were on display to represent Golf: A European Success.