The European Golf Course Owners Association (EGCOA) is pleased to announce the launch of the Belgian Golf Course Operators Association (BGCOA). The inaugural launch of the new association took place on May 30th at Golf Club de Kluizen. The association has started strong securing 25 golf courses as founding members.
The mission of the BGCOA is to promote, develop and represent the interests of golf course owners and operators throughout Belgium, as well as to promote the growth of the golf industry, acting as a forum for the exchange of ideas and experiences to professionalise the golf industry.
“There is a real need within the Belgian golf industry for golf course operators to work together sharing best practices, knowledge and experience. As operators joining the EGCOA allows us the opportunity to gain an international perspective and market insights as well as being represented with one voice and vision for golf in Brussels” Said founding member Luc Feremans, General Manager of Cleydael Golf Club.
He added, ‘’With the help of the network of National Owners Associations united in the EGCOA, we will also work alongside the leading Belgium industry institutions, such as the Royal Belgium Golf Association, the PGA of Belgium, the regional federations, the Club Managers and many other organisations. By aligning our goals as operators with the work being done by these key parties we hope improve and grow the golf industry across Belgium.”
The BGCOA is the latest addition to a growing list of national associations (including: Denmark, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Sweden, Spain and the UK), all of whom are united under the umbrella of the EGCOA who now represent over 950 golf facilities across Europe. The BGCOA will be an integral part of the European Golf Course Owners Association, and will play an active role alongside other European golf course owners in pan-European initiatives and programs.
EGCOA Director, Lodewijk Klootwijk said: “We are delighted to see the formation of the BGCOA. This is a major step forward for golf courses and their owners and operators in Belgium. There will be challenges in the times ahead to grow and improve the golf business there, and we look forward to working with and supporting our friends in Belgium to accomplish this.”
For further information on the BGCOA, please contact: info@bgcoa.be or visit www.bgcoa.be
