Industry Partners have an important role in enabling the EIGCA to develop services and provide learning opportunities for golf course architects, and at a ceremony during their annual meeting in April, the EIGCA recognised their five longest-standing Industry Partners who have shown continued support in the 15 years since the EIGCA was established.

Industry Partners representatives and EIGCA President Tom Mackenzie.

Representatives from the Toro Company, John Deere, Ransomes Jacobsen, John Greasley Ltd and MJ Abbott Ltd were each presented with a trophy to mark the occasion. During the Industry Partners Dinner at the Stormont Hotel, Belfast, Tom Mackenzie, EIGCA President, said: “It gives me great pleasure to recognise the contribution of all our Industry Partners, and to highlight the support of these five companies who have been with us since the start in 2000.

“We felt it only right to recognise this achievement with a special award. On behalf of all our members I say thank you and we look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come.”

Responding on behalf of the Industry Partners, Andy Brown, Senior Sales Manager at The Toro Company, said: “On behalf of the five Industry Partners here, I would like to thank the EIGCA for this special recognition. The aim of the Institute has always been to promote the highest standards of golf course design and construction and the Industry Partners are proud to have been able to play a role in helping them achieve this.

“It is encouraging to see that having come through a challenging period, the members are experiencing an upturn in the work that they are being asked to undertake and I am sure that this is in no small part due to the excellent work carried out by the Institute. We look forward to continuing our support of the EIGCA and along with all the Industry Partners, we wish you well in the years ahead.”

For information on the benefits of Industry Partnerships, and details on how to join, visit the Partnership Programme section of the EIGCA website – www.eigca.org/PartnershipHub