Alan Egford, National Coach to the
Hellenic Golf Federation and member of the PGA of Europe and R&A Conclave of Missionaries,
to speak at the 2003 European GOLF Investment and Real Estate Conference
July 25, 2003 --
Alan Egford, National Coach to the Hellenic Golf
Federation and member of the PGA
of Europe and R&A
Conclave of Missionaries, will deliver a speech titled 'Golf Development in
Bulgaria' at the 2003 European GOLF Investment
and Real Estate Conference
in Athens on November 29, 2003. Furthermore, he will deliver a speech titled
'The
Challenge of Golf Development in Greece' on Friday and sit on
the 'Effective
Golf Course Management: Creating the Most Value for Owners and Investors
in Europe' panel on Saturday. Alan works under The PGA Europe / R&A
conclave of missionaries banner and is currently heavily involved in
Bulgaria via this organisation.
Based
in Athens, Alan is currently working in the Balkans
as the Greek National Coach, taking Bulgaria under his wing to
help them to establish a structured education programme
in this very promising emerging golf market. Bulgaria is ready to flex
its golfing muscles and Alan has been working on behalf of the PGA of
Europe with the backing of the R&A, who had been approached for
support by the newly-formed Bulgarian Golf Association (BGA). Although
Bulgaria currently boasts only one course, there are three major projects
due to come on stream soon and many other positive indicators. Some of the
potential sites for course development are near Sofia and on the Black
Sea. "Bulgaria is
now going forward, both economically and politically," Alan said in
the PGA of Europe's International GolfPro News of summer 2003,
"The BGA is very much part of that process." According to
International GolfPro News, Alan felt, when being told of Bulgarian
development plans during a week's visit to Bulgaria in mid May 2003, that
there was a genuine sense of 'we will do' rather than merely 'we wish'.
These projects include a basic Pay-As-You-Play course, a Family Golf
Centre, and an up-market Country Club. The Black Sea, Alan believes, has
great potential for golf tourism. One of the projects there is the
purchase of some 500 acres with a stunning cliff top location and a Resort
comprising Country Club, Championship standard 18-hole course and a
Coaching Centre.
There is only one "golf course" in Bulgaria, about 45
minutes from Sofia. Grey Hawk (Sofia) should open October 2004 -- 18 holes/6,075 metres/par 72 with a learning centre.
Career summary
Born on January 24, 1951, Alan currently is National Coach for Greece,
has worked with the Dutch Golf Federation and the English Ladies Golf Union, operated as a Regional Coach for the Sports Council and Golf Foundation, worked at County level in Devon and Hampshire, coached for various golf school operators both nationally and internationally, developed coaching programmes for councils, local authorities, companies and education authorities. Alan
is a committed, self-motivated, forward-thinking individual, with a genuine interest in people and overall love of life.
He is experienced in every aspect of professional golf and golf management, having particular skills and reputation as an inventive, progressive coach with players of both
genders and all ages, from beginner to European Tour player. A natural leader and a team player,
Alan is an excellent motivator who leads by example, commercially astute, very customer aware and orientated, who thrives on and enjoys responsibility. One achievement which gave
Alan great satisfaction as a professional coach was to be appointed by the PGA of Europe to design, develop, manage and operate a programme required by the European Commission, run in conjunction with the
Hellenic Ministry of Sport, Hellenic Golf Federation and PGA of Greece, to qualify all the Greek golf professionals in business practices and coaching technique, as required under European law. The project was a huge success, an achievement of which
Alan will be forever proud, plus the springboard which led to him being invited back to Greece as National Coach. December
1999 - present: National Coach - Greece
In December 1999, Alan was appointed National Coach to the Hellenic Golf Federation. The appointment was made after
Alan having been sent to Greece by the PGA of Europe in 1998. On this occasion
he was tasked to develop, deliver and examine a programme for all the members of
the PGA of Greece to qualify them under PGA regulations and European law. January
1995 - November 1999: PGA of Europe - Lytham Golf Range
The PGA of Europe used Alan as a 'troubleshooting' coach, dealing with specific one-off situations that arise in Europe. Of special merit would be the project
he organised and completed for the Greek government and the PGA of Greece to qualify all their
professionals in business practice and as coaches under European Law. Lytham Golf Range was
Alan's coaching base where he worked with players of all levels, from all over the region. July
1992 - October 1994: CraneValley Golf Club - Director of Golf
Alan was approached by the owners six months before the Club was opened, so
he was fully involved with the launch and the build of the facilities, which included
two courses and a purpose built golf school. Alan marketed the Club from nothing to over 500 members.
He had an overall management role, developing the driving range and golf school from build, managing the Club shop, with sole responsibility for the development of the teaching programme. This encompassed work with Local Authorities, Companies, Societies, The Golf Foundation, The Sports Council and private individuals ranging from complete beginners to European Tour Players. January
1989 - March 1992: Fairhaven Golf Club - Head Professional
A classic highly respected private club with 800 members, in the busy golf town of Lytham St Annes,
the Club is an Open Championship qualifying course and regularly used as a venue for national and international tournaments.
Alan performed the traditional role of Club Professional as well as being co-opted as a member of the greens, handicap and competition committees.
He established a junior golf school for players throughout the region, managed a huge coaching programme for players of all levels and operated a very successful golf shop.
March 1984 - February 1988: Manor House, Moretonhampstead - Golf Manager
The facility encompassed an 18 hole course, 9 hole course and Five Star Hotel.
Alan was approached by a consultant working for Crown Hotels to spearhead a major expansion of the venue.
Alan's role encompassed every aspect of the golf operation, from the membership, course maintenance and preparation, the marketing of the facility and the organisation of all outdoor events, running from one day to a week.
He worked with some major PLCs, charities, football clubs and promotional agencies across a diverse range of sports, launches and international hospitality events.
Alan began coaching with national and international golf schools, as well as developing a residential golf school and spearheading a "Take Up Golf" project for The Sports Council.
All staff had to leave when whole hotel group (20) went into receivership. May
1978 - February 1984: Torquay Golf Club - Professional
Alan performed the traditional role of Club Professional. With Torquay being such a major conference and entertainment venue,
he was able to create events such as the Tom O'Connor Classic, West of England Golf Show and week-long events for political parties. On
two occasions, Alan ran live TV outside broadcasts from events and established a golf school at the Five Star Imperial
Hotel with Trust House Forte, also managing a diverse teaching programme to cater for the huge number of visitors to the resort, international language schools and a very active 900 club membership.
Professional honours and
Committees
-
Captain Devon Professionals
-
Captain Essex Professionals
-
South Region PGA Executive Committee
-
West Region PGA Executive Committee
-
Chairman, South Hampshire and New Forest Sports Council
-
PGA Europe/R&A Coaching Development Panel
Teaching record
-
Golf Foundation - Regional Coach
-
Stowe School of Golf - Instructor
-
Sports Council - Regional Coach
-
Dutch Golf Federation - Junior Coach
-
THF Imperial Golf School - Senior Instructor
-
Sports Instruction Schools - Instructor
-
Golf Monthly Schools - Senior Instructor
-
Hampshire Ladies Golf Union - County Coach
-
English Ladies Golf Union - Coaching Staff
-
PGA of Europe - International Coach
-
Hellenic Golf Federation - National Coach
Miscellaneous events
organised
-
Golf '82 West of England Show - Organiser
-
Tom O'Connor Celebrity Classic - Organiser
-
Lords Taverners Golf Events - Event Organiser
-
Stoke Mandeville Pro-Ams - Event Organiser
-
TSB National Golf Finals - Event manager
-
Volvo Cars, Ford Classic, Vauxhall Team Challenge - Regional Finals Co-ordinator
-
RCI International Finals - Organiser
-
Crown Hotels West of England
-
PGA Championships - Sponsors Organiser
-
The Golf Club Secretary - Tournament and Seminar Organiser
Journalism
-
Torbay News - Golf Correspondent
-
Western Morning News - Golf Correspondent
-
Holiday Golf International - Instruction Editor
-
Southern Evening Echo - Instruction Series
-
Golf Monthly - Instruction Series
-
Devonair Radio - Weekly Golf Report/Football commentary
- Outside broadcasts from various sports events
-
BBC Radio South-West - Golf Expert and Weekly Report
-
BBC Radio 4 - Getaway Leisure Programme
-
BBC Television - Spotlight South-West, Instruction Series
-
BBC Television Pebble Mill - Programme on History of Golf
-
Holiday Property Bond Golf Guide - Author
Interests and activities
-
Sports and leisure pursuits
-
Dog and cat owner
-
Music - listening and performing
-
Cooking
-
Reading
-
Driving
-
Weight training and general fitness
-
Volunteer work with the homeless
Useful links
-
Bulgaria
ready to flex its golfing muscles (PGAE's International Golf Pro
News)
-
The future of golf in Greece (by Mr. Alan
Egford, Greek National Team Coach)
-
The
Rising Stars of Greek Golf:
Golf has never been, to adopt a phrase, a very Greek cup of coffee. By
Greek National Team Coach Mr. Alan Egford's estimate, "Greece is
missing out of billions -- not drachmas, not dollars, but pounds.
That's an awful lot of money." Indeed, other countries have
quickly seen, and seized upon, the potential that golfers offer. Spain
has long been Europe's southern golf resort. In the last few years
Turkey and Portugal have made massive investments to benefit from the
growing number of golfers who will get away from a dreary North
European climate for a few days of sunshine and golf. Financial
returns for investors can be above average, especially at this early
stage. Greece's golf enthusiasts think it is time for Greece to become
a leader in a sport with such a vast potential. [full
story...] [premium content]
Further information
For further information, contact Peter
Michel Heilmann, Founder & Director, INVgolf.
INVgolf update (December
2005)
Over the past three years, Alan Egford has been involved in the BlackSeaRama and Thracian Cliffs Resort projects in Bulgaria, and was responsible for the design and construction of the now completed St. Sofia Golf Club and Spa.
He is a Class "AA" Professional Golfer, and over a 27-year career has worked all over Europe, covering every aspect of golf, from regular professional services, as an International coach, as a resort course Director of Golf and course manager, through to course designer and developer. He has worked in most areas of the world. His project management skills are second to none, as is his technical background knowledge when it comes to soil preparation, amendments and planting. He is comfortable either bringing to life the designs of major international names, or working with owners as they unfold their plan in a one-to-one
situation.
Introduction
| Programme | E-mail
| Disclaimer
Registration Terms | Registration
Form | Sponsors
|
