BGIA celebrates 30 year anniversary

The British Golf Industry Association (BGIA) held its 30^th AGM at The Inn at Woburn on Monday 11^th April 2016. Chairman Nigel Freemantle led the proceedings and all the existing board members agreed to re-stand, they were joined by co-opted members Andrew Green (Nike) and Steve Carter (Ping) and everyone was elected en-block.

Helen Hammond of Elephant Creative used the AGM to present to the members the results of their recent survey and the agreed activities that the BGIA Executive Board have arrived at to achieve progression.

The AGM was followed by the BGIA’s 30 Year Anniversary Dinner which was sponsored by Golf Monthly and seated 133 members and their guests. The entertainment was provided by World Trick Shot Champion Geoff Swain who conducted the auction and helped raise over £5,500 for the BGIA’s Grow Golf Fund which supports National initiatives aimed at growing golf participation.

The lively evening was followed by a bright day with a slight breeze on Tuesday 12^th for the BGIA’s Charity Golf Day at Woburn golf Course, which raised £15,000 for the Golf Foundation. The winners (pictured) were from Glenmuir and their team comprised of Ross Parker, Ian Martin, Matt Millard and Matthew Eagle.

The BGIA would like to thank all its members that entered teams and offered prizes and Woburn for donating the course. BGIA Chairman Nigel Freemantle was particularly pleased that four former chairmen were able to join the celebrations, and said: “I was delighted that Warren Sunderland, Marcus Illingworth, David Wells and Doug Poole attended the event at Woburn, because without their considerable input the BGIA would not be where it is today.

“Now that we have surveyed our members to ascertain where they want us to take the association in the future the challenge is for our current Executive Board to get us there. We were very pleased with all the positive comments we received following the communication of our re-definition at the AGM.”

The BGIA is the lead trade body representing UK manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors of golf products and services.