The European Golf Industry Association celebrated the first anniversary of its inauguration at Golf Europe this year with the addition of a new member to its ranks. The decision of the Spanish trade association to join the EGIA brings the number of countries allied to the Association to eight.
Significant growth in the market over the last five years has resulted in the Spanish sporting goods federation, AFYDAD, setting up a separate golf sector to represent Spain’s golf equipment manufacturers and distributors. Josep Obradors, managing director of Vilella SA, is chairman of the golf sector and was present at the recent EGIA meeting in Munich.
Sr. Obradors had no hesitation in adding Spanish support to the EGIA cause, saying; “I totally agree with the aims and objectives of the European Golf Industry Association and feel it is extremely important for the future of our industry that we work together.
“Golf is still a very young game in Spain,” he added, “but we now have over 235,000 registered players and more than 270 golf courses. We are interested to learn from the experiences of our industry colleagues from other countries and to assist where we can with the promotion of the game throughout Europe.”
A very successful first year for the EGIA culminated in the signing of a five-year agreement with Messe Mà¼nchen GmbH, the owners of Golf Europe, for the endorsement of the international golf trade show. Dirk Vinken, secretary of FGHS, the Dutch sporting goods federation, and chairman of the EGIA said: “I am delighted with the progress we have made in our first year of operation. The Council now consists of members from eight countries, and our partnership with Messe Mà¼nchen underlines the importance of the role that the EGIA has to play in the industry. The alliances we have formed over the past 12 months can only benefit all of us and we are looking forward to our second year with great enthusiasm.”
For further information please contact:
Dirk Vinken, FGHS Tel: 00 31 334 343580 Vinken.fghs@euronet.nl
Jacqui Baldwin, Secretary to the EGIA Tel: 00 44 2476 417141 egia@sportslife.org.uk
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