Last week the board of Golf Course Association of Europe met for two days to discuss the future of the organization and its purpose and positioning within the golf business in Europe.
The catalyst for this is that the Association’s long-term General Secretary, Lodewijk Klootwijk, has decided to step down to focus on his new role as a CEO and building a new organization for entrepreneurial sports in Holland. This organization looks after the interests of commercial sports not supported by traditional sports federations. Today it supports 20 different sports in 6000 venues.
Many within the golf industry will have met and known Lodewijk since he helped form the European Owners Association from the early start 18 years ago. He has been an important individual in the golf business and has also largely been responsible for the success and reputation of the GCAE organization. President of GCAE, Lars Havrevold from Norway, told GBN, “The board wishes him well in his new role and looks forward to keeping in contact with him in the future.”
Lars Havrevold continues, “Lodewijk’s departure offers the association the opportunity to review its current positioning within the European Golf Industry and for us to look at how the association shall work with all stakeholders in the future. The European Golf Industry is growing in importance within the worldwide game, and the owners of golf facilities throughout Europe look forward to contributing further to its long term success. We will assist all stakeholders working on providing solution to the many challenges we all face together.
“The organization is here to support owners and operators and working with all the relevant stakeholders throughout Europe and the world to promote our industry and ensure that our facilities continue to meet the ever-increasing demands of our members and visitors alike.
“The board of the GCAE are delighted to announce the appointment of Renate Roeleveld as new General Secretary. She has been General Manager of Sluispolder Golf and Padel for 17 years, a position she will still assist. She is also the President of the Dutch golf owner’s association. Renate is a keen golfer and has been a huge supporter of our industry as well as being very active in increasing women’s participation in golf.
“The GCAE plans to step up its activity and presence in the golf industry and focus on the economic issues facing golf owners, participation, and sustainability. We plan to improve the already positive relationships and cooperation with all the leading stakeholders in golf including the R&A, PGAs, golf suppliers, and local federations.
“The association is currently in the process of planning our next business conference to take place in Spain early next year. The GCAE conference has for many years been an important event helping to bring the industry together to discuss and learn about current issues impacting on the golf business and importantly new trends that will help shape our industry for the future.”
Contact details.
Lars Havrevold lh@gcae.no
Renate Roeleveld renate@sluispolder.nl