The Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG] is an association of 32 National PGAs, representing a combined membership in excess of 12,700 golf professionals, steered through the guiding principles of Togetherness, Collaboration and Development to provide collective voice and opportunities for the benefit of the game.
The CPG is also a partner in Ryder Cup Europe as the sole member of the Ryder Cup European Development Trust, and is widely acknowledged as a lead body in the provision of golf development expertise on a global basis through its collaboration with The R&A in its developmental delivery.
The Confederation of Professional Golf has a long standing partnership with the European Golf & Travel Media Association (EGTMA), the initiative which was unprecedented at the time to encourage golf, and its media, to officially work together for the good of the game.
By joining forces in this way the CPG acknowledged the essential contribution being made by EGTMA's growing membership of journalists and photographers in publicising and promoting golf for all.
This alliance will see the CPG benefit from the Pan-European media pool developed by EGTMA in recent years as a unique and important channel of communication with newspapers, magazines, websites and broadcasting outlets.
Similarly, the benefits for EGTMA are clear in terms of an instant and official link with the CPG's network of regional PGAs, their officials and their professionals, both playing, and those who are employed at golf clubs, resorts, academies, driving ranges and retail outlets.
Confederation of Professional Golf’s Chief Executive Ian Randell said: "In its 25+ years of existence our Association has thoroughly established itself as a structural partner in the development of golf in Europe and beyond.
"However, the process of relaying this message to the public through the media over such a wide and diverse area in all of our member countries, with so many different languages involved, has always been difficult since there has never previously been a central point for ease of distribution.
"Therefore, associating ourselves with a truly European golf media association was one of the key focus points in our long-term development strategy. Thus, by welcoming the EGTMA as a partner, the CPG will have direct access to the golf media in most of our member countries and we will be able to make them aware of the many and varied activities of our organisation.
As an outcome of this Partnership those of our member countries who do not have an EGTMA member in their ranks can be encouraged to invite their key local media representatives to join."
EGTMA President Jo Maes commented: "Being associated with a partner as prestigious as the CPG is obviously recognition of the work our members have done and still do promoting golf to their readers. This partnership recognises the stature that the EGTMA has acquired during the last 13 years and pays tribute to all our members for their professionalism and their contribution to the development and promotion of the game we all love."
Over the years, the partnership has seen the intermittent staging of the Media Masters, originally staged in Marbella, Costa del Sol, Spain, at the beginning of this decade. Over a three-year period some 300 golf journalists from 30 countries or more took part either in the golf tournament or the coaching clinic for newcomers to the sport, at Atalaya Park.
The EGTMA then continued to hold its own Media Masters in the Belek region in Turkey with a massive amount of coverage and ROI for the region. Following the agreement, the prestigious event then moved to Murcia in Spain where it was titled the 'EGTMA - PGAsE Media Masters' and where it was played in conjunction with the PGAs of Europe International Team Championship and Annual Congress at the end of November. We are looking at adding more opportunities for EGTMA members to join the CPG’s members at their events and together promote the game of golf.
Winning such a prestigious media event is a great achievement for any journalist especially when they get their name engraved on the 'Farquharson Trophy' in honour of Colin and Ethel Farquharson, founders and life-long honorary members of the EGTMA.
Confederation of Professional Golf
Started in 1990 - 32 member countries - 12,700 PGA professionals
Head office at The Centurion Club
Chief Executive: Ian Randell (ir@cpg.golf) | Media Contact: Aston Ward (mailto:aw@cpg.golf)
e: info@cpg.golf | t: +44 (0)20 71 83 59 83
The Confederation of Professional Golf Limited
Centurion Club
Hemel Hempstead Road
Hemel Hempstead
Hertfordshire
HP3 8LA
United Kingdom
Registered in England: 12104352