PROFILE: THE EUROPEAN GOLF COURSE OWNERS ASSOCIATION (EGCOA)

The European Golf Course Owners Association (EGCOA) is a trade association for golf course owners and operators across Europe. The EGCOA protects and nurtures the interests of owners and operators throughout Europe, from 9-hole facilities to the owners of multiple golf courses. With the growing role of the European Union (EU) and the shift of decision making from a national to a European level, the role of the EGCOA as Europe’s leading authority on the business of golf course ownership is increasing rapidly. 

Education and Professional Development

The EGCOA believes education is a the root and foundation of a successful golf facility. The EGCOA works with a number of industry associations and educational institutions in developing educational programmes for golf course owners and managers. Through its annual European Golf Business Conference the EGCOA delivers industry leading speakers from around the world to share with European owners the latest trends in golf.

European Union Lobbying

The EGCOA influences laws that govern at the EU level on behalf of the golf industry, and often in concert with its allied associations. Besides protection of interest, the EGCOA also offers a multitude of resources that guide its members on European legislative issues affecting them.

The EGCOA is part of the EGA Golf Course Committee. The purpose of the Committee is to present a single European voice to the EU, representing the game of golf, to build relationships with appropriate contacts in Brussels. Protection of interest takes place in cooperation with Burson-Marsteller.

VAT & Taxation

One of the most discussed subjects in the golfing industry is the rate of Value Added Tax (VAT) levied on a round of golf, and the often huge variances in duty between proprietary clubs and members clubs. From 25 per cent on yearly fees and green fees in Denmark for ‘commercial’ courses and a zero rate for noncommercial courses, to golf course owners in countries like the Netherlands who pay a lower rate of just six per cent, the subject of VAT is often cause for concern to many golf course owners.

Various VAT levels result in false competition between golf clubs and can have a detrimental effect on the development of the game with the ‘commercial’ clubs -who traditionally promote and teach new golfers – having to charge VAT whilst their ‘non-commercial’ counterparts do not.

Various national tax authorities in the European Union treat commercial and non-commercial golf courses different for VAT. The EGCOA sees this as a serious case of distortion of competition. Therefore, the EGCOA has launched a working group in cooperation with the English Golf Union to work on the VAT policies and regulations affecting the golf business. The EGCOA aims at equalizing the VAT level that golf owners pay throughout the whole European Union.

 Sustainability and Environment

The EGCOA works in partnership with environmental organisations and government agencies to demonstrate the positive role owners can play as advocates for environmental sustainability (Sustainable maintenance and development of golf courses, contribution to the implementation of the GEO agenda.

Third Party Tee Time Resellers

Whilst the majority of resellers follow the best practices, there are a number that are simply eroding the price, devaluing the golf course’s brand identity, value and taking the control out of the courses hands.

Members (National Associations)

1. Belgium: BGCOA ( Belgian Golf Course Operators Association (BGCOA). 
2. Czech Republic: AGH (Asociace Golfovych Hrist)
3. Estonia: EGVÜ (Estonian Golf Association)
4. Finland: SGKY (Finnish Golf Course Owners Association)
5. France: GEGF (Groupement des Entrepreneurs de Golf Français)
6. Italy: CIPCG (Consorzio Italiano Proprietrai Campi da Golf)
7. Netherlands: NVG (Nederlandse Vereniging van Golfaccommodaties)
8. Norway: FNG (Foreningen for Norske Golfbaner)
9. Poland: PGCOA (Poland Golf Course Owners Association)
10. Portugal: CNIG (Counselho Nacional da Industria do Golfe)
11. Spain: SGCOA (Spanish Golf Course Owners Association)
12. Sweden: FSG (Föreningen Sveriges Golfanläggningar)

Partners

1. Toro
2. Power Tee
3. Rain Bird
4. Syngenta