The European Institute of Golf Course Architects (EIGCA) is inviting applicants for the next intake onto its Vocational Qualification in Golf Course Design.

The course aims to aid the development of students through a mixture of online learning, bi-annual workshops and assignments.

Through the qualification, the EIGCA aims to help ensure potential new golf course architects are trained correctly and promote the high standards of golf course design.

The vocational qualification is open to prospective designers that have found employment at an EIGCA member’s practice, as well others interested in the industry that are able to attach themselves to a member through the Student Attachment Programme. 

The latest intake of students on the programme – namely Jakub Cervenka, David Minogue, Neil White and Gareth Williams – have now completed the first part of the course. The four participants were each assigned an architect mentor, and David Krause, Jeff Lynch, Simon Gidman and Guy Hockley each offered their expertise and knowledge to their assigned student. 

“Our four students have made great progress over the duration of the course which has resulted in three ‘distinctions’ and a ‘merit’ pass for stage 1,” said Alan Walker, chairman of the EIGCA Education Board. “It was particularly pleasing to receive a number of positive comments from members regarding the high standard shown by all four students. I’d like to thank the mentors for playing such a positive role in the students’ progression through stage 1 of the course.”

The students will now need to gain actual work experience and present their own projects to fulfil stage 2 of the qualification.

The deadline for applications for the next intake for the qualification will be in mid October 2015, by which time Student Attachment Programme applicants need to have found an attachment. A final date will be confirmed in due course.