The 11th Edition GIA Golf & Turf Summit 2024 is set to be an unparalleled event in the world of golf and turf management. Scheduled for 17th – 18th October 2024 at the prestigious Oxford Golf Resort in Pune, India, this summit promises to bring together industry leaders, experts, and enthusiasts from around the globe. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in insightful discussions, explore the latest innovations, and network with key stakeholders. The summit aims to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the industry, providing a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration.
This year’s summit will feature a diverse range of sessions, including panel discussions, keynote speeches, and interactive workshops. Participants can look forward to learning from renowned golf course architects, turf managers, and industry stalwarts who will share their expertise and insights. The event will also offer numerous networking opportunities, allowing attendees to connect with peers and decision-makers from various associations such as PGTI, IGU, WGAI, NGAI, and FICCI. Whether you are a golf course owner, turf manager, or industry professional, the GIA Golf & Turf Summit 2024 is the must-attend event of the year.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Government of India
Principal Secretary - Tourism, Maharashtra
Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
Senior Sales Manager - Indian Sub Continent, The Toro Company
International Sales Manager - Rain Bird Corporation
Founder, Golf Designs
Founder & Managing Director, Evolution Sport
Captain, Bombay Presidency Club
Founder, K&A Golf Private Limited
Board Member & Honorary Treasurer, GIA
Vice President, GIA
Director General, GIA
Golf Course Superintendent, Hyderabad Golf Association
General Manager, Sentosa Golf Club
Director, Construction & Agronomy, Troon International
International T&O Manager BRANDT
Founder, Golf Federation of India
Sales Manager - EMEAA, CapillaryFlow
Managing Director, BRT Agronomy
Founder, Tee off India
Chief Agronomist, IPI
Chairman, Oxford Group
Managing Director, European Golf Design
Head of European Tour Destinations
Real Estate and Business Planning Executive, European Tour Destinations
Secretary - Western India, Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI)
General Manager, ITC Grand Bharat
Assistant Vice President, DLF Golf & Country Club
Founder & CEO, Ace Golfing
Addl. General Manager, Jaypee Greens Golf Course
AVP Client Experience, Workspace
President, Karma Lakelands
Senior Director & Head- Strategic Consulting, JLL
General Manager, Prestige Golfshire Club
Founder, To The Tee Golf Academy
Managing Director, Kalhaar Blues & Greens Golf Club
CMD, Clover Greens
Partner, Athletic Drive Apparel and Management (LLP)
CEO, Oxford Golf Resort
Vice President, The Poona Club Ltd.
Golf Course Superintendent, The Bombay Presidency Golf Club
Founder Partner, Skyline Golf
Director, First Tee Golf Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Regional Sales Manager, Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd.
Gain valuable knowledge from industry experts and thought leaders.
Connect with peers, decision-makers, and key stakeholders.
Discover the latest trends and technologies in golf and turf management.
Participate in high-level discussions and debates on industry challenges and opportunities.
Experience a wide range of topics and sessions tailored to your interests.
Enjoy the event at the renowned Oxford Golf Resort in Pune, India.
| Time | Program | Topic | Speakers |
| DAY – I | |||
| Thursday, 17th October 2024 | |||
| 0900 AM ~ 1000 AM | Registration | ||
| Inagural Session | |||
| 1000 AM ~ 1007 AM | Opening Address | Mr Anirudha Seolekar, President, GIA | |
| 1007 AM ~ 1013 AM | Welcome Address | Mr Anit Mehrotra, Vice President, GIA | |
| 1013 AM ~ 1020 AM | Special Address | Mr. Suraj Mandhare (IAS), Sports Commissioner, Pune, Maharashtra | |
| 1020 AM ~ 1035 AM | Guest of Honour | Ms Jayshree Bhoj (IAS), Principal Secretary – Tourism, Maharashtra | |
| 1035AM ~ 1050 AM | Guest of Honour | Mr. Suman Billa (IAS), Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India | |
| 1050 AM ~ 1110 AM | Chief Guest | Hon’ble Mr Murlidhar Mohol, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Government of India | |
| 1110 AM ~ 1115 AM | Vote of Thanks | Ms Deepali Shah Gandhi, Board Member, GIA | |
| Strategic Promotion of Golf Tourism in India | |||
| 1115 AM ~ 1145 AM | Government’s Perspectove – Golf Tourism | Driving Sustainable Tourism Growth Through Golf: Policies, Strategies, and Partnerships | Mr Suman Billa, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India |
| 1145 AM ~ 1215 PM | GIA Owners Club & Real Estate | Exclusive Question & Answer Session | Moderator – Mr Nandan Heblikar, Consultant, Golf Designs |
| Mr Ashwani Khurana, President & CEO, Karma Lakelands | |||
| Mr Devang Shah, Managing Director, Kalhaar Blues & Greens Golf Club | |||
| Mr Anirudha Seolekar, Chairman, Oxford Group | |||
| Mr. Rajesh Gurumurthy, Senior Director & Head- Strategic Consulting, JLL | |||
| 1215 PM ~ 1225 PM | Power Presentation | Topic – TBD | Mr Aryavir Arya, Founder, Golf Federation of India (GFI) |
| 1225 PM ~ 1235 PM | Power Presentation | Power of Communication | Mr Clinton Southorn, Director – Construction & Agronomy, Troon International |
| Club Management in Golf Industry | |||
| 1235 PM ~ 1305 PM | Managing Club at Course | Sustainablity and the Journey Embarked at Sentosa | Mr Andrew Harvey Johnston, General Manager, Sentosa Golf Club |
| 1305 PM ~ 1315 PM | Power Presentation | What will make India an Elite Golf and Real Estate Resort Destination | Ms. Sandra Ruttle, Real Estate and Business Planning Executive, European Tour Destinations |
| 1315 PM ~ 1325 PM | Power Presentation | Golf Course Design Trends and Sustainability | Mr. Jeremy Slessor, Managing Director, European Golf Design |
| 1325 PM ~ 1350 PM | Panel Discussion | Strategic Management of Golf Course Operations | Moderator – Mr Amit Nigam, Founder & Managing Director, Evolution Sport |
| Ms. Sandra Ruttle, Real Estate and Business Planning Executive, European Tour Destinations | |||
| Mr Dhruv Pal Singh, Senior General Manager, Jaypee Greens Golf Course | |||
| Mr Declan McCollam, General Manager, Prestige Golfshire Club | |||
| Mr. Jeremy Slessor, Managing Director, European Golf Design | |||
| 1350 ~ 1415 PM | Sponsor Presentation | Sustainable Technology | Mr Gareth Knight, Senior Sales Manager – Indian Sub Continent, The Toro Company |
| 1415 PM ~ 1500 PM | Lunch | ||
| 1500 PM ~ 1510 PM | Power Presentation | Hydropaunics Capillary | Mr Kneale Diamond, Sales Manager – EMEAA, CapillaryFlow |
| 1510 PM ~ 1520 PM | Power Presentation | Enhancing Golf Course Visibility | Mr. Sumeru Bahuguna, Founder, Tee off India |
| 1520 PM ~ 1545 PM | Panel Discussion | Enhancing Member Experience: Innovations in Club Amenities and Services | Moderator – Mr Hari Narayan, President, The Bombay Presidency Golf Club |
| Mr Indraneel Mujgule, Vice President, The Poona Club Ltd. | |||
| Mr Jimmy Kuruvila, AVP Client Experience, Workspace | |||
| Mr Geet Wadhwa, Founder Partner, Skyline Golf | |||
| 1545 PM ~ 1615 PM | Panel Discussion | Maximizing Collaboration: Forging Partnerships Between Tour Operators, Golf Courses, and Hospitality Providers | Moderator – Mr Karan Bindra, Founder, K&A Golf Private Limited |
| Mr Tusch Daroga, Assistant Vice President, DLF Golf & Country Club | |||
| Mr Arun Iyer, Managing Director, My Golf Tours | |||
| Mr Rishi Mattu, General Manager, ITC Grand Bharat | |||
| Mr Ian Knox, Head, European Tour Destinations | |||
| Mr Aditya Malpani, Founder & CEO, Ace Golfing | |||
| 1615 PM ~ 1630 PM | Power Presentation | India’s Bright Golf Future | Mr Matthew Reise, Executive Director, Elite Golf Management |
| 1630 PM ~ 1700 PM | Sponsor Presentation | Sustainability | Mr Mohan Subramanian, International Sales Manager, Rain Bird Corp. – Golf Division |
| 1700 PM ~ 1715 PM | Fireside Chat | The Real Estate Perspective | Moderator – Mr Ravi Garyali, Treasurer, GIA |
| Mr Rohan Seolekar, CEO, Oxford Golf Resort | |||
| Mr Austin Roach, CEO, Clover Greens | |||
| 1715 PM ~ 1735 PM | Panel Discussion | Uplifting, Upgrading, and Expanding Golf Footprint in India | Moderator – Dr Himanshu Talwar, Director General, GIA |
| Mr Dhiraj Jha, Partner, Athletic Drive Apparel and Management (LLP) | |||
| Ms Indumathi Bhaskar, Founder, To The Tee Golf Academy | |||
| Mr Amit Nigam, Founder & Managing Director, Evolution Sport | |||
| Mr Aditya Kanitkar, Director, First Tee Golf Solutions Pvt. Ltd. | |||
| 1735 PM ~ 1800 PM | Panel Discussion | OEM’s vision for Business Potential and Ecosystem Growth in India | Moderator: Mr Anit Mehrotra, Vice President, GIA |
| Mr Kneale Diamond, Sales Manager – EMEAA, CapillaryFlow | |||
| Mr Mohan Subramanian, International Sales Manager, Rain Bird Corp. – Golf Division | |||
| Mr Gareth Knight, Senior Sales Manager – Indian Sub Continent, The Toro Company | |||
| Mr Chester Bloomfield, Regional Sales Manager, Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd. | |||
| 1800 ~ 1805 PM | Concluding Remarks | Dr Himanshu Talwar, Director General, GIA | |
| Break | |||
| 1815 PM ~ 1900 PM | Business Networking | ||
| 1900 PM Onwards | Cocktails and Dinner | ||
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Hon’ble Mr Kapil Dev | ||
| DAY – II | ||
| Friday, 18th October 2024 | ||
| Golf Owners Club Cup x 18 Holes Tournament | ||
| 0800 AM ~ 1200 PM | Inaguration by | Lt. Gn. Dhiraj Seth AVSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command |
| 1230 PM ~ 1300 PM | Exclusive Special Luncheon Session | |
| 1300 PM ~ 1400 PM | Financial Sustainability in Golf Club Management: Maximizing Revenue Streams and Controlling Costs | Golf Club Owners only |
| 1400 PM Onwards | Networking & Prize Distribution and High Tea | |
| Summit Program | Topic | Speakers Name |
| DAY – II | ||
| Friday, 18th October 2024 | ||
| 9:30 – 10:15 | Panel Discussion: Enhance Sustainability Practices on the Golf Course | Moderator: Mr Prateek Shah, Golf Course Superintendent, Hyderabad Golf Association |
| Mr R P Singh, Golf Course Superintendent, The Bombay Presidency Golf Club | ||
| Mr Andrew Harvey Johnston, General Manager, Sentosa Golf Club | ||
| Mr Clinton Southorn, Director – Construction & Agronomy, Troon International | ||
| Mr Gareth Knight, Senior Sales Manager – Indian Sub Continent, The Toro Company | ||
| 10:15 – 11:00 | 50 Years of Tips, Tricks, and Lessons Learned | Mr Bruce Williams, International T&O Manager, BRANDT |
| 11:00 – 11:45 | Strategies for Developing Consistently High-Performing Turf | Mr Brad Revill, Managing Director, BRT Agronomy |
| 11.45 – 12.30 | Factors Affecting Nutrients Absorption for Turf | Mr P N Nagabhushan, Agronomist, IPI |
| 12.30 – 13.15 | Presentation of Gareth Knight about: The Importance of High Quality Turf Cutting | Mr Gareth Knight, Senior Sales Manager – Indian Sub Continent, The Toro Company |
| 13.15 – 14.15 | Lunch | |
| 14:30 | Prize Distribution | |
