DA NANG, VIETNAM — The NZ Sports Turf Institute (NZSTI), a member of the Labosport Group, has officially launched the inaugural R&A Certificate in Greenkeeping. The first-ever delivery of this endorsed qualification took place at the Hoiana Resort & Golf in Da Nang, Vietnam, from June 22 to 26, 2026.
Starting the week in the front of the famous clock tower
The program brought together 16 greenkeeping professionals, including 15 from various golf facilities across Vietnam and one from Singapore. The five-day intensive session focused on classroom learning, practical course-side instruction, and professional development.
Managed under the stewardship of The R&A, one of golf's international governing bodies, the Certificate in Greenkeeping is designed to establish a globally recognized qualification. The initiative aims to elevate standards of golf course management and turf care across worldwide jurisdictions, reflecting a commitment to growing the sport from the ground up.
Learners receiving a presentation from The R&A Director
of Education on Sustainable Golf
"The R&A is committed to opening golf to the world, and skilled, educated greenkeeping staff are essential to achieving to achieving that mission," said Jackie Davidson CMDip, Director of Education at The R&A. "The successful delivery of this inaugural programme in Vietnam marks a significant step forward for the development of the sport in Southeast Asia."
The coastal venue of Hoiana Shores Golf Club served as both the host facility and a practical classroom, providing participants with real-world context for turfgrass identification, practical assessments, and core greening techniques.
Hoiana Shores Golf Club. (C) Hoiana.com, 2026. All Rights Reserved
"Hoiana Shores is honoured to have hosted this landmark programme," stated Dr. Aylwin Tai, CCM, CCE, representing Hoiana Resort and Golf. "Investing in the education and development of our greenkeeping professionals is central to our mission of delivering exceptional golf experiences, and we are delighted to have played a role in a first that will be remembered across the region."
Developed and delivered by NZSTI, the full qualification is a 12-month blended vocational program. It combines face-to-face sessions, distance learning, and structured workplace mentoring.
Certificate in Greenkeeping is a 12 month blended learning programme featuring face-to-face, distance learning and workplace mentoring to achieve the programme outcomes.
To support the regional cohort, all educational materials and hard-copy resources are available in both English and Vietnamese. A cloud-based online learning portal allows students to switch languages via a dropdown menu, converting all text, instructions, and captions instantly.
Examples of the hard copy learner resources in Vietnamese and English
The digital platform operates across desktop and mobile devices, supporting photo evidence uploads for assessments and a built-in messaging tool for one-on-one or group communications between learners, mentors, and NZSTI assessors.
All learning resources are also accessible soft copy,
the learner can select their preferred language from a dropdown menu and all content,
instructions and captions change into the learners preferred language.
The learning and assessment portal operates in both desktop (left) and
mobile (right) environments and allows for photo evidence uploads,
and also includes a built-in messenger tool that
operates in 1: to many or 1:1 conversations.
"Delivering the inaugural R&A Certificate in Greenkeeping here at Hoiana Shores is a proud moment for NZSTI and for the broader Labosport Group," said Lindsay Robertson, Manager of Training & Technology Solutions at NZSTI. "Being entrusted with developing and delivering this programme on behalf of The R&A is an immense honour and a responsibility we don't take lightly. These learners will get the full benefit of a truly blended vocational education experience."
Face to face learning in a 'classroom' environment
Turfgrass identification
Face-to-face learning in a workplace environment
(in this case a recently cored green)
Learners presenting their results from a practical activity back to
the group and the tutors (the latter via live translation)
The geographic diversity of the initial class highlights a rising demand for formalized turf management education in Southeast Asia. Following the conclusion of this first phase, instructors are scheduled to return to Vietnam in October 2026 to deliver the progression course.
A successful conclusion to the first phase,
we return to deliver the progression course in October 2026
Organizers have confirmed that preparation is already underway to expand the registration and delivery of the R&A Certificate in Greenkeeping to other major markets, including India and China.
For further information on the programme https://online.fliphtml5.com/labosport/ifqk/
Alternatively to register your interest in the programme Certificate in Greenkeeping Registration – General – Fill out form
