About
The expertise at the heart of GEO
Three core committees ensure the Golf Environment Organization delivers tangible outcomes through multilateral action.
Our Advisory Council provides experience, guidance and political influence to GEO. This group of senior leadership figures steer the organisation towards greater achievement.
Comprising representatives of all pan-European golf organisations, from Architects and Greenkeepers through to Owners and Managers, our European Industry Forum recognises that environmental issues are a common denominator for golf. Collaborative action gives the industry strength.
A partnership of universities, academic and research institutes promoting knowledge, understanding and environmental innovation in golf, the representatives of our Scientific Network ensure GEO's work is underpinned by good science.
Advisory Council
Björn Nordberg
European Tour, EGABjörn has represented Sweden and competed at the highest levels of amateur golf. Chair of the Advisory Council, he is EGA Honorary President, Swedish Golf Federation Past President and a European Tour Board Non-Executive Director.
Jaime Ortiz-Patiño
PGAE, Valderrama
A founding father of the environmental movement in golf, Don Jaime elevated Valderrama into one of the world's premier tournament venues and took the Ryder Cup to the continent of Europe for the first time in 1997.
Gordon Shepherd
WWF InternationalGordon served in advisory rôles for the British government before joining WWF in 1986. Highly regarded on the world stage, he has directed WWF's International Environmental Treaties and global policy work since 1990.
Manuel Agrellos
EGA, Federação Portuguesa de GolfPresident of the Portuguese Golf Federation and past president of the European Golf Association and PGAs of Europe, Manuel has served as a leader of both the professional and amateur games.
Angel Gallardo
European TourA member of the PGA European Tour from 1972 until 1982, Angel won the Italian Open in 1977 and finished 10th in the order of merit. He is the current European Tour Vice Chairman and has co-designed some of Europe's classic courses.
Colin Wood
EGA, Scottish Golf UnionA former President of the Scottish Golf Union and Chairman of the Scottish Golf Environment Group, Colin captained the European side in the Bonallack Trophy 2002 and 2004.
Lodewijk Klootwijk
European Golf Course Owners AssociationAlso a key member of the Industry Forum, Lodewijk provides a direct line of communication between GEO, the golf course owners of Europe and the many international owners' associations.
Professor Magnus Enell
IIIEEAdjunct Professor at the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics at the University of Lund in Sweden, Magnus is an expert in global environmental and climate change issues.
Dr Gordon McKillop
Sports Turf Research InstituteA zoologist specialising in wildlife behaviour, ecology and management, Gordon began working on ecological issues with the golf sector in 1990. He has been Chief Executive of the Sports Turf Research Institute since 2000.
Professor Paul Rooney
Liverpool Hope UniversityAn expert in duneland and coastal management, Paul is director of the Coastal Network Project and a council member of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.
Antonio Bozzi
EGA, Federazione Italiana GolfAn Executive Committee member of both the EGA and Federazione Italiana Golf, Tony is one of our longest serving Advisory Council members. He heads up the environmental programme of the FIG, and chairs the EGA golf course committee.
European Industry Forum
Erich Steiner
European Golf AssociationErich represents the European Golf Association and is the current Chair of the Industry Forum. A Landscape Architect and expert in sports surface technologies, he is also a member of the R&A Golf Course Committee.
Jerry Kilby
Club Managers Association of Europe
Now heading up the CMAE, Jerry brings considerable management experience to the Forum. He has spent over twenty years in senior golf positions, including 5 years at the Nad Al Sheba Club Dubai.
Jeremy Slessor
European Tour GroupJeremy learned his trade under Robert Trent Jones Snr and has been MD of European Golf Design since 1996. He is acutely aware of current trends in global golf development, and the technical and environmental issues that result.
Dean Cleaver
Federation of European Golf Greenkeeper AssociationsA pillar of GEO for over 10 years, FEGGA is the umbrella organisation for over 20 European golf greenkeeping associations. Dean and his team are the conduit between GEO and practitioners in the field.
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Lodewijk Klootwijk
European Golf Course Owners AssociationAlso a member of GEO's Advisory Council, Lodewijk provides a direct line of communication between GEO, the golf course owners of Europe and the many international owners' associations.
Dr Keith Duff
R&AA former chief scientist with English Nature, Keith provides the link between GEO's Industry Forum and, in his role as an advisory member, The R&A's Golf Course Committee.
Mike Wood
European Institute of Golf Course ArchitectsEnvironmental Convenor of the EIGCA, Mike is an EIA specialist and Landscape Architecture author. He also devised an education programme that has produced a new generation of golf architects.
Ian Randell
PGA's of EuropeChief Executive of the PGAE, Ian connects GEO with 17,000 golf professionals in 37 countries. He has previously distinguished himself as Chief Executive of the Ladies European Tour and British Universities Sports Association.
David Withers
Industry Manufacturers
Managing Director of Ransomes Jacobsen, David oversees an operation that stretches from Iceland to India. Under his leadership Ransomes became the first ISO14001 Certified golf maintenance equipment manufacturer.
Scientific Network
Maria Strandberg
Scandinavian Turfgrass and Environment Research FoundationChair of the Scientific Network, Maria is also director of STERF, an international centre of competence and knowledge in environmental aspects of turfgrass management.
Dr David Lawson
Sports Turf Research Institute
A respected researcher, David took up the position of Chemist with STRI in 1983. His specialist fields are turf nutrition and protection; soil chemistry, contamination, erosion and stabilisation.
Dr Jerry Knox
Cranfield UniversityWidely regarded as an expert in the fields of water and energy efficiency, Jerry is currently focussing his research on the impacts of climate change on water use. He is also developing a strategic water plan for the UK golf industry.
Dr Charles H. Peacock
North Carolina State UniversityApplying the experience he accrued while developing TurfFiles at NCSU, Charles has been leading the content identification for GEO's comprehensive knowledge section.
Dr Paolo Croce
Università di PisaComing from a long line of golf professionals, Paolo is the only one to break with family tradition and work in turfgrass. A staunch supporter of GEO since the early days, Paolo remains our warm-season turf specialist.
Conor Kretsch
COHAB InitiativeFounder and Director of the COHAB Initiative on biodiversity and health, and the Irish Golf Course Ecosystems Project, Conor’s expertise lies in the importance of healthy ecosystems to human well-being and economic security.
Dr Micah Woods
Asian Turfgrass CenterFormerly a golf course superintendent in China and Japan, Micah is President and Research Director of the Asian Turfgrass Center. He is an expert on turfgrass management in East and Southeast Asia.
