PROMOTION AT ICELAND CLUB FOR ELMWOOD COLLEGE GRADUATE

FROM THE R AND A WEBSITE
Daniel Harley graduated from Scotland’s Elmwood College in 2008 with a HND in Golf Course Management, having taken full advantage of the support of an R and A Greenkeeping Scholarship.
After living in Iceland for six years he has now been appointed Head Greenkeeper at the Keilir Golf Club, near Reykjavik; one of the more naturalised and scenic courses to be found anywhere in the world.
Daniel was appointed to his management position after the previous Head Greenkeeper, Olafur Agustsson, was asked to take over the role of Director of Golf. Agustsson also sits on the Board of the Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Associations (FEGGA).
The two work as a team, and Daniel is under no illusions as to the expectations of the Club, which match his own.
“Here at Keilir we are trying to provide a standard of golf that will be acceptable to the European Tour, and be recognised as an international destination for both amateur and professional players.
“I understand that minimising inputs into a golf course actually produces better playing surfaces and a truer test of skill, while also enabling the course to cope with our tough climate. Our natural terrain of lava rock and links fairways provide a real test, and I want to ensure that we set an example to others when it comes to the Sustainability Agenda.”
Keilir Golf Club also has a very active junior golf programme which makes full use of it’s driving range, a facility that was part-funded by The R and A.
“We are currently running a winter programme for some 140 dedicated youths,” explained Agustsson. “Before the Club's all-year-round driving range was opened in 2008, we had only some 20 to 30 youths practicing golf full-time during the winter.
“We are very proud of the growth and success of our junior programme over the last few years. We are building golf for the future and that is why we emphasise so much on our junior golf programme. In encouraging the young people in the community to take up golf, we are showing our commitment to the local community.”
Golf in Iceland is healthy. Ten per cent of the population play and demand for the game is high. Courses sit naturally in their surroundings and the game is affordable and accessible for all.