4.05pm 2nd December 2024 - <a href="https://golfbusinessnews.com/news/greenkeeping/">Greenkeeping & Agronomy</a> <br><a>Héctor Fórcen is to join The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service in January as its new agronomist for Central Europe.</a><br>He will attend the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) – the premier turf management exhibition in Europe – to engage the golf community and share his extensive expertise.<br>In his new role, Héctor will provide agronomic support to golf facilities across Central Europe, including Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, and neighbouring countries. <br>With decades of experience in sustainable golf course management, Héctor’s leadership will be instrumental in advancing the sport’s commitment to environmentally responsible practices.<br>“Joining The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service is an incredible milestone in my career,” said Héctor Forcén. “As someone who has lived and breathed golf my entire life, I am thrilled to contribute to the game in such a meaningful way. This role allows me to combine my technical expertise in agronomy with my passion for sustainability, working closely with courses to deliver exceptional playing surfaces and best-practice greenkeeping methods while respecting and preserving the environment.”<br>Héctor’s journey into agronomy began when, as a young golfer, he realised that his skills on the course would not take him to a professional level. Instead, his passion for the sport guided him towards agronomy. After earning a degree in Agricultural Technical Engineering from the University, Héctor took on roles in course construction and maintenance, which laid the foundation for his career.<br>“I have always been fascinated by the connection between golf courses and nature,” Héctor explained. “In agronomy, I saw the opportunity to dedicate my time and passion to the sport I love, working with competitions, players, and course management. It is an extraordinary privilege to be paid for something that feels more like a calling than a job.”<br>Over the years, Héctor has held prestigious roles, including Course Manager at leading courses in Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland. His career highlights include preparing courses for the DP World Tour, PGA Tour, and Asian Tour events, and being involved in events such as The Open, Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup, and consulting on sustainable practices across Europe and the Middle East.<br>“The first professional tournament event I worked in Scotland was a turning point for me,” Héctor said. “Seeing the scale of preparation, the infrastructure, and the passion that goes into creating a world-class event left an indelible mark on me. I have carried that inspiration throughout my career.”<br>Héctor is renowned for his dedication to sustainable course management, focusing on integrating environmental best practices into every aspect of agronomy. For the past six years, he has also worked as an independent verifier for GEO, an organisation that grants sustainability certifications for golf courses. This role has enabled him to visit and support courses in France, the UAE, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, and other regions, further expanding his understanding of diverse landscapes and operational needs.<br>Héctor said: “It has been incredibly rewarding to help courses across Europe and beyond to adopt eco-friendly strategies that protect resources while enhancing the golfing experience.”<br>He also emphasised the importance of adaptability in his work. “Over the years, I have had the privilege of working in different countries with a variety of cultures, religions, and management styles,” he says. “This has taught me how to adapt to the unique needs of each team, creating tailored solutions that reflect their specific circumstances.”<br><strong><em>For more information visit <a href="mailto:sustainableagronomy@randa.org">sustainableagronomy@randa.org</a> or <a href="http://www.randa.org/sustainability/agronomy">www.randa.org/sustainability/agronomy</a>.</em></strong><br>St Andrews Links Trust, the charitable organisation responsible for the management of the seven links courses at St Andrews, has published a commemorative brochure to celebrate its 50th anniversary. <br>Under-16s are to be offered free membership at SRUC Elmwood Golf Club in Scotland as part of new plans to widen access to the sport.<br>Yorkshire-based golf mental performance coaching company Underpin Sports has appointed Chris Hargreaves as its business development manager to drive business growth across the UK.<br><a href="https://twitter.com/home?status=https://golfbusinessnews.com/news/greenkeeping/the-ra-sustainable-agronomy-service-announces-key-hire/" rel="noopener" data-via="eGolfBusiness" data-hashtags="GolfBusinessNews">Share on Twitter</a> <br><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://golfbusinessnews.com/news/greenkeeping/the-ra-sustainable-agronomy-service-announces-key-hire/&title=The+R%26amp%3BA+Sustainable+Agronomy+Service+announces+key+hire&source=GolfBusinessNews.com" rel="noopener">Share on LinkedIn</a><br>GolfBusinessNews.com (GBN) is for the many thousands of people who work in the golf business all around the world.<br>We cover the full range of topics both on and off the course. 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