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ONE of the backroom team at the Royal Golf Club (RGC) has received international recognition from the course’s management company for his passionate endeavours to keep the fairways and greens at Riffa Views in mint condition despite the harsh desert environment.
Barbar Asghar was recognised as the 2017 Troon International Associate of The Year at the recent Annual Troon Leadership Conference heldin Scottsdale, Arizona, US.
Pakistani Asghar, who is the RGC’swater resources manager, has been instrumental in the overall oversight of the club’s irrigation source, which has resulted in ‘exemplary conditioning’ on both golf courses, all while reducing expenditures to the facility.
His speciality is reverse osmosis, a water purification technology that removes ions, molecules and larger particles from drinking water.
“I am surprised and honoured,” he told GolfWeekly. “It was a huge personal achievementto be singled out from around 10,000-plus employees for this coveted award.”
Father-of-two Asghar, 37, comes from Okara in the Punjab region, and studied mechanical engineering and membrane technology. He first came to Bahrain in 2002 and worked for Sea Tec for 10 years, rising to the role of operation engineer.
He has now spent five years at Bahrain International Golf Course Company and put his success down to having a ‘constant thirst for knowledge’ and keeping up with all the latest news and developments in the industry.
His biggest challenges are tackling fast water evaporation during the summer months and as the water used is blended with treated sewage effluent, maintaining water quality remains essential. High temperatures also create bacteria such as bryozoans which can block the irrigation sprinkler system.
His$1,000 prize will be put to good use too. “I will use the moneyto continue my online studies of lake management as well as formy membership dues of non-profit organisations related to my field, such as IDA (International Desalinisation Association),” heexplained.
Colleagues at RGC are delighted with his success andimpressed by his dedication. “In addition to exceeding expectations in his own role, Barbar also assists the facility maintenance team when needed and has spearheaded improvements to our irrigation offering to our landscape clients,” added Stephen Havrilla, Royal Golf Club General Manager. “He has even created new revenue streams for the club through offering reverse osmosis plant chemicals, parts and consultancy services to various clients in Bahrain.
“Babar exemplifies a Troon associate, and the Royal Golf Club team is very proud that his efforts have been recognised at an international level.”
