The global branch of UGolf – the world’s sixth largest golf management company – has teamed up with the innovative turf IT experts to further improve the playing conditions being offered to members and guests at the golf club, which was the first to open in Rwanda in 2021.

Starting from this month, SKIM will use its ground-breaking software to remotely provide the greenkeeping team at Kigali with a weekly update on key data to enable them to accurately monitor turf conditions on its golf course, driving range and other practice facilities.

Using AI and multispectral satellite imagery, the real-time diagnostics will include detailed, precise and accurate assessment of the turfgrass’ condition – from vegetation indices and soil moisture to even analysing nutrients in the plant tissue.

UGolf International has played a significant role in the development and growth of Kigali since it opened three years ago. Working with the local government and creating outreach projects to take golf into the local community, the club’s membership has quickly risen to more than 500 players, and Nathanaël Pietrzak-Swirc, CEO of UGOLF International, believes the new collaboration with SKIM can help the rapid progress continue.

“Africa as a continent is a really interesting market and we’re confident that it will grow and develop in the next ten years,” said Pietrzak-Swirc.

“UGolf International wants to be at the forefront of this development, and partnerships like the one that we have just agreed with SKIM at Kigali are essential in providing our golfers with the best experience possible. The team at SKIM has a very impressive product and we’re looking forward to seeing what they can deliver in the coming months.”

Kigali is the first UGolf International venue to use SKIM, whose innovative approach to turf management helped the Polish-based company win the ‘Best New Product 2024 Award’ at this year’s PGA Merchandise Show in Florida.

Frederic Paczkowski, general manager of SKIM Turf Management, said: “We believe that technology and data will continuously impact turf management, so we are very honoured and excited to collaborate with UGOLF International. SKIM supports the common goal to empower golf courses with data thanks to precise, frequent and automated diagnostics of the entire golf course surface, remotely, through an easy-to-use interface for employees.”

UGolf is the world’s sixth biggest golf club management company, currently managing 124 venues in eight countries across three continents, primarily in France where the group looks after 100 courses.

In addition to Rwanda, UGolf International manages UGolf’s golf club operations in Spain, Germany, Madagascar, French Polynesia and New Caledonia and Egypt as the group targets a rapid global expansion of the business.

For more information on UGOLF International and UGOLF, visit https://jouer.golf/