Killara Golf Club hosted the 2017 NSW/ACT PGA Trainee Graduation and Awards Dinner last Friday evening, celebrating the achievements of 28 PGA Trainees graduating to Full Vocational Membership of the Association.

The night was attended by a host of PGA Life Members including the most recent inductee, Mr Ron Luxton. The former Head Professional at The Australian Golf Club welcomed the newest Members to the Association and wished them well in their future golf industry endeavors.

The PGA Life Members were joined by NSW/ACT Vocational Committee members, PGA staff, Acushnet representatives and many family and friends of the graduating class.

Each graduate had a long list of people to thank including partners, family and friends, their indenturing PGA Professional, their golf club, sponsors and the PGA.

A common theme throughout the night was the excitement at now being full Members of the Association and how they are looking forward to embarking on long careers within the golf industry and growing the game they all love.

The 2017 NSW/ACT PGA Trainee of the Year Award winner was also announced on the night, with Third Year Trainee Robbie Hogan taking out the award for the second straight year.

Hogan finished fifth nationally in the Titleist-Footjoy Performance Rankings with an adjusted average of -0.43. He successfully defended his 2016 QLD PGA Trainee Championship title at Indooroopilly Golf Club and had a number of solid results with runner-up finishes at the VIC/TAS PGA Trainee Championship, NSW/ACT PGA Trainee Championship and Futures.

Academically, Hogan finished his third year requirements with distinctions in game development and management and credits for coaching and small business. The talented player hailing from the NSW Central Coast is utilising his PGA Trainee Graduate exemption category to secure starts in as many ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia events as possible this year.

PGA Trainee Graduates – Class of 2017

• Mitchell Ballard
• Matthew Bate
• Andrew Booth
• John Burrough
• Julia Camarsh
• Heath Canning
• Adam Cecil
• Christopher Clunes
• Michael Cole
• Jimmy Edge
• Alex Emmerson
• Robbie Hogan
• Aliza Huff
• Daniel Kim
• Molly Lavercombe
• Tamarra Livanos
• Regan McGovern
• Max Miller
• Luke Morrison
• Tom Perfect
• Matt Robertson
• Travis Roweth
• Jarrad Santi
• Trent Smith
• Andrew Thompson
• Rowan Thomson
• Joel Troy
• Marco Zirov