PGA Professionals from across the country will converge on the picturesque Hamilton Island Golf Club next week for the PGA Professionals Championship.

The 2018 championship marks the seventh consecutive staging on the island course and will see 50 professionals compete over three rounds for the lion’s share of $55,000 in prize money.

Along with the prestigious moniker of PGA Professionals champion, the leading two male professionals will book a spot alongside Marc Leishman, Cameron Smith and Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston at the Australian PGA Championship.

Lisa Jean and Elissa-Jayne Orr also have a chance at securing a spot in the Women’s Vic Open in 2019, whoever leads out of the pair at the end of the championship will earn a start in the Ladies European Tour event with $1.5 million on offer.

“Our PGA Professionals are considered some of the best in the world at what they do and the PGA Professionals Championship is a fitting way to celebrate their playing achievements,” said Stuart Hergt, Chief Operating Officer at the PGA of Australia.

“These men and women are at the forefront of our game from grassroots and junior participation all the way through to the elite touring level. The week at Hamilton Island gives us a chance to acknowledge their contribution to the game as well as acknowledge the competitive streak they all possess as PGA professionals.

“We wish them all the best of luck and look forward to seeing the leading pros tee it up in the Australian PGA Championship and next year’s Vic Open.”

The field includes a number of debutants at Hamilton Island this week including Jacob Boyce (Maryborough Golf Club) and Marco Zirov (The Coast Golf Club) both are in just their first year as a fully qualified PGA Professionals after completing the PGA Traineeship program.

They are joined by former ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australaisa and Japan Golf Tour champion Scott Laycock (Pakenham Golf Club) while Anthony Choat (Massey Park Golf Club) will have the benefit of experience on the biggest stage after he flies in from The Lakes following his tilt at the Emirates Australian Open.

Laycock will also represent Victoria alongside Lisa Jean as they attempt to defend the Vicars Shield, a state based competition run in conjunction with the championship.

They will all need to overcome Matthew Docking from Royal Hobart Golf Club, the Tasmanian pro shooting for an unprecedented fourth Dan Cullen Cup.

For the full list of competitors in the 2018 PGA Professionals Championship, visit pga.org.au.

For round one tee times, visit pga.org.au.

Further information on the Hamilton Island Amateur Golf Championship can be found via the Hamilton Island Golf Club.