Governance

Gavin Kirkman

[email protected]

Stuart Hergt

[email protected]

Ian Baker-Finch

Appointed 2018

After winning 17 titles on all four major tours, Ian Baker-Finch retired from full-time competition in 1997, and for the last 20 years has dedicated his time and talent to television as a golf analyst. He was awarded an Australian Sports Medal in 2000 and was appointed Golf Team Leader for the men’s and women’s Australian Olympic golf teams for the Olympics in Rio ‘16 and again for Tokyo 2020. A Life Member of the PGA of Australia, Ian is a passionate advocate for the continued growth of the game worldwide. He previously served on the Board of Directors for the PGA
Tour of Australasia and was elected to the Board of Directors of the PGA of Australia in 2018.

Matthew Griffin

B.Com/B.Eco (Monash)

Appointed 2024

Matthew first earned his tournament professional card on the PGA Tour of Australasia in 2008, registering his first victory in 2011 at the South Pacific Open. This following the completion of a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Economics at Monash University. A total of six tournament wins across his career, Matthew has played events on all major tours across the world, winning the OneAsia Tour Order of Merit in 2013 and the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit in 2016. Matthew continues to balance his playing career, whilst spending more time at home to focus on among other things this role where he hopes to influence the playing opportunities and careers of current PGA Professionals.

Carole Brownlee

B. Com., FCPA, AICD

Appointed 2018

Carole Brownlee is an experienced financial executive who has worked with the Village Roadshow Group of Companies since 1991 and is currently the Chief Operating Officer for the Roadshow Films Group of Companies. She graduated from the Institute of Certified Practising Accountants and has senior Board experience within both commercial and Not For Profit enterprises. She is currently a Board Director for ActionAid Australia.

Stephen Hutchison

Appointed 2019

Stephen has been a member of the PGA since 1987 and during this time enjoyed a brief tournament career, capturing wins at the 1991 & 1992 New Britain Open in Papua New Guinea and the 1993 New Caledonian Open. Roles in teaching then followed with appointments at The Kooralbyn International School and Gulf Harbour Country Club in New Zealand. Relocating to the Sunshine Coast in 2001, Stephen took on the role of Director of Golf at Twin Waters Golf Club where he now holds the position of General Manager. Stephen served on the Qld/ NT Divisional Committee for 7 years (to 2019) and was the recipient of the inaugural 2017 PGA National Club Manager of the year award.

Paul Lappin

Appointed 2019

Paul is a Chartered Accountant, having worked for ten years in senior positions in Australia and USA with global professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers as well as running a successful strategic financial consultancy that provided support for business and
Government clients. He is an experienced executive and non-Executive Director, currently serving as the Chair of an International Artificial Intelligence Company within the meditech space, a director with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation and the Melbourne Fashion Festival
and former chairman roles in a national catering firm and a digital disruption firm. Paul provides independent and thoughtful advice to Government, business and community organisations, particularly in relation to building a strong strategic vision and corporate governance framework to ensure it can be achieved.

Richard Lazar

B.EC (Syd), F.P.R.I.A

Appointed 2010

Richard held the role of the Managing Director of Professional Public Relations one of Australasia’s most respected communication consultancies for over 35 years. Richard developed the organisation into Australia’s largest PR consultancy group with offices throughout Australia. New Zealand, Asia, Europe and North America. A Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of Australia, he has a longstanding and award winning career in issue management, public affairs, marketing, government and media relations. He has authored the leading Australian and New Zealand text book in this field.

Chris Crocker

Dip Golf M’ment

Appointed 2025

Chris became a full member of the PGA in 2004 and during this time has worked in a range of club and public facility roles across the industry. He commenced as the lead Professional at the Kingston Beach Golf Club, followed by an interstate move to the North Adelaide Golf Course, managed by the Adelaide City Council. During 6 plus years at North Adelaide, Chris progressed to a Team Leader position, before moving back into Clubs as the Golf Operations Manager at the Royal Adelaide Golf Club in 2015. Completing a Diploma in Golf Management in 2018, he was then promoted to Director of Golf in 2020, and Chris now manages the golf department at Royal Adelaide, incorporating Golf Operations, Pro Shop Services and Coaching, with the department employing a total of 7 PGA Members/Associates. Chris has served extensively on various PGA committees and council, first as the Chair of the South Australian Divisional Committee, and most recently as the South Australian VMC Representative.

Alison Watkins

Appointed 2022

Alison brings an abundance of commercial experience having served as Group Managing Director at Coca-Cola Amatil, Chief Executive Officer of ASX listed agribusiness GrainCorp Limited, CEO of Berri Limited and Managing Director of Regional Banking at ANZ.

Having previously held non-executive director roles at ANZ Banking Group Limited, Woolworths Limited and Just Group Limited, Watkins is currently a member of the Reserve Bank of Australia Board, a non-executive Director of CSL Limited and Wesfarmers Limited, Chancellor of the University of Tasmania and a director of The Centre of Independent Studies.