He took Greg Norman to the top of world golf. Now here’s your free lesson from PGA Life Member Charlie Earp

I’ve had an amazing journey in golf. When I look back at what the sport has given me it’s a fair list. I spent 45 years at Royal Queensland Golf Club as the Head Pro and was President of the Queensland PGA (Division) for nearly 23 years.

But two things that really stand out are helping start up the Sunshine Tour in Queensland and the Monday pro-am circuit. I’d have to say they are the best things I’ve done in my role with the PGA because what they ultimately did for golf in this country was significant. Of course I got a great thrill being a state and Australian coach and working with Greg Norman, Wayne Grady, Karrie Webb and even Jason Day – some of our finest ever players. I always felt when people were determined to do something in the game they were easy to coach.

During the 1950s we were still recovering from the war and opportunities were still being created. Having been brought up in the bush, I eventually moved to the Gold Coast as a mad footballer and cricketer. I had never played golf before and had actually never been on a golf course. But I’ve always been a very competitive person, no matter what I am doing. So it was only a matter of time before I would find golf ­– or it would find me. People often ask me what’s been the secret to my longevity in the game? It’s simple: the reason I’ve stuck at it for so long is because golf is full of a lot of great people. That’s the key to happiness.

Club Pros are one in a million. The Club Pro is the backbone of the game of golf – I don’t care what anyone says. The first person you see when you walk into a golf club is the Club Pro. They’re the people who get golfers on the course. They’re the people who run all the competitions. They’re the people who serve customers in the pro shop. They’re the people who ultimately keep golfers in our game. I think as a sport we have never really taken the time to really look at the great lengths Club Pros go to grow our game. Guys like Paul King up here in Queensland, Tommy Moore, Alex and David Mercer down in Sydney. What people like these gentlemen have done for Australian golf is remarkable.

I’ve had the pleasure of helping Jason Day with his game and to see him dominating the sport in recent times is such a big relief. I think for somebody who came to that fork in the road during his early years, a place where he could have gone either way in life, I’m just so happy he chose the right path because he’s an extraordinary talent who is the model example of where attitude and work ethic can take you in this sport.

I might be out of order saying this but I don’t know whether golf needs to be back in the Olympics. My old mate Dawn Fraser always said you should be proud to represent your country but our guys do it every week on tour. It’s the same with tennis players – most of them don’t want to go over and play in the Olympics because they’re in the same boat. They travel the world year-round representing their country and playing for iconic trophies and a lot of money … too much money if you ask me. In golf we’ve got the World Cup and The Presidents Cup and they’re basically Olympic-size events anyway.

I’m looking forward to the day where we have a golf tournament that pits the Northern Hemisphere against the Southern Hemisphere. It will include the world’s best professional men and women along with the best amateur players and juniors, too. Everyone will be included and while it will take some sponsorship dollars to get it off the ground, it will happen and it will be the greatest thing to ever happen to golf.

If a person wants to become a Professional golfer they need to sacrifice a lot and dedicate themselves. You don’t see racehourses hanging around bars and staying up to 2am, chasing fillies all night. They’re in bed early, up training at the crack of dawn and keeping themselves fit and strong. It’s the same with golfers. You need to be physically and mentally fit to succeed in this sport today.

The great Ben Hogan once asked one of my students how often do you train? He replied, "About 3-4 hours a day, sir." Hogan quickly fired back, "Son, there’s a lot more daylight left after your four hours." And that’s the attitude today’s Professionals must have. Wayne Grady used to practise until his calluses started bleeding – true story.

If there’s one tip I can give a budding young PGA Pro it’s not to become too mechanical. Use what you have been given and play to your strengths. As soon as you try to reinvent the wheel with your swing and set-up, that’s when things go horribly wrong.  

I really think the PGA of Australia is in a great place. So much work has clearly been put in and we have people running the game today who really want it to succeed. To get where we are today, with so many great success stories and programs in place, somebody must be doing the right thing. –

The remarkable resume of Charlie Earp OAM
Career Highlight Coached Greg Norman and Wayne Grady
1958 Appointed Head Pro at Royal Queensland Golf Club
1962 Became president of the Queensland PGA (Division)
1978 Awarded Life Membership of the PGA of Australia
1982 Appointed Queensland state coach of both the senior and junior teams
1987 Assisted in setting up the Greg Norman Junior Golf Foundation
1990 Inducted into the Sports Australia Hall of Fame as an Associate (Coaching) Member
1993 Awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his services to golf
2000 Presented with PGA Lifetime Achievement Award
2003 Retired from his position at Royal Queensland Golf Club in 2003 after 45 years
Current Patron of Junior Golf Queensland