With two positions in the Australian PGA Championship on offer, 50 of Australia’s
leading Vocational PGA Professionals will tomorrow take on the challenging Hamilton
Island Golf Club at the PGA Professionals Championship.

Having qualified at different locations around the country,
Professionals will be playing for $55,000 in prizemoney at the three round
tournament held on the picturesque Hamilton Island Golf Club. The leading two
male Professionals at the PGA Professionals Championship will qualify to tee it
up alongside Adam Scott on the Gold Coast from 1-4 December at the European
Tour co-sanctioned Australian PGA Championship.

Having won the tournament in both 2014 and 2015, Matt Docking is
looking forward to the opportunity to be just the second player in the event’s
history to win the tournament in three consecutive years.

"I have recently moved from New South Wales to Queensland to take on
the role of Head Professional at Gailes Golf Club so I haven’t had the ideal
preparation. But I probably know this golf course better than most so I definitely
think I have a fighting chance of a three peat," said Docking.

The only player to win the tournament three times in a row is
Queenslander Brad Burns who has qualified for the first time since the
tournament moved to Hamilton Island.

"Last time I won this tournament was in 2005 when I was the Head
Professional at Murray Downs Golf Club. I now spend a lot of my time playing on
the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour so I am going to have to play some of my best golf
to keep up with these young guys," mentioned Burns.

While PGA Professionals spend most of their time growing the game at
the grass roots level, the Australian PGA Professionals Championship provides
them the opportunity to show off their playing skills.

"We are very proud of our vocational PGA Professionals ability to grow
the game via their coaching and varied services provided to the industry. But
this week we have the opportunity to see the other side of our PGA
Professionals as they display their playing skills at a uniquely Australian
golfing venue," said Gavin Kirkman, Chief Membership Officer of the PGA of
Australia.

"Many PGA Professionals have previously had successful playing careers
before turning to other avenues of the industry and it is these rounded skills
and knowledge that make PGA Professionals such valuable assets to the further
development of our game."

In addition to playing for the main prize purse, two female PGA Professionals,
Jade Fisher and Samantha Whittle, will be competing at the PGA Professionals
Championship. As an added incentive; the leading female will gain a position in
the ALPG’s Vic Women’s Open in 2017.

Alongside the 50 Professionals are 52 amateurs who will compete for the
Hamilton Island Amateur Golf Championship, competing for more than $5,000 in
prizes including two nights in the five star luxury resort Qualia.

A full list of all qualifiers for the PGA Professionals Championship
please click here.