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One of the unsung heroes of the Australian golf industry, Ray Walkerden, has passed at the age of 90.
Founder of Walkerden Golf in 1977, Walkerden passed suddenly last week having left an indelible mark on Australian golf.
The Managing Director of a successful pharmaceuticals company in Thailand, Walkerden was invited to make a career switch in his early 40s to become partners with colleague Geoff Howarth in a newly-established golf accessories business.
Sensing the opportunity to provide a more complete service to PGA Professionals and golf clubs throughout Australia than was being provided by major distributors, Walkerden drew parallels with what he had experienced in the pharmaceuticals game.
As Howarth covered Newcastle and northern New South Wales, Walkerden went on the road, covering an estimated 1 million kilometres travelling from golf club to golf club.
Such were his travels that Walkerden once received an award from Mercedes Benz acknowledging the 250,000 kilometres he had covered in the space of just four years.
Specialising in software such as headwear, apparel, socks and accessories, Walkerden grew the business to the point where Walkerden Golf became the Australian distributors for Softspikes, Texace and Lyle & Scott, among others.
Walkerden became sole proprietor in 1981 and developed it into very much a family business, wife Brigita taking care of the accounts back in Sydney as she raised their two boys, Brent and Clinton, both of whom continue to build on the Walkerden Golf legacy.
A club golfer at Oatlands Golf Club in Sydney, Walkerden received the Services to Golf Industry Award at the PGA Show dinner in 2002, the highest honour that the PGA can bestow on a non-Member.
“Dad’s golfing highlight was winning the C Grade Club Championship one year but to be recognised by golf professionals for his services to the industry was something he clearly treasured,” said Clinton.
In addition to servicing PGA Professionals in their retail business, Walkerden Golf was a long-time supporter of the PGA’s Trainee Program, further entrenching their positive influence on the Australian golf industry.
PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman paid tribute to the contribution Walkerden made to PGA Professionals and golfers across Australia.
“Sourcing equipment back in the 1980s and 1990s was not as easy as it is now,” Kirkman said.
“I first met Ray in 1990 and he was passionate about providing a complete service to PGA Professionals far and wide.
“Many thousands of golfers across the country will have purchased equipment distributed by Walkerden Golf without perhaps understanding the effort it took to put various items in their pro shop.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of Ray’s passing but will never forget the contribution that Walkerden Golf has and continues to make to golf in Australia.”
Presidents Cup Captain Assistant’s Geoff Ogilvy has declared Min Woo Lee a “captain’s dream” as the International Team looks to find ways to counter the might of an American team led by rampant world No.1 Scottie Scheffler.
On the day that Scheffler completed his win at the RBC Heritage to back up his second Masters victory, Ogilvy was announced as one of four Captain’s Assistants by Captain Mike Weir for the biennial matches to be played at Royal Montreal Golf Club from September 24-29. Ernie Els, Trevor Immelman and Camilo Villegas were also named Captain’s Assistants.
In current standings, Lee and Jason Day would be the only two automatic qualifiers from Australia for the 12-man team with Adam Scott and Cam Davis in the frame to either qualify or receive one of six captain’s picks.
It will be the fourth time that Ogilvy has served as a captain’s assistant and the 2006 US Open champion believes the International team is getting ever closer to breaking the stranglehold the US has possessed for the past 26 years.
Key to that may be debutant Lee, whose energy and crowd engagement Ogilvy saw first-hand at the Australian PGA Championship last November.
“I would’ve thought he’d be a captain’s dream bringing in what he brings,” said Ogilvy.
“Everybody saw at home at the PGA last year at Royal Queensland how he can take the crowd along with him. He’s that sort of guy.
“He brings such enthusiasm with an unbelievable game as well. He’s clearly world-class, one of the best young players in the world, but he’s going to bring excitement and the fist pumps and all that sort of stuff.
“When the other players see that, even if they’re not in the same group, the messages get around the golf course. If Min is getting excited and doing his thing, it inspires other groups and other players to do the same thing.
“He’s tailor made for something like this.”
Business dinner in Orlando with Captain @MWeirsy and the boys 🍽️#IntlTeam pic.twitter.com/8j3VXT5rbN
— Presidents Cup International Team (@IntlTeam) March 6, 2024
On the back of his commitment to represent Australia at the Paris Olympics, Day is also set for a return to Presidents Cup competition for the first time since 2017.
Day first qualified for the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in 2011 but injuries and form have kept him from participating in the past two matches.
Given his form the past 18 months and experience at the highest level, Ogilvy said that he will be a welcome addition to the 2024 International Team.
“It is great to have him back. It looks like he’s set to be back,” Ogilvy added.
“He brings a lot of experience and in these things, experience is quite important. It’s not everything, but it’s quite important.
“Clearly, he’d be happy to be sent out against anybody. He’s not going to be intimidated playing against anybody.
“His body seems to be back and he seems to have a bit of a lighter sort of feeling on the golf course.
“I think it got a bit heavy for him, but he seems to be in a really good spot.”
As for his own aspirations to potentially captain the International Team at the 2028 Presidents Cup at Kingston Heath Golf Club in his home city of Melbourne, Ogilvy couldn’t hide his interest.
“I’ve thought about it. If I had that job, that would be amazing, obviously,” said the 46-year-old.
“I’d be a captain’s assistant for the next 25 of these if they let me. It’s just such a good week.
“If I got the chance, it’d be amazing. But as long as they keep asking me to come along, I’m going to be happy.”
Photo: Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty
South Australian Wade Ormsby has delivered his best result in more than a year with a runner-up finish at the Asian Tour’s Saudi Open in Saudi Arabia.
Winner of the International Series Thailand last March, Ormsby began the final round needing to make up nine shots on runaway leader, American John Catlin.
Playing in the final group, Ormsby threw everything he had, hitting 16 of 18 greens in a superb round of 7-under 64.
It was enough to secure outright second as Catlin continued his dominant run with a 5-under par 66 and seven-shot triumph.
“John had a big lead, it was difficult, you just want to go out and play as well as you can,” said Ormsby.
“I played great, probably one little blemish on number five. There were a couple of potential tiny openings there, but he closed the door straight away.
“I am really happy with the way I played. First week after 10 years with a new caddie, Mike, so it’s nice to get off on the right foot.”
Four of the 18 Aussies in the field in Saudi Arabia finished the week inside the top 10.
The ageless Scott Hend set a cracking early pace and held on to earn a share of eighth, Maverick Antcliff (64) and Aaron Wilkin (70) logging top-20 finishes.
The women’s game crowned Nelly Korda a major champion for a second time at The Chevron Championship as Gabi Ruffels and Stephanie Kyriacou ended the week as the leading Aussies.
It marked Korda’s fifth consecutive LPGA Tour win, matching the all-time record that she now shares with Nancy Lopez (1978) and Annika Sorenstam (2004-2005).
Congratulations to Nelly Korda on her second major title and fifth straight @LPGA victory.
— WPGA Tour of Australasia (@WPGATour) April 22, 2024
It was a week at @Chevron_Golf where we made some history of our own, via @TonyWebeck.
Final wrap: https://t.co/KPELgo9OOc pic.twitter.com/e22daAK4Mp
Ruffels sat just outside the top 10 entering the final round but endured a difficult finish, including a double-bogey on the 72nd hole.
Harrison Endycott was tied for 33rd at the Corales Puntacana Championship but Jason Day and Cam Davis will have to wait an extra day to know their final result after the RBC Heritage was forced into a Monday finish.
Day (66) and Davis (67) both completed their fourth rounds as Masters champion Scottie Scheffler established a five-stroke lead with three holes to play at Harbour Town Golf Links.
The Australian flag was prominent too on the PGA TOUR Champions, Steve Allan’s first top-five finish leading the way at the Invited Celebrity Classic in Texas.
Photo: Jason Butler/Getty Images
Results
LPGA Tour
The Chevron Championship
The Club at Carlton Woods, The Woodlands, Texas
1 Nelly Korda 68-69-69-69—275 $US1.2m
T40 Stephanie Kyriacou 72-69-73-75—289 $37,299
T40 Gabriela Ruffels 69-73-70-77—289 $37,299
T54 Robyn Choi 73-73-69-77—292 $23,365
T70 Sarah Kemp 70-73-75-80—298 $15,150
T72 Karis Davidson 72-74-74-79—299 $14,515
MC Grace Kim 76-72—148
MC Hannah Green 77-72—149
MC Minjee Lee 74-77—151
MC Hira Naveed 78-77—155
Asian Tour
Saudi Open presented by PIF
Riyadh Golf Club, Saudia Arabia
1 John Catlin 65-67-62-66—260 $US180,000
2 Wade Ormsby 66-69-68-64—267 $110,000
T8 Scott Hend 66-67-70-71—274 $22,950
T14 Maverick Antcliff 67-73-72-64—276 $13,850
T17 Aaron Wilkin 73-64-70-70—277 $10,672.73
T28 Jordan Zunic 72-67-71-68—278 $8,280
T28 Harrison Crowe 68-71-70-69—278 $8,280
T37 Jack Thompson 71-70-67-72—280 $6,800
T43 Travis Smyth 70-72-69-71—282 $5,450
T62 Sam Brazel 70-72-73-72—287 $3,050
MC Justin Warren 67-76—143
MC Jed Morgan 73-70—143
MC Lachlan Barker 69-74—143
MC Daniel Gale 76-68—144
MC Todd Sinnott 70-74—144
MC Deyen Lawson 73-71—144
MC Zach Murray 73-73—146
MC Kevin Yuan 71-75—146
MC Doug Klein 73-79—152
PGA TOUR
Corales Puntacana Championship
Puntacana Resort & Club (Corales Cse), Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
1 Billy Horschel 67-69-66-63—265 $US720,000
T33 Harrison Endycott 68-70-71-69—278 $22,800
Ladies European Tour
Joburg Ladies Open
Modderfontein Golf Club, South Africa
1 Chiara Tamburlini 70-68-67-70—275 €45,000
MC Amy Walsh 81-80—161
Korn Ferry Tour
LECOM Suncoast Classic
Lakewood National Golf Club (Commander Cse), Lakewood Ranch, Florida
1 Tim Widing 67-64-67-66—264
Won on second hole of sudden death playoff
T84 John Lyras 67-67-76-73—283
86 Brett Drewitt 67-69-78-71—285
MC Dimi Papadatos 69-73—142
MC Rhein Gibson 69-73—142
Challenge Tour
Abu Dhabi Challenge
Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, UAE
1 Garrick Porteous 66-63-64-63—256 €45,148.70
T55 Hayden Hopewell 65-70-66-72—273 €973.52
MC Connor McKinney 66-71—137
MC Tom Power Horan 69-68—137
MC Haydn Barron 71-72—143
PGA TOUR Champions
Invited Celebrity Classic
Las Colinas Country Club, Irving, Texas
1 Paul Broadhurst 65-66—131 $US330,000
5 Steve Allan 69-66—135 $105,600
T6 Stuart Appleby 71-65—136 $68,200
T12 Richard Green 69-68—137 $38,802
T12 Greg Chalmers 68-69—137 $38,802
T26 David McKenzie 70-69—139 $17,527
T26 John Senden 66-73—139 $17,527
T35 Mark Hensby 69-71—140 $12,194
T48 David Bransdon 71-71—142 $6,820
T53 Michael Wright 70-73—143 $4,730
T61 Rod Pampling 73-71—144 $3,190
PGA TOUR Americas
69th Brazil Open at Rio Olympic Golf Course
Rio Olympic Golf Course, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Reduced to 54 holes due to rain
1 Matthew Anderson 63-65-69—197 $US40,500
MC Jason Hong 73-68—141
New South Welshman Alex Edge has held off a fast finishing Caleb Bovalina to complete a wire-to-wire win at the 2024 Tasmanian Open at Launceston Golf Club.
Just the second professional winner since Darren Cole in 1992, Edge began the final round with a two-stroke lead, a buffer he increased with birdies at each of his opening two holes.
Given he began the day seven strokes off the lead, Bovalina was not expected to be one of Edge’s strongest threats yet after turning in 4-under surged into contention with an eagle at the par-5 10th to go 6-under on his round.
He would log three straight birdies from the 15th hole in a bogey-free course record of 9-under 63, one shot shy of Edge’s 9-under tournament total.
Bovalina would share second with Kyle Michel (68) as Edge closed out the biggest win of his career with a 3-under 69.
Michel drew to within one with an eagle at the par-5 15th but only briefly, Edge answering with birdie to move two clear with three holes to play.
But rather than his final birdie, Edge pointed to a par at the previous hole as the key moment in a tense final round.
“The previous hole, the tough par 3, we both missed the green and I managed to make my putt and he didn’t,” said Edge, who made a two-foot putt for bogey on the final hole for the win.
“I knew I was a few up then and then he hit a great shot into the par 5. He would’ve had six feet for eagle and I had about 20 feet. I figured that if I holed that, it’d probably be lights out for everyone else, but I didn’t.
“He did and it made it exciting for the finish.”
Bovalina could do nothing but watch on as Edge and Michel went toe-to-toe over the closing holes.
He didn’t consider that he was mounting a genuine charge for the title until he chipped in on 10 to move to 5-under.
“It’s a course that if you hit it straight and keep it on the straight and narrow you can score,” said Bovalina.
“I was 2-under through six and then I birdied seven and eight and when I chipped in for eagle on 10, that’s when I sort of knew I was in for a good day.
“Birdie on 15 – I had maybe like 15 feet for eagle – and then 16 hit a nice shot in.
“Seventeen, I was in the right rough and a bit of a sandy area. Hit a nice shot to six feet and holed the putt and ended up holing a six-foot par putt on the last to keep it bogey free.”
In the Women’s Tasmanian Open, Launceston local Jorjah Bailey produced the round of the tournament to complete a five-stroke win.
Surrounded by family and fellow Launceston Golf Club members, Bailey took a stranglehold on the title with three birdies in her opening five holes, going on to post 3-under 70 for a 2-under total.
Sydney’s Rebecca Zhao (73) was second at 3-over, three clear of Round 1 leader Matilda Miels (75).
It was a dominant win for Cameron Pollard in the Tasmanian Inclusive Championship, his rounds of 76-78 enough for an 18-shot win from Rod Welsh.
The Men’s and Women’s Tasmanian Opens are supported by the Tasmanian Government through Events Tasmania
New South Welshman Alex Edge denied Ash Hall a steak dinner by extending his lead at the Tasmanian Open at Launceston Golf Club.
The second year that the Tasmanian Open has returned to the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series schedule, Edge backed up his 4-under 68 from day one with a 2-under 70 on Saturday, enough to double his lead to two strokes.
Hall delivered the round of the tournament to date – 6-under 66 – to join a logjam in second place at 4-under with Mark Panopolous (67), Kyle Michel (70) and Tim Hart (70) heading into Sunday’s third and final round.
Edge remains the man to beat, though, who overcame the disappointment of his beloved Parramatta Eels going down on Friday night to hold his position as outright leader.
Square with the card after two birdies and two bogeys in his opening seven holes, Edge showed admirable patience on the tight Launceston layout.
After a run of seven straight pars he moved to 1-under on his round with a birdie at the par-5 15th, adding a second two holes later to lead the way at 6-under par.
“Just tried to do similar to yesterday by keeping it in play,” said Edge.
“I found myself in a few awkward positions at times so I had to take my medicine and not compound any mistakes.
“I started getting a few looks when I had wedges in my hand to make some birdies and it was fine.
“This place is not all about power. You can be creative and I think that as long as I’m doing that and chip and putt nicely, then it’ll make it harder for them to get me.”
After a practice round together at Barnbougle Dunes in the days leading up to the tournament, Hall had promised himself a steak dinner on Saturday night if he’d reined Edge in.
That will now have to wait at least 24 hours despite a round that boasted nine birdies.
“I was 2-over through three, so it was good from there. Very good from there,” said Hall.
“I even dropped one on the par-5 10th as well.
“It was a bit of an in-joke. I wanted to get to the lead then we’ll go out to a nice steak restaurant.
“But if ‘Edgey’ is two in front, then no steak for me tonight.
“He is in good form though, I must admit.
“I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing, play aggressive tomorrow and see what happens.”
In the Women’s Tasmanian Open, Jorjah Bailey has moved two strokes clear at her home club thanks to a brilliant back nine in her second round of 1-under 71.
Trailing South Australian Matilda Miels by four after day one, Bailey unleashed a birdie barrage in Round 2 to move two strokes clear.
Starting from the 10th tee, Bailey had three bogeys on the trot early in her round but a birdie at the par-5 15th was a taste of what was to come.
Her second birdie of the day came at the par-5 second, the first of six in a front nine of 5-under 31 and 1-under 71 total.
At 1-over par she leads Rebecca Zhao (75) by two with Miels (78) a further shot back in outright third.
“I got a bit unlucky I’d say on my first nine,” said Bailey.
“Hit into a few trees, had a three-putt, few bunkers, but really turned it around on the front, which was really nice to see.
“I chipped in on the seventh for birdie and then I pitched two close ones up on eight and nine to really seal it with three in a row.”
Playing on her home course, Bailey admitted that there will be an extra sense of expectation in trying to close out the win in front of members and family.
“I’d say there’s a lot of pressure being at your own course,” said Bailey.
“Hitting it really well, striking it well. It all came together on that last nine so hopefully can keep doing it tomorrow.”
Saturday also saw the opening round of the Tasmanian Inclusive Championship with Coffs Harbour’s Cameron Pollard establishing a 11-shot lead with a round of 4-over 76 from Brett Misso and Rod Welsh.
The Men’s and Women’s Tasmanian Opens are supported by the Tasmanian Government through Events Tasmania
NSW professional Alex Edge birdied his final hole to grab a one-shot lead after the opening round of the 2024 Tasmanian Open at Launceston Golf Club today.
The 34-year-old, who has been a regular on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia since 2016, shot a 4-under-par 68 to lead Tasmania Golf Club PGA Professional Scott Priest by a shot heading into the weekend, with Tim Hart (Qld) and Kyle Michel (Vic) sharing third at 2-under.
The leading amateur, Victorian Christopher Sayer, is part of a group of six players at 1-under, while defending champion Toby Walker is six back after a 74.
Edge’s opening round in the 54-hole adidas Pro-Am Series event featured five birdies with his only slip-up coming at the 330m par-4 16th.
“I was a pretty nice round to be fair. I kept it out of the strife all day pretty much,” Edge said.
“It was enjoyable playing a course that wasn’t crazy long and gave us a lot chances for up and downs for birdie.
“I hadn’t been here for a couple of years. It’s a nice old, style course that gives you the chance to be a bit creative and get wedge in hand pretty often.”
In the all-amateur women’s Open, Matilda Miels turned in the only under-par round on day one, a 1-under 72, to grab a two-shot lead over Rebecca Zhao with Jorjah Bailey a further two shots back.
Miels, from Kooyonga in South Australia, picked up six birdies, including a sequence of three to start her day when she took advantage of the back-to-back par-5 10th and 11th holes and the short-par 12th.
”The course is short and the greens are running quick,” Miels said.
“It was good to hole a couple of putts out there today.
“I don’t mind coming to Tasmania. My boyfriend’s parents live here. so we’ve been back a few times this year.”
Zhao (NSW) staged a great fightback on the back nine, shooting a 3-under 34 after going out in 4-over 40.
The Men’s and Women’s Tasmanian Opens are supported by the Tasmanian Government through Events Tasmania
Australian golf’s biggest showman, Min Woo Lee, is making a new home for himself in a very appropriate place, Las Vegas, but he’s keeping Australia very much on his mind.
Not only is Lee, ranked No.32 in the world, determined to represent his country at the Olympic Games in Paris for the first time, he’s already locked in his Australian PGA Championship title defence at Royal Queensland in November.
Buy your 2024 Australian PGA Championship tickets HERE.
Lee said coming back to Brisbane as the defending champion would be a new experience, but one he’s already looking forward to.
“It was obviously big for me to win a tournament in Australia. Being in front of my friends and family was massive and I love Royal Queensland,” the West Australian said today.
“It’s a course I love playing and I feel like it suits my game pretty good.
“The crowds at Royal Queensland are always awesome. It’s a great vibe that just keeps getting bigger.”
After an awesome Australian summer, where he also contended for the ISPS HANDA Australian Open title before finishing third, Lee is settling in to life in the United States where he has been a guest in American pro Kurt Kitayama’s home when not playing tournament golf as a fulltime member of the PGA TOUR for the first time.
His own home in the “Entertainment Capital of the World” is on the way and will make his move away from Perth even more comfortable, helping his bid to build on a season that he has graded as a B so far.
The clear highlight in eight events has been a T2 finish at the Cognizant Classic in Florida.
“It’s massive to have a place to stay in America and not have to travel all the way back to Australia.
“I do miss Australia and I do miss my friends and family but I think it helps having that home base.”
Lee’s next event will be The CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Texas in early May but the No.2-ranked Australian also has an eye on the Paris Olympic Games in July, with his T22 result at the Masters edging him closer to qualification.
The top 15 in the world and top two ranked players from each country will earn a place in the field at Le Golf National in July.
As it currently stands, Lee and Jason Day (No.22) would be the Australian men’s duo.
“It’s definitely a talking point. Every week I get asked, so it’s in my brain, in my head,” he said of the potential to become an Olympian like sister Minjee.
“I would love to represent Australia. It’s one of the goals I’ve had from the last year or so when the talk started happening.”
Twelve months ago, a Tasmanian Open triumph was the ideal way to sign off on a strong amateur career.
This week, Toby Walker returns to Launceston Golf Club not only a member of the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, but in the first months of his training to become a fully qualified PGA Professional.
Starting Friday, the 2024 Tasmanian Open marks the second time that it has featured on the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series after 30 years as a purely amateur event.
The honour roll of amateur winners includes 2006 US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy, 15-time Japan Golf Tour winner Brendan Jones, PGA TOUR players Mathew Goggin, Cameron Percy and Nick Flanagan.
In more recent years, gun amateurs such as Jordan Zunic, Jarryd Felton, Anthony Quayle and Hayden Hopewell won the Tasmanian Open before joining the pro ranks, Walker joining their ilk with a four-stroke win in 2023.
But it wasn’t supposed to be that way.
With professionals back in the field the calibre of Ben Eccles, 2016 champion Simon Hawkes and Daniel Fox, the amateurs were supposed to step to the side.
But nobody told Toby.
He held at least a share of the lead all three days, closing it out with a round of 4-under 68 to win by four strokes.
It was the exclamation point on his amateur career, moving into the professional ranks after earning his Tour card at Qualifying School two months later.
Walker earned his first adidas PGA Pro-Am Series win as a pro in just his 12th start but by the end of the year decided to enrol in the PGA’s Membership Pathway Program under good friend Michael Dean at The Heritage Golf and Country Club.
“I did my first year on tour and I enjoyed it, but I decided to go back and do the MPP, take a step back from playing golf full-time and try to get back to enjoying it,” said Walker.
“The fact that I want to coach later on in life, you can’t really do that unless you have the MPP behind you. Mike’s been my mate of many years and is the Head Professional at Heritage so he said to come over and do my time out there with him.”
With Dean also in the field this week, Walker’s title defence has taken on a different perspective.
The 24-year-old is not feeling any pressure as the reigning champ, more soaking up the experience of spending a week on tour with a mate.
“It’s more about the week with Mike, to be honest,” said Walker.
“Just come out here and watch the footy at a couple of local pubs and enjoy coming back here and supporting the event.
“It’s great to be able to return to an event such as this as the defending champ and to be able to spend time and have fun with a couple of mates.
There are 36 amateurs in the field along with a strong field of professionals including Tour winners Simon Hawkes, Ashley Hall and Scott Laycock, prolific pro-am winners Tim Hart and Kyle Michel and Tour Members such as Alex Edge, Anthony Choat and Will Bruyeres.
The championship will be contested over 54 holes with total prize money of $35,000.
The Tasmanian Open women’s competition held will also be held over the three days with the Tasmanian Inclusive Championship to be conducted over 36 holes across the weekend.
The Men’s and Women’s Tasmanian Opens are supported by the Tasmanian Government through Events Tasmania
The Day Off The Green brought women from across the golf industry together for a day of networking, learning and professional development.
Held as part of Golf Australia’s Women and Girls Month, the Day Off The Green brought women from across the golf industry together for a day of professional development.
Women still make up the minority within the golf industry, and so by providing a space for them to meet others working in the industry and share experiences, the day allowed participants to learn in an environment that recognised their unique challenges.
Held at the PGA Institute in Sandhurst, Australia’s home of golf education, the room was at capacity, with 43 women from across a broad spectrum of the golf industry in attendance.
Guest speakers included Kingston Heath President Nikki McLure, Specialist Trainer Janine Mitchell, Executive Coach Karen Faendrich, Training Specialist Glenn Burbidge and Golf Australia’s Head of Workforce Engagement Claudia Marazita, and each spoke on a unique aspect of working and thriving in the industry.
A big focus of the day was also to provide workshops and content that was able to be transferred back into the workplace.
Specifically Burbridge and Marazita both focussed on practical sessions. How to work in a high performing team, and how to take ownership of your own professional development journey.
Similarly, Faendrich presented on leadership skills, while Mitchell spoke on resilience and confidence in the workplace. McClure’s presentation opened the day and by sharing her journey into the golf industry she provided a relatable and inspirational introduction.
The Day Off The Green concluded with a chip and sip, a casual chance for the women to debrief on a successful day.
Some testimonials from those who attended:
“Thanks for bringing amazing women together and giving us this opportunity to grow and thrive,” Cindy Thang, Marketing Manager at Golf Ball Recycling.
“I found the presenters to be of an extremely high calibre, the content engaging and the chance to network with other like-minded women in the golf industry was invaluable. The workshops covered a lot of valuable content and there were many light bulb moments and self-reflection,” Sylvia Bourne, Membership and events at Keysborough Golf Club.
“Congratulations on delivering a fantastic event yesterday. It was enriching, highly relevant, and enjoyable,” Dayle Marshall, Membership and Communications Manager at The Metropolitan Golf Club.
“My colleague and I thoroughly enjoyed the day and would certainly recommend it to anyone. The speakers were great, particularly Karen Faehndrich. Karen is an inspirational speaker and has had a profound effect on me. To be honest, I am still trying to process her session which was so jammed-packed. Karen is one of the most engaging speakers I have had the privilege to listen to,” Marcelle Doran, Membership and Guest Services Manager, The Rosanna Golf Club.
Reigning Australian PGA champion Min Woo Lee has locked in the defence of his title at Royal Queensland Golf Club in Brisbane from November 21-24.
One of the emerging stars in world golf whose style of play and charisma on and off the course has attracted a massive global fan base, Lee will have his sights on being the first player to defend the Joe Kirkwood Cup since Cam Smith in 2018.
The West Australian scored a memorable three-shot win at Royal Queensland last November, shooting a total of 20-under-par to secure his biggest title on home soil.
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Since his PGA success, his fourth victory as a professional, Lee has moved to the United States to play as a full-time member of the PGA TOUR, has improved his world ranking to a career-high of No.31 and is a strong contender for selection in Australia’s Olympic Games golf team for Paris.
The 25-year-old’s 2024 campaign has included a tie for second at the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches.
Min Woo Lee said: “The Australian PGA Championship was a very special event for me last year, seeing a lot of friends, being in contention and then closing the win out on Sunday.
“The crowds at Royal Queensland are always awesome. It’s a great vibe that just keeps getting bigger.
“Coming back as the defending champion is going to be a new experience, but I’m already looking forward to it.”
PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman said: “It’s a huge boost for the 2024 Australian PGA Championship to have our defending champion Min Woo Lee signed on to compete at Royal Queensland in November.
“Min put on an awesome show last year, showing why he is one of world golf’s biggest drawcards.
“He has that X factor that golf fans here in Australia and overseas love to see and get behind.
“We have already experienced strong early ticket sales for this year’s event and having confirmation from Min that he will be coming back to Royal Queensland should give us another huge boost.”
Minister for Tourism and Sport, Michael Healy said: “This is terrific news, having one of the world’s most exciting and dynamic players in Min Woo Lee, commit to return and defend his Australian PGA title at the historic Royal Queensland course later this year.
“We’re thrilled to be hosting Australia’s oldest professional golf tournament again in 2024, an event that always assembles world-class fields, attracts massive galleries, and further cements Queensland’s reputation as a premier destination for major sporting events.
“Last year’s tournament welcomed over 61,000 people to Royal Queensland Golf Club injecting more than $14 million into the local visitor economy.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the return of the 2023 champion and rising star is a huge win for local golf fans.
“We are thrilled to welcome Min Woo Lee for another Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland later this year,” Cr Schrinner said.
“This event is a major driver for visitation to Brisbane, with more than 61,000 fans attending to watch Lee claim his first Australian PGA victory last year.
“Brisbane is proud to host the Australian PGA Championship once again, with the event to deliver incredible economic support to local Brisbane businesses with hotels, tourism experiences and restaurants set to experience the economic upswing.”
The Australian PGA Championship is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland, and Brisbane City Council via Brisbane Economic Development Agency
