Want to recieve exclusive news, videos, tournament highlights, golf important tips and more ?
Want to recieve exclusive news, videos, tournament highlights, golf important tips and more ?
As it has been since 2018, this Friday at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship will be Yellow Day honouring the late Jarrod Lyle and raising funds for Challenge, an organisation that supports children with cancer.
Yellow Day Ambassador, Lucas Herbert, spent time with Challenge-supported children on Wednesday at Royal Queensland while remembering his late mate Lyle, whose family is on site in Brisbane this week.
“A very special day on Friday, obviously remembering Jarrod as well, I think five years now on, from his passing,” Herbert said.
“I speak to Bri a little bit, his widow, throughout the year and this is good to carry his legacy on.
“He’s just someone that shouldn’t be forgotten.”
Following a year of mixed results on both the PGA TOUR and DP World Tour, with Herbert winning in Japan back in April before finishing outside the top-125 on the FedEx Cup standings, the 27-year-old is looking ahead to challenging for the Kirkwood Cup.
His title aspirations this year coming with a healthy dose of perspective.
“It’s great to meet people going through this stuff and feel like any impact that I do have on Challenge, you get to actually see what you’re doing and helping these people versus kind of hearing about it through social media or through print news,” he said.
“It’s great to meet these guys. It’s honestly the least I can do really.
“These guys are going through a lot and trying to deal with some pretty tough things in life.
“Just missing a 9-iron left of the green is pretty insignificant when you start to hear about the kind of stuff that they’re going through.”
The Round 1 Tee Times at the @Fortinet #AusPGA are looking 🔥
— PGA of Australia (@PGAofAustralia) November 21, 2023
Full List of Tee Times: https://t.co/Oi7SW6DCH3#visitbrisbane | #thisisqueensland pic.twitter.com/KvTFf4gJ53
Chasing a fourth DP World Tour win this week, and next week at the ISPS HANDA Australian Open, Herbert was headed for his first look at the Royal Queensland layout during Wednesday afternoon’s pro-am.
The PGA TOUR winner, and world No.69, perhaps the most unfamiliar with the host venue of the big-name Aussies in the field after missing the early 2022 edition won by Jed Morgan and withdrawing last year with injury after 10 holes of his second round.
His focus is largely off the golf course in the lead up to this week before getting to work with coach Dom Azzopardi on the ground beneath the Gateway Bridge.
“Struggling a little bit at the moment, to be honest,” he said. “Sort of dealt with a bit off the golf course this year that probably got in the way a little bit of the on-course stuff.
“Just trying to clean that up as best as I can to free myself up on the course to play a little bit easier.
“It’s a good time to come back here and at least feel comfortable on some golf courses. You’re back home on grasses that you’ve grown up playing a lot of golf on and just courses that you’ve seen a fair bit. Even around just familiar people, too.”
Among those familiar faces will be the Lyles, who will be front of mind on site this Friday when Royal Queensland is bathed in yellow with the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship once again #DoingItForJarrod.
“I’m very proud to be the Yellow Day Ambassador,” Herbert added.
“Honestly, I don’t feel like I do a lot. I wear a lot of yellow and carry the head covers, but there’s guys here at home that work for the charity and are pretty hands on that do a hell of a lot more than me.
“I’m proud to be the face of it.”
World No.48 Adrian Meronk and South Australian Jack Thompson will officially get the 2024 DP World Tour season underway with the opening tee shots of the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club on Thursday morning.
Meronk will tee off from the 10th tee at 6am AEST alongside Aussie stars Adam Scott and Cam Davis to mark the start of the 2024 season while Thompson will begin his championship from the first tee also at 6am with Queenslander Elvis Smylie and Kiwi Q School graduate, Sam Jones.
Haydn Barron will have to wait a little bit longer to hit his first competitive shot as a rookie member of the DP World Tour, however, the West Australian’s opening drive from the first hole taking on greater significance after his remarkable run through Q School.
“It was a crazy week and having played through Second Stage the week prior I was already feeling a little bit tired,” Barron said.
“Continually thinking about the carrot at the end of the week and arguing with yourself. ‘Don’t think about it,’ and then you can’t help but think about it.
“I held it together pretty well but I Facetimed my girlfriend as soon as I finished and just broke down crying.
“It was a pretty crazy feeling but something I’ve got to try and hang on to for as long as possible.”
Haydn Barron speaks ahead of his debut as a @DPWorldTour player this week at the @Fortinet #AusPGA@RQGOLF | #visitbrisbane | #thisisqueensland pic.twitter.com/SkxI0nTXPS
— PGA of Australia (@PGAofAustralia) November 21, 2023
A feeling of accomplishment in trying and surprising circumstances have become somewhat common place for Barron after COVID halted the start of his professional journey.
Barron, arguably the tallest player in the field in Brisbane, earned a place in this year’s Open Championship after a tie for fourth at last year’s ISPS HANDA Australian Open.
Returning to Australia briefly in between qualifying commitments in Europe, Barron was runner-up at the WA PGA in Kalgoorlie in October, and now will need to spend time planning his schedule between the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and DP World Tour beyond the upcoming co-sanctioned fortnight.
“The schedule has definitely changed a little bit from where it was last week,” Barron conceded.
“Super excited to be back and playing these two in Australia before the rest of the year over in Europe.”
Becoming more comfortable in the kind of company he will be keeping this week alongside the likes of defending champion Cam Smith, Adam Scott, Meronk, Bob MacIntyre and more, Barron could keep his recent dream run going if he were to add a first pro win to his ever-improving resume.
The Round 1 Tee Times at the @Fortinet #AusPGA are looking 🔥
— PGA of Australia (@PGAofAustralia) November 21, 2023
Full List of Tee Times: https://t.co/Oi7SW6DCH3#visitbrisbane | #thisisqueensland pic.twitter.com/KvTFf4gJ53
“It’s been a whirlwind last 12 months for anyone that knows what’s been happening,” he said.
“I’ve been playing well for the last few months and having headed over to Liverpool in the middle of the year and playing The Open, just experiencing those wild emotions in the big events probably makes everything seem a little easier now.
“Regardless of what event it is, you’re always feeling under the pump but knowing that I’ve been there and been through it already a couple of times this year, it makes it much easier I think.”
Other notables in the field this week include Min Woo Lee chasing a second Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia win after securing his own new PGA TOUR card in America next year, Marc Leishman, reigning Order of Merit champion David Micheluzzi and past champions Geoff Ogilvy and Jed Morgan.
HOW TO FOLLOW
For live scoring and the latest news visit www.pga.org.au Exclusive content and tournament updates will also be posted regularly on the PGA Tour of Australasia’s social media channels.
Instagram: @pgatouraus
Twitter: @PGAofAustralia
Facebook: @PGATourAus
Official hashtag: #AusPGA
HOW TO WATCH
The Fortinet Australian PGA Championship is live on Nine and Fox Sports, available on Foxtel and Kayo
Round 1: Thursday, 12pm – 5pm (AEDT)
Round 2: Friday, 12pm – 5pm (AEDT)
Round 3: Saturday, 12pm – 5pm (AEDT)
Round 4: Sunday, 12pm – 5pm (AEDT)
RECENT CHAMPIONS
2022 Cam Smith
2021 Jed Morgan
2019 Adam Scott
2018 Cam Smith
2017 Cam Smith
2016 Harold Varner III
2015 Nathan Holman
COURSE RECORD
Jediah Morgan (63, 2021 Fortinet Australian PGA Championship)
COURSE DESIGNER
Carnegie Clark (1920); Dr Alister MacKenzie (1926); Mike Clayton (2007).
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Cam Smith, 2022 Open Championship winner
Adam Scott, 2013 Masters champion
Adrian Meronk, four-time DP World Tour champion
Robert MacIntyre, two-time DP World Tour winner and 2023 Ryder Cup representative
Cam Davis, PGA TOUR winner and 2017 Australian Open champion
Min Woo Lee, two-time DP World Tour winner and 2023 Macao Open champion
David Micheluzzi, 2022/23 Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit winner
Marc Leishman, six-time PGA TOUR winner
Lucas Herbert, three-time DP World Tour and PGA TOUR winner
West Australian Minjee Lee has been crowned the Greg Norman Medal winner for a record third time at the 2023 PGA Awards held at Brisbane City Hall on Tuesday night.
A two-time winner on the LPGA Tour in 2023, Lee beat out the strongest field of contenders in the award’s nine-year history, including reigning Fortinet Australian PGA Championship winner Cameron Smith, and Minjee’s younger brother, Min Woo Lee.
The PGA Awards also celebrates the extensive contribution of PGA Professionals who have achieved great success in their own endeavours throughout the industry, with Cameron Smith’s coach and Director of Coaching at Queensland’s Pelican Waters Golf Club, Grant Field, named PGA National Coach of the Year – High Performance, for the third year in a row.
There was a second win in succession for The Brisbane Golf Club with Asha Flynn taking out the PGA National Coach of the Year – Game Development while another Queenslander, Darren Richards from Nudgee Golf Club, was named the PGA National Management Professional of the Year.
Director of Golf at Concord Golf Club, David Northey received the award as the PGA National Club Professional of the Year, Declan McCollam, General Manager of the Prestige Golfshire Club in India was named PGA of Australia International Member of the Year and Seb Howell, from The Coast Golf Club in Sydney, was honoured as MyGolf Deliverer of the Year.
After an extended layoff at the start of the year, Minjee Lee’s results were initially underwhelming but when she found form, the 27-year-old refused to look back. She dispelled any thoughts of a form slump with a playoff loss to Jin Young Ko at the Cognizant Founders Cup and was top 20 in each of her subsequent seven starts.
She briefly dropped outside of the top 10 in the world rankings before responding with her ninth LPGA Tour victory at the Kroger Queen City Championship. Three weeks later, Lee registered win No.10 at the BMW Ladies Championship in Korea to climb back to No.4 in the world.
PGA of Australia CEO, Gavin Kirkman, said that in a hot field, Lee’s third Greg Norman Medal was just reward for another exceptional year.
“Minjee continues to represent Australian golf in the best way possible,” Kirkman said.
“To now have 10 wins on the LPGA Tour – including two major championships – at such a young age establishes Minjee as one of our greatest golfers of all time.
“And yet, I am sure there is much more to come.
“Given the success our golfers have enjoyed throughout the world this past year, I commend the judges on what must have been a very difficult decision to pick between such worthy candidates.”
Kirkman also commended the PGA Professionals who were recognised for their outstanding contributions throughout the industry over the past 12 months.
“Our PGA Professionals are at the core of how golfers experience our game and they have contributed significantly to the strong position we currently find ourselves in as an industry,” Kirkman added.
“From juniors to beginners, high performance pathways and the delivery of our services at golf facilities around the country, our PGA Professionals are ensuring that those who engage in golf have a great experience each and every time.”
A chance to celebrate Australian golf’s highest achievers both on and off the golf course, the PGA Awards also serves as the official launch of the 2023 Fortinet Australian PGA Championship, to be played at Royal Queensland Golf Club, starting on Thursday.
The judges for the Greg Norman Medal were PGA of Australia Chair Rodger Davis, WPGA Tour Life-Member Karrie Webb, WPGA Tour President Julia Boland, PGA Life Member Peter O’Malley and PGA Board member Ian Baker-Finch.
Judging of the Greg Norman Medal is based on a combination of objective and subjective criterion, with the panel taking many factors into consideration, including results and rankings.
There were more winners on the night with three-time winner David Micheluzzi taking out the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Player of the Year, Grace Kim awarded the Margie Masters Player of the Year and Queenslander Andre Stolz claimed the PGA Legends Tour Player of the Year for the second year running.
PGA awards winners’ list:
Greg Norman Medal: Minjee Lee
Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Player of the Year: David Micheluzzi
PGA Legends Tour Player of the Year: Andre Stolz
Margie Masters WPGA Tour Player of the Year: Grace Kim
PGA of Australia National Coach of the Year – High Performance: Grant Field, Director of Coaching, Pelican Waters Golf Club, Qld
PGA of Australia National Coach of the Year – Game Development: Asha Flynn, Assistant Professional, The Brisbane Golf Club, Qld
PGA of Australia National Club Professional of the Year: David Northey, Director of Golf, Concord Golf Club, NSW
PGA of Australia National Management Professional of the Year: Darren Richards, General Manager, Nudgee Golf Club, Qld
PGA of Australia International Member of the Year: Declan McCollam, General Manager, Prestige Golfshire Club, Bengaluru, India
MyGolf Deliverer of the Year: Seb Howell, The Coast Golf Club, NSW
Cam Smith ticked off a bucket list item for a Brisbane Broncos fan on Tuesday morning, and now the Queenslander has turned his attention towards a fourth Fortinet Australian PGA Championship title.
Spending the morning in a mowing competition with close mate Marc Leishman at Suncorp Stadium, home of the Broncos, Smith headed for Royal Queensland to refamiliarise himself with the layout where he won his third Kirkwood Cup last year.
Bad weather halted practice rounds on Tuesday afternoon, however, Smith knows the Mike Clayton redesigned course well, and the Australian PGA has been his happiest hunting ground as a professional.
“I’ve been quite fortunate at this event. It’s been nice to me,” the 2017, 2018 and 2022 champion said. “I’ve managed to get a couple of them so far.”
Beyond his familiarity with the course and trophy, Smith’s chances of joining Robert Allenby and Norman Von Nida as a four-time winner, are further enhanced by his recent good form around the world.
Twice a winner on the LIV Golf League in 2023, the 150th Open champion was runner-up a fortnight ago at the Hong Kong Open on the Asian Tour, before the world No.18 took a break to go fishing on the Great Barrier Reef ahead of the PGA and next week’s ISPS HANDA Australian Open.
“It’s been good lately. Lots of kind of consistent stuff with the golf game, so looking forward to getting back out at home and hopefully get another Kirkwood Cup,” said Smith, who is in pursuit of Billy Dunk (five) and Kel Nagle (six) as the Australian PGA’s most prolific winner.
Mixing talk on his beloved rugby league and golf Tuesday – including an admission that the Broncos’ Grand Final loss meant his iPad received some tough love – Smith spoke highly of those trying to deny him a fourth win in his home state.
“Another great field this week. Scotty’s back, Leish is back… it’s a great field and hopefully the fans love it,” he said.
Planning to remain in Brisbane and take some time off from golf until the end of January, Smith isn’t on holiday mode just yet, with the chance to join the four-time winners of the PGA Championship followed by his quest to claim the Australian Open for the first time.
On record speaking of his desire to win his national Open, Smith’s fortnight of competitive golf at home also has important connotations for his schedule next year, the Paris Olympic Games squarely in his sights after representing his country in Tokyo.
“Definitely want to be there, 100 per cent,” Smith said of the Olympics.
“I know the criteria, I don’t know if that can change, but I’ve got these couple of events here and probably four more looks again in the majors.
“Hopefully it can keep that ranking up and wear the coat of arms on the chest again, it’s pretty special.”
Open to the idea of playing more in the new year if he needs to chase world ranking points, Smith’s first preference is to play well at home, something that has become par for the course for him at the Australian PGA Championship.
“These couple of events down here can do plenty for me,” he added.
David Micheluzzi has overcome a seven shot deficit early in the final round to stage an incredible come-from-behind win the 2023 Vic PGA at Moonah Links.
After a break-out season last year, winning three times and claiming the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit, his latest win further outlines Micheluzzi as one of the most exciting emerging Australian talents.
Recording a final round four-under 68 to finish on a total of 14-under, Micheluzzi edged out Ben Eccles by a solitary stroke. His latest win not without some hiccups along the way.
The Victorian started the day six shots behind Kazuma Kobori, and after a double bogey on the second, he found himself even further behind.
Bouncing back quickly, Micheluzzi birdied his next three holes, and as he edged closer, Kobori finally slowed.
At the turn, Kobori’s six-shot lead was gone, the Kiwi and Micheluzzi tied at the top, with Eccles in the group ahead making moves of his own.
After four bogeys, Kobori’s first birdie came at the par-5 13th keeping hope of a first Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia win alive, but three more bogeys coming in put an end to his chances. Kobori’s impeccable golf in the first three rounds, in just his second tournament as a professional, showing why the young Kiwi is going to be a force to be reckoned with in future events.
As Kobori struggled coming home, Micheluzzi added four more birdies against a solitary dropped shot, with a bogey at the par-4 15th signalling the end of Eccles’ charge and yet another trophy for the man known as Micha’s mantlepiece.
This win particularly special in his home state and in front of friends and family. Something Micheluzzi has been dreaming of since he was a child.
“I’m stoked with how everything went, and yeah to have friends and family here just tops everything,” he said.
“The putter got so hot, it’s probably the best I’ve putted in quite a long time.”
His Order of Merit win from last season has gained Micheluzzi DP World Tour status for next year, but performing well in Australia is still high on his priorities.
“I wanted to come back and play a couple of events, especially before Aus PGA and Aus Open,” he said.
Playing with Kobori on Sunday, Micheluzzi had nothing but praise for the rookie professional.
“He’s so good … that’s definitely not the last time you’ll see him, he can only grow, he’s a great kid.”
Next week’s Fortinet Australian PGA Championship will be Micheluzzi’s first event as a DP World Tour player, with the next two events on the Australasian calendar co-sectioned with the circuit, and on current form he’ll definitely be one to watch.
With a lot of the focus on Micheluzzi and Kobori in the final group, Eccles had his chances to move up the leaderboard, however, his runner-up finish this week coupled with his win at the WA PGA last month moves him to the top of the Order of Merit standings.
“I’m really proud of how I got myself into the mix, and I holed a few good putts coming in which I’m really proud of,” he said.
“I spoke to my coach yesterday and we just said, ‘Keep moving forward’, and that’s kind of been the message all season really.
“Two big weeks coming up, so again it’ll be the same sort of message just keep moving forward.”
In the amateur teams event, Konrad Ciupek and partner Sang Jun Lee took home the trophy with a score of 35-under-par, with amateur Lee’s hole-in-one at the par-3 17th a crucial factor in their success.
Praising the conditioning of the courses this week during his acceptance speech, Micheluzzi will surely be excited by today’s announcement that the Vic PGA will be headed back to Moonah Links for another three years.
Full scores HERE.
The PGA of Australia and Golf Australia announce industry conference to help shape the future of Australian Golf.
Golf in Australia is booming. With more than 3.2 million people playing some form of golf, the future has never been brighter for our sport.
To ensure the entire golf industry takes advantage of this boom, Golf Australia and the PGA of Australia are working together to deliver a combined event for the entire industry to help shape the future of the sport.
The Golf Summit is an innovative golf thought leadership conference that will connect and inspire the diverse range of PGA Professionals, golf clubs and facilities and organisations across the industry to help shape the future of Australian Golf.
SAVE THE DATE – 16 – 17 October | Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
This is the destination to meet other golf business professionals, expand your knowledge through learning from world-class industry leaders, be inspired by new ways of thinking and develop the tools to improve performance, whatever your role in the industry.
“As the golf industry continues to grow, we are seeing both the number and variety of roles our PGA Members successfully fulfilling increasing every year, and the Golf Summit 2024 will provide everyone in the industry the opportunity collaborate, network and learn,” explained PGA General Manager – Membership and Education, Geoff Stewart.
“PGA Member delegates will have the opportunity to hear from a variety of world class presenters across multiple streams to complement their expanding roles within the industry.”
The social and networking event will bring together delegates, industry leaders and partners in a welcoming and relaxed environment to foster the connections that ensure engagement continues well beyond the event.
With over 700 expected to attend – the Golf Summit is not to be missed.
BE THE FIRST TO KNOW – Golf Summit
Looking to exhibit or showcase your products to the golf industry? Exhibitor partnership opportunities will be available soon. Please reach out to Matt McBain – [email protected] for more information.
Who will be there?
We welcome everyone involved in the golf industry and beyond – including a collection of global and domestic leaders:
Find out more here http://www.golfsummit.com.au
Callaway Golf, an industry leader in golf equipment design, performance, and innovation has joined the growing list of organisations to partner with all three of Australian golf’s national bodies – Golf Australia, the PGA of Australia and WPGA Tour of Australasia.
Whilst Callaway has long been a partner of all three organisations, this new three-year agreement extends this commitment further and sees Callaway become the first golf equipment partner to undertake an Australian Golf partnership.
This new agreement will include an official partnership with both the men’s and women’s professional tours; the ISPS HANDA Australian Open; the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship; The Athena and other future tournaments.
Callaway will also provide investment into the PGA Women in Golf Scholarship Fund which was launched late 2021 with the goal of increasing the number of female golf professionals and growing female leaders within the golf industry in Australia.
On the amateur and community side of the sport, which continues to experience record-setting participation numbers, Callaway Golf will continue as a partner of the PGA’s long-running Scramble teams event and has linked with junior golf community program Tee Mates which encourages kids to have fun and go play.
Callaway Golf will also be a major partner of the golf industry’s leading national event, the Golf Summit, in 2024.
PGA of Australia Commercial Director Michael McDonald said Callaway Golf was providing a long-term commitment that underpinned the growth of the game in Australia.
”Callaway Golf has been a wonderful supporter of Australian golf for many years and a great supporter of both PGA Member and industry initiatives with our highly skilled PGA Professionals, who are at the forefront of promoting and growing golf in the places that we play.” he said.
“With this new agreement, they are taking their long-term commitment to the next level by becoming the sixth partner overall to sign an Australian Golf Partnership, this is a great show of support and confidence in the sport across professional and amateur golf.”
Golf Australia General Manager Commercial Anthony Everard said: “Callaway Golf shares our purpose in the Strategy for Australian Golf – to have more Australians playing more golf and discovering and enjoying all the benefits of being a golfer.
“This new partnership supports juniors who are starting off in the sport, hopefully beginning a lifetime in the game, through to our elite professionals and major Summer of Golf events which are the front window of Australian golf.”
WPGA Tour of Australasia CEO, Karen Lunn said “We are delighted to be able to add a quality brand like Callaway Golf to our portfolio of sponsors.
“We have worked closely with the team at Callaway Golf on both The Athena and the Women’s Golf Network over the last three years, and it is really exciting for us to be able to expand our relationship across all areas of the WPGA Tour.
“Collaborating closely with the PGA of Australia and Golf Australia on commercial opportunities is proving to be a game changer for the women’s arm of professional golf in Australia, and we are thrilled to welcome Callaway Golf as the first golf equipment partner to undertake an Australian Golf partnership.
Matt Meredith Managing Director of Callaway Golf South Pacific said: “Callaway Golf are proud to be an official partner of Golf Australia, the PGA of Australia and the WPGA of Australia, and to collaborate with their teams on outstanding events and initiatives to continue the great progress the game is making.
“Callaway Golf has a proven history of supporting golfers of all abilities and backgrounds all over the world.
“Being able to contribute to both amateur and professional male and female golfers all together is testament to the great work Australia is doing bringing the game together.
“We look forward to many more years supporting the sport we all love and the benefits it provides to all of us that play”.
ABOUT CALLAWAY GOLF
Callaway Golf is the leading manufacturer of premium golf clubs, balls, performance gear and accessories worldwide. Through an unwavering commitment to innovation, Callaway pushes the limits of performance and creates demonstrably superior products designed to make every golfer a better golfer. For more information, please visit www.callawaygolf.com.au
The coveted Golf Club of the Year was just one of five awards bestowed upon Nudgee Golf Club at the 2023 Queensland Golf Industry Awards at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday night.
A total of 460 guests from all areas of the golf industry gathered to celebrate the year’s best performers and another impressive year of growth for the game of golf in Queensland.
Cameron Smith’s coach, Grant Field, was again acknowledged as the Coach of the Year (High Performance) while The Brisbane Golf Club’s Asha Hargreaves was named Coach of the Year (Game Development).
But it was a night of celebration for Nudgee Golf Club in Brisbane’s northern suburbs.
In addition to receiving the Golf Club of the Year, Nudgee General Manager Darren Richards was named PGA Management Professional of the Year, outgoing president Paul Rigby received the Board Member of the Year award, recently departed Assistant Superintendent Scott McComas received the Assistant Superintendents Recognition Award and Course Superintendent Peter Culross won the Superintendents Environment and Safety Excellence Award.
Given what the club and its members have had to endure for the past decade with the compulsory acquisition of 10 per cent of its land for the widening of the Gateway Motorway and subsequent construction of two new golf courses, Richards said it was recognition that everyone at the club played a part in.
“Tonight caps off what has been a period of great transition for Nudgee Golf Club in a way we could not have imagined,” said Richards.
“Our members have been extremely patient as the Nudgee Golf Club Board navigated a challenging time that has, ultimately, given us two new golf courses and enabled us to become the home of the Queensland PGA Championship.
“I am proud to accept my award as PGA Management Professional of the Year but I am even more proud of Paul Rigby being acknowledged as Board Member of the Year, the Recognition Award given to our former Assistant Superintendent Scott McComas and for Peter Culross receiving the Superintendents Environment and Safety Excellence Award.
“It is through their tireless efforts and the contribution of every single staff member that Nudgee Golf Club can proudly accept our recognition as Golf Club of the Year.”
Another club to leave with multiple awards was Oxley Golf Club.
Known for its innovative ways in which it has engaged not only its golfers but members of the community, Oxley General Manager Aaron Muirhead received the Distinguished Manager Award and Course Superintendent Glenn Beauclerc the recipient of the Superintendents Achievement Award.
Justice Bosio and Quinn Croker were named Female and Male Amateur Golfer of the Year respectively and journalist David Newbery’s four decades of contribution to the coverage of golf saw him receive the Services to Golf honour.
Award winners
2023 PGA Queensland Coach of the Year – High Performance: Grant Field
2023 PGA Queensland Coach of the Year – Game Development: Asha Hargreaves
2023 PGA Queensland Club Professional of the Year: Christopher Graham (Ocean Shores CC)
2023 PGA Queensland Management Professional of the Year: Darren Richards (Nudgee GC)
2023 Tournament of the Year: Wynnum Pro-Am
2023 Metropolitan Tournament of the Year: Redcliffe Pro-Am
2023 Regional Tournament of the Year: Rockhampton Pro-Am
2023 Legends Tournament of the Year: PNG Senior Open
2023 Golf Course Turf Apprentice of the Year Award: Ethan Vickery (Rowes Bay GC)
2023 Golf Course Assistant Superintendents Recognition Award: Scott McComas (Nudgee GC)
2023 Superintendents Achievement Award: Glenn Beauclerc (Oxley GC)
2023 Superintendents Environment and Safety Excellence Award: Peter Culross (Nudgee GC)
2023 Superintendents Industry Recognition Award: Darryl Edwards (Burleigh GC)
2023 Golf Club Staff Member of the Year: Suzanne Walker (Twin Waters GC)
2023 Golf Club Board Member of the Year: Paul Rigby (Nudgee GC)
2023 Golf Club of the Year: Nudgee Golf Club
2023 Distinguished Manager Award: Aaron Muirhead (Oxley GC)
2023 Male Amateur Golfer of the Year: Quinnton Croker
2023 Female Amateur Golfer of the Year: Justice Bosio
2023 Junior Female Amateur Golfer of the Year: Sarah Hammett
2023 Junior Male Amateur Golfer of the Year: Harry Takis
2023 Volunteer of the Year: Rob Bailo (Maleny GC)
2023 Golf Club of the Year (Under 400 Members): Bulimba Golf Club
2023 Golf Supplier of the Year: CPR Group
2023 Services to Golf Award: David Newbery
2023 Junior Golf Program of the Year Award: Keperra Country Golf Club
Photos: Kurt Thomson
Laidback, easy-going party vibes will be coming to golf courses and facilities around Australia thanks to a new collaboration between the PGA of Australia, Golf Australia, and Southern Comfort.
Southern Comfort will become the exclusive Brown Spirits provider of the PGA of Australia, Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and Golf Australia, and the fourth partner to undertake a joint Australian golf partnership which enables brands a simple pathway to partner with Australian Golf’s professional and amateur organisations across a wide range of assets.
The three-year partnership will focus on celebrating and growing the social side of golf, which continues its rapid growth throughout the country.
“This partnership is focused on recruiting new adult players to the game and breaking down barriers for those who may find golf intimidating,” said Oscar Barton, Senior Brand Manager of Southern Comfort.
“It’s also an exciting opportunity to bring Southern Comfort’s ‘King of Leisure Sports’ ethos to the national stage.
“If you can play with a can in hand then Southern Comfort will be there, celebrating easy going sports and good times with mates.
“This partnership offers fans across the nation looking for an oncourse refreshment or a round after their game the opportunity to reach for a SoCo.”
As part of the programming, Southern Comfort Twilight Rounds will be coming to golf courses and facilities across the country this summer.
A perfect social mix of casual golf and refreshing drinks with friends, Southern Comfort Twilight Rounds will be accessible to players of all skill levels, offering a laidback golf experience where the focus is more on good times with friends and less on the scorecard.
From November through to March Twilight Rounds will be available at a variety of golf facilities, including golf courses, mini-golf centres, driving ranges and simulators.
Additional partnership programming will include Southern Comfort activations at Australian golf’s two major tournaments, the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship and the ISPS HANDA Australian Open.
The “Southern Comfort Party Shack” will be located on the liveliest and noisiest hole on the PGA Tour of Australasia, the PGA Championship’s Party Hole at Royal Queensland, which takes place from November 23-26.
Whilst at the Australian Open, Southern Comfort will a roaming activation at The Australian Golf Club.
PGA of Australia Commercial Director Michael McDonald said: “We are excited to have Southern Comfort become part of Australian Golf through a variety of fan-focussed collaborations.
“Twilight Rounds will be open to all and less structured than traditional golf events and will embody the fun, casual side of golf which is increasingly attractive to our newer golf-loving audience.
“The addition of the Southern Comfort Party Shack to the PGA Championship will also further enhance the experience for fans on the party hole, which has doubled in size for 2023, and will offer eight different hospitality suites, new grandstand seating and a dedicated free public precinct.”
Golf Australian General Manager of Commercial Anthony Everard expanded further on the partnership: “Part of our Strategy for Australian Golf is to invite more golfers into the game and to create great golf experiences for everyone who participates.
“More than ever before, golf fans are seeing the game as a fun way to spend quality time with good mates, and that’s where Southern Comfort comes in.
“What they want to achieve perfectly aligns with this vision and we look forward to working with their team to bring their ideas to life.”
More information:
Southern Comfort Party Shack tickets link: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=PGACLUB23
Follow Southern Comfort on Instagram: @southerncomfortau
The Australian Golf Industry Council (AGIC) has today unveiled a report that reveals golf provides $3.3 billion in total annual benefits to the Australian community, economy and environment.
The 2023 Community Benefits of Golf in Australia report was commissioned by the AGIC, comprising the key national bodies of the golf industry in Australia, including the PGA of Australia, Golf Australia and the WPGA Tour of Australasia,
It was conducted by SGS Economics & Planning and details the wide-ranging and sizeable benefits of golf through quantified data and a robust methodology.
Headlining the report’s findings are the $3.3 billion in total annual benefits of golf; the growing and deepening participation in all forms of golf; and golf’s estimated annual household expenditure of $10.3 billion.
It also shows that 37 percent of adult Australians – a total of 7.23 million people – say they have visited a golf facility as a non-player.
The health benefits of golf are highlighted by the fact Australian golfers walk 280 million kilometres annually, or the equivalent to more than 7000 laps between the Earth and our moon.
On-course golfers are also happier than those who don’t get outdoors to play the game, rating 7.1 percent higher in subjective health and wellbeing compared to non-round golfers.
“Golf is big, it is different and it is changing, and this report quantifies that statement while providing the necessary, and enlightening, data to help change the perception of golf,” WPGA Tour of Australasia CEO and AGIC Chair Karen Lunn said.
“Golfers are happier and healthier because of this great game, and they are providing significant benefits to their communities and the wider Australian economy and environment through their participation.”
The benefits outlined in the report are partly created by the 3.5 million Australians who play a form of golf – 2.2 million on course, 1.3 million off course – across 1603 places to play around Australia.
These numbers make golf one of the country’s largest participation sports.
Golf’s contribution to the Australian economy is valued at $394 million for businesses and $122 million for industry workers, while the best example of sport’s huge economic impact is the $336 million of benefits provided via golf tourism.
Annually, 1.6 million domestic overnight trips are made by Australians, and another 150,000 international tourists visit, for the purpose of golf, with their spending covering items such as green fees, food, accommodation, and transportation.
“We know golf is huge in Australia and this report provides all the evidence,” PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman said.
“For the PGA, golf is a sport that provides a livelihood to our members through employment and running businesses where customer experience is of the highest priority.
“But golf is much more than that as this report explains – its social benefits, health benefits and environmental benefits are enormous.”
The report shows an additional 166,000 Australians would be considered physically inactive without golf, saving the health system $49 million, and the physical health benefits for all golfers total $423 million.
Meanwhile, through the physical exercise, social interaction and time in natural landscapes, the annual mental health benefit derived from golf is calculated at $439 million.
“The health benefits of golf are well established, including reduced risk factors for several chronic illnesses. This report adds to other academic research with detailed findings on just how beneficial golf is to the Australian community,” Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland said.
“Golf is different and getting bigger, and with this data showcasing its benefits we hope this continues to encourage more people to engage with our sport, experience our places to play and experience improved health and wellbeing.”
Like every element of society, a key focus for golf in the current day and moving forward is how the game interacts with and helps the environment.
The Community Benefits of Golf in Australia report details an annual environmental benefit of $890 million created by golf.
These benefits include water filtration and purification, flood and stormwater protection, carbon sequestration, urban cooling and significantly higher biodiversity than public parks.
Clearly outlining the significant detail of these benefits, and more, the Community Benefits of Golf in Australia is available at golf.org.au and it is hoped will serve as valuable resource to the industry and reference point for broader conversations about golf and its place and value in for Australian community.
“This report has been a significant undertaking for the Australian Golf Industry Council and it will prove to be of high value moving forward,” Lunn said.
“Golf as a game, lifestyle and its facilities as community hubs, shares undeniable and substantial benefits to Australia and the details found in the report show that in a way and depth that has never previously been available.”
The Australian Golf Industry Council (AGIC) was established in 2006 as a group comprising the key national bodies of the golf industry in Australia, designed to work together for the common good of the game and the industry.
The AGIC includes representatives from PGA of Australia, Golf Australia, WPGA Tour of Australasia, Australian Sports Turf Managers Association, Australian Sporting Goods Association, Golf Management Australia and Society of Australian Golf Course Architects.
