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Australia’s latest PGA Tour winner, Cam Davis, has set his sights on another big Australian victory after locking in the BMW Australian PGA Championship and ISPS HANDA Australian Open to his end-of-year schedule.
A previous Australian Open champion, Davis made it win number two on the world’s toughest tour when he claimed the Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club in June.
The 29-year-old from Sydney, currently ranked No.41 in the world, will be among the leading contenders in both Australian majors which are co-sanctioned by the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and DP World Tour.
The BMW Australian PGA Championship will be played at Royal Queensland Golf Club on November 21-24 followed by the Open in Melbourne on November 28-December 1.
Davis joins an awesome PGA field that includes fellow drawcards Cam Smith, Jason Day and defending champion Min Woo Lee.
“This year has been a good one so far, winning on the PGA TOUR is always a big thrill,” Davis said.
“I’d love to win a second Australian Open, or first Australian PGA. That would be a great way to finish 2024.
“Playing in Australia to wrap up my schedule each year is such a fun way to close things out. In addition to catching up with my family, the crowds at these two events are also so good to me and I hope they come out in force again this year.”
Davis’s Open win at The Australian in 2017 – his first victory as a professional – was one of the most memorable successes of the past decade, providing the impetus for the former Australian Amateur champion to reach the PGA Tour two years later.
His record also includes the 2021 Rocket Mortgage Classic and a Presidents Cup appearance for the International team in 2022.
He has finished T7 in his last two appearances at Royal Queensland.
“Having played the Australian PGA at Royal Queensland for the last couple of years, I think I’ve got a really good idea for how to have success there and hopefully this year I can put that plan into action,” Davis said.
“Both events are going to have strong fields so it’s not going to easy.”
PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman said: “Having Cam back home in Australia is huge for our major championships. He’s a very talented player and an outstanding young man who is a great supporter of Australian golf.
“I’m sure he’d love to win the Joe Kirkwood Cup to add to the Stonehaven Cup. It’s only a small group of golfers who have achieved that feat but Cam certainly has the ability to pull it off.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Davis was another great boost to the event’s exciting line-up.
“Brisbane is Australia’s lifestyle capital and our major events create more to see and do in the suburbs,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Cam will join the suite of world class athletes teeing off at the Royal Queensland fairway in November, providing a thrilling competition for local and visiting golf fans.
“The benefits of this world-class tournament will be felt across the region, delivering millions in economic support for local Brisbane businesses.”
For BMW Australian PGA Championship tickets, go to ticketek.com.au
National Basketball League CEO David Stevenson will join legendary rugby league figure Billy Slater as keynote speakers at this year’s Golf Summit.
As CEO of the fastest growing sports league in Australia and New Zealand, Stevenson is an expert in driving growth, engaging new audiences and customers, and the crucial role of commercial operations in sport.
Stevenson began his role as NBL CEO in May 2023, and has brought to the league a wealth of leadership experience from various roles including General Manager of Operations at the AFL, CEO of the Western Bulldogs, and Vice President and General Manager of Emerging Markets at Nike.
At the Golf Summit on October 16-17, Stevenson will speak to this experience and the skills and systems he has implemented at the NBL to see record growth in broadcast, attendance, digital and media metrics.
Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland welcomed the announcement of Stevenson joining the Summit as a keynote speaker.
“David Stevenson has a unique perspective on the Australian sports industry, having worked and experienced success in both the AFL and basketball worlds,” said Sutherland.
“Sporting bodies compete for people’s leisure time and we can all learn from each other. I am delighted David will be able to share his keys for success at this year’s Golf Summit.”
The Golf Summit is run by Australian Golf’s peak bodies – the PGA of Australia and Golf Australia – to bring the industry together to engage and influence key decision makers to lead, grow and innovate Australian golf.
Attendees will have the chance to network, share ideas, strategies and best practices to take back to their business to help drive growth and success.
A highlight of the Summit will be the diverse range of panel sessions addressing critical business outcomes within the industry, including championing change for women and girls in golf, along with the impact of technology on golf coaching.
The two-day conference will also feature sessions on promoting diversity and inclusion, talent retention and management, biodiversity and sustainability in golf, and leveraging social media for commercial success.
Confirmed speakers for the 2024 Golf Summit
NRL legend and Queensland Maroons Coach, Billy Slater
NBL CEO, David Stevenson
Former PGA Tour caddie, Steve Williams
World-renowned PGA Professional, Will Robins
Paralympian, Elle Steele
Richmond Football Club triple-premiership player, Bachar Houli
PING VP Engineering, Dr Paul Wood
CEO PGA of Australia, Gavin Kirkman
CEO Golf Australia, James Sutherland
CEO WPGA Tour of Australasia, Karen Lunn
Deputy General Manager – 13th Beach Golf Links, Sally McKenna
2023 PGA National Coach of the Year – Game Development, Asha Flynn
General Manager – Pacific Golf Club, Amber Williams
PGA Professional – Golf coach and golf educator, Hugh Marr
Biodiversity and Sustainability expert, Monina Gilbey
Biodiversity and Sustainability expert, Kate Torgersen Lecturer – The University of Melbourne, Emma Power
READ MORE ABOUT THE SESSIONS HERE
The Asia-Pacific region’s premier event welcoming the entire golf industry, tickets for the 2024 Golf Summit are on sale now.
Driving ranges, indoor simulators and mini golf facilities will be recognised for the first time when the 2024 Queensland Golf Industry Awards are staged at The Star – Gold Coast on Thursday October 10.
A record number of nominations have been received that will honour the outstanding contributions of individuals, tournaments and golf facilities over the past 12 months.
Coordinated by the PGA of Australia, Golf Australia, Golf Course Superintendents Association of Queensland and Golf Management Australia, the Queensland Golf Industry Awards will acknowledge high-performing off-course facilities for the first time.
The finalists for Off-Course Golf Facility of the Year are Big Swing Golf Virginia, Clubhouse Golf, Fairways Golf Simulator and Bar (Mackay), Golf Central, KDV Sport and Victoria Park Golf Complex, all of whom provide new and innovative ways for people to engage in golf.
“The increase in off-course facilities and their growing popularity has been one of the most significant developments in golf in recent years,” said Queensland/NT State Manager (Membership Services) for the PGA of Australia, Broc Greenhalgh.
“We thought it only fitting that we acknowledge the contribution these facilities now make to the game and to celebrate those who are delivering exceptional service and experiences to golfers throughout Queensland.”
Other hotly contested awards include Coach of the Year in both High Performance and Game Development, Club Professional of the Year, Tournament of the Year, Golf Club of the Year, Junior Program of the Year and Superintendents Achievement Award.
The finalists for their respective awards (in alphabetical order) are:
PGA (QLD) Coach of the Year (High Performance)
Grant Field (Pelican Waters Golf Club)
Chris Gibson (Royal Queensland Golf Club)
Ji McBryde (Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club)
Ryan Mouque (Ryan Mouque Golf)
Richard Woodhouse (KDV Sport)
John Wright (Maroochy River Golf Club)
PGA (QLD) Coach of the Year (Game Development)
Asha Flynn (The Brisbane Golf Club)
Brenton Fowler (Toowoomba Golf Club)
Ryan Mouque (Ryan Mouque Golf)
Jake Newbery (KDV Sport)
Dave Simpson (Royal Queensland Golf Club)
John Wright (Maroochy River Golf Club)
PGA (QLD) Club Professional of the Year presented by Coca-Cola
Chris Adnams (Redcliffe Golf Club)
Jamie Corkill (Yamba Golf and Country Club)
Jeff Hoy (Rockhampton Golf Club)
Anthony Newey (Victoria Park Golf Complex)
Angus Porter (Carbrook Golf Club)
Jeff Reid (Mackay Golf Club)
PGA (QLD) Management Professional of the Year
Shane Tempest (Burleigh Golf Club)
John Victorsen JNR (Drummond Golf – Rockhampton)
Dale Williamson (Pelican Waters Golf Club)
PGA Tournament of the Year
Elgin Valley Beerwah Legends Pro-Am
Gold Coast Senior PGA Championship (Lakelands GC)
Optilease Redcliffe Pro-Am
Sanctuary Cove Legends Pro-Am hosted by Adam Scott and Peter Senior
Bartons/BMD Paul King Memorial Legends Pro-Am (Wynnum GC)
Bartons/BMD Wynnum Pro-Am
Metropolitan PGA Tournament of the Year
Panasonic Air Conditioning Burleigh Pro-Am
Reside Communities Pacific Pro-Am
Optilease Redcliffe Pro-Am
Southport Pro-Am
Breakas Beach Resort Vanuatu Virginia Pro-Am
Bartons/BMD Wynnum Pro-Am
Regional PGA Tournament of the Year
Biloela Pro-Am
PIMS Group Mackay Pro-Am
Roy Powell Security Pioneer Valley Pro-Am
Ian Weigh Toyota Rockhampton Pro-Am
JET Group Tieri Pro-Am
Lexus Townsville Golf Classic
PGA Legends Tournament of the Year
Elgin Valley Beerwah Legends Pro-Am
Urangan Smash Repairs Fraser Coast Classic
Gold Coast Senior PGA Championship (Lakelands GC)
Queensland Senior PGA Championship
Sanctuary Cove Legends Pro-Am hosted by Adam Scott and Peter Senior
Bartons/BMD Paul King Memorial Legends Pro-Am (Wynnum GC)
Assistant Superintendent Achievement Award presented by Greenway Turf Solutions
Trevor Ridge (Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club)
Andrew Lothian (Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club)
Jesse McGilvary (Palmer Colonial Golf Course)
Superintendents Achievement Award presented by Living Turf
Graeme Andrews (Tamborine Mountain Golf Club)
Luke Helm (Meadowbrook Golf Club)
Peter McNamara (Ashgrove Golf Club)
Taylor Willis (Gailes Golf Club)
Jason Lavendar (Mt Warren Park Golf Club)
Matt Hartup (Pacific Harbour Golf & Country Club)
Alec Ross (Mirage Country Club)
Superintendents Environment and Safety Excellence Award
Mick McCombe (Maleny Golf Club)
Garry McClymont (Twin Waters Golf Club)
Golf Course Turf Apprentice of the Year presented by Toro
Jack Wojcicki (Meadowbrook Golf Club)
Dylan Buttigieg (Windaroo Golf Club)
Ben Karsten (Links Golf and Wellbeing)
Jonathan Daffy (Cairns Golf Club)
Liam Sunley (Gailes Golf Club)
Golf Club Staff Member of the Year Award presented by CPR Group
Merriden Diehm (Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club)
Tony Giles (Noosa Golf Club)
Teegan Negreira (Redcliffe Golf Club)
Golf Club Board Member of the Year Award
Mark Bentley (Gatton Golf Club)
Chris Dewar (Redcliffe Golf Club)
Jeff Lauchkan (Bribie Island Golf Club)
Geoff Moore (The Brisbane Golf Club)
Christopher Sarquis (Kingaroy Golf Club)
Dr Max Whitten AM (Maleny Golf Club)
Golf Club of the Year Award presented by MiClub
Carbrook Golf Club
Links Golf and Wellbeing
Oxley Golf Club
Pacific Golf Club
Redcliffe Golf Club
Distinguished Manager Award presented by Asahi Schweppes
Matt Bolton (Cairns Golf Club)
Norman Studt (Beenleigh RSL and Mt Warren Park Golf Club)
Bernard Wilson (Wynnum Golf Club)
Volunteer of the Year
William Bailey (Clifton Golf Club)
Ray Cook (Mackay Golf Club)
John Dalton (Kingaroy Golf Club)
Dr Penny Edwards (Maleny Golf Club)
Gary Ellis (Glasshouse Mountains Junior Golf Association)
Roman ‘Ray’ Janczuk (Gailes Golf Club)
Leanne Le Lievre (Redcliffe Golf Club)
Janet Nathanson (The Brisbane Golf Club)
Christopher Sarquis (Kingaroy Golf Club)
Ash Sturmer (The Brisbane Golf Club)
Golf Club of the Year (Under 400 Members) presented by Inside Golf
Isis Golf Club
Kingaroy Golf Club
Sarina Golf Club
Golf Supplier of the Year Award
Asahi Schweppes
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
Greenway Turf Solutions
MiClub
Red Tape Busters
The CPR Group
TrackMan
Junior Golf Program of the Year Award
Bulimba Golf Club
Cairns Golf Club
City Golf Club
KDV Sport
Keperra Country Golf Club
Maroochy River Golf Club
Meadowbrook Golf Club
Redland Bay Golf Club
The Brisbane Golf Club
Townsville Golf Club
Virginia Golf Club
Woodford Golf Club
Off-Course Golf Facility of The Year
Big Swing Golf Virginia
Clubhouse Golf
Fairways Golf Simulator and Bar (Mackay)
Golf Central
KDV Sport
Victoria Park Golf Complex
Additional awards presented at the Queensland Golf Industry Awards Night that don’t attract finalists include:
• Services to Golf Award
• Superintendents Industry Recognition Award
• Male Amateur Golfer of the Year
• Female Amateur Golfer of the Year
• Junior Female Amateur Golfer of the Year
• Junior Male Amateur Golfer of the Year Early bird tickets are available until September 17.
To secure your place, or for further details about the Queensland Golf Industry Awards Night, please visit www.qldgolfindustryawards.com.au.
Paris Olympian Jason Day will return home to Queensland to play in the 2024 BMW Australian PGA Championship on November 21-24.
In a huge boost for the tournament, Day will make his first appearance in a PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club, joining defending champion Min Woo Lee as feature players for the event co-sanctioned by the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and DP World Tour.
Part of an elite group of Australian golfers to reach No.1 in the Official World Golf Ranking and win a major championship, the world No.33 will be hunting his first victory in one of Australian golf’s majors.
The 2015 US PGA champion has had five top-10s in 2024, continuing a career resurgence over the past two years which re-established him as one of the world’s best players.
As Australia’s No.1, he earned a place alongside Lee in Australia’s men’s golf team at the Olympics where he finished T9 and he was an automatic selection in this year’s International Team for the Presidents Cup in Canada this month.
“I’m extremely excited to be coming back home to Queensland this summer to contest the BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland,” said Day.
“Wearing the green and gold for Australia at the Olympics in Paris was an extremely proud moment for myself and my family and it will be very special to get back on home soil and play in front of the Aussie fans.
“I’ve seen the amazing atmosphere at ‘RQ’ the past few years and can’t wait to experience it for myself.”
PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman said Day was an exciting addition to this year’s BMW Australian PGA Championship field.
“I know there will be thousands of golf fans who will keen to come out and see Jason play at Royal Queensland,” Kirkman said.
“After learning the game in Beaudesert, Jason has gone on to become one of the best players of his generation.
“We’re delighted to welcome him back home and to see him challenge for his first Joe Kirkwood Cup.”
Queensland Minister for Tourism and Sport, Michael Healy said: “Jason Day is Australian golf royalty and to have him play in the 2024 BMW Australian PGA Championship is absolutely sensational, his first ever at Royal Queensland.
“It’s terrific to welcome a player as accomplished as Jason back to our state to compete in this world-class event, especially when they’re Queenslanders.
“The Australian PGA continues to go from strength to strength with tens of thousands of fans expected to flock to this event, contributing $17 million into Queensland’s local visitor economy.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the event coming to the Royal Queensland fairways would be an unmissable showdown.
“Brisbane is Australia’s lifestyle capital and our major events bring more to see and do to our suburbs,” Cr Schrinner said.
“With a suite of world class athletes confirmed to play, the BMW Australian PGA Championship is going to be a must-see event for local and visiting golf fans.
“The benefits of this world-class tournament will be felt across the region, delivering millions in economic support to local Brisbane restaurants, hotels and tourism businesses.”
The BMW Australian PGA Championship is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland, and Brisbane City Council via Brisbane Economic Development Agency.
Jason Day is a Testimonee for Rolex a major partner of the PGA of Australia and the BMW Australian PGA Championship.
For tickets, click here https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=PGAGOLF24
PGA of Australia has announced a new major partnership with Rolex, the prestigious Swiss watchmaker.
The agreement sees Rolex become Official Timekeeper of the BMW Australian PGA Championship, one of Australian golf’s majors, as well as a Major Partner of the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and WPGA Tour of Australasia.
Commenting on the partnership, PGA of Australia CEO, Gavin Kirkman, said: “We are delighted to welcome Rolex as a Major Partner of the PGA of Australia; our premier tournament, the BMW Australian PGA Championship; and our tours which are producing the new generation of stars.
“Rolex is synonymous with golf with a rich history in our sport, and through major championships around the world, that dates back almost six decades.
“Rolex shares our dedication to enhancing the game for future generations and we look forward to the mutual benefits that will come from having Rolex at the heart of professional golf in Australia through the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and WPGA Tour of Australasia.”
The iconic Rolex clock, which has become a feature of golf events at all levels of the game across the world, will sit beside Royal Queensland’s first tee at the BMW Australian PGA Championship on November 21-24 in Brisbane.
Managing Director of Rolex Australia, Benoit Falletti, commented: “Rolex is proud to expand its support of golf in Australia, a country with more than 3.5 million active golf players and some of the world’s top ranking golf courses.
“The PGA of Australia promotes a thriving industry of golf professionals and presents a world-class tournament with the annual Australian PGA Championship event.
“We look forward to this exciting new partnership and to further developing the alignment between Rolex and Golf in this region.”
The PGA of Australia is the third oldest Professional Golfers Association in the world and traces its origins back to 1911 when a group of expatriate Scottish golf Professionals formed a national association to promote the game of golf and elevate the vocation of the golf Professional within Australia.
Rolex has deep roots with Australian golf, with its long-standing support including having 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott and 2015 PGA Championship winner Jason Day among its family of Testimonees.
ABOUT ROLEX AND GOLF
Rolex is committed to the permanent quest for excellence in all its endeavours and has been a long-term supporter of golf in its pursuit of the same. The brand’s enduring relationship with the sport began almost 60 years ago, in 1967, when Arnold Palmer, joined by Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, became the brand’s first golfing Testimonees.
Known together as The Big Three, these legendary players changed the face of golf forever, and their partnership with Rolex marked the beginning of a relationship based on the shared commitment to continuous improvement and unwavering precision.
Since then, the affiliation has grown and flourished, permeating every level of the game worldwide. From elite players and golf legends to all the game’s Major championships, where success represents the pinnacle of achievement in the sport, as well as the foremost professional tours and worldwide amateur championships, Rolex is ever-present.
Rolex is deeply committed to the amateur game and is a partner of important amateur tournaments across the globe, including the ground-breaking Augusta National Women’s Amateur launched in 2019, The British Amateur Championship, U.S. Amateur Championship, European Amateur Championship, Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, Latin America Amateur Championship and Women’s Amateur Latin America Championship.
Rolex also supports the leading amateur team competitions, the Arnold Palmer Cup, Walker Cup, Curtis Cup, Junior Ryder Cup and World Amateur Team Championships.
After lifting the trophies in front of record crowds in 2023, Chile’s Joaquin Niemann and South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai have today confirmed they will defend their titles at the 2024 ISPS HANDA Australian Open in Melbourne.
Played again in the world-first format of men, women and all abilities alongside one another, the ISPS HANDA Australian Open will be held at Kingston Heath Golf Club and The Victoria Golf Club from November 28 to December 1.
Claiming her second consecutive Patricia Bridges Bowl in 2023, after winning across the same host venues on Melbourne’s famed Sandbelt in 2022, Buhai will seek to become the first woman, and second player ever, to win a consecutive hat-trick of Australian Opens.
“I have a long history with Australia and have always loved visiting, and especially competing in the Australian Open which I’m thrilled is returning to the Melbourne Sandbelt,” Buhai said.
A major champion in 2022 when winning the AIG Women’s Open, Buhai already has a place among highly decorated company with fellow multiple winners Karrie Webb, Laura Davies and Yani Tseng all ranked as world No.1 during their careers.
“The names on the Australian Open trophy are special to be included alongside. Fortunately, I have had two years of looking at the trophy and I am hoping to make it a third this year.”
Lifting the Stonehaven Cup at The Australian last December following a thrilling play-off with Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino, Niemann will defend a title for the first time in a professional career that includes five wins around the globe and seven at home in Chile.
Considered one of the rising stars of men’s golf, Niemann’s victory in Sydney was part of a bountiful run that saw the 25-year-old earn a special invitation to The Masters at Augusta National.
“To have the opportunity to defend a title, especially a national Open, is something truly special that I am greatly looking forward to. I thoroughly enjoyed the Australian Open experience last year and think it will be a fantastic way to end a successful year,” Niemann said.
“Having played on the Melbourne Sandbelt previously, I can’t wait to try and go back-to-back across Kingston Heath and Victoria at this year’s tournament.”
The two defending champions join Min Woo Lee among the confirmed players for the 2024 ISPS HANDA Australian Open.
“Having our men’s and women’s defending champions now confirmed as returning for the 2024 ISPS HANDA Australian Open is a magnificent boost for the tournament,” Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland said.
“Ash has the chance to do something we haven’t seen before, while Joaquin is hoping to defend a title for the first time, and both have the chance to do so on two of Australia’s finest courses.”
The 2024 ISPS HANDA Australian Open will be broadcast on Fox Sports and Kayo, as well as the NINE Network.
Limited first release tickets for the ISPS HANDA Australian Open are available now via Ticketek. Save 20% off all tournament day passes until September 17.
A three-year adidas PGA Pro-Am Series drought ended for Steven Jeffress who revealed his PGA Tour Champions ambitions after he won the Ledonne Constructions Grafton Pro-Am today.
A 6-under-par 66, including birdies on his final two holes, gave the 48-year-old a one-shot margin over fellow Queenslander Dillon Hart and NSW Northern Rivers local Sam Brazel.
Although he doesn’t play competitively as much as he used to, and couldn’t quite remember his last pro-am victory, Jeffress had shown that a win might not be far off when he finished T4 at Kooralbyn Valley last month and then claimed a share of second at McLeod in Brisbane on Tuesday.
“I haven’t played a lot the last couple of years but the last month and a half I’ve actually started to do a bit of work on my game,” Jeffress said.
“I’ve been putting some hours in and it’s good to see it working.
“I want to keep playing because my overall goal is, at the end of next year, to go to Champions Tour Q-School in the States.
“Looking at how some of our Aussies like David Bransdon and Michael Wright have done it, you need to keep playing and competing before you hit 50.”
National Pro-Am Order of Merit leader Brett Rankin, who won at Grafton last year, finished in a share of fourth.
HOW THE WINNER’S SCORE UNFOLDED
Jeffress’s winning round featured seven birdies and the solitary bogey.
He started fast with a three on the par-4 third before dropping a shot two holes later.
Birdies then arrived with regularity at the sixth, ninth, 11th and 14th to move him to 4-under before the win was secured with back-to-back birdies on his final two holes.
An eight-metre putt secured a two on the 135m par-3 first and a two-putt after hitting the green with a 5-iron approach produced the winning birdie on the 462m par-5 second
WHAT THE WINNER SAID
Jeffress said: “The plan was that there was no plan apart from hitting good shots and the shots I wanted to hit.
“I figured 5-under wasn’t going to be enough. When you’ve been out here a while you get a sense of what’s needed.
“I thought I had to get to -6 to win outright. I wouldn’t get beat at six.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
66: Steven Jeffress (Qld)
67: Dillon Hart (Qld), Sam Brazel (NSW)
68: Brett Rankin (Qld), Jayden Cripps (NSW), Jack Pountney (NSW)
69: Sam Slater (Qld); Jack McLeod (NSW)
NEXT UP
There’s two 36-hole events coming up in New South Wales in the adidas Pro-Am Series. The Ray White Yamba Pro-Am will be held this weekend at Yamba Golf Club followed by the PSC Insurance Brokers Wagga Wagga Pro-Am at Wagga Wagga Country Club on Wednesday and Thursday next week.
Legendary NRL superstar and current Queensland State of Origin coach Billy Slater has been announced as the keynote speaker for the Australian Golf Summit.
Slater, often called the greatest fullback in the history of rugby league, has moved on from his stellar playing career to enhance his reputation as a leader through coaching Queensland to two Origin victories against fierce rivals New South Wales.
He played 323 NRL games for Melbourne Storm, winning four grand finals, five Dally M awards and two Clive Churchill Medals, as well as his remarkable career for Queensland and Australia’s Kangaroos.
Blessed with a fierce competitive drive and a relentless work ethic to go with his natural athleticism and talent, Slater is one of the most respected figures in all of Australian sport.
He will speak about effective coaching, managing setbacks and leading successful teams at the Golf Summit on October 16-17 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“I am looking forward to joining the Golf Summit this year to share some of the learnings from my career journey,” said Slater.
PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman is delighted to have Slater at the head of the list of speakers for Melbourne in October.
“Billy Slater is revered in Australian sport with good reason,” said Kirkman. “Beyond his magnificent playing career, he’s shown himself to have really special qualities in terms of leadership that we believe will be inspiring to everyone who comes to the Summit.”
Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland said: “It’s fabulous to have access to a person like Billy Slater for the Golf Summit. The first-hand ideas on leadership that Billy owns, we believe, are very relatable to everyone and very much transferrable to all walks of life.”
The Golf Summit is run by Australian Golf’s peak bodies – the PGA of Australia and Golf Australia – to bring the industry together to engage and influence key decision makers to lead, grow and innovate Australian golf. Attendees will have the chance to network, share ideas, strategies and best practices to take back to their business to help drive growth and success.
A highlight of the Summit will be the diverse range of panel sessions addressing critical business outcomes within the industry. There will be a panel tackling championing change for women and girls in golf, along with the impact of technology on golf coaching.
The two-day conference will also feature sessions on promoting diversity and inclusion, talent retention and management, biodiversity and sustainability in golf, and leveraging social media for commercial success.
Confirmed speakers for the 2024 Golf Summit:
NRL legend & Queensland Maroons Coach, Billy Slater
Former PGA Tour caddie, Steve Williams
World-renowned PGA Professional, Will Robins
Paralympian, Elle Steele
Richmond Football Club triple-premiership player, Bachar Houli
PING VP Engineering, Dr Paul Wood
CEO PGA of Australia, Gavin Kirkman
CEO Golf Australia, James Sutherland
CEO WPGA Tour of Australasia, Karen Lunn
Deputy General Manager – 13th Beach Golf Links, Sally McKenna
2023 PGA National Coach of the Year – Game Development, Asha Flynn
General Manager – Pacific Golf Club, Amber Williams
PGA Professional – Golf coach and golf educator, Hugh Marr
Biodiversity and Sustainability expert, Monina Gilbey
Biodiversity and Sustainability expert, Kate Torgersen
Lecturer – The University of Melbourne, Emma Power
READ MORE ABOUT THE SESSIONS HERE
The Asia-Pacific region’s premier event welcoming the entire golf industry, tickets for the 2024 Golf Summit are on sale now.
SECURE YOUR TICKETS HERE
Victorian Ben Henkel had shared two wins in this year’s adidas PGA Pro-Am Series but he made sure the next success was a solo victory at the Cohuna Stuart Appleby Pro-Am on Thursday.
A spectacular 7-under-par 65 on the country Victorian course gave Henkel a two-shot margin over two of Australia’s most experienced touring professionals, Matt Griffin and Marcus Fraser, as well as fellow Victorian Bradley Kivimets and NSW’s James Gordon.
A joint winner at Clermont and Maryborough in Queensland over winter, Henkel has been in solid form throughout 2024 with 12 top-10 pro-am finishes and he started the new Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia season with a tie for ninth at last month’s PNG Open.
HOW THE WINNER’S SCORE UNFOLDED
After starting his round on Cohuna’s eighth hole, Henkel went on a run of three straight birdies on nine through 11. Although he dropped a shot at the long par-4 14th, he was -5 by the time he rolled in birdie number six for the day on the first.
Another birdie on the fourth and then an eagle on the 465m par-5 fifth sent the 23-year-old clear of the field, with a bogey on his second last hole only reducing the winning margin.
WHAT THE WINNER SAID
Henkel said: “It feels great. Obviously most of these events don’t have playoffs and you really want to go out and win by yourself. Getting it done in an event solo, and shooting a good number to win by a couple, is a great feeling.
“Everything in my game has been really solid and I’m coming off some good results. Hitting the ball well off the tee was important here. It’s a pretty tight golf course. I also holed a couple of crucial par putts to keep the momentum going.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
65: Ben Henkel
67: James Gordon (NSW), Bradley Kivimets, Marcus Fraser, Matt Griffin
68: Ruben Lai, Harry Goakes, Andrew Kelly
69: Jake Fullerton, Steven Jones
(Vic players unless noted)
NEXT UP
The majority of the field that played at Cohuna will contest the 67th cluBarham Border Open at cluBarham Golf and Sports Club this weekend with 18 holes on both Saturday and Sunday.
Birdies on his final two holes saw Corey Lamb claim the Forster-Tuncurry Pro-Am in partnership with Ray White today, almost two years to the day since his last adidas PGA Pro-Am Series victory.
Hailing from two hours down the Pacific Highway at Branxton, Lamb shot a bogey-free 6-under-par 66 on the Tuncurry course to beat Andrew Evans (NSW) by a shot and claim the fourth pro-am title of his career.
Equal 17th in the PNG Open to start the new Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia season, Lamb has been an infrequent starter in the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series this year, but came into today’s event off the back of a share of fourth at Hawks Nest on Saturday.
HOW THE WINNER’S SCORE UNFOLDED
Starting his round from the seventh tee, Lamb birdied the eighth and 11th and was still sitting at 2-under-par when he began the remainder of the front nine.
That’s where he made his move, picking up shots on the first and third before catching Evans, who played in the morning field, at the 5-under mark with a birdie thanka to a lengthy putt on the 491m par-4 fifth. The outright victory was sealed by a three thanks to a fine approach on the 376m sixth hole.
WHAT THE WINNER SAID
Lamb said: “I’ve been doing a lot of work off the course just mentally and trying to get my body right so I can move forward. It’s good to see all the work I’ve been putting on my golf game in my scores.
“Golf this year is about keeping my Tour card here in Australia for next year and then maybe get on a tour overseas.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
66: Corey Lamb (NSW)
67: Andrew Evans (NSW)
69: Cameron John (Vic), Mitchell Brown (NSW), Matthew Millar (ACT)
70: William Bruyeres (Qld)
71: Neven Basic (NSW), Nathan Barbieri (NSW)
NEXT UP
The adidas PGA Pro-Am Series heads to the Ocean Shores CUB Pro-Am on Wednesday and McGrath Estate Agents Ballina Pro-Am on Thursday.
