The Assistant Professional at Ballarat Golf Club in Victoria for the past seven years, Tatt has been selected to represent the PGA of Australia at the Women’s PGA Cup in New Mexico later this month.

It is a path to playing on the world stage that she has dreamed of since she was a junior at Buninyong Golf Club and which has been inspired by family throughout.

Angela’s father, Chris Tatt, represented Australia at the 1983 Sloan Morpeth Trophy and won the 2009 Victorian Senior Amateur Championship. Angela herself was a member of the Victorian state squad and in 2005 was the Victorian Country Champion and Victoria Golf Club Women’s Club Champion.

After completing high school, Tatt spent a year doing little more than playing golf.

Her progress led to victories in amateur events and the suggestion by a family friend that she could forge a career as a PGA Professional, a nudge that would prove to be life-changing.

At the age of 20 she began her PGA training under Phil Hodge at Portarlington Golf Club on the Bellarine Peninsula but her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis necessitated a move closer to home.

Tatt continued under Michael Cooke at Midlands Golf Club, revelling in the pro shop environment and interaction with – generally – happy members.

But playing competitively runs deep in the Tatt bloodlines.

Which is why, when you ask her what it means to represent Australia at the Women’s PGA Cup, there is so much emotion lying just beneath the surface.

“I’m going to get emotional straight away,” answers Tatt, whose brother Travis is currently undertaking the Membership Pathway Program at Ballarat.

“To represent your country as a golfer, there are very few opportunities to do that.

“This is huge for me.”

Tatt began to play pro-ams after commencing the PGA traineeship. Towards the end of her three years, Tatt shot four-under to win the Castle Hill Country Club Pro-Am on the Australian Ladies Professional Golf circuit.

That paved the way to play in the 2009 Women’s Australian Open and 2009 Australian Ladies Masters, tournaments won by Laura Davies and Katherine Kirk respectively.

Yet an experience at the LPGA’s Duramed Futures Tour Qualifying School later that year – where she says she “mentally blew up” – challenged Tatt’s passion for playing.

She returned to her retail position at The Good Guys in Ballarat, completed a Diploma in Management and was on the verge of opening a franchise of her own.

And then golf came calling.

A chance dinner with the David Wallis, Head Professional at Ballarat Golf Club, and the recent departure of his resident Teaching Professional presented an opportunity to return to her first love.

“I rang my parents and talked it through,” Tatt said of once again utilising her PGA qualifications.

“I had a mortgage on my own so it was a big risk to take financially.

“By the end of the weekend I had accepted the job.”

For the past seven years Tatt has been an active promoter of women in golf in the Ballarat region, a position she hopes to advance through her participation in the second iteration of the Women’s PGA Cup.

“The thing I am most looking forward to is the networking. Really picking the brains of all the other girls,” Tatt adds.

“Everyone has got so many different ideas and we all learn so much about golf and what we can do to develop the game when we’re all in it together, no matter where we are in the world.

“I’m definitely an advocate for women in golf – that’s my main thing in Ballarat – so I just can’t wait for that part of it.

“And to play with some of the girls that, back in the day, you used to play with, it’s like getting the old band back together.

“It means a hell of a lot.”

Tatt will tee it up alongside Anne-Marie Knight, Nicole Martino, Katelyn Must and Paige Stubbs at Twin Warriors Golf Club in New Mexico October 24-29. The field, comprised of teams from six world PGAs, will compete in a 54-hole strokeplay format, with each team’s lowest three scores counted after each round.

With delegates present from around the country and throughout the industry, PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman kicked off the day by welcoming all PGA Professionals.

“PGA Professionals have a huge role to play, promoting all walks of golf and helping to bring new people into the game,” he explained.

Closely aligned to the inaugural Australian Golf Strategy – one that is built upon having more Australians playing more golf, and positioning the sport as one to be enjoyed by everyone for life – Kirkman stressed the role that PGA Professionals play in that.

“PGA Professionals can create a positive, welcoming and encouraging first experience for everyone,” he said. “That allows us to set up our future golfers for success from day one.”  

From there, high-performance coach and founder of FlowCode Golf Academy, Rick Sessinghaus shared his insights on achieving a state of flow – one that allows for peak performance both on and off the golf course.

“We are always performing – no matter what role we play in the golf industry,” said Sessinghaus, who has coached two-time Major Champion Collin Morikawa for nearly twenty years. “The key to peak performance in that sense, is to be entirely present and in the moment.

Expert in golf retail and golfer engagement, Ian James dazzled the main auditorium in the afternoon session. Prepared to challenge traditional ways of thinking, he was determined to inspire PGA Professionals to strive for success at their various clubs and facilities.

Keen to impress upon the audience that PGA Professionals are the “Chief Engagement Officers” at any golfing facility, he emphasised the importance of creating meaningful, enduring relationships with golfers.

“Less than 15% of golfers play in order to compete,” he said. “More than 80% of golfers get out on the course in order to connect and spend time with their community.

“The natural progression from that is that the PGA Professional needs to spend time with the golfer and then the golfer will respond.”

Going on to share a range of models that Professionals and General Managers can implement in order to maximise a mutually beneficial relationship, it all boils down to one thing for Ian.

“We want to create a situation where the golf club wins, the golfer wins and the PGA Professional wins,” he said. “That’s the ultimate goal.”

Embracing the broader theme of where the game of golf is heading, Ian addressed how valuable PGA Professionals are in making the game more accessible to more people.

“The quickest way we can help people to enjoy their golf is to change their challenge; giving them something that they can achieve and feel like they are succeeding at,” he explained. “Improving their competence is important, but thinking outside the box is key, we need to be more inclusive as a sport.”

The unmissable industry-wide education and networking event will continue tomorrow, with a range of PGA Professional-exclusive content to look forward to.

To view the full program and check out who will be speaking tomorrow, click HERE

Laycock, who fired a bogey-free round of six-under on Tuesday, finished the Championship at ten-under par to claim victory by three shots over Queensland’s TJ King and New-South Welshman, Jayden Cripps.

The second time he has won the Dan Cullen Cup, Laycock’s complete performance in blustery afternoon conditions formed only part of the story on Tuesday afternoon, as he demonstrated remarkable humility just minutes after holing his Championship-winning putt.

With an exemption into the 2022 Fortinet Australian PGA Championship provided to the top two finishers, both Cripps and King – who finished tied at seven-under – birdied their first play-off hole for the position, before Laycock intervened – shaking hands with the pair and congratulating them on earning their places at Royal Queensland – as he forfeited his own exemption.

“They both played well, good luck to them, I’m sure they’ll go a long way in their golf,” Laycock smiled. “It’s great to give these guys the chance to get up there and progress their careers.”

A striking show of generosity, it was gratefully received by King, who roared home, finishing birdie, birdie, eagle just to earn his place in the play-off.

“I didn’t think I was in the picture there to be honest,” explained King. “I don’t have the words to describe what Scott’s just done. He’s been there and done it all, so for him to do that for two young blokes is just incredible.”

Equally, Cripps was overcome by Laycock’s offer, wrapping him in a big bear hug as the news sunk in on the eighteenth green.

“I can’t believe it. I’ve just met Scott today and for him to do that for us is really amazing.”

A particularly popular winner, Laycock’s victory was almost assured from the first hole, as he made a nerveless six-footer for birdie to tie the lead. From there, he only vacated the top spot briefly, as he plotted his way around sensibly, and regularly gave himself the chance to score.

A crucial par-save on the par-five ninth got him moving, as Royal Hobart’s teaching professional went on an exceptional four-under run through the first five holes of the back nine.

“I pride myself on my ability to control my ball flight in tough conditions,” explained Laycock who has a range of playing experience both at home and overseas. “I wasn’t pleased with how I’d played that (ninth) hole, so to make that putt for par was really pleasing.

“From there I almost knocked it in on the (par three) eleventh, hit it to five feet on the twelfth and hit the flagstick on fourteen as well, so that little stretch was great.”

The second time he has won the PGA Professionals Championship, Laycock claimed victory in 2018 and was runner-up in 2019. Proud to return to the top of the podium, he also notes the value of giving PGA Professionals the chance to perform in tournament conditions like they faced at Yarra Yarra.

“I think it’s really important that we get the chance to play events like this,” Laycock explained. “That’s why we get into the game, because we love it. We love playing and now we are fortunate enough to make a living out of it in one way or another.

“For me, I’ve been playing for a lot of years and I still get the juices flowing and get competitive, it’s a wonderful event.”

Composed down the stretch, Laycock finished with four straight pars as the chasing pack fought for places in the top ten.

Michael Moore shot a second-round sixty-nine, enough to tie fourth place with Victoria’s Bradley McLellan at five-under par. McLellan himself enjoyed a fast finish, making five straight birdies in his back nine to earn a place at the top end of the leader board.

Similarly, Ben Bunny played the back nine in three-under to secure his place in the top-ten, while Manly’s William Flitcroft backed-up yesterday’s strong showing with a steady round of seventy-one, to finish at four-under.

For Laycock, who will be getting married in November, victory means a great deal and he knows it will be warmly received back in Tasmania.

“The Royal Hobart members love to follow Matt Docking (Head Professional) and myself,” he said. “We regularly play with them as best we can, and they do support us a lot.”

To view the final standings from the 2022 PGA Professionals Championship, CLICK HERE

The youngest member of Australia’s five-person team, Stubbs is fearlessly chasing her dreams of becoming the world’s best female golf coach, harnessing lessons learned playing professionally to help her both as a player and a coach.

After turning professional in 2015, Stubbs took the chance to play overseas in both Europe and China, a grounding she believes will make her an effective coach.

“I kept pursuing that dream of playing professionally,” she recalls. “I loved it. I’ve always loved competing.

“Travelling as a professional during that time of my life was an incredible experience and I think it really rounds you as a person.

“It’s certainly made me the person and the coach that I am today.”

Now Stubbs, who became a full PGA Member at the start of this year, works as the Teaching Professional at Castle Hill Country Club where she is taking her coaching to the next level.

Determined to help as many golfers as possible, she has expanded her instruction to both in-person and online offerings, embracing technology and the power of social media to make golf instruction more accessible than ever before.

“I’ve always said that I want to help the whole world and I’m conscious of ensuring that I can reach as many people as possible,” she explains. “Only doing that in-person reduces the amount of people you can help.”

Stubbs emphasises that time spent in COVID lockdown- as well as when courses in New South Wales were closed due to floods – inspired her to take her coaching online as well. Now, she offers tuition through online platform Skillest in addition to her coaching at Castle Hill.  

Tailoring a range of programs to the individual’s needs, her online offerings range from one-off swing analysis, right through to 24/7 swing support and communication.

“It’s more feasible for the player and for the coach,” says Stubbs, who had three top-five finishes on the WPGA Tour Australasia.

“It means that the player knows they are practising the right things and, in a sense, keeps them accountable as well.

“Where there can be a lag time between lessons in-person, I am able to provide instant feedback for everyone online.”

In addition to those who sign up to her online programs, Stubbs also maintains a strong social media presence, sharing tips and insights for everyone, particularly via her Instagram account.

“I think social media is extremely powerful when used correctly,” says Stubbs. “We do need to be cautious, though, when people just start trawling for answers to their swing.

“There’s no doubt that creating quality content for social media is time consuming, but it is certainly rewarding in the long run.”

Regardless of whether a student shows up on the range or on screen, a lesson with Stubbs is built on the same fundamentals as she tries to understand their goals and then simplify technical advice as much as possible.

“I try to make a distinction between whether someone is chasing a quick fix or whether they are looking to make longer term progress,” she says. “Then it’s about communicating the information in a manner the student can understand. I’m very hands on.

“You learn to explain things differently to different people. We are always learning as PGA Professionals and it’s important we continue that process.”

For all of the time and dedication she gives to help other golfers on their journey, Stubbs is particularly excited to have the chance to focus on her own game and represent Australia next month.

“I’ve always wanted to represent Australia,” she smiles. “I’m incredibly proud to do it and to have the flag on my arm is just super, super cool.

“I can’t answer it any other way.”

Stubbs will tee it up alongside Anne-Marie Knight, Nicole Martino, Katelyn Must and Angela Tatt at Twin Warriors Golf Club in New Mexico October 24-29. The field, comprised of teams from six world PGAs, will compete in a 54-hole strokeplay format, with each team’s lowest three scores counted after each round.