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 ?
Yarrawonga’s Dale Crothers has extended his lead to six strokes after Round 3 of the PGA Victoria and Tasmania Associate Championship at Tocumwal Golf Club.
Crothers followed on from his course-record second round of nine-under 63 with a four-under par round of 68 on Thursday to takes his tournament total to 16-under par, six shots clear of Dylan Gardner from Queensland who is 10-under through three rounds.
The lowest round of the day was posted by Reid Brown of NSW with an impressive seven-under 65 which included eight birdies and one bogey.
The final round of the 72-hole championship will be played on Friday on the Captains course at Tocumwal Golf Club.
Lucas Herbert’s dual wins on the European Tour and PGA Tour has seen Dominic Azzopardi crowned Australian Golf Digest’s 2021 Coach of the Year.
The Player of the Year Awards are an annual feature of Australian Golf Digest’s January issue and the performances of our top men’s and women’s players across the globe made the Coach of the Year award one of the most hotly contested.
Winner in three of the past four years, Western Australia’s Ritchie Smith had another outstanding year, guiding Minjee Lee to her breakthrough major championship at the Aumundi Evian Championship, Min Woo Lee to the top 50 in the world rankings and Hannah Green to another strong season on the LPGA Tour.
Khan Pullen’s star pupil Cam Davis earned his first PGA Tour title at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, Gary Barter helped Stephanie Kyriacou and Matt Jones to wins on the Ladies European Tour and PGA Tour respectively and Grant Field took Cameron Smith to the top 20 in the world, got Australian Amateur champion Louis Dobbelaar ready to join the professional ranks and helped Andre Stolz to become the dominant force on the SParms PGA Legends Tour.
The likes of Michael Jones, Tim Wood, Gareth Jones and Adrian Wickstein all enjoyed great success in 2021 but the Australian Golf Digest judges deemed Azzopardi’s influence on Herbert as the best performance of the year.
A winner on the European Tour for a second time at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in July, Herbert finished tied for fourth at the first event of the Korn Ferry Tour Finals to effectively seal his promotion to the PGA Tour.
He missed the cut in each of his first two starts as a full member of the PGA Tour but when Azzopardi answered the call for help and flew to the US to take a closer look at Herbert’s swing the results were instant, Herbert coming from four shots back on Sunday to win the Butterfield Bermuda Championship in Bermuda.
Immediately following his win Herbert paid tribute to the sacrifice his coach made in flying to the United States to make the adjustments they needed to get back to his best.
“I was taking the club back a long way inside, inside plane going back and from there it was very hard to match it up,” Herbert explained.
“I was kind of leaking the ball to the right or double-crossing left, which is not a really good way to play golf.
“We just worked on that takeaway a lot. It’s a lot to work on because then it throws out a lot of your feels of how the ball’s going to launch. I just felt like I was going to hit a lot of shots left.
“For him to make that commitment to come out and help me out a lot with my golf swing… we hit a lot of balls over the last two or three weeks getting ready for this event.
“To have it pay off so quickly and to share that win with him, that was really special.”
For his efforts Herbert was named Male Player of the Year while first year Associate Lachlan Aylen (Eynesbury Golf Club) received the nod as the PGA Associate Player of the Year.
For the full list of award winners see the January issue of Australian Golf Digest, on sale now.
Second Year PGA Associate Lachlan Aylen has secured the PGA Associate National Championship and with it a start at the Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland in January.
Starting the final round at Rich River Golf Club with the equal lead at five-under par, Aylen poured the pressure on early with four birdies on the front nine to open up a six-shot lead over the field at the turn.
The Eynesbury Homestead and Golf PGA Associate was able to consolidate his early form with an even-par back nine to finish at nine-under for the tournament, five shots clear of Queenslander AJ McCoy.
McCoy’s round of five-under 67 was the best of the final round and enough to elevate himself to outright second but he started too far back to bridge the gap to the 2021 PGA Associate National Champion.
“I’m really happy with how I went out and took my chances this morning,” said Aylen.
“With the field bunching up yesterday I knew I had to be aggressive early and go out and try to win it, so it was really pleasing to be able to execute and drop those putts on the front nine.”
Aylen made special mention of his playing partners and friends he’s made during the tournament.
“I just wanted to thank all my playing partners today and the for the whole week. We get to know each other quite well in the Membership Pathway Program so it’s special to be able to share this moment with what I’m sure will be lifelong friends,” he added.
Also earning a start from her performance this week was second year PGA Associate Steffi Vogel. As the highest-ranked female PGA Associate in the field, Vogel has earnt a start at the TPS Sydney event at Bonnie Doon Golf Club in February.
“It’s super exciting,” said the Cobram Barooga Associate. “It’s such a great opportunity thanks to the WPGA and I can’t wait to get up there.”
The day was also special for Vogel who had a highlight of her own, scoring a hole-in-one on the 118-metre seventh hole, the second ace recorded for the tournament.
“It was a great day today,” said the smiling 23-year-old.
“I used 9-iron and hit it well. I was hoping it would get close and just watched it roll up and into the hole.”
For the PGA Associate National Championship final leaderboard click here. – Matthew Street
The PGA Associate National Championship has tightened right up after rain and more strong winds brought the field closer together heading into the final round at Rich River Golf Club on Friday.
Overnight leader Lachlan Aylen (top) couldn’t maintain his four-shot lead and now finds himself tied at the top with round one leader, Jack Sandic, at five-under for the championship.
After going without a bogey for the first 42 holes of the tournament, Aylen fell back to the field, finishing his third round with a five-over 75.
Sharing the lead with Aylen was fellow Victorian Sandic (below), who grinded through difficult conditions to card a one-over 71.
The big mover of the day was first year PGA Associate Jack Harrison, who shot the equal best score of the day, two-under 68, to take himself to outright third at four-under.
Based at Settler’s Run Golf and Country Club in Melbourne’s south-east, Harrison recorded all pars on the front nine before a bogey and three birdies to put himself within one shot of the lead.
The conditions tested the field of 52, with four-over 74 the average score for day three.
On one particular hole all but one were unable to birdie the par-4 eighth. It took Rich River PGA Associate Cooper Gentle with all of his local knowledge to manage the cross winds and pin position and pick up a shot on the field.
With a spot in the Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland on the line for the winner, all eyes will be watching as the final day commences at 7am, with the leading group teeing off at 8.30am.
Follow the live scores here. – Matthew Street
Second-year PGA Associate Lachlan Aylen hoisted the main sail at Rich River to take control of the PGA Associate National Championship in extremely windy conditions.
While the Murray course north of Echuca is more synonymous with paddle steamers, Aylen looked every part of a super maxi as he surged ahead in strong winds to post an impressive eight-under, 62.
Currently undertaking his PGA Associate training at Eynesbury Homestead and Golf, Aylen said that the windy conditions played to his favour as he took a commanding four-stroke lead at the halfway point.
“It was a good day but very windy out there,” said Aylen.
“I normally hit a pretty low ball flight anyway which suited me being low to the ground but I made a couple of putts too which definitely helped.”
The bogey-free round has given Aylen a four-shot buffer over fellow Victorian Jack Sandic (68) who built on his strong start from day one to be six-under after 36 holes.
Keeping on the podium and firmly within striking distance was Queenslander AJ McCoy who now sits five shots back on five-under after shooting a one-under 69 in the morning field of day two.
“It played tough today, but I struck it well and had to make some long putts,” said McCoy.
Blustery conditions tested the field of 94 as all players pushed to get into the top 50 and a piece of the $60,000 purse – the largest of any PGA Associate or Apprentice tournament in the world.
Early cheers reverberated around the course on the third hole, as second-year PGA Associate, Mark Thomas struck a pure five-iron to drop a hole-in-one on the 164-metre par-3 third hole.
The group behind took inspiration from Thomas’ ace with a highlight of their own on the next hole. Third-year PGA Associate, Chris Irving, knocked a wedge past the pin which sucked back and dropped in to give the Kooringal Associate an eagle on hole No.4.
The field condenses to 52 after Wednesday’s cut with ‘moving day’ commencing at 7am on Thursday morning. – Matthew Street
Four players from four states and territories are locked in a four-way tie after all shot four-under in the first round of the PGA Associate National Championships at Rich River Golf Club.
The first to enter the clubhouse at four-under was the most experienced of the quartet, Jack Sandic, a third year PGA Associate from Ranfurlie Golf Club in Melbourne’s south-east.
The 26-year-old was the best of the morning field, dropping five birdies and one bogey in ideal conditions to finish with 66 in a revised layout of Rich River’s East Course.
“I was a bit nervous early on as I haven’t played many rounds since coming out of lockdown, so just to make three birdies early just really settled the nerves,” said Sandic.
The first to pull alongside Sandic was Muree Golf Club first year PGA Associate Chad Mackay, who also carded five birdies and one bogey to ensure New South Wales was represented at the top of the leaderboard.
The wind picked up late in the afternoon, but that didn’t slow the scoring with two more contenders making themselves known.
Aaron Maxwell, a second year PGA Associate from Federal Golf Club in the ACT, had the highlight of the day with an eagle-3 on the par-5, 11th hole to accompany his five birdies and three bogeys.
“I holed a few putts and got off to a good start with an eagle on my second hole and was able to drop some good putts today,” said Maxwell.
The final group of the day saw Queenslander Alexander (AJ) McCoy from Caloundra Golf Club join the leaders at four-under. The 18-year-old (pictured top) made a sparkling first impression at the National Championship with an impressive six birdies and two bogeys.
The quartet of youth and experience laid down the gauntlet to a strong field with 20 others all shooting under par as the field look to strengthen their position ahead of tomorrow’s cut.
Round two commences on Wednesday at 7am with sunny conditions and low scoring forecasted.
Starts alongside Australian golf’s biggest stars and the richest prize purse for an Associate or Trainee tournament anywhere in the world go on the line at the PGA Associate National Championship at Rich River Golf Club starting December 7.
Second-year Associate at Cobram-Barooga Golf Club Steffanie Vogel and first-year Associate at Rich River Cooper Gentle will carry the hopes of the Murray River golf community with male and female PGA Associates vying for a share of the $60,000 in prizemoney off respective tees.
Formerly known as the Futures National Championship, the PGA Associate National Championship will be contested from December 7-10 and is the first to be held since the 2019 championship at Ballarat Golf Club.
And the rewards are significant.
The winner of the event will gain entry into either the Australian PGA Championship or Australian WPGA Championship at Royal Queensland in January, teeing it up alongside the likes of Min Woo Lee, Geoff Ogilvy and Hannah Green.
Irrespective of the winner, the highest ranked female PGA Associate (that makes the cut) will also gain a start through a WPGA category in a Webex Players Series event in 2022.
“As a part of our ongoing collaboration with the PGA of Australia, the WPGA Tour is delighted to be able to offer the highest placed female at the 2021 PGA Associate National Championship an invitation to compete in the Webex Players Series Sydney which will be held at Bonnie Doon Golf Club from the 3rd-6th of March 2022,” said WPGA Tour CEO Karen Lunn.
“In addition, should the winner of the 2021 PGA Associate National Championship be a female, we will also offer them an invitation to compete in the inaugural Australian WPGA Championship, to be held concurrently with the Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club from the 13th-16th January 2022.”
Host to the Rich River Trainee Classic for 33 years straight, Rich River Golf Club CEO Shane Gloury said the club was delighted to bring tournament golf back to the club.
“The Rich River Golf Club is thrilled that we’re able host the 2021 PGA Associate National Championship,” said Mr Gloury.
“We are proud of the long history we’ve had hosting the Rich River Trainee Classic for the past 33 years and can’t wait to continue that support through the National Championship.
“After a challenging 18 months, our members and community can’t wait to see Professional golf back at Rich River Golf Club.”
Despite various border restrictions, around 100 Associates are expected to take part in the championship with a number of players bringing strong credentials to the tournament.
Year 3 PGA Associate Brayden Petersen (pictured) from Kurri Golf Club in Newcastle has twice won at Rich River while Victorian PGA Associate Champion Lachlan Aylen (Eynesbury Golf Club) also boasts strong form in the region, his Victorian win coming at Tocumwal Golf Club by an impressive five strokes.
Leading after three rounds of the 2020 Rich River Classic, Steffanie Vogel was runner-up to Aylen in May and is considered a strong chance while Cooper Gentle will use the knowledge of playing on his home course to enhance his hopes.
A six-hole surge late in the first round has propelled Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club PGA Associate Mitchell Smith to a convincing win in the final of the Pampling Plate at Caboolture Golf Club.
Flying somewhat under the radar on his way to the 36-hole final against Caloundra’s Bailey Arnott, Smith was seeking to add to his victory at the NSW PGA Associate Championship earlier in the year against the current leader of the Queensland PGA MPP Order of Merit.
The pair are sitting first and second on the Order of Merit so it was little surprise to see them face off in Thursday’s final and the early exchanges were befitting of the standard of play they had produced all week.
The match was all square through nine holes before Smith pounced to assume the momentum late in the first round.
He won four of the next six holes to begin the back nine and managed to maintain that advantage through to the start of the second round.
Competition was again tight to start the second 18 with the first five holes all halved before Arnott reduced the deficit by winning the ninth and 10th holes.
The score remained 3 up to Smith through the 11th and 12th holes and when he won the 13th and 14th holes with consecutive birdies he was able to close out the match 5&4.
“I hit the ball great today but putted quite awful. Lucky for me Bailey was not putting well either,” said Smith, who was presented with the Pampling Plate by Rod Pampling’s mother Marge.
“I had a great week here at Caboolture and to win this prestigious event that Rod and Ange Pampling support and sponsor is a thrill.”
In the playoff for third and fourth it was KDV Sport PGA Associate Harrison Wills who took the honours, defeating AJ McCoy from Caloundra Golf Club.
He shot to prominence playing nine holes with Adam Scott but Caloundra trainee Bailey Arnott can establish a new claim to fame after qualifying for the final of the Coca-Cola Pampling Plate at Caboolture Golf Club.
Arnott will face off against Sanctuary Cove’s Mitchell Smith in the 36-hole final on Thursday after both came through their quarter-final and semi-final matches on Wednesday.
Arnott was tasked with getting past AJ McCoy in his semi-final after McCoy had accounted for a second former Pampling Plate champion in as many days, defeating Dean Jamieson 1 up in the quarter-finals.
“To knock over the past two champions of the event in consecutive matches is a pretty good feeling,” a happy McCoy said after advancing to a semi-final showdown with Arnott.
With a place in the final up for grabs the tension reached new heights in the afternoon semi-final matches, Arnott securing Caloundra bragging rights with a hard-fought 1 up win in a match of the highest order.
“It’s been a dream week so far but there is still a big day tomorrow to go so trying to keep it all in check,” said Arnott, who spent three months at Iowa State University prior to the Covid outbreak and then returned to the Sunshine Coast for pick-up matches with Scott, a long-time friend of Bailey’s father Tom.
Smith’s path to the final was slightly less stressful as he recorded convincing wins in both of his matches.
The 2021 NSW PGA Associate Champion at Moruya Golf Club earlier this year, Smith moved past Ray Harris 5&3 in the quarter-finals and then overcame arguably the player of the tournament to date, Harrison Wills, 5&3 in the semi-final.
Given Arnott’s connection to a former world No.1, Smith is ready to embrace the underdog tag for the 36-hole finale.
“It feels like I have snuck under the radar a little this week with most of the other favoured players playing each other,” said Smith.
Wills and McCoy will play over 18 holes to determine third and fourth positions with the final between Arnott and Smith to commence at 7.20am.
Live scoring of the final is available at pga.org.au.
For graduates of the PGA Membership Pathway Program and their indentured professionals, 2020 presented some challenges that didn’t come with a roadmap to navigate.
In Victoria in particular, various periods of lockdown meant that there was a physical disconnect between Associates and their workplace, but Director of Golf at Kingston Heath went out of his way to ensure that Lachlan Kenny and the golf operations team were actively engaged throughout.
“During lockdown Justin was always very active in making sure that we had something to do or could be involved with any changes or processes made from an operational perspective and also club perspective,” explains Kenny, who completed the PGA Membership Pathway Program at the end of 2020.
“Whilst everyone was locked up so to speak, we were working quite diligently throughout that lockdown period.
“From a support point of view, he always made sure that all of us had the ability to stay connected which was a massive boost.”
The mentorship that is a feature of the PGA of Australia’s Membership Pathway Program was crucial in Kenny’s career development.
His father Andrew has been the General Manager at Pelican Waters on the Sunshine Coast and Heritage Golf and Country Club in Melbourne and his family are close friends with former ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia player Heath Reed.
When Kenny moved to Melbourne to advance his playing career he sought the counsel of Ben Bunny at Ranfurlie Golf Club and found a mentor in Burrage at Kingston Heath who would provide clarity around his career prospects within the golf industry.
“Heath always taught me to work hard and if I was going to give something a go to give it my all,” Kenny explains.
“Ben Bunny at Ranfurlie was always a shoulder to lean upon and run ideas past, especially while I was looking at playing. He was a great coach and definitely helped with my coaching to membership.
“Justin has been at Kingston Heath for 18 years and really invested his time into me, ensuring that if I had any questions or concerns to voice that to him.
“That’s where the communication side really came to life with myself. If there was an issue, rather than stewing on it, to talk it through. He was always very supportive with any ideas or challenges that we had in the workplace and how we could work through those.
“Those three as PGA Members were definitely big mentors for myself.”
Recognising that staff turnover at Kingston Heath is minimal, Kenny and Burrage began evaluating opportunities elsewhere when a twist of fate opened the way for a return to where Kenny’s traineeship had begun.
Another Melbourne lockdown delayed his start date by a week but the doors open again Kenny will be employed as the Golf Operations Manager at Settlers Run Golf and Country Club.
“Throughout the last year I worked out that I wanted to transition out of playing and into club management and golf operations,” said Kenny, who began the Member Pathway Program at Settlers Run before moving to Kingston Heath with the club’s full blessing.
“Towards the end of my traineeship I sat down with Justin and we talked through the avenues I wanted to work into and openly discussing areas that I can work into outside of Kingston Heath.
“I knew from a little way out that a move was necessary and he was fully supportive of talking through the pros and cons of each avenue that I wanted to go down.
“The opportunity came up at Settlers Run where I originally started my traineeship and I jumped at it.”
Courtesy of his mentors along the way, Kenny now understands how he wants to impact the facilities he works at throughout his career, starting at Settlers Run.
“Whatever which operation you are in, a level of attentiveness and service has no price,” says Kenny.
“It’s all down to effort and making sure that members and anyone attending the club feels welcome. “I’ll still learn how to deal with people management but it’s taking ownership of everyone’s accountability to ensure that anyone waking through the door is going to have an enjoyable experience.
“Hopefully that will help to grow the game of golf.”
