The agreement is an extension of a strong working relationship established the last few years between the two organisations and the formal collaboration put in place in 2019.

The WPGA Tour operations will come under the banner of the PGA alongside the men’s ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia  as the main governing bodies in the golf industry continue to seek ways to reduce fragmentation and grow golf in Australia.

The WPGA Tour will retain its ownership structure and an independent board, and current WPGA Tour Chief Executive Karen Lunn will continue in her role, joining the PGA executive team. The CEO of the PGA will now sit on the WPGA Tour board, with the position currently held by Gavin Kirkman.

Collaboration highlights over the last few years include the Webex Players Series co-sanctioned events, the transition of the formerly named ALPG vocational members as qualified PGA Professionals and the rebranding of the ALPG to the WPGA Tour of Australasia.

Under the new alignment, there will be regular reviews over the initial term with a formal review in four years’ time to analyse the success of the arrangement with a view to extending it after five years has expired.

“We are delighted that moving forward, the WPGA Tour of Australasia will be supported by the PGA of Australia’s engine room which boasts more than 50 staff whose resources, some aligned with Golf Australia, will all be available to us when and where required,” WPGA Tour CEO Karen Lunn said.

“It’s no secret that the WPGA Tour has been an organisation which has been resource-poor for most of its existence and this is an essential step forward for us if we are to continue to grow and provide our Members with more opportunities. 

“This is a very logical next step following all of the work which has been done over the past three years to align our organisations, memberships, programs and services.

“This gives us a five-year period in which the WPGA Tour and its members can weigh up whether the key performance indicators – things like prizemoney for our events, playing opportunities and increased media presence – are coming through as a result of partnership. We are confident that they will, and we’re incredibly optimistic about where we can take our tour.”

PGA of Australia Chief Executive Gavin Kirkman said: “Australian Golf is working together closer than ever, a clear pillar of the new Australian Golf Strategy released last year.

“We need to keep growing women’s golf in Australia, and we’re committed to supporting CEO Karen Lunn in providing more playing opportunities for WPGA Tour Members and growing the commercial viability of the Tour.

“The WPGA Tour is producing some fantastic young players and we’ve seen with the arrival of the mixed-gender Webex Players Series events how the fans love to watch our best women play. The recent Australian Open was further evidence of the appetite from fans.

“We’re excited with what this collaboration can bring to the game moving forward.”

An inconspicuous introduction to the game, that is Ian Roberts’ first golfing memory.

From there, he has gone on to enjoy a decorated career in the sport, that has spanned nearly four decades, seven countries and a great deal of personal and professional fulfilment, mostly as a manager helping to steer some of the world’s biggest golf clubs and resorts in the right direction.

Having most recently led the Singapore Island Country Club as the Director of Golf and Sports, Roberts has now returned home to Australia; specifically, to the Royal Sydney Golf Club, where he commenced a role as Director of Golf in November.

“It has been an awesome ride, but the opportunity to return to Australia was always on my mind,” he says.

Having been bitten by the travel bug during his playing days when he toured Australia, Europe, Canada and Asia, Roberts, who became a PGA Professional in 1983, instantly saw the appeal in management when he started working in golf.

“I was drawn to the management side of the industry by the chance to travel and leave Australia,” he recalls. “I was given my first opportunity to work in golf overseas in Fiji and that opened up a lot of opportunities for me.”

It was there in Fiji – at the Denarau Golf and Racquet Club – where Roberts established himself as an invaluable Director of Golf. There for just three years, he led the pre-opening team through a $250 million golf project, before seeing the Club voted the number 1 resort golf course in the south east Pacific region for two years running.

“To be involved in that whole process, opening a venue and then seeing guests come in is a very rewarding feeling,” he smiles.

From there, it was full throttle for Roberts. Moving to Indonesia and then to India, he got a taste for General Management at the Klub Golf Rimba Irian Sheraton, before establishing India’s first night-golf offering at the DLF Golf and Country Club.

Keen to stretch himself as much as possible at this early stage in his career, Roberts felt his grounding as a PGA Professional meant that he could tackle any challenge that came in his direction, at home or far away.

“I think what the traineeship (now PGA Membership Pathway Program) taught me was how to engage with club members themselves,” Roberts explains. “When you are dealing with high-level people, it teaches you to keep up with world events, not just golf itself. I had to have a broad understanding of a range of subjects.

“It’s the people skills that I think most PGA Members have. They are good at making conversations, meeting people and engaging.”

Bringing together a range of skills, Roberts also acknowledges that his time as a player taught him lessons that have been invaluable in both his personal and professional life.

Winner of the 1985 Tasmanian Open and the 1987 Alberta Open on the Canadian Tour, Roberts enjoyed his time as a Touring Professional, but felt something was missing – and happily that is what he found once he started working vocationally in the golf industry.

“Playing golf is an individual sport, it’s all about yourself. If you’re not playing well, it affects your personality,” he explains. “It can be very selfish when it’s all about you, and I thought there is more to life than that.

“On the other hand, when you are working in golf, you are giving. Whether you are a coach imparting your knowledge, or in my role now, it is about passing on information to younger people.”

It was that sense of purpose and collegiality that sustained Roberts as he continued his worldwide adventure; returning to Australia briefly for a successful stint at The Glades Golf and Spa Resort, before moving across three different clubs and resorts in Indonesia between 2007 – 2011.

Wherever he went, success inevitably followed as Roberts demonstrated a willingness and an uncanny ability to bring together big teams to achieve financial and non-financial goals alike.

Whether it was driving increased membership and participation numbers at Meru Valley Golf and Country Club, the completion of a $3.5 million five-story clubhouse upgrade at the Mountain View Golf Club, or leading The Glades to be the number 1 resort course in Australia, Roberts gave his all to every venue he managed.

“Whatever I was doing, wherever I was, it was all developing my skills and opening up my mind,” he reflects. “Living and immersing yourself with other cultures is also such a great part of being overseas. It was just an awesome ride.”

Although he tackled so many different challenges around the world – and not all of them golf specific – it was his affinity for golf course design, and fully immersing himself in that process that stands out as a favourite memory for Roberts from his decorated career overseas.

The Director of Golf Sports at the Tanah Merah Golf and Country Club in Singapore for six-and-a-half-years, Roberts was tasked with working with various committees and teams on the redevelopment of the club’s two separate 18-hole sites. Engaging Phil Jacobs – Gary Player’s preferred designer – and Robert Trent Jones II, Roberts threw himself into the process.

“We start by engaging designers who have experience in the region, and then work closely with the redevelopment committee at every step,” he recalls.

Going on to detail the intricacies of “shaping” golf holes to suit the natural environment, as well as to suit the membership’s preferences for difficulty, safety and accessibility, Roberts’ knowledge and passion for the subject shines through.

“It really is one of my favourite memories, going through that process and then opening the golf course is a pretty amazing feeling.”

Without a doubt, however, Roberts’ most demanding role came in his most recent stint at Singapore Island Country Club. Overseeing a club that had 4.5 golf courses, 2 clubhouses, 2 Olympic swimming pools and 400 golf buggies, tennis and squash, as well as indoor bowling and social programs for members, his was a never-ending role.

“The job there was massive,” he laughs. “I was very grateful to have the support of the committee, staff and management who all helped to support my role, covering so many areas – it was a great team.”

During that time too, Roberts further demonstrated his ongoing commitment to providing the best possible service, completing the Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management through the PGA Institute.

An opportunity he took to ensure he remains abreast of every aspect of club management, it was a chance for him to blend his lived experience with the theory and industry best-practice that the PGA provides.

“I don’t think you can overstate the importance of the PGA education programs,” he reflects. “It is particularly valuable for PGA Professionals to help go that next step.

“More broadly, everyone in the PGA is willing to share their knowledge and, in that way, I think golf can be such a great stepping stone.”

Now back in Australia, Roberts is looking forward to taking the reins at one of Australia’s most prestigious clubs, prepared to lead the Golf Department at the Royal Sydney Golf Club through its next chapter.

Imbued with the positive attitude that has underpinned his entire professional career, Roberts also believes a focus on inspiring and assisting the next generation will help ensure success.

“It is really important that we continue to prioritise junior golf as the future of the game,” he says. “We need to look at the programs and options we offer in this area and ask ourselves whether we keep doing certain things when they work, or liven up different programs and add value when it is warranted.”

Cognisant too that his new position will vary slightly from the management of big resorts that he has tackled of late, he is looking forward to the new challenge.

“For me now, it’s about developing younger people and getting the best out of them,” he said. “There is nothing better than seeing people move forward in their lives because you helped them.

“At Royal Sydney now, my mission is very simple, I just want to work out how I can get the best out of our people.”

Additionally, the position at Royal Sydney will give Roberts the chance to be part of another course redesign. The Club set to undertake the Championship redevelopment in early 2024, it is all part of an exciting process, as Roberts look to elevate Royal Sydney’s offering even further.

“Everything that we do will be in service of adding value to the member experience and continued staff development,” he explained.

Ultimately, it is an enduring love for the game that keeps Roberts coming back – and in working at Royal Sydney, he is looking forward to engaging fully with the membership and maybe even getting the clubs back out of the bag again.

“I’ll have to get my training wheels back on again,” he laughs. “Because of my roles recently, I haven’t played all that much, but I certainly want to get out and play with the members regularly.

“It’s just so much fun to be back. Since it’s been so long, I am particularly looking forward to rekindling relationships, getting to know my nephews and nieces plus their children.”

The PGA Golf Learning Hub, established at the prestigious Sandhurst Golf Club,
offers a range of courses for students keen to pursue or develop careers in the golf
industry and is proud to enhance these offerings alongside Holmesglen.

As a result of the partnership, Holmesglen will now be able to deliver accredited courses in Sports Turf Management and Hospitality Management; between its Glen Waverley campus, Zest training restaurant and
Sandhurst from February. A tourism course will also be available later in 2023.

The qualifications complement the PGA Institute’s Diploma of Golf Management, which is run
both from the Learning Hub at Sandhurst and with flexible online study options also available.

All courses, which are nationally accredited and endorsed by the PGA, provide practical training,
industry placement and a focus on the golf industry, which employs 25,000 people in Australia.

General Manager of the PGA Membership and Education Department, Geoff Stewart, said the partnership positions
the PGA Golf Learning Hub as the number one location for people wanting to kickstart a career in
golf.

“This is a significant moment for our sport,” Mr Stewart said.

“We are proud of our partnership with Holmesglen Institute, Victoria’s largest TAFE, to provide an
unrivalled golf education offering for our industry now and into the future.

“There is no doubt that a solid grounding in golf education is the best way to ensure the ongoing
success of the entire golf industry and this partnership means we can continue to do that.”

Holmesglen Executive Director for International Education and Enterprise Solutions, Andrew
Williamson, said partnering with the PGA of Australia – through the Golf Learning Hub – was
a win for those who loved the sport and aspired to a specialist career in golf.

“Melbourne has long been regarded as the sporting capital of Australia with a plethora of events on
our doorstep. So, it’s not surprising that demand for sporting courses has seen significant growth in
recent years,” Mr Williamson said.

“The PGA Golf Learning Hub offers dedicated golf training in an integrated and effective golfing
ecosystem that will inevitably open up more pathways for people aspiring to work in the industry.”

He said new intakes for the Holmesglen courses will occur in February and July each year, with a
strong pipeline of local and international students expected to enrol to meet the needs of the
Victorian golfing industry.

PGA Institute Manager Suzanne Burns said the partnership between the PGA Institute and Holmesglen
allowed the team at the Golf Learning Hub to offer qualifications across all six workforce pillars of the golf industry.

“We are passionate about offering a unique, world-class education service and we are now able to
take that to the next level, working collaboratively with Holmesglen,” Ms Burns said.

Enrolments for the 2023 intake of PGA Golf Learning Hub courses are now open. Register your interest study at the PGA Institute, PGA Academy, and Membership Pathway Program.

For more information on the courses that Holmesglen will be offering as part of the parntership, click here

To learn more about the PGA Golf Learning Hub, click here

A recent poll by Australian Golf Digest asked readers if they wish they’d had lessons with a PGA Professional when starting out in the game.

Some 92 per cent answered in the affirmative and, although I didn’t lodge my vote, I certainly consider myself among them.

And I can’t say I hadn’t been warned.

When my father retired a decade ago, he filled part of his suddenly empty schedule with lessons at his home club in Coffs Harbour.

“Should have done it years ago!” he declared. “I’ve been doing it wrong for more than 30 years.”

I recently celebrated my 46th trip round the sun and pondered whether to use some of my birthday money for a new driver or a new putter (my two most temperamental clubs on an alternating basis).

And then it hit me. I’d spend my money on something I truly needed: a lesson.

Throughout my time in the game, I have been exposed to countless tips, conversed with coaches and played with Professionals.

During a Covid-19 lockdown Jason Laws kindly conducted lessons with me via Skillest; an interview with Bradley Hughes morphed into a new swing thought that had immediate if not lasting success; and a 30-minute chipping lesson with former top-50 player in the world Michael Sim delivered an instant three-shot per round improvement.

But until recently, I’d never submitted my swing to the full examination of a PGA Professional.

Part of it was fear. A large part was embarrassment at a swing I was aware didn’t match what’s on the packet of the PGA Tour. Part of it was the misconception that embarking on lessons would, for a time, render an average swing virtually unusable in a public setting.

Yet after just one – admittedly intensive – hour with Todd Sleep at his golf academy at The Glades on the Gold Coast, I could feel my flat, rounded heave evolving into something resembling an actual golf swing.

I could feel genuine compression as club met ball; my stock standard slinging draw showing signs of straightening into a fade that landed oh so softly.

Time. Money. Fear. Embarrassment. These are all excuses we trot out to convince ourselves we don’t need coaching.

Instead, here are seven reasons why we should.

1. It’s fundamental

The cornerstones to any efficient golf swing are your grip, stance and posture. Get these fundamentals established and you give yourself the best chance of making solid contact on a consistent basis. Club golfers can struggle for their entire golf life blissfully unaware that the most basic tenets of their swing have been out of whack from the get-go. If they need adjusting, this is where your PGA Professional will begin your journey to better golf. “The thing that I hear most often from clients is that they had no idea that small changes would make such a big difference,” says Sienna Voglis, PGA Professional and Club Manager at cluBarham Golf and Sports Club on the Murray River.

2. A swing for every body

PGA Professionals will have their own basis for what they believe constitutes a good golf swing, but they all understand that a person’s physical characteristics will determine what’s actually possible. Watching YouTube videos or trying to replicate Rory McIlroy’s swing in the mirror will only work if you are built like Rory with the same range of motion. (Quick hint: You’re not.) In my first lesson, Todd showed a comparison between my swing and Adam Scott’s, primarily to highlight the fact that his physical abilities allow him to move the golf club in a way that very few on the planet can. PGA Professionals aren’t trained to impart a particular golf swing but to help uncover the best swing for you.

3. Equipped to succeed

Whether we blindly buy off the rack or – God forbid – purchase clubs online, almost every golfer has been guilty of buying equipment ill-suited to their actual swing. By engaging with a PGA Professional, not only will you be guided in how to swing your clubs better but you have at hand a trusted source of information when it comes to equipment purchases. PGA Professionals can make adjustments to your existing set to help maximise what the ball does off the clubface and – when they time comes – custom-fit the clubs that can take your game to a new level. In a single example of the difference a fitting can make, Paul Jenner from PureForm Golf in Sydney cites a 20-metre gain in driver distance and improved accuracy, 23m more carry with the irons and an increase of ball speed from 118.6 mph to 131.4 mph. “Shaft is the most important component for the timing of your strike,” explains Jenner, a PGA Professional who is the Managing Director of PureForm Golf. “There are many different types of shaft profiles, weights and flexes that match different swing types, swing speeds and swing tempos. Matching these correctly using the latest technology will improve your timing/strike of the ball along with maximising your ball speed. The head is more about dialling in the launch, spin and dispersion; different heads in different brands in different models will produce different launch and spin conditions. Using Trackman, you can create the ideal launch, spin, height and landing angle for each golfer.” Don’t buy a suit off the rack and hope that it fits; see a PGA Professional and get your clubs custom-built to your exact specifications.

4. Knowledge is power

A confession: I tried to self-solve my so-flat-it-was-almost-horizontal swing, and I thought I was making progress. That was until Todd pointed out that what I thought was the solution – keeping my hands out in front of my body on the backswing – was actually making my right-to-left ball flight tendency even worse. Almost 20 years of reading tips and tricks will do that to you. Not only was Todd able to break down what I was doing wrong so that I could understand it, he imparted his knowledge on what we needed to do to actually correct it. In time, that understanding will allow me to self-correct should the swing mis-fire mid-round.

5. A path to progression

A weight-loss program does not consist of a single session at the gym. You have a regular doctor you trust with your health and a mechanic to keep your car running. If you are going to invest time and money into a pastime, why would you not use a service that will make that precious leisure time so much more enjoyable? Jack MacLeod at X-Golf Mentone in Melbourne markets himself not as a golf coach as such but as a golf trainer, someone to help golfers get a little more golf-fit every time they see him. “In a modern golf lesson, everything is measured,” explains MacLeod. “We are able to show them their initial starting point – whether that be a distance or club dynamic – and then display the improvement in our session. “We then go about setting short and long-term goals. This keeps a player focused on the process to achieve the desired result.” Imagine how much better you’ll be in 10 years’ time if you start getting lessons today.

6. Partner envy

Every regular golf group around Australia has that one person who is the sweet-swinger of the foursome. The one whose swing makes playing partners swoon, whose shots are often met with comments such as, “Nice swing”, “Pure” or “Good contact.” Now imagine that person in your group is you. Regular sessions with a PGA Professional will not only produce a more energy-efficient swing but it will look good too. And knowing you look good swinging a golf club is only going to help quiet those first-tee nerves.

7. Getting better is good for you

Whatever your interest, improving a chosen skill can be a great way to keep your brain healthy as you age. A report released last year by the Harvard Medical School specifically referenced golfers working towards lowering their handicap as having a positive impact on concentration and memory recall. “You don’t have the challenge of learning something new, but rather the challenge of increasing your skill set and knowledge,” said Dr John N. Morris, director of social and health policy research at the Harvard-affiliated Institute for Aging Research, in reference to golfers’ search for improvement. “It is the constant repetition of working to improve, and not the quest for mastery, that can have the greatest impact.” So have a lesson with a PGA Professional; your brain will thank you for it.

To find your nearest PGA Professional and tee up a lesson this Christmas, click HERE