With three PGA Professionals honoured on the night, Senior State Manager David Barker affirmed the value that all PGA Professionals offer golfers in South Australia every day.

“Our PGA Professionals do such wonderful work to grow the game of golf,” he said. “Whether that is out coaching and inspiring the next generation, implementing programs that get more people playing golf, or providing advice and guidance in any number of areas, we thank them for their ongoing contribution.

“They work so hard at the coalface every day, so it’s great to gather together and celebrate their achievements.”

Standing out in a strong field of candidates, Ben Traeger of Aston Hills was named PGA South Australia Club Professional of the Year.

Due reward for an extended period of dedicated service to the members of Aston Hills, Traeger has worked hard to revamp the club’s offering.

“Six years ago I put my head on the chopping block,” he explained. “I went in with a brand new cart fleet, a full retail program and a willingness to engage with golfers in the local area.”

Having reaped the rewards of his innovation, Traeger remains committed to elevating the service at Aston Hills.

Through his role as a Board member of On Course Golf, Traeger keeps up-to-date on the latest industry news and trends. Something he is passionate about, he is also dedicated to passing all of this on to club members to ensure they can have the most enjoyable golfing experience possible.

High Performance Manager and coach of the Golf Australia Program in South Australia, Adrian Wickstein was named Coach of the Year – High Performance.

Having worked with emerging star Jack Thompson since 2018, Wickstein was proud to see Thompson break through for a maiden victory on the ISPS HANDA Tour of Australasia at the Gippsland Super 6 in December 2021.

Also the coach of two-time Hong Kong Open Champion, Wade Ormsby, Wickstein’s reputation as a high-performance coach is already well-renowned.

Wickstein’s stock of amateurs also including Jack Buchanan who currently leads the Golf Australia Order of Merit. Something he is proud of Wickstein believes that it is important to foster a pathway for high-performing amateurs.

“I have been able to promote the game of golf by offering opportunities to elite level amateurs,” he explained. “It is important that they have the chance to compete and compete well in national and international tournaments.”

For his dedicated service to growing the game throughout the state, Jamie Clutterham of North Adelaide Golf Club has been awarded PGA Coach of the Year – Game Development.

Offering a range of programs to make the game more accessible to more players, Clutterham has extended his Get Into Golf offering to suit everyone; with Par 3 clinics, mixed groups and on-course sessions accounting for almost 200 golfers.

Dedicated to helping golfers gain an entry point to the game, Clutterham’s philosophy is simple.

“My coaching, in the majority, has been at the entry level,” he explained. “I love providing people with the opportunity to become comfortable with the game and get out on the course playing regularly.”

Additionally, Clutterham offers Pro Talk seminars at the club, engaging up to 90 people and covering a range of topics to help everyone on their golfing journey – both on and off the course.

Passionate about broadening his reach too, Clutterham has offered several clinics in partnership with the Riverland Golf Association, at Barmera and Loxton Golf Clubs. As part of this offering, he enjoys running clinics for the Loxton Junior Girls Scholarship Group.

“It has been fantastic to see the girls develop into very capable golfers,” he smiled. “And now they are playing regularly on the course.”

Elsewhere, PGA Professional Brian Galvin was also recognised as the MyGolf Deliverer of Year for his tireless work promoting junior golf across South Australia.

Congratulations to all award winners on the evening.

Standing out in an exceptional field of nominees from throughout the state, Anthony Craswell (Latrobe Golf Club), Brett Scothern (Medway Golf Club), Peter Manzie (Southern Golf Club) and Nick Bielawski (PGA Academy) have been honoured as leaders in their respective fields.

Thrilled to have the chance to celebrate the achievements of Victoria’s PGA Professionals over the last twelve months, Victorian Membership Manager, Luke Bower praised award winners and nominees alike.

“Our PGA Professionals represent such an important asset in advancing the game, not only in Victoria, but right around Australia,” he said.

“Their passion, innovation and energy helps to make the game more enjoyable for everyone, so it’s wonderful to have the chance to celebrate that.”

Anthony Craswell was recognised as PGA Victorian Coach of the Year – Game Development for his outstanding work engaging juniors, women and girls at Latrobe Golf Club. Having brought the Club’s five-hole Island course to life, Craswell has been able to produce an offering that makes golf more accessible for the local community.

“Our development strategy is two-fold,” he explained. “Developing the new five-hole course provides a skills appropriate pathway for the community and then collaborating with the industry allows us to broaden our reach.”

Increased offering of Swing fit and Get Into Golf programs, combined with a commitment to the Even Par Project has seen Latrobe’s female membership increase by nearly 20% in 2022. An outstanding achievement, Craswell has also developed a partnership with the junior program at Yarra Bend, to provide a pathway to golf club membership.

His profound contribution to the game also recognised with a Visionary of the Year nomination in August, Craswell’s philosophy to game development is simple.

“We want to emphasise fun, enjoyment and the social benefits of golf, more than the particular skills themselves,” said Craswell who has been a PGA Professional for nearly 30 years. “That is the main reason people play the game.”

At Medway Golf Club, General Manager Brett Scothern’s willingness to innovate and revamp the Club’s offering has been rewarded with recognition as PGA Victorian Management Professional of the Year.

Having driven extensive facility developments, his efforts have ensured that members and guests now enjoy improved lounge and bar spaces, as well as function and outdoor areas. A restructure of the golf operations centre too, ensures an elevated level of golfer engagement every day.

Crucially, Scothern has also established a Women’s Vision 2025 program at the club. The success evident, Medway has seen a 20% increase in women’s membership in the last two years.

“It is designed to ensure there is a pathway for new golfers,” he explained. “From the chance to trial the game and discount membership offers, it enables the growth of the game and the women’s membership.”

Head Professional at Southern Golf Club for almost ten years, Peter Manzie was named PGA Victorian Club Professional of the Year, as he and his staff continue to offer a premium service to more than 1,300 members and their guests.

Having taken over all member inductions to gain a sense of familiarity with everyone at the club at the first opportunity, he understands the importance of ensuring a positive first experience for everyone at Southern.

“I think it’s essential that you put yourself in the shoes of the members,” he explained. “We are the eyes and ears of the golf club and we need to listen and act in a way that can better serve our membership.”

Manzie has also led the junior program to success; a combination of clinics, opening up practice facilities and discounted membership offerings having seen the junior membership grow to in excess of 70 passionate young players.

“The growth of the junior game has been one of my major objectives in 2022,” he said. “We have clear pathways for progression and the Club will hopefully start to see the benefits in the years to come.”

With a willingness to think outside of the box as well, Manzie has also instituted a refer a friend rebate scheme and a Trash & Treasure promotion to help members sell their unused golf equipment. All designed to improve the experience of the membership, Manzie is passionate about offering a premium experience.

“I really do believe that one of the most important things you can do from a management perspective is put yourself in the shoes of the members, think about what they want and look at things from their point of view.”

Named PGA Victorian Coach of the Year – High Performance, Coaching Programs Manager for the PGA of Australia, Nick Bielawski continues to provide a premium coaching offering through the PGA Academy and PGA Golf Performance Program.

In 2022, the Golf Performance Program produced three applicants for the Membership Pathway Program, as Bielawski helps to prepare the next generation for a career in golf.

“I take great pride in coaching and mentoring future PGA Professionals to transition to a role within the industry,” said Bielawski who has helped 31 Golf Performance Program students into the Membership Pathway Program since 2015.

Additionally, Bielawski leads a dynamic team of five PGA Professionals and several contractors at Sandringham and Sandhurst through the PGA Academy. Together they provide an industry-leading coaching offering to help advance Victoria’s high-performance golfers.

Always keen to broaden his scope of influence too, Bielawski has worked alongside the Vietnam Golf Association to create a high-performance junior program in Vietnam.

“This is designed to help develop national and international level golfers to help lead golf in Vietnam both now and into the future,” Bielawski said.

The Teaching Professional at Peregian Springs on the Sunshine Coast, Must will represent Australia and the broader PGA Membership at the Women’s PGA Cup next week. National representation the crowning achievement of a playing career that includes victory on the WPGA Tour, Katelyn believes that strong on-course performance is a must.

“As a coach, it’s important that I am able to play well in tournaments,” she explained. “To show my students that I can play and that I am able to do what I am directing them to do.”

Performances that she has delivered in recent time, Must finished 20^th at the Australian WPGA Championship in January and was tied for 23^rd at the Vic Open.

Reflecting on her playing career, Must is quick to credit others – in particular the support and direction from PGA Professionals. Recalling her first taste of the game at Caloundra Golf Club, she is eternally grateful for the warm welcome she received.

“I was the only girl who showed an interest in golf there at the time,” Must recalled. “And I was actually lucky enough to meet Grant Field there.

“He took me under his wing and became like a father figure to me – we would go to the course and play and practice together,” she smiled.

“To be honest, without him I wouldn’t have got to where I have.”

More broadly, Must recognises the importance of having strong mentors to guide a path in the game and is proud to do the same for the next generation now.

“I always had good support and the influence of strong golfers,” explained Must, who turned Professional in 2010. “There were always PGA Professionals who would help guide my next step, even when I wasn’t sure what it should be.”

Today, in her role at Peregian Springs, Must appreciates that that responsibility is now hers. Particularly passionate about helping juniors form an enduring connection to the game, she loves getting on the course with them and helping to show the way.

“It’s my way of giving back to the game, she said. “I know how much of a difference that level of care made to me, so I want to give everyone the same chance.”

The benefits flow both ways too, as Must firmly believes that coaching is a process of continual development. From tailoring her own style to the quirks of each individual player, to undertaking in-depth research to improve her technical understanding, Must is always looking to improve.

 “I think you are always evolving as a coach,” said Must. “I love watching other coaches and players to learn what language and strategies they have to help a player improve.”

Though she now dedicates herself to the improvement of other golfers, the upcoming Women’s PGA Cup will give Must the chance to play competitively once again. An exciting opportunity, she has no hesitation in describing how much her selection means.

“To get the chance to go over there and represent Australia is the highest honour I’ve had to date,” she said. “To be overseas, surrounded by likeminded people in an elite environment is very special.

“When you are teaching full-time, it’s pretty rare to get an opportunity like this,” she explained. “So, to be one of five to go over to New Mexico – it really does mean a lot.”

Must knows she will receive a great deal of support from her students and the broader membership at Peregian Springs. Support that means the world to her, she does have one message for anyone who might be missing a lesson while she is away.

“My playing makes my coaching stronger, she smiled. “I’ve always said that if I can go away and do well in tournaments, then my students know they can trust the process of what we are trying to do together .”Must will tee it up alongside Paige Stubbs, Nicole Martino, Angela Tatt and Anne-Marie Knight 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.

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.