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 ?
Six aspiring female PGA Professionals from throughout Australia have been named as the inaugural recipients of the Women in Golf Scholarship Fund.
Hailing from regions as diverse as the Northern Territory, Orange in the New South Wales Central West and Adelaide, six women have each been granted a PGA Women in Golf scholarship. The scholarships will support these women to continue their golf education and pursue a career in golf.
Launched in 2021, the PGA’s Women in Golf Scholarship Fund’s goal is to increase the number of female PGA Professionals across the breadth of the golf industry. The PGA owns and operates three education divisions which collectively offer workforce development programs, tertiary education and performance coaching, providing a platform for PGA students to gain varied and valuable training.
PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman said removing barriers to accessing further education will help more women engage in careers in golf.
“The PGA of Australia is determined to foster the next generation of PGA Members with a real focus on creating new female PGA Professionals,” said Kirkman.
“We congratulate Jade Longstaff, Sarka Seifertova, Acacia Curtis, Danae Royal, Aleisha Weidmann and Renee La Ferlita on being the inaugural recipients of the Women in Golf scholarships and we look forward to seeing where a career in golf takes each of these women.
“A career in golf is for anyone, no matter gender or background. If you are passionate about golf then we want to help foster that passion through a proven education pathway model.
“The Women in Golf Scholarship Fund is not only about opening up pathways to new female PGA Professionals but also helping to elevate our current female members into leadership roles within golf. We are confident that these scholarships will achieve exactly that.
“We’d like to thank our partners who came on board to help make the Women in Golf Scholarship Fund a reality. Shared values and a real commitment to growing women’s participation across the golf industry made partnering with ISPS Handa, Acushnet, Callaway and TaylorMade to deliver the Women in Golf Scholarship Fund an easy decision for all.”
Renee La Ferlita (pictured) is a passionate golfer who will now be able to undertake the Diploma of Golf Management in person at the PGA’s Learning Hub at Sandhurst in Melbourne’s south-east.
“I played a lot of golf as a junior but slowly moved out of the game and as I got older life got busy,” La Ferlita explained.
“During the pandemic I really started to think about life and what I wanted to do and what made me happy and it was really clear that golf was it.
“I’d really love to become a coach and get more women and kids into the game. I think golf builds character and teaches you so much about life. It teaches you patience and how to manage your emotions.
“I have two beautiful nephews who I am trying to get into the game. It’s so good to see kids playing golf and I hope I can get my nephews more involved, because there’s something really special about golf.”
Danae Royal is another recipient of the Women in Golf Scholarship. A mum of four, Danae has been passionate about golf since she first started playing as a junior and is on the path to becoming a Full Vocational member with the PGA of Australia.
“My dream is to become a coach and, through being a female working in the golf industry, get a lot more women into golf. Whether they want to be competitive or do it for fun or simply love the social element,” said Royal.
“I was pretty surprised and equally stoked to be told I had received the scholarship and I’m incredibly grateful to the PGA of Australia for the opportunity.
“I am returning to the Membership Pathway Program after having my son. He is now three and I feel like I’ve now got time to follow my dreams.
“I hope that by being a woman working in a male-dominated industry I can help open the door for other women and help them feel comfortable to get into golf.”
The PGA Women in Golf Scholarship Fund has several funding opportunities available throughout the year with applications set to open again in September.
Having both lived and taught golf in Beijing, China, PGA Professional Garth Cusick knew what it was like to reside in a foreign country. This empathy nurtured the creation of the International Golf Academy Australia.
Founder and head coach, Cusick has been named the Golf Australia Visionary of the Year for July for his multi-faceted approach to attracting and retaining Chinese-Australian women in golf.
Cusick has won a $500 Drummond Golf voucher and is now in the running to win up to $10,000 worth of products from the latest Callaway REVA product range, designed specifically for women.
Now eight years into the operation of the International Golf Academy Australia Cusick says it was simply born from being made aware of a gap in the market.
“It all happened quite organically,” Cusick recalled. “A Chinese couple who were interested in learning golf realised I spoke Mandarin.
“They made me aware that there was a large population of Chinese-Australians in Melbourne who were somewhat unable to participate in sport or leisure activity due to a language barrier.
“I remembered that feeling of isolation when I was unable to communicate overseas, and that is how my business model was born.”
Cusick based his Academy at Eastern Sward Golf Club, a nine-hole public course in Melbourne’s south-east.
From starting small with a broader target market of people from a Chinese speaking background, seven years on, Cusick’s golf coaching business has expanded to 14 two-hour classes per week, 85 per cent of participants being Chinese-Australian women.
Cusick wishes to share his story in the hope that he may inspire others, especially those people connected with a community, to become a Community Instructor and run a beginner women’s clinic to bring people together.
“The trick is to have an awareness and understanding of your local market and clientele,” said Cusick. “You then need to tailor a package that speaks to them.”
Knowing his target market, Cusick set up an account with WeChat, the Chinese messaging app, and began promoting golf programs where players learned on-course.
With plenty of available tee times and knowing the benefits of getting beginners on-course as early as possible, Cusick approached the Eastern Sward Golf Club to establish a mutually beneficial relationship; one that has evolved over time.
“In the beginning, I simply bought tee times from the club and worked this into my fees,” he said. “As time has gone by and my clientele has grown immensely, we now have an arrangement that benefits all.
“Having course access is a great asset to have as a coach. To be able to market, ‘You will learn with real golf balls on a real course’ is a powerful tool.
“On-course lessons have also helped me overcome an unexpected challenge. We do offer a mentoring program where Eastern Sward members accompany beginners on-course. However, the appetite of the Chinese women for this was surprisingly very low to non-existent.
“I have since learnt that when translated, the word ‘mentor’ in Chinese is not something of learning and a gesture of generosity, but more so of ‘owing’ someone. A cultural difference I was not aware of.
“Being able to teach students on-course has helped with this, as they not only learn skills, but course management.”
Data tells us women prefer their experience in a group setting, so they were naturally drawn to Cusick’s academy.
“Attracting women to my program has been an integral part of the business’ growth,” he said.
“They are a great marketing asset – one woman will bring a friend, and that friend will bring a friend and so forth. My business has therefore grown through these referrals.”
In addition, Cusick cleverly provides a weekly prize to his students for the best photo uploaded from a clinic to WeChat.
“Because of the connection with this community, 85 per cent of my students are now Chinese women aged 45-60. It is now important to focus on the intricacies related to this demographic and provide the perfect service for them.”
Cusick is very big on customer care and through this ethos has implemented several initiatives that ensure his beginner golfers feel welcomed and nurtured.
“My academy provides a ‘full-service’,” he said. “This means that from the moment someone enquires about signing up, first arriving at the club and progressing into club membership, all facets around a beginner’s experience has been thought through and clear, concise information is provided.
“We have developed video and written information on WeChat, and I have hired some Mandarin-speaking women to answer all enquiries.
“Information gets as detailed as what you should wear, what to expect at each session and what to expect upon arriving at the club. For beginners, everything is new, and a terrific attention to detail gives clients confidence that you offer a great product and will provide a welcoming experience.
“Upon arriving to the club for the first time, each student is met by one of our Mandarin-speaking women in the car park who walks the beginners to the session (ensuring they point out amenities on the way).
“I also constantly ask for feedback and survey my students on a regular basis – what did they like, what are their concerns?”
Recovering from the Covid-lockdowns, Cusick now finds himself nearly back at the point where demand is more than he can meet.
“My next step is to expand the business by engaging Community Instructors,” he said. “This provides such an excellent opportunity, especially as several Chinese women, who have gone through my program and have progressed their golf, are keen to be involved.
“I believe that the most important aspect of coaching is the rapport, understanding and trust you have with your student. So, to have Chinese-women who have been through the program and who new students can relate to, will be fantastic.”
The academy has worked closely with Eastern Sward Golf Club to provide a pathway into membership, having revised offerings to suit the influx of new women’s needs.
“Whilst some women are joining the club, or elsewhere, it is evident that that membership is not for everyone and there are alternative ways for clubs to generate revenue,” Cusick said.
“Because most of my students now come as groups of friends, there is a large appetite for regular but social play. Women are wanting to continue to play and enjoy golf, but in their own friendship groups.”
In this instance, social groups are offering an alternate source of revenue for the club.
The success the International Golf Academy has had in engaging large numbers of Chinese-Australian women can be put down to Cusick’s attention to detail in every facet of a beginner’s golf’s experience.
“If the sum of poor experiences equals more than a person can say, ‘I love golf’ then we have lost them.
“You don’t get many second chances, so you need to ensure their first experience with golf is great!”.
Key Learnings and Advice
Learn more about Visionary of the Year and read other monthly winning stories here.
Nominations for the remainder of the year are still open. Click here for the nomination form.
The Scramble Championship Final will return to Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club on the Gold Coast for the 30th staging in December 2022.
In 2022, Mixed and Women’s teams from throughout Australia will again play for the privilege of spending four days at Sanctuary Cove where the 1993 and 1994 Championship Finals were both played.
With The Scramble season in full swing, 150 events are still to be held at golf clubs across the country through August and September with Regional Finals and Women’s State Finals to be held throughout October.
There they will vie for the chance to qualify for the Championship Final where they will play four rounds of golf at the acclaimed Palms Course at Sanctuary Cove and stay at the luxurious InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort.
The Championship Final will be held from December 5-8 in a return that is befitting in The Scramble’s 30th year.
“Sanctuary Cove hosted the Championship Final in the early years of The Scramble so it is fitting that we will return there in December for the 30th,” said Natalie McIlroy, General Manager of Tournament and Event Operations for the PGA of Australia.
“Qualifying for the Championship Final is really the major prize of The Scramble and I am sure the thousands of participants who take part between now and December will be very excited at the prospect of spending a few days at Sanctuary Cove.
“The final has been held on the Sunshine Coast at Twin Waters Golf Club and the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort in recent years and we would like to thank them for their wonderful hospitality over the years.
“We are thrilled to return to Sanctuary Cove which has such a strong connection to the history and early years of The Scramble to celebrate the 30th anniversary.”
One of the premier golf facilities in Australia with the Palms Course and private Pines Course along with world-class practice facilities, Sanctuary Cove continues to set the standard for excellence across all areas of its operation.
“Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club is excited to be hosting the 30th edition of The Scramble at The Palms golf course, continuing its long-standing relationship with the PGA,” said Paul Sanders, Executive General Manager of Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club.
“We look forward to welcoming the competitors and showcasing our facility in December.”
As part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Luxury & Lifestyle collection, InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort is a much-loved icon in the local community and is built on the brand’s legacy of delivering world-class experiences for guests.
Signature restaurant, The Fireplace, offers wood-fire cuisine sourced from the finest local produce and boasts an award-winning wine-list.
“We are delighted to be supporting The Scramble Championship Final this year by hosting the competitors at our luxury resort,” said Dean Jones, Vice President Commercial, Japan, Australasia, Pacific (JAPAC), IHG Hotels & Resorts.
“We have a long history of supporting both grassroots and elite sports at IHG Hotels & Resorts, and as a Major Partner of the PGA of Australia, we look forward to welcoming the competitors to our perfect base at InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort with our access to championship golf courses, premium dining experiences and resort facilities – including the one-of-a-kind beach lagoon.”
The all-inclusive trip for qualifiers will include four rounds of golf in tournament conditions, event functions, accommodation and flights, all for the honour to be crowned the 30th Mixed champions and 17th Women’s Only champions.
Since 1997 an estimated six million swings have produced some 1.8 million birdies in more than 12,000 individual Scramble events, all with the primary purpose of securing a place at the coveted Championship Final.
“A trip to The Scramble Championship Final is unlike anything else in Australian golf,” said PGA of Australia Events Manager, Louise Meagher.
“Everyone who plays in The Scramble does so with the hope that they will get all the way to the Final.
“Knowing that this year’s Championship Final will be held at Sanctuary Cove will undoubtedly inspire more people to form teams and play The Scramble at their local golf club.”
Local qualifying events continue through until the end of September. To register a team for a Scramble in your area visit thescramble.com.au.
Still thriving in the wake of a pandemic-inspired resurgence, the golf industry in Western Australia has gathered to celebrate the people, clubs and facilities that continued to elevate the game throughout 2021.
To celebrate the achievements of 2021, the WA Golf Industry came together on Friday 15 July at Joondalup Resort for the ADH Club Car WA Golf Industry Awards Night.
Over the course of the year, PGA Professionals led the charge for the golf industry in Western Australia – their efforts duly recognised in front of their peers by WA Golf Industry Awards night Chairman, Gary Thomas.
“It is encouraging to see so many individuals recognised for their tireless efforts in assisting the growth and development of golf within the state of Western Australia,” he said.
“The night is truly an evening that is dedicated to those showing commitment to the game whether it be those playing, teaching, managing… or having worked as part of a team to be successful.”
The five awards presented last Friday for PGA Professionals were for Club Professional of the Year, Coach of the Year – High Performance, Coach of the Year – Game Development, Management Professional of the Year and PGA Associate of the Year.
Operations Manager at Wembley Golf Course, Jason Roach was the recipient of the Hilary Lawler Club Professional of the Year Award. Having won the equivalent award in Queensland in 2019 when he was at Cairns Golf Club, Roach has gone above and beyond in his role since crossing to Wembley in April 2020.
Roach led his team exceptionally well, generating increased shop revenue, offering improved customer experience, as well as maximising tee-time availability and an increase in patronage.
Pleased by Roach’s recognition, General Manager of Wembley Golf Course Josh Madden, was keen to praise the entire team.
“What a night and what a win from Jason Roach,” he said.
“This award goes out to the entire WGC team because we are better together.”
Now a PGA Professional for more than 20 years, Ritchie Smith of Royal Fremantle Golf Club was named WA PGA Coach of the Year – High Performance for a stunning ninth time.
A glittering record, Smith remains one of the pre-eminent coaches in world golf and a wonderful ambassador for golf in Western Australia. A worthy recipient, he supports the continued excellence of Australian stars Minjee Lee (world No.2), Hannah Green (world No.18) and Min Woo Lee (world No.71).
Additionally, Smith’s stable of elite amateurs continued to perform strongly throughout 2021 – Josh Greer, Hayden Hopewell and Maddison Hinson-Tolchard all recorded impressive results at home and abroad.
Mark Tibbles – Teaching Professional at the Vines Resort and Country Club – won the award for Coach of the Year – Game Development. Tibbles’ dedication toward the development of the game in all areas – particularly juniors, ladies and all-abilities – makes him a very worthy winner.
Throughout 2021, Tibbles spent nearly 950 coaching hours coordinating 452 clinics and 280 individual lessons, for more than 1,000 total participants. As a result of his dedication, more than 40 new members joined the Vines after participating in his clinics or private lessons.
Named PGA WA Management Professional of the Year, Desmond Shearer’s receipt of the award comes three years into his second five-year plan for Bunbury Golf Club.
Having already overseen the completion of key projects including an irrigation system upgrade, the introduction of an online golf retail store and the development of a Membership Retention Program, Shearer continues to ensure Bunbury can offer an optimal experience for all members and guests.
Currently in his final year of the Membership Pathway Program, Joshua Herrero from the Rockingham Golf Club was named the PGA Associate of the Year. Herrero has excelled in the playing component during 2021 with a stroke average of -1.29. This, combined with his strong academic results, makes him a deserving winner of the PGA Associate of the Year Award.
PGA Membership Manager for Western Australia, Brendon Allanby was thrilled to see PGA Members recognised last Friday.
“It was an opportunity to recognise the incredible work being done by our PGA Members in service of the golf industry in 2021,” he said.
“Each of our winners were thoroughly deserving of their PGA award and are directly contributing to more Australians playing more golf.”
PGA Professionals Peter Maidment and Ackzel Donaldson also received Industry awards on the night. Maidment, from Mount Lawley Golf Club was named Employee of the Year, while Donaldson was the winner of Outstanding Game Development Program of the Year, for his work at the Joondalup Junior Academy.
Friday also marked Robert Farley’s final awards night as WA PGA Chairman. He gave a brief speech before presenting the awards for the evening. We look forward to recognising Robert for this long-standing contribution to the WA PGA Committee at the upcoming WA Annual State Meeting on Thursday 25July 2022 at Royal Perth Golf Club.
A full list of award winners from the ADH Club Car WA Golf Industry Awards Night is available below:
PGA WA Associate of the Year
Josh Herrero – Rockingham Golf Club
Hilary Lawler PGA WA Club Professional of the Year
Jason Roach – Wembley Golf Course
PGA WA Coach of the Year- Coach of the Year
Ritchie Smith – Royal Fremantle Golf Club
PGA WA Coach of the Year – Game Development
Mark Tibbles – The Vines Resort and Country Club
PGA WA Tournament of the Year
Nexus Risk Services South West Open
PGA WA Management Professional of the Year – Sponsored by Golf Car World E-Z-Go
Des Shearer – Bunbury Golf Club
Apprentice of the Year – Proudly sponsored AFGRI Equipment
Jon Christmas – Lakelands Country Club
Superintendent of the Year – Sponsored by AFGRI Equipment
Lance Knox – Busselton Golf Club
Environmental Award
Mount Lawley Golf Club
WA Golf Industry Recognition Award
Jim Barr
Outstanding Game Development Program of the Year
Ackzel Donaldson – Joondalup Junior Academy
Employee of the Year – Sponsored by MiClub
Peter Maidment – Mount Lawley Golf Club
Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by Bowra and O’Dea
Leon Temby – Lancelin Golf Club
Metropolitan Golf Course of the Year – Sponsored by Golf Car World E-Z-Go
The Western Australian Golf Club
Regional Golf Course of the Year – Sponsored by Golf Car World E-Z-Go
Kalgoorlie Golf Course
Metropolitan Golf Facility of the Year
The Western Australian Golf Club
Regional Golf Facility of the Year – Sponsored by Golf Car World E-Z-Go
Bunbury Golf Club
Outstanding Golf Achievement Award
Minjee Lee
Ask any of the more than 1 million people to have played The Scramble to recount their experience and inevitably there is a treasured memory to share.
Whether it is a glorious moment of triumph, an abject failure that is never forgotten or simply the opportunity to play in a team environment with friends and family, The Scramble generates memories that stay with you long after the final putt drops.
In 2022 The Scramble celebrates 30 years of making memories with the promise of many more to come.
Since 1997 alone there have been 12,178 Scramble events conducted at golf clubs throughout Australia, 64 per cent of those held in regional areas.
An estimated six million swings have produced some 1.8 million birdies all with the primary purpose of securing a place at the coveted Championship Final.
But with an average of more than 30,000 competitors every year for the past three decades, The Scramble offers so much more than a shot at glory.
“When we speak to people about their experience playing The Scramble the words we hear most often are ‘team’, ‘friends’, ‘family’ and ‘fun’,” says PGA of Australia Events Manager, Lou Meagher.
“Golfers don’t often have the opportunity to play in team events and each and every year we see a great sense of camaraderie not only within individual teams but all the teams who take part.
“It’s quite extraordinary to think that over the past 30 years more than one million people have teed it up in a Scramble event.
“There really is nothing else like it and why after 30 years it continues to grow in popularity.”
The 2021/2022 Scramble season saw 32,364 participants take part on the way to the Championship Final at Twin Waters won by Bankstown Golf Club (Mixed) and Rossdale Golf Club (Womens).
The addition of a dedicated Womens competition in 2005 added a new dimension to The Scramble and given the influx in golf participation the past two years, the expectation is that it will continue to grow.
“Golf has experienced a significant period of growth in participation and The Scramble is an ideal format for those people who are perhaps relatively new to our sport,” said PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman.
“Anyone with a registered handicap can take part and the team element and Ambrose format creates the ideal mix of a competitive yet fun environment.
“Each year since 2005 we have seen an increase in events staged specifically for women and I have no doubt we will see that trend continue in the upcoming 2022 Scramble season.
“Australia’s club golfers have made it the most popular team event for the past 30 years and we’re excited to see their support continue for many years to come.”
Don’t miss out on being part of the 30th year celebrations of Australia’s largest teams golf event. Grab three friends and enter an event near you today.
For the full Scramble schedule visit: https://thescramble.com.au/event.
If your club would like to host a Scramble event click here.
The PGA of Australia and Golf Australia are calling on golf clubs across the country to dedicate a members’ day to the memory of Jarrod Lyle and help raise much-needed funds for Challenge, a charity devoted to supporting children and families living with cancer.
Since its inaugural year in 2019, #DoingItForJarrod has turned golf clubs into a sea of yellow and this year will be no exception with the campaign to run during August, September, and October and will culminate with Yellow Day on Friday 25 November at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship.
Having been diagnosed with cancer three times throughout his life, Jarrod Lyle understood the hardship that young people and their families face when battling this disease.
For many years Jarrod was an ambassador for Challenge, a not-for-profit organisation that supports children and families living with cancer and aims to lighten the cancer journey for the whole family, 365 days of the year.
“I would like to encourage all golf fans and golf clubs to get behind #DoingItForJarrod so that Challenge can continue to honour Jarrod’s legacy and continue his mission to support other families living with cancer,” said David Rogers, chief executive officer of Challenge.
“To date, with the help of golf clubs nationwide, the campaign has raised more than $425,000 and has been enjoyed by thousands of amateur and social golfers. This year, we’re excited to grow that total further and see many more golfers enjoying their day on the course in yellow.”
PGA of Australia chief executive Gavin Kirkman was honoured to continue the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship’s relationship with #DoingItForJarrod.
“Yellow Day on Friday at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship is an incredibly special day every year. It is a true highlight of the tournament and I cannot wait to see Royal Queensland covered in yellow this November,” Kirkman said.
“The players love playing in Jarrod’s honour, the fans love getting involved too and PGA Professionals working in clubs around the country have thrown their support behind #DoingItForJarrod days and we look forward to seeing them bring their clubs together throughout August, September and October.”
Golf Australia chief executive James Sutherland was also delighted to play a role in carrying on Jarrod’s legacy and supporting those impacted by cancer.
“Every year the Australian golf community is reminded of what a champion Jarrod was off the course,” Sutherland said.
“#DoingItForJarrod showcases the incredible spirit and power of golf clubs across the country by helping those in need. We once again ask all clubs to get involved with the campaign again, or for the first time, this year.”
Creating yellow-themed events, encouraging club members to don yellow and selling Challenge merchandise at your club are just some of the ways you can help raise money. All donations are tax deductible.All monies raised through #DoingItForJarrod will go towards a special legacy, Jarrod’s Gift, that has been created by Challenge in Jarrod’s honour.
You can help Challenge by donating directly, or purchasing clothing and pins carrying the Leuk the Duck symbol Jarrod Lyle wore as a Challenge ambassador, by visiting www.challenge.org.au.
To register your club for #DoingItForJarrod in 2022, or for further information, please visit the Challenge website.
Mark Parry attributes the result to a confluence of varying factors but he is seeing undeniable proof that more and more young girls are becoming attracted to the game of golf.
Working with up to 220 kids across three locations in Perth – Rockingham Golf Club, Lake Karrinyup Country Club and Collier Park Golf Course – Parry has seen a dramatic increase in girls joining his junior clinics.
Whether inspired by the deeds of fellow West Australians Minjee Lee and Hannah Green on the LPGA Tour, the greater exposure provided to women’s sport in general or the opportunities offered by the Australian Golf Foundation Junior Girls Scholarship program, girls are coming to golf in their droves.
“Looking through my whole academy over the three locations, it’s probably looking at a quarter of my students are now girls where before it would have been maybe 10 per cent,” Parry explains.
“Through the education system, girls are being encouraged and have the opportunities now to play all these sports, including golf.
“Golf WA, Golf Australia and the PGA are embracing this with the girls’ scholarship and the girls are embracing that as well.
“They feel more comfortable to get involved in these programs and try these games and realise it’s not just for the boys. It’s great.”
Originally from England and having spent time in China before arriving in Perth five years ago, Parry’s focus has been in the junior space for much of his career as a PGA Professional.
The brother of DP World Tour winner John Parry, Mark has recognised the ways in which girls learn the game and the environments in which they feel most comfortable.
“I really enjoy teaching the girls because they’re a bit more mature and they can focus on the smaller details,” says Parry.
“With the boys it’s a lot more game-based and higher speed drills – hitting shots and aiming for targets – but the girls take in a lot more information.
“They can focus a little bit better sometimes than the boys and have that mindset where they want to learn the techniques and learn how to do it.
“We actually had a girl turn up last week for her first lesson and when she saw the girls’ clinic straight after she said, ‘I want to move to that class.’
“Having them together relaxes them for sure and becomes more sociable for them.
“They can just get on and do their thing without the boys taking over.”
Parry’s approach has proven particularly effective at Rockingham, where he estimates the number of junior girls engaged at the club has doubled in the past 12 months.
The Junior Girls Scholarship program has been integral to that and provided a direct pathway to club membership.
“We’ve got six girls into that, obviously all becoming members of the golf club,” says Parry.
“Two of them have got their handicap so far and we’re only halfway through the program. The goal is to try and get all six with handicaps and then progressing and moving forward.
“From that we’ve also had another couple of girls join up into our academy looking to join the golf club too so, as far as Rockingham goes, that’s been huge.”
Heavily involved in also taking golf into schools – he introduced some 1,000 kids to golf in visits to 12 different schools around Perth last year – Parry says his passion for coaching juniors stems from the opportunity to introduce new people to the game.
“I guess a lot of pros want to get in with the better players and enjoy coaching single-figure handicappers but I’ve always really enjoyed growing the game,” Parry adds.
“It’s always been about getting out there and getting as many people involved as possible.
“For me, it’s just a lot more fun. It’s a lot more flexible. It’s not always just about being technical. There’s lots of different ways to engage with kids, doing different activities and games, rather than simply, ‘You’ve got to swing it this way.’
“It’s always been my passion.”
PGA Professionals are the best people to guide your son or daughter in their formative stages of playing golf. To find the PGA Pro closest to you visit www.pga.org.au/find-a-pga-pro.
West Australian Ben Ferguson and South Australian Jak Carter have finished on top as 29 players advanced at the First Stage of Qualifying School for the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.
Ferguson and Carter finished four-under par across the 54 holes at a chilly and blustery Open Course at Moonah Links on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.
The West Australian saved his best for last shooting a final round 67 that included a breathtaking back nine blitz where he went on a birdie-birdie-eagle-par-birdie run to finish off the week.
First year PGA Associate Carter – this year is the first time PGA Associates have been allowed to enter Q-School -produced a similarly stunning effort when he hit every green in regulation in his second round 69, but the round of the week belonged to New South Wales’ Benjamin Clementson with his 66 on Thursday that included five birdies and an eagle.
Five nationalities are represented among the 29 golfers who have advanced – 23 Australians, three New Zealanders, one Laotian, one Viet and one Czech.
There are 25 players exempt from the first stage awaiting them in next week’s Final Stage, which will again be played at Moonah Links, as this year’s Q-School is one of the most hotly contested due to many of the playing categories carrying over from the previous season as a result of the pandemic.
The return of the Australian Open and the New Zealand Open to the tour schedule, along with the co-sanctioning with the DP World Tour of both the Australian Open and the Australian PGA Championship, make the cards for the upcoming summer of golf even more desirable.
The leading 15 players and those tied for 15th position at next week’s Final Stage will be eligible to become Full Members (Tournament) of the PGA of Australia for the following year and will be placed in a Tournament Exemption Category.
The 29 players to advance to the Final Stage:
Dual Vocational Award winner Anne-Marie Knight has been chosen to lead the Australian team to contest the second Women’s PGA Cup in New Mexico in October.
Designed with the purpose of promoting female PGA Professionals working in the industry, joining Knight in the Australian team will be Paige Stubbs (Castle Hill CC), Katelyn Must (Peregian Springs GC), Nicole Martino (Western Australia GC) and Angela Tatt (Ballarat GC).
Representatives from six world PGAs will compete in the Women’s PGA Cup that will take place from October 26-29: Australia, Canada, Great Britain & Ireland, South Africa, Sweden and the United States.
The field competes in a 54-hole, strokeplay format, with each team’s lowest three scores counted after each round. The winning country is the team with the lowest 54-hole aggregate total.
To be eligible to represent your country in the Women’s PGA Cup, members must be engaged in a full-time position in the golf industry and Knight brings strong credentials both as a coach, club professional and as a player.
The 2019 South Australian Game Development Professional of the Year and 2016 South Australia Teaching Professional of the Year, Knight was elected by the PGA of Australia’s Vocational Members Council to captain the Australian team, almost 20 years since representing her country at the 1994 Queen Sirikit Cup.
After more than a decade on tour – which included victory at the 1999 Ladies German Open – Knight undertook the PGA Bridging course when her health forced her retirement from tournament golf and views the Women’s PGA Cup as the ideal opportunity to bring those two facets together.
“When I stopped playing, there wasn’t a lot of opportunities for me to play in the position that I was in,” Knight explains.
“I wasn’t a member of a club, I didn’t have a handicap, I felt uncomfortable playing as a Professional in a club event.
“I hadn’t played for 15 years so when the opportunity arose for me to try and qualify for the Women’s PGA Cup, I realised that I’m in this industry because I love playing.
“I should have been playing more in those 15 years.”
In 2019, the PGA and the then ALPG announced a new alignment that would encourage an increase in the female representation within the ranks of PGA Professionals.
Those numbers are steadily increasing and PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman hopes that the Women’s PGA Cup will continue to inspire more women to join the industry.
“Whether through playing, coaching, management or golf club operations, there are a wide range of opportunities for women to work within the golf industry,” said Kirkman.
“I appreciate that talented amateurs want to pursue a professional playing career but the Women’s PGA Cup highlights that there continue to be playing opportunities for Vocational Members.
“With Anne-Marie leading the way, this Australian team is a great representation of the PGA and I know they will do us proud in New Mexico.”
It is this extra sense of responsibility that Knight believes adds an additional element to her representative experiences as an amateur.
“As an amateur representing Australia, it really was just for myself but this is different,” adds Knight.
“You’re representing the PGA, you’re showcasing your product and representing all the female PGA club professionals within our industry.
“It’s a really unique experience. I feel incredibly proud to have represented Australia in my teens but to be in this position at nearly 52 leading a group of very inspiring young women is truly humbling and a very proud moment for me.
“I feel that we can showcase women in our industry and expose to other young women that want to have a career in golf that along with playing you can be a coach, you can work in golf shop operations or a club management role.
“I just feel that we’re perfect role models for that.”
For more information on the Australian team as they prepare for the challenge ahead, be sure to keep an eye on the PGA of Australia website and social channels over the coming months.
Australian team for PGA Women’s Cup October 24-29
Anne-Marie Knight (Captain): A full Vocational Member since 2009, Knight is the Head Teaching Professional at West Beach Parks Golf. She is a former Ladies European Tour Winner and was named the LET Rookie of the Year in 1999. Coaching achievements include SA – PGA Teaching Pro of the Year (2016) and SA – Game Development Professional of the Year (2019).
Nicole Martino: A full Vocational Member since 2013, Martino is the Golf Manager at Western Australia Golf Club. Martino is a former ALPG Tour player and has played on the China LPGA Tour.
Katelyn Must: A full Vocational Member since 2012, Must is a Teaching Professional at Peregian Springs Golf Club on the Sunshine Coast. A current member of the WPGA Tour of Australasia, Must finished 20th at the Australian WPGA Championship in January and was tied for 23rd at the Vic Open.
Paige Stubbs: Having achieved full Vocational Member qualifications this year, Stubbs is employed as the Teaching Professional at Castle Hill Country Club in Sydney. She has previously played on and member of the Ladies European Tour, LET Access Series, China LPGA Tour and WPGA Tour.
Angela Tatt: A full Vocational Member since 2009, Tatt is the Assistant Professional at Ballarat Golf Club in Victoria. An outstanding amateur who represented the Victorian state squad and was the 2005 Victorian Country Champion, Tatt won the 2008 ALPG Castle Hill Golf Club Pro-Am shortly after completing her traineeship.
Golf had always been a passion for Elliot Beel yet it existed largely on the periphery. While a career in golf was part of the plan, life continued to get in the way.
Golf had always been a passion for Elliot Beel yet it existed largely on the periphery.
While a career in golf was part of the plan, life continued to get in the way.
There was a stint working in a sports retail in Brisbane following time spent overseas, his interest in golf leading to a sales position at Drummond Golf.
He was playing well enough to represent Ashgrove and went through the entire Brisbane District Golf Association Pennants season undefeated before he and wife Jo decided to relocate to Mackay, winning the 2009 Mackay Toyota Men’s Open.
They had their first child in 2010 – a second would follow little more than a year later – and Beel was working part-time in the Mackay Golf Club pro shop with Jeffrey Reid.
The first time he considered undertaking the PGA’s Membership Pathway Program was in 2011 but a diagnosis of osteoarthritis prevented him from playing golf for the next 18 months.
It wasn’t until 2018 that Beel – at the urging of his wife and following the departure of Joseph Rickman – approached Reid with the idea of becoming his 43-year-old PGA Associate.
“The opportunity came up to work back in the industry and I was like, ‘Yep, let’s go,’” says Beel, who completed the Membership Pathway Program in 2021 and was named the National PGA Associate of the Year.
“I’ve always enjoyed the coaching aspect and wanted to be able to impart my passion and my knowledge of the game, particularly to young kids. I enjoy that side of things.
“The only real way I could do that was to venture down the Membership Pathway Program.
“I knew what I was getting into. Having a family at home, we knew it was going to be a challenge, but we went into it with our eyes wide open.”
Given his sales experience and familiarity with the membership at Mackay Golf Club, Beel’s transition was a smooth one, but not without its challenges.
Two school-aged children leave little spare time in the day yet Beel was able to manage his time, utilise Mondays for the completion of assignments and maintain a high standard in terms of both education and playing throughout his three years.
“Having that experience on my side and being more of a mature-aged student helped me in some areas,” Beel explains.
“I had a lot more ability to manage my time better and I had the attitude towards assignments of, ‘I’m going to get in, get stuck in, get it done and then move on to the next one as quickly as possible.’
“I wasn’t concerned about how old I was. It was the pathway to where I wanted to go.”
Now working as a PGA Professional at Mackay, Beel is intent on making good on the intent that he first told Queensland State Manager Broc Greenhalgh and Joe Janison in his interview before embarking on the Membership Pathway Program.
“I said in my interview that my goal was to grow the game of golf in North Queensland,” says Beel.
“That was what I went in with and I’m trying to do my best to honour that.
“We’re running junior programs now, we’ve got ladies programs in the mix and we’re trying to introduce more and more people to the game.
“You can play golf with a friend. You don’t need to have a team. You can play it on your own. You can play it with mum, play it with dad. It’s that type of sport.
“I think there’s a lot of potential to grow it, without a huge amount of burden.”
Applications are opening soon for the Membership Pathway Program. If you have a passion for golf and for helping others visit www.pga.org.au/membership-pathway-program for more information on how you can become a PGA Professional.
