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The Sunshine Coast’s TJ King will have an extra ace up his sleeve when he lines up with the Australian team at the Four Nations Cup in South Africa starting September 2.
The youngest member of the team of four PGA Professionals, King continues to chase his dreams as a professional golfer while balancing his full-time work commitments at Queensland’s Mount Coolum Golf Club.
It is a delicate balance but one which may pay off handsomely when the matches against New Zealand, Canada and South Africa take place at Kyalami Country Club in Johannesburg.
King completed the PGA of Australia Membership Pathway Program in early 2021 and now works under Stephen Jenkins as the Assistant Professional at Mount Coolum.
Harbouring a strong desire to play on tour, King manages his schedule so that he can play regularly with the Mount Coolum members, the practice of throwing balls on the tee to determine partners fortifying a skill he may call upon in South Africa.
“I work split shifts during the week so I can play competitions with the members on Tuesdays and Thursdays,” explained King, who finished second at the PGA Professionals Championship at Hope Island in January to qualify for the Australian team.
“There’s a bit of pressure when you’re the pro and you’ve got to hole a putt for someone else,”
“To be fair, I guess that’s pretty much what we’ll be doing in South Africa in a couple of weeks!”
A profound level of dedication – both to his game and the club – has always come naturally to King.
“Balancing my work with my ultimate playing ambitions is something I’ve always done ever since I’ve been in the shop,” he says. “It’s certainly something I’m used to.”
It’s paying off, too. For King, who earned five starts on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia last year, the big-time tournament exposure has been invaluable and is a significant driver in his continued development as a player.
“It’s all about getting a level of comfort in those big events,” says King. “The big one for me last year was getting a start in the Australian PGA – I learnt so much, about myself and from what all the others were doing.”
A career-best finish T16 at the Northern Territory PGA Championship also a highlight, King is enjoying the process of learning and growing as an individual.
While his priorities haven’t shifted – he still wants to be the best golfer he possibly can – King is aware that his personal development can only lead to stronger performances on the course.
“I’m finding out a lot about myself,” he says. “Everything from travelling a lot more, playing events, having to be more independent. They’re simple things but it’s made me grow a lot.
“I’m learning to be more comfortable and confident around all sorts of people.”
Growth that will surely hold him in good stead in South Africa next month when he tees it up alongside Jamie Hook, Matthew Guyatt and Murray Lott, King can’t wait to represent his country on the world stage.
“Representing Australia is something I always wanted to do as a kid. To be able to do that in golf really is an honour.”
King and the rest of the Australian team depart on August 30, before the Four Nations Cup gets underway on September 2.
The most common question that anyone who works in the golf industry invariably receives is this: How often do you play?
The perception that a job within golf opens up time to play is far from the reality but Victoria Park Professional Murray Lott worries the balance has tipped too far in the other direction.
Lott is part of the four-man team that will represent the PGA of Australia at the Four Nations Cup in South Africa from September 2-4 at Kyalami Country Club.
Reigning PGA Professionals Championship winner Jamie Hook, Matthew Guyatt and TJ King make up the rest of the team who will face off against PGA Professionals from South Africa, New Zealand and Canada.
It is a rare opportunity for those who work at the coalface to reengage their competitive instincts and take pride in their performance, performance that Lott insists PGA Professionals throughout Australia should not feel guilty about pursuing.
A former player and caddie on tour, Lott now splits his time between coaching at Victoria Park in Brisbane and playing the SParms PGA Legends Tour and believes there are benefits in keeping his game sharp.
Shortly after turning 50 last year he won his first Legends Tour event at Mt Warren Park, the opportunity to compete with his contemporaries providing balance both on and off the golf course.
“I understand why PGA Pros may feel guilty for taking time to practice or play – I’ve experienced that myself – but in my view maintaining a certain playing standard is actually a really important aspect of the job,” Lott says.
“Playing golf is why we became passionate about joining the PGA in the first place so finding the time to play nine or 18 holes helps to keep that passion alive.
“In previous roles at other clubs, playing a midweek comp was a great way to stay engaged with the members and develops a personal connection that can translate to provide a higher level of service.
“I also believe that if members or your clientele see you playing well and shooting good scores that there is an enhanced sense of pride in the person representing their club.”
Being selected to represent Australia is an achievement that has also turned heads within the Lott household.
His three sons in particular have been impressed that their old man can still mix it with the young bucks to the point that he will represent Australia in an international competition.
It’s another reason that Lott is adamant that continuing to play has been beneficial throughout his career.
“When the kids were younger it was tougher to find the time and I am extremely grateful that I now have this opportunity to represent the PGA of Australia,” he adds.
“Playing has not only been of benefit to my status as a PGA Professional but it makes me a happier and healthier person.
“It is my stress relief and my joy.
“I’d encourage everyone to play in the PGA Professionals Championship and to do so guilt-free.
“You never know where it might take you.”
There is a change to the qualifying criteria for the PGA Professionals Championship in 2022.
State-based qualifying will only be required if there is an excess of entries for the PPC Final at Yarra Yarra Golf Club in Melbourne from October 10-11.
To enter the PGA Professionals Championship Final visit the Tournaments and Events section of the Member website.
Jak Carter, PGA Associate at The Stirling Golf Club, has claimed a runaway victory at the South Australian PGA Associate Championship, played at the Links Lady Bay in Normanville from August 8 – 10.
Carter shot a final round 71 for a 54-hole total of 9-under, enough for a stunning 15-stroke victory from second-placed Tyson Settre, as players battled wet and windy conditions.
Starting the final round with an eight-shot lead, Carter went to another level on the last day, holding his nerve as wind gusts reached 45km per hour and the rain wreaked havoc for the rest of the field – as only 12 of the 29 players were able to break 80.
Although defending champion Tom Bond was also at the top end of the leader board – ultimately finishing in third place – Carter’s consistency over the three days meant he was never going to be caught.
Speaking after his victory, Carter explained that the course demanded the best of the players throughout.
“The course set up was tough and the weather conditions certainly allowed Lady Bay to show all its teeth,” said Carter.
Bond, who finished at 7-over, was also effusive in his praise for Carter after the final day.
“The course played incredibly long and Jak’s performance this week was very impressive,” he said.
“To be the only one under (par) today with the closest score being 75 – it was awesome to see.”
The victory continues a strong run of form for Carter, who is establishing himself as one of the top PGA Associates and is looking forward to the upcoming season on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.
In his acceptance speech, Carter was keen to praise the work of his team, as well as the support of sponsors and fellow Associates.
“A big thank you to my caddie Richie who was on the bag all week, and also to Titleist and my playing partners (in the final round) Tyson Settre and Darcy Boyd,” he said.
Satisfied with his performance this week, Carter remains focussed on putting his best foot forward at every opportunity and is already looking forward.
“Now I’m really excited about the New South Wales Champs next week,” he said.
The NSW Associate Championship takes place at Moruya Golf Club next week from August 15 – 18.
In a 30-year journey that has taken him around the world – managing golf clubs throughout Australasia and even coaching on the PGA TOUR – Barry West has fully embraced every aspect of life as a PGA Professional.
“Time certainly flies,” he laughs.
It certainly does when you have given as much as West has; his service positively impacting golfers and helping businesses to flourish right around the world.
Surrounded by golf from the first, West wonders if perhaps he was always destined for a career in the sport in some capacity. His father was the General Manager of a couple of clubs when he was growing up and West’s mother also held roles in golf administration.
“We actually lived at the back of the clubhouse at Victoria Park,” he recalls of his formative years in Brisbane.
“I first started playing when I was four and really was born and bred into golf.”
Imbued with a passion from that early stage, West commenced his time as a Trainee (now PGA Associate) in 1989 as a 16-year-old, before landing his first job at Club Med, Lindeman Island. An eye-opening experience, a lot was asked of West in those early years.
“It was a brand-new resort and I would be running clinics for up to 90 people, with a blend of sometimes eight languages,” he says. “It was pretty stressful and I certainly didn’t sleep much in those six months!”
From there, West moved to Kooralbyn Valley Golf Course where he worked under Australian golf legend, Randall Vines. There, he spent three years as the Teaching Professional before assuming the role of Head Professional himself in 1997.
“I learned a lot from Randall,” he recalls. “We did clinics together all the time and when he retired, they were certainly big shoes to fill.”
Although he enjoyed his time coaching, as well as the range of responsibilities that came with the role of being a Head Professional, West had set his sights on working more in management – an opportunity that presented itself at Kooralbyn.
“At that stage, my main goal was to become a Director of Golf. I was instantly drawn to the management side of it,” he explains.
“Because I grew up in golf, I think I liked being part of the whole club. I wanted to have a mix and be involved with the members and help guide the club in the right direction.”
Director of Golf for eight years at Kooralbyn and having ticked off a major career goal by the age of just 24, West’s next step – and one that has seen him through more than 20 years – came courtesy of a chance meeting with the Troon Golf Management network in 2008.
“I knew some people in that network and had lunch with the Australasian manager,” West explains.
At that meeting, he was asked to move to South Korea immediately, to take up the management of the new Alpensia Golf and Country Club in Seoul.
A big decision – and one that has impacted his life ever since – West was willing to take the risk.
“I remember thinking I’d better go home and check with my family – but I ended up packing my bags and going to South Korea, where I was based in Seoul for six months.”
His first time working overseas, West went all-in and shifted to China thereafter, his reputation as a ‘pre-opening General Manager’ earning him a place at the Lion Lake Country Club in Guangdong.
“In my role, (as a pre-opening General Manager) I was tasked with getting the clubs all ready to go, opening them and then handing it off to the next person to run from there,” West explains.
At Lion Lake, however, this went to another level as the size of the club meant West had his work cut out for him. As he managed 350 staff – including 50 full-time chefs and 150 caddies – he remembers his work in Asia as challenging, but ultimately very rewarding.
“At one stage I had 150 caddies following me around the golf course and I was showing them all how to read a putt and mark a golf ball on the greens,” he explains.
“Added to that, throughout my time (at both Alpensia and Lion Lake), I couldn’t speak Korean or Chinese – it was pretty tricky!”
Thankfully, the language of golf endured and his hard work was rewarded, as Lion Lake was named “Best New Golf Club” in China during West’s time as General Manager.
***
While he thrived as a General Manager, West’s unwavering passion for the game saw him maintain an active association to coaching throughout this period, working with two-time PGA Tour winner, Steven Bowditch, whom he met and coached at Kooralbyn.
“I kept teaching him in the middle of all this time,” he recalls. “I went to the States three years in a row for a month or six weeks at a time and would caddie and coach him on the PGA Tour.”
Undoubtedly a career highlight, West looks back at Bowditch’s 2014 Masters campaign with particular fondness.
“I got to go down Magnolia Lane with him every morning,” he says. “I’ve been to a lot of golf tournaments but that week at the Masters was something different. It’s unique.”
***
Since returning home to Australia in 2012 West has been working as the Director of Golf at Mollymook Golf Club on the New South Wales South Coast.
Another big club, with more than 1,400 golf members and a further 10,000 social members, West has been able to bring together his range of experience to help the club thrive.
“I’ve been very keen to get on the front foot with members,” he explains. “Being available to meet with them and have a chat with people around the club is a big part of what I do here.”
More than that, West is showing a willingness to change, making golf more accessible for more people, more often. Having introduced multi-tee competitions as well as open competitions for men and women, West prides himself on creating a welcoming environment for everyone.
“We want to give people the chance to feel comfortable playing golf how they want to play,” he explains. “To enforce that whether you’re a male or a female, young or old – it doesn’t matter – you are a member of Mollymook Golf Club.”
The continuation of a remarkable career as a PGA Professional, West is committed to maintaining an exceptional level of service for everyone at Mollymook.
“I think the PGA brand speaks for itself,” he says. “Once a golfer knows they are talking to a PGA Professional, they trust your word – after all, we are always trying to help them take the steps that will be best for them.”
An attitude that has sustained his prolonged success in the industry, West is grateful for the opportunities that the game has afforded him and hopes he can inspire others to recognise what can be achieved in golf as a PGA Professional.
“You really can end up anywhere in the world. Just look at me,” he adds.
“I really think its important that all young Professionals and Associates realise that.
“The doors really do open up for you and the world is your oyster.”
Barry West’s 30 years of service as a PGA Member was acknowledged at the recent NSW State Meeting.
“I actually quite like cleaning the carts. You just get out there and do the things you’ve got to do.”
Head PGA Professional at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club since 1997, Richard Hatt could be excused for shirking the responsibility of cleaning the club’s fleet of golf carts. Instead, he remains as dedicated to every aspect of his wide-ranging role as he was the day he started.
“I want to be hands on,” he says. “I’m always keen to be involved with the club – every part of it. Otherwise, it’s time to go.”
Over the course of nearly 30 years, Hatt has become an integral part of The Royal Melbourne Golf Club. His passion and dedicated service acknowledged in a recent release to members, as the club announced his contract extension.
The quality that makes him an invaluable asset to Australia’s Sandbelt gem, Hatt’s unwavering passion has underpinned everything he has done since taking on a role at Royal Melbourne – and even long before – as he went about forging a career in golf.
“Growing up, I would eat a golf ball,” he recalls. “Mum would drop me off (at Peninsula Country Golf Club) and I would go round and round and round. I’m obsessive by nature and I instantly got hooked on it.”
His love for the game blossoming at that early stage, Hatt worked alongside the Head Professional at Peninsula, David Good. There, he got his first taste of working in golf; helping with repairs, running members’ competitions and lending a hand in the shop.
Inspired to take a role as a Trainee (now PGA Associate) Professional once he finished school, Hatt worked closely alongside Good for two years at Peninsula.
“I went to him, worked for him and he was a great mentor. He taught me golf, I played non-stop and he helped me fall in love with the game.”
Gradually making a name for himself, Hatt was sought out by Royal Melbourne legend and long-time Head Professional, Bruce Green, in 1993. The beginning of a long and flowering relationship – and another invaluable mentorship – it all happened in the space of one conversation.
“He said, ‘I’d like to offer you a job,’ and I thought Fantastic,” Hatt recalls.
“I asked, ‘When do you want me to start?’ and he said ‘Tomorrow!’”
The next day, Hatt set his clubs down on the practice fairway and gave his first lesson at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club.
“I started doing lots of coaching – like a lot. My biggest day, I did 18 lessons in one day.”
With a fastidious attention to detail and imbued with a desire to help every golfer improve, Hatt Began collating lesson notes. Documenting every student’s development, Hatt – who still coaches most mornings – has amassed quite a collection.
“I’ve kept every lesson book since 1993. My wife thinks I’m crazy, but one day I’d love to sit down and work out how many lessons I’ve actually done.”
***
By 1997, Hatt was made co-professional alongside Bruce Green, a partnership they shared up until Green’s retirement in 2018.
Immediately, he was put to the test on the world stage as he helped to co-ordinate the hosting of the 1998 Presidents Cup.
“We were negotiating merchandising rights with the PGA TOUR and all of those sorts of things,” he recalls.
From there, it was a continual process of learning, development and expansion of his skill set, as Hatt – under Green’s watchful eye – came into his own as a Head Professional.
“Bruce taught me how to engage with the members,” he says. “I learned a lot from his guidance.”
It is the strength of this relationship with the club’s membership – along with his perception of his own role – that has been the foundation of Hatt’s success at Royal Melbourne.
“We’ve got around 2,300 managers here. They’re the members,” he explains. “We are here for them and they’ve got the say.”
In an era when most golf clubs are transitioning to managing their own golf service and retail, Royal Melbourne has maintained a club and contract arrangement with Hatt; one that continues to inspire him and his team in the pro shop to strive for excellence.
“We live and breathe it,” Hatt said. “At the end of the day, it’s my staff, my shop and how good or bad I go is up to me.”
“One of my great strengths is that never do I come in and not want to do something different,” Hatt says. “Every single day.”
“I’m thinking up harebrained ideas all the time – what can we do to entertain these members and look after them? I’m always looking to make it interesting for them, I’m driven that way.”
For Hatt, this process lasts long after each member walks off the 18th green.
From putting his staff through a merchandising course, to hand-wrapping Christmas gifts for members and even developing a manual for how the Pro Shop should be arranged at all times, he understands that little things amount to a premium experience for everyone at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club.
“It’s that engagement and making it exciting for members to come to the club. We respect where we are and are trying to be the best at everything we do.”
His unwavering drive was highlighted throughout the COVID lockdown period. Hatt was prepared to reinvent himself and his business, dedicated to providing the best-possible service, as well as ensuring the safety of his staff.
Immediately taking action once the doors were closed, Hatt thought outside the square. He and his management team created an online store for members, ran quizzes that engaged up to 400 people at a time, sent out newsletters and provided online coaching and playing tips to engage the community while the fairways were vacant.
“It was a disaster, but we made it an asset for us,” he said. “We did a lot of things that we normally wouldn’t do and it gave us a good kick-starter.”
The value he places on his people shone through, too – as Hatt managed to retain every member of his staff.
“I never lost one staff member through the whole time. My goal was to keep them all.”
“The easiest option might have been to let them all go and save the money, but I couldn’t let them down.”
His tireless flexibility is on show once again as the club embarks on an extensive project to install an underground car park and revamped storage area under the existing practice fairway.
Although the practice facilities have been largely closed since November last year, Hatt has implemented a range of solutions.
“It’s the same principle. We’ve had to innovate.”
Increased bunker clinics and golf schools, as well as a transition to a new member-integration system have typified the adaptability, but Hatt is most excited about the changes being made inside the pro shop and launching a new experience for the members.
“It’s going to be brand new for the members. We always want to make it exciting for them to come to the club.”
***
For a man who wears a number of caps every day to help enhance the experience of every golfer he meets, the one he wears the least is actually playing golf.
“I don’t play as much as I did in the past,” he says. “There’s always something else busy that’s happening.”
Not that it particularly bothers him; Hatt gets great joy from immersing himself in golf in other ways.
“I still feel like I’m playing golf when I’m talking golf, thinking golf and living it,” he says. “I still absolutely love the game, even after all this time.”
That love, combined with a genuine sense of care has ensured his longevity at Royal Melbourne – something that Hatt is grateful for every day.
“It’s a passion. It started as a passion and became a job,” he says.
“I never really see it as a job though. I never have.”
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.
