A representative hockey player for Queensland and Australia, an ACL injury and motherhood sent Barney looking for a new competitive outlet.

She found it in golf, and soon found friends eager to join her.

The big appeal for her friends was that they had someone other than their partners to guide their initial entry into the game.

“A lot of my friends and former hockey teammates would say to me, ‘Can you teach me to play golf because when I go with my husband we fight’,” Barney recalls.

“That was a common thread, so I started teaching a few of my friends.”

That interaction encouraged Barney to lower her handicap to the point where she could complete the PGA’s Membership Pathway Program, a feat she achieved under Jared Love at Windaroo Lakes Golf Club south of Brisbane in 2017.

She has been a fixture there ever since, creating  the ‘Golf Fore Women’ program with the sole purpose of creating a welcoming environment within golf for women to come into.

“I think it’s really important to make them feel welcome,” says Barney.

“I can see them pull up in the car park and I can tell that a lot of the time the poor things just want to get back in the car and go home.

“I make sure that I greet them, I send out an e-mail the night before to confirm that they are booked in and that it is going to be fun.

“You’ve got some women who are confident of doing things by themselves but I think 90 per cent of them are very nervous about turning up for the first time.”

One of those was Janelle Spence, a long-time employee of the PGA who had to overcome her own insecurities to attend one of Barney’s clinics.

Admitting to that sense of fear of embarrassing herself in front of other beginners, Spence is now a regular at Barney’s clinics having connected at a recent Women’s Golf Network event on the Gold Coast.

“Janine had been trying for a number of years to get me along to one of her clinics but I just couldn’t get past that fear of failure,” Spence reveals.

“All of the ladies at the Women’s Golf Network clinic were like me, new to the game and just wanted to whack the ball to get it somewhere.

“Once I saw how nervous they were and how Janine interacted with them to make them feel welcome, I knew my time had come.”

Such is the impact that Barney has had on women through golf, she was recently recognised as one of 2023’s 50 Most Inspiring Women in South-East Queensland by the Courier-Mail.

Yet those who nominated her did so as much for what she had given them away from the golf course as much as their interactions on the golf course.

“The nicest thing that anyone can say to you is that you have changed their lives. And these three ladies said to me that I’d changed their lives,” Barney says of her unexpected recognition.

“They may be new to the area, they didn’t have any friends, they wanted to meet some people, they were feeling lonely, all that sort of thing.

“We started a Messenger group from the clinics and now they go to the driving range together, they go out to dinner together, they go on holidays together, it’s that connection.

“When I started golf I thought it was all about the golf, but it’s not. The golf’s a small part of it. It’s that social connection and making friends.”

Golf NSW, Jack Newton Junior Golf (JNJG), the NSW Golf Course Superintendents Association, Golf Management Australia – NSW, and the PGA of Australia – NSW/ ACT Division celebrated the finest contributions to the sport over the past 12 months. 

Two of the State’s foremost prospects, Cameron Davis and Grace Kim, are the 2023 Golf NSW Male and Female Players of the Year.

Kim, a member of Avondale Golf Club, secured her first win on the LPGA Tour with a breakout performance in the Lotte Championship at the Hoakalei Country Club in Oahu, Hawaii, to claim Female Player of the Year.

Impressive finishes in the Women’s PGA Championship (13th) and the Women’s US Open (14th) saw the 22-year-old from Greenacre climb to a career-high 55th place on the Rolex Rankings.

US-based Cameron Davis claimed the Male Player of the Year award for his impressive run, which began with his appearance in the 2022 Presidents Cup.

The former Roseville local and an ambassador for Monash Country Club also made the finals of the US PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup Playoffs this year.

Jim Byrnes received the Golf NSW Volunteer of the Year Award. As a team manager, organiser and benefactor, Mr Byrnes has been a stalwart of the St. Michael’s Golf Club’s representative scene for many years. A one-time director of the Little Bay Club, Mr Byrnes also readily volunteered time to support national events at the Club, including this year’s Australian Amateur and the Interstate Teams Championship. 

The Services to Golf in NSW was awarded to retiring Golf NSW Board Member and universally respected Rules Official, Mr Frank Gal. The award honours his tireless contribution to the sport as an administrator and untiring dedication to the game as a rules official at events ranging from junior competitions and interclub Pennant to State and National Championships.

The complete list of 2023 NSW Golf Industry Award Winners are:

Golf NSW

Club of the Year – Metropolitan, presented by Nano Bubble Technology: Long Reef Golf Club 
Club of the Year – Country, presented by Australian Super: Charlestown Golf Golf Club 
Volunteer of the Year: Jim Byrnes
Player of the Year – Male: Cameron Davis
Player of the Year – Female: Grace Kim
Services to Golf in NSW: Frank Gal

Jack Newton Junior Golf

Junior Club Of the Year:  Club Catalina Country Club.

PGA NSW

PGA NSW/ACT Tournament of the Year: Hawks Nest Beachside Pro-Am.
PGA NSW/ACT Coach of the Year – Game Development: Jason Laws (Jason Laws Golf Academy).
PGA NSW/ACT Coach of the Year – High Performance: Khan Pullen (Golf NSW).
PGA NSW/ACT Management Professional of the Year: Ben Russell (Long Reef Golf Club).
PGA NSW/ACT Club Professional of the Year: David Northey (Concord Golf Club).

GMA NSW

Future Leaders Scholarship: Geoff Black (Elanora Country Club).
Women’s Management Scholarship: Karah Chapman (Oatlands Golf Club).
Manager of the Year, Supported by MiClub: Andrew Laplain (Cumberland Country Golf Club).

Fellowship of GMA NSW Recipients: Kieran Semple (The Coast Golf Club) and Cathy Neagle (Elanora Country Club).

NSWGCSA

Outstanding Achievement Award, Sponsored by Living Turf: Dean Hopper (Lakeside Camden).
Assistant Superintendent of the Year, Sponsored by Waterwise Consulting:  Charlie Bolte (Cromer Golf Club).
Superintendent of the Year, Sponsored by Australian Turf Projects: Malcolm Harris (Northbridge Golf Club).

The 26-year-old Queenslander is looking to go one better after finishing second last year, and is keen to have another shot at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship.

King now holds a commanding lead over Matt Docking, who’s running second and shot a two-under 70 today, to get to five-under. Western Australia’s Ethan Andrew is the only other player under par at two-under.

Preferred lies were put in place today, which helped players who were experiencing a bit of mud trouble on day one.

Although the sun was out, the wind was up at The Heritage, and despite his score King explained it was a tough day on the course.

“It was a grind today. I didn’t have my best stuff but the putter kept me in it,” he said.

“It was a different wind today. Some of the holes played downwind when yesterday they were into… some holes just played a bit easier on the eye.”

While trying not to think about the two spots up for grabs in the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship, King would love a another chance to get back there.

“That’d be cool. One more day to go though. Hopefully come out and just hit good shots, hole some putts and see what happens.”

A multiple champion of this event, Matt Docking is no stranger to being in the final group, and although he is three shots back, he’ll be looking to lean on his experience to chase down King.

Similar to King, Docking felt he didn’t quite have his best today but is happy to be in the position he is heading into the final day.

“Wasn’t quite as tidy today. I had a little messy period on three and four, but actually managed to get away with a bogey and a par there,” he said.

Ethan Andrews, Teaching Professional at Marangaroo will join King and Docking in the final group tomorrow, after a three-under 69 on day two.

The West Australian is currently six-shots back from King, but is well aware that anything can happen on the final day of a championship.

“The course is amazing, it’s so picturesque that you actually get lost when you’re out there which is nice,” he said.

“If I play well, I play well and I can get a spot (in the Australian PGA), if not I’m still out there having fun.”

King and Docking have never played with each other before, but a friendly dinner on Tuesday night has them both confident they will have a fun round on day three.

Players will be seeded on day three, with the leaders teeing off around 9:30am. To follow the scoring live, click here. 

The 26-year-old Assistant Professional from Mount Coolum fired a 5-under 67 to lead the field by two shots ahead of Royal Hobart’s Matt Docking who began with a 69.

Despite the wet weather on Monday, King (pictured today) still managed to get a full practice round in, and was happy with how the conditions turned around for the better.

He was runner-up at Yarra Yarra in this tournament last year.

“I enjoyed the course, the greens rolled awesome,” he said.

“I managed to hole a few putts and birdie three of the par threes, which really helped gain a few on the field.”

Part of the winning Four Nations Cup team this year, King said that tournament had helped coming into this week.

“It was good to have some sort of competitive golf before I teed it up this week. That team environment of golf is fun, which definitely helped and lifted my spirits.”

King has been at Mount Coolum since he was a junior, a place he truly loves.

“I started out there washing the carts. When I graduated school I got a job in the shop, started my traineeship there and now I’m the Assistant Pro,” he said.

Defending champion Scott Laycock was one of those who struggled in round one, carding a 78.

The top two finishers in this 54-hole event receive a start in the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland next month.

Docking, 42, is the Head PGA Professional at Royal Hobart but not for long; he is going home to Swan Hill on the Murray in a fortnight with his family to take up a position as Director of Golf at Murray Downs Country Club.

He made a bomb for birdie on the first green to set the tone. Adding another three birdies on the front nine he took a share of the lead but battling a ‘stinger’ in his right hand, he gave back shots at the 10th and the 17th before scrambling a par from left of the 18th green to post his 3-under.

Docking is originally Victorian and has played plenty of golf on the Murray. “It’s a homecoming of sorts for me. I’ve spent a lot of time on the Murray and I can’t wait.”

Three rounds will be played on the Jack Nicklaus-designed St. John course, with recent rain making the tough layout play slightly longer this week.

Defending champion Scott Laycock (pictured) will be hoping to make it three wins in six years, with the Royal Hobart Golf Club Teaching Professional receiving an automatic exemption into the National Final.

Captain of this year’s winning Four Nations Cup team, Laycock will be joined by teammates TJ King and Jayden Cripps in the championship, all in terrific form on the back of their win.

Other players to watch this week are:

Scott Laycock (Assistant Professional – Royal Hobart GC)

•        Defending champion (from last year at Yarra Yarra GC) and winner of the 2018 PPC (Hamilton Island GC)

•        Didn’t play in the Australian PGA Championship last year as a result of his win, owing to a clash of dates with his honeymoon

•        Former Japan Tour Winner and PGA TOUR (US) player

•        Australian captain and representative in the winning Four Nations Cup this year.

Chris Duke (Director of Golf – Nudgee GC)

•        Winner of the 2016 PPC (Hamilton Island GC)

•        Moved from South Australia to Queensland in 2022 and now employed at the venue for the Queensland PGA Championship

Matt Docking (Head Professional – Royal Hobart GC)

•        Winner of the 2014, 2015 and 2017 PPC (Hamilton Island GC)

•        Recently announced he is returning to his former club of Murray Downs CC as the Director of Golf

TJ King (Assistant Professional – Mt Coolum GC)

•        Runner-up in 2022 PPC (Yarra Yarra GC)

•        Two-time Australian representative in the 4 Nations Cup

•        Multiple pro-am winner

Ethan Andrews (Assistant Professional – Marangaroo Golf Course)

•        Leading Qualifier from the PGA Professionals Championship of WA

Darren Spencer (Head Professional – Ulverstone Golf Club)

•        Winner of the 2001 and 2002 PPC (Royal Pines Resort)

•        Multiple pro-am winner

Scott Barr (Teaching Professional – Collier Park Golf Course)

•        Former Asian Tour player

•        Multiple pro-am winner

Euan Walters (Assistant Professional- Riversdale Golf Club)

•        Former US Tour player

•        Winner of the 2004 Jacob’s Creek Open on the Nationwide Tour

The full field can be found HERE.

Photo: Scott Laycock on his way to victory at last year’s championship.

Tied with Coolangatta’s Jack Wright after 18 and 36 holes, Taylor was a runaway six-stroke leader heading into Thursday’s final round.

That lead was cut to just two after just three holes but Taylor leant on his putter on the back nine to complete a four-stroke win with a final round of 3-over 76.

The champion at the NSW/ACT Associate Championship last month, Wright shot even par on Thursday for an even-par total to finish outright second, Indooroopilly’s Dylan Knox (77) third at 3-over.

“I had head noise,” Taylor conceded of his shaky start.

“Dylan birdied the first and the second to be 2-under and I was 1-over through two. My mind was racing early but I got it back together and the back nine was solid.

“I holed a lot of good putts down the stretch that I had to hole and putting has been what has held me back in recent times.

“It was good to hole some putts down the stretch when the pressure was on.”

Hailing from Casino in Northern New South Wales, Taylor is now in the third year of the Membership Pathway Program.

He started the program under Lang Doolan at Wentworth Falls Country Club and credited Doolan for providing the entry point towards becoming a PGA Professional.

“If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be doing the program,” said an emotional Taylor.

Although he has had few opportunities to play of late, Taylor confided in those closest to him that he felt his game was positioned to produce something special.

“I’ve been saying to all my mates at home, my dad, that my game is close and I could feel something around the corner. It’s good to get it done,” he added.

“I work hard when I’m at home. I put the work in. Not as much as I’d like but I feel like I do the right practice.

“Any of the boys at home see me on the practice fairway and know I’m working on my game when I am home.”

Taylor also praised a Windaroo Lakes layout that plays to his strengths as it produced yet another thrilling championship climax.

“It’s a great championship course because anything can happen on any hole. There’s no easy stretch out there,” said Taylor, this year’s championship the fifth staged in the City of Logan.

“My game suits this course. I rely on my short game a lot. I’m always working on chipping and pitching and you need to chip it and pitch it well around here to score.”

Left to rue a third round of 5-over 78, Wright remained philosophical regarding another outstanding performance in a big event.

“Although disappointed not to win, if you told me at the start of the year I would win the NSW Championship and finish second in the Queensland Championship, I would certainly take it,” said Wright.

“I played a lot of golf with Riley as juniors so I’m thrilled that he won.”

Final scores

Tied with Jack Wright for the first two days, Taylor responded to a front nine of 2-over 38 with five birdies on the back for a round of 2-under 71 and 7-under total through 54 holes.

He is the only player in the 90-strong field to be under par in each of the first three rounds after Wright dropped seven shots off the lead with a round of 5-over 78 on Wednesday.

Pampling Plate runner-up Dylan Knox (Indooroopilly Golf Club) is the only other player in red figures through three rounds but faces a daunting task to rein in Taylor over the final 18 holes.

A far different looking scorecard to his bogey-free 70 the day before, Taylor credited a brilliant tee shot at the par-3 11th for sparking his back-nine birdie barrage.

“I got off to a bit of a shaky start,” conceded Taylor, who had four bogeys and two birdies on the front nine.

“Made a soft par on one and then I just had a few bad breaks with lies and left the ball in the wrong positions to make pars and give myself looks at birdies on the front.

“I made a good birdie on six from an awkward lie but on 10 I said to Chaz, my caddie, ‘Let’s just play golf.’

“I hit a really good shot into 11 to about two feet and made birdie there. That kicked it off on the back nine.”

Knox played his way into contention with the equal-best round of the day, a 3-under 70.

One-over through eight, Knox also made his move on the back nine at Windaroo Lakes, playing his final 10 holes in 4-under to earn a spot in the final group.

“Riley has a big lead but you never know,” said Knox.

“I had a red-hot putter on the back nine. To have 3-under on that back nine on this course is very satisfying.

“I have been playing well finishing second at the Pampling Plate and riding the wave while it is flowing.”

While many in the field have shied away from using driver in order to find the narrow, twisting fairways, Taylor won’t change his approach despite the advantage he will take into the final round.

“The game-plan’s not going to change. I’m going to play my own game and see what happens,” said Taylor, who is in Year 3 of the Membership Pathway Program.

“I know a lot of the boys have said how tight it is to hit driver but I find that a lot of the holes suit how I hit it.

“Not so much trying to hit it long but I feel comfortable in hitting driver in play around here.”

Matching Knox for round of the day were interstate pair Rhys Tonkin (Keysborough Golf Club) and Brad Doherty (Castle Hill Country Club).

“Was great to get back into contention with a few good-length birdie putts which kept the momentum going,” said Doherty, who is in a tie for fourth with Dylan Gardner (72) and Jack Harrison (71).

“We have seen some big leads over the past few years evaporate around this the Windaroo Lakes layout so the final day will be interesting.”

The final round of the Queensland PGA Associate Championship will begin at 10.40am on Thursday with the final group teeing off at 11.50am.

The 2023 championship marks the fifth year in succession that it has been held in the City of Logan.

Round 3 scores

Players were greeted by conditions more conducive to low scores yet it was again Taylor (pictured) and Wright who led the way.

The pair followed up their rounds of 2-under 71 on day one with matching rounds of 3-under 70 to sit five-strokes clear of third-placed Joe Kim (Concord Golf Club) and six clear of Douglas Chow (RACV Royal Pines Resort).

Currently based at Murwillumbah Golf Club, Taylor is in the process of moving back home to Casino where he will continue the Membership Pathway Program while Wright is in Year 1 of the program at Coolangatta-Tweed Heads Golf Club.

They will play together in the final group with Kim and Chow at 12.40pm AEST on Wednesday, Wright excited at the prospect of renewing their junior rivalry.

 “I’ve played a lot of golf with Riley. We’re both from the North Coast of New South Wales so played heaps of junior golf with him,” said Wright, who won the NSW/ACT PGA Associate Championship at Tura Beach Country Club last month.

“He’s such a great guy so look forward to playing with him and try and play my best.”

Taylor went bogey-free in Tuesday’s second round, relying on his short game to keep a clean card early in his round.

“I got off to a bit of a shaky start so I had to rely on my short game today,” said Taylor.

“I missed a few greens early but managed to get those up and down and build from there.

“I chipped the ball really well today when I missed the greens so that’s a confidence boost heading into tomorrow.”

Taylor came into the tournament without having touched a club since the Pampling Plate at Caboolture but believes he has found the formula for success at Windaroo Lakes.

“I’ve been aggressive when you can be aggressive and played smart when the holes get a bit tighter,” he added.

“Just keep it the same and try and keep the ball below the hole.

“It will be much the same of that tomorrow.”

Defending champion Bailey Arnott bounced back from a 79 in Round 1 with the best of the day in Round 2, his 4-under 69 elevating him to a share of fifth at the halfway mark.

Arnott had an eagle and four birdies on Tuesday, all despite being without the use of his driver from the second hole onwards.

After damaging the face of his driver with his opening tee shot Arnott reverted to a 3-iron for the remainder of his round, admitting that it may have helped to unlock scoring opportunities on the twisting layout.

“It was a blessing in disguise,” said Arnott.

“At this course you don’t necessarily need a driver and it just shows that you when you are forced not to take driver what can happen.”

Round 3 begins at 10.30am tomorrow with the leading group hitting off at 12.40pm.

Round 2 scores

Round 3 draw