Manly Golf Club hosted the 2018 NSW/ACT PGA Trainee Graduation and Awards Dinner on Friday evening, celebrating the achievements of 20 PGA Trainees graduating to Full Vocational Membership.

The new PGA Professionals were welcomed to the Association by NSW PGA Committee Member, John Harrison and Chairman of the NSW/ACT PGA State Committee, Peter Van Wegen. Both PGA Professionals wished them all the best in their future endeavours within the golf industry.

The night was attended by Life Members; Chris Tickner, Geoffrey Scott, Thomas Moore, Ron Luxton and Eddie Emerson, with Chris Tickner presenting graduates with their PGA certificates and welcoming them to the association as Full Vocational Members.

The PGA Life Members were joined by NSW/ACT Vocational Committee members, PGA Staff, Acushnet Representatives and many family and friends of the graduating class.

The 2018 NSW/ACT PGA Trainee of the Year Award winner was also announced on the night; presented by Footjoy Account Manager Andrew Williams and PGA General Manager of Membership and Education Geoff Stewart.

Mitchell Harry from Monash Country Club received top honours amongst some very strong candidates including Benjamin Stowe, William Flitcroft, Adriana Brent, Mitchell Gannon and Jamie Millar.

Voted as the Player’s Player amongst his peers in 2018, Mitchell capped off his final year in the program finishing 13^th on the National Player Rankings and an adjusted average of 0.11.

With distinctions in all subject areas, Mitchell finished 8^th on the National Titleist-Footjoy Excellence in Education Award Rankings and with a top-10 finish at the NSW/ACT State Championships and two wins at Bankstown and Richmond Golf Club respectively, it was Mitchell’s overall professionalism, playing standard and commitment to his academics that saw him take out the Trainee of the Year Award.

Reflecting on their time in the Trainee Program, all of the graduates gave thanks and acknowledgements to their family and friends, PGA staff, their indenturing PGA Professional and golf club. A theme echoed amongst all graduates was their eagerness to grow the game and develop long standing careers within the golf industry.

PGA Trainee Graduates – Class of 2018

• Brianne Arthur (Bridging)
• Adriana Brent
• Daniel Buyers
• Zachary Churcher
• Jordan Colella
• Corey Cruikshank
• Nathan Dorahy
• William Flitcroft
• Mitchell Harry
• Bryce Hohnen
• Katy Jarochowicz (Bridging)
• Jack Kessell
• Jamie Millar
• Matthew Power
• Daniel Priest
• Adam Porker
• Thomas Punnett
• Elle Sandak
• Benjamin Stowe
• Edward Tamsett