Australian golf
has taken an important stride with the appointment of a national inclusion
manager.

Long-serving PGA Professional Christian
Hamilton will take up the role from July 1 in a ground-breaking shared services
arrangement between Golf Australia and Golf Victoria.

Hamilton has been the golf services
manager at the Sandhurst Club for the past nine years and has established
himself as a leader in providing coaching, club-fitting, mobility solutions and
playing opportunities for people living with a physical or neurological
disability.

Golf Australia chief executive Stephen
Pitt said the newly created position represented two key breakthroughs in
Australian golf.

"We are very fortunate to have someone
with Christian’s passion and skill set for such an important role that can make
a real difference to people’s lives through what our great game has to offer,"
Pitt said.

"It also is an example of how we can
harness the resources and expertise of the industry and the advantages of a
unified approach that delivers clear efficiency gains."

Golf Victoria chief executive Simon
Brookhouse said that collaborative approach was critical in such a vital
position for those who’ve previously been unable to share in the game.

"We are pleased to have been able to
assist Golf Australia in establishing this role through a shared services
agreement which clearly demonstrates how we can work together for the benefit
of the game as a whole," Brookhouse said.

"It will open up the game to many who’ve
wanted to take part and haven’t known how to go about it – it’s a great
initiative."

The inclusion focus of Hamilton’s role
is on golf for people with a disability with the goal to increase sustainable
participation in all aspects of the game.

It includes the following key
responsibilities:

* implement the national inclusion
strategy for golf
* pilot in Victoria the development and implementation of a sustainable
inclusion model for golf that can be rolled out nationally
* deliver the ISPS Handa coaching program in collaboration with the PGA,
with the objective to increase the number of accredited golf coaches for people
with a disability
* develop high-quality inclusion and disability resources, tools and
programs
* collaborate and work closely with state/territory golf associations, the
PGA and various disability organisations
* build awareness to facilitate engagement and recognition of golfers with
a disability

Hamilton said he was excited to start
the new role.

"I’m really passionate about the area
and the direction it is heading," Hamilton said.

"I’m absolutely thrilled to be given the
chance to expand its reach around the country with such great scope to reach
those people who can really benefit."

Gavin Kirkman, the PGA’s chief membership
officer, said Hamilton was the perfect person to achieve those targets.

"We are delighted that Christian, who is
a very highly regarded PGA Professional, has been appointed to this position
and we look forward to continuing to support this important area through our
coach education program," Kirkman said.