Qualifying for the PGA Professionals National Championship is set to take on a new look this year.

The most prestigious title for vocational PGA Professionals, the PGA Professionals National Championship, sees the best Club Professionals and Teaching Professionals; together with PGA Professionals in amanagement position from around the country, compete for the title of PGA Professional National champion.

In 2015 the six state qualifying tournaments will be known as the State PGA Professionals Championship.

The PGA Professionals National Championship is confirmed from 1-5 November at Hamilton Island Golf Club on the Peter Thomson designed layout.

The State PGA Professionals Championships will see both male and female PGA Professionals competing alongside each other, with the number of positions offered to play at Hamilton Island decided on a pro-rata basis.   

This is the first time female Professionals have competed alongside the men; playing for the same prize pool and the same par as their male counterparts, teeing off the ladies markers.

If outside the qualifying number, the leading female Professional at each State PGA Professionals Championship will be offered aposition in the PGA Professionals National Championship.

Given the steady increase of female PGA Membersworking in the industry, there is a strong chance more than one female per state will play their way to Hamilton Island.

"The PGA of Australia has a growing number of female Professionals in the vocational sector who are highly skilled coaches and players," said Gavin Kirkman, Chief Membership Officer of the PGA.

"The PGA is committed to growing female participationin golf and through the Australian PGA Professionals Championship we can showcase our female Professionals at a national level."  

There is a lot up for grabs at the State PGA Professionals Championships.

Along with a place in the PGA Professionals National Championshipat Hamilton Island Golf Club, the winner of each tournament is crowned State Champion for the year and receives complimentary return flights to Hamilton Island, plus an invite to their State PGA Championship on the PGA Tour of Australasia.

The leading two men from the PGA Professionals National Championship will receive an invite to play alongside world ranked Tour Pros at the 2015 Australian PGA Championship at RACV Royal Pines Resort.

The leading female will receive an invite to the Oates Women’s Vic Open on the ALPG.

Now in its fourth year, the Australian PGAProfessionals Championship will be played at Hamilton Island Golf Club and provides the opportunity for amateurs to compete alongside the Professionals in the Hamilton Island Amateur Golf Championship.

Further information on the Hamilton Island Amateur Golf Championship will be available in the coming weeks via www.hamiltonislandgolfclub.com.au  

State PGA Professionals Championship schedule: