On International Women’s Day, the ALPG and PGA of Australia are excited to announce they have entered into a cooperation agreement that proposes to analyse the two governing body’s operations, assets and services.

As the bodies responsible for the administration and governance of professional golf in Australia mutual respect has always existed but a formalised intent to build commercial opportunities is anticipated to strengthen the industry and provide new leadership for professional golf in Australia.

“The PGA of Australia and ALPG have always enjoyed a strong and close working relationship. This formal agreement is our way of demonstrating our firm commitment to collaborate on real opportunities together,” said Gavin Kirkman, CEO of the PGA of Australia which also owns the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.

“This is a natural progression for golf in Australia but also represents an exciting time as both the male and female professional games flourish. We are charged with leading our own halves of professional golf, but together we can be far more influential advocates for professional golf both here in Australia and overseas.”

Karen Lunn, CEO of the ALPG added, “Our two organisations worked together back in 2015 to develop a dual ALPG/PGA membership category and bridging course which now enables ALPG members to attain full vocational membership of the PGA.

“As a result of further discussions over the past six months, we are delighted to be in a position to announce this next level collaboration which can only have a positive effect on our game in Australia.”

As part of the collaboration process, nine areas of opportunity have been identified for the PGA and ALPG to work together more effectively for the benefit of the game. Some of these priorities include:

• Joint government relations and commercial initiatives
• Production of world-class tournaments to enhance the player and fan experience resulting in increased playing opportunities
• A more holistic approach to high-performance golf in Australia with a focus on the athletes
• Jointly promote and market both memberships to increase the profile and success of individuals

However, at the forefront of this arrangement is the ALPG and PGA professional’s interests.

“The PGA of Australia and ALPG are both member organisations and Tours, the best interests of both our members have been at the forefront of these discussions,” added Kirkman.

“Australia consistently produces some of the most talented male and female professional golfers in the world and we believe by working closer together we can ensure this continues well into the future.

“However, it isn’t just about producing the next Karrie Webb or Greg Norman; it is also about opening up other pathways for a career in golf. We want to identify and nurture the best coaching talent in Australia and specifically increase the number of female coaches.”

As female sport in Australia has come to the forefront thanks to AFLW and Women’s Big Bash League, golf still has a large amount of work to do to better recognise the female golfing population.

“A career in professional golf should be an aspiration of all young golfers, male or female, and equal representation of male and female golfers is a challenge we are inspired to achieve together.,“ added Kirkman.

This agreement between the ALPG and PGA is the result of months of discussion and intended to provide the platform for both entities to lead the way in better commercialising the existing assets, but also developing new opportunities for professional golf and golfers alike.

Both parties anticipate the results to include better gender equality in golf, improved career opportunities and a more attractive participation sport for females.    

“This is an exciting time for women’s sport in Australia, and ALPG’s ongoing collaboration with the PGA across a number of areas will ensure that women’s professional golf in Australia continues to thrive,” added Lunn.

Just the start of the journey, the ALPG and PGA intend to bring true progress to this intent to strengthen professional golf in Australia and have appointed an independent consultant, Evolve Sports Group to help pave the future path.

A chance invitation whilst playing in Europe has opened the door for Alison Whitaker to forge a flourishing career as a TV commentator.

My start in TV was purely by happenstance.

I’d spent a little bit of time in the box at the Ladies Masters when I played well one year but I was in China at the end of 2014 when the Ladies European Tour asked me to fill in for a few hours.

They actually wanted a European voice for the Sunday – which I understood completely – but they couldn’t find anyone so I got the call-up!

What I didn’t know at the time was that I was suffering from both glandular fever and vertigo. At the end of the three hours they said if I was going to stop playing because of the vertigo that they’d love to have me on board for the following year.

My golf swing was probably the best it had ever been at that point but with the illness and having that offer on the table it probably brought the timeline of transitioning out of the playing ranks forward a little bit.

The biggest challenge initially was having two conversations at once and just how hard that is. You have to listen not only to the other commentators but also the direction you’re getting in your ear from the producers about what else might be happening on course. It can be quite full-on at times.

In terms of preparation it is completely different depending on whether I’m on course or in the box. If I’m on course I’ll tailor my research around the three players I am going to be following the next day whereas in the box, to do the job well, you need to have two or three interesting facts on every player in the field.

If I’m on course I’ll try and head out and walk the course at around 7am, see where all the pin positions are so that I’ll have an understanding of what the putt is going to do even if I might be 20 metres away.

I’ll also go to the range a lot and watch what drills players are doing which helps you to paint the picture of their full day as well.

In the box, I keep quite a detailed spreadsheet on all the players so I’ll always have that with me on my laptop but I’m also known for plastering the walls with stats. It’s a redecorating process and it changes every day. Because while it’s great to do your research, if you can’t find it within 10 seconds there’s no point in having it.

A word we often use in commentary is discipline. I probably only use 5 per cent of the research that I do for every week and working out when to add that into the conversation and when to have some banter is really important.

It’s been such a steep learning curve and I’ve been extremely fortunate with the mentors I have had.

My two most influential mentors have been Kate Burton and Richard Kaufman. Kate could talk the bark off a tree and the people at home would be entertained while Richard’s work ethic is just incredible.

But no matter how much research you do you always have that sense that you’re walking into an exam that you haven’t studied for.

When it’s live TV, there’s always a slight sense that you’re in over your head.

Australian PGA Professional Matthew Ballard has been appointed the National Coach for the Singapore Golf Association.

Having competed on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia for over 10 years, Ballard changed his career direction in 2015.

Motivated by his passion for the short game, Ballard undertook the PGA’s Bridging Program to formalise his qualifications and establish a career coaching players at the highest level including Adam Scott, Adam Bland and Sam Brazel as well as members at his home club of Sanctuary Cove.

Ballard has garnered a reputation for being a very knowledgeable and progressive coach who incorporates technique, strength and mental performance into his holistic approach to the game.

With the Singapore Golf Association allocating considerable time and resources to their high performance program they began the search for a full-time coach to drive its national golf development.

Ballard was selected from a host of highly credentialed coaches from across the globe with the Singapore Golf Association posting on their Facebook; “The SGA is currently in the development process of nurturing new talent and grooming young golfers. Matt, with his vast experience, can help in its high-performance program by taking over a fresh team of golfers from the national, development and junior squads.”

Delighted to accept this new position, Ballard is ready to attack the challenge which will see him and his family relocate to Singapore.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to the Singapore Golf Association for this appointment, a role that I am honoured to accept,” said Ballard.

“I look forward to working closely with the SGA team on further developing a successful high performance program for the nation’s best athletes.

“To all my Australian friends and family, staff and clients at Sanctuary Cove and the PGA of Australia – I can’t thank you enough for your friendship and support of my coaching career.

“This is an amazing opportunity for my family, one for which we are very grateful and are extremely excited to begin our journey.”

Ballard joins a long list of PGA of Australia professionals who have utilised their qualifications and expertise to pursue an international career.

He also joins a host of PGA of Australia professionals to be named the national coach of a country’s golf program including Gareth Jones who leads the Japan Golf Team and Peter Knight who guides the Taiwan team.

“On behalf of the PGA of Australia and our professionals I would like to congratulate Matt on earning this opportunity,” said Geoff Stewart, General Manager – Education and Membership for the PGA of Australia.

“The PGA of Australia training and education programs are acknowledged as some of the best in the world and the proof of that is in the calibre of PGA Professionals we produce.

“Matt is an excellent example of this training as well as the diverse career opportunities made possible by being a member of the PGA of Australia.

“We are delighted to see quality PGA Professionals like Matt excelling in their chosen fields and we are extremely proud to have them representing us in the international golf industry. The Singapore Golf Association high performance program has made an excellent appointment and is in very safe hands.”