Curtis Luck won the Outstanding Golf Achievement Award at the Western Australian Golf Industry Gala Dinner at Crown on Friday night, defeating nominees such as two-time winner Minjee Lee.

The 20-year-old Cottesloe golfer was a part of the Australia team that won the Eisenhower Cup World Team Championship, and rose to the top of amateur golf’s world rankings in 2016 after winning the US and Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship titles.

“Last year was an extraordinary year of success for Western Australian golf and Curtis’ high-profile results were the beacon of achievement in a proud year for golfers in this state,” GolfWA Chief Executive Gary Thomas said.

“His victory at the US Amateur Championship ensured his name now sits alongside some greats of the game, such as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods, while further success elsewhere clearly made him a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.”

Flying out to the US this week to begin preparations for his Masters debut, Luck was unavailable to accept the award and Luck’s father Stuart accepted the trophy in his place.

“He’s had some magnificent experiences this year – he’s played in Dubai, Malaysia, Japan, Korea and the US. Those experiences are just going to keep happening,” said Stuart Luck, who caddied for his son during the US Amateur Championship.

“There has been a lot of support along the way to get here. GolfWA have been terrific in their support of Curtis right through from when he first came into their development squads as well as Cottesloe Golf Club.

“Craig Bishop has made a huge difference to Curtis’ game – more than just as a coach but as a mentor he has inspired Curtis to have confidence in his own abilities.”

Bishop claimed another of the night’s major awards when he was named PGA Teaching Professional of the Year, sponsored by Glen Eldon Wines.

WAGI Gala Dinner – Full Awards list

WA Golf Industry Recognition Award: Greg Fitzhardinge
Outstanding Golf Achievement Award, sponsored by Nexus Risk Services and NGI: Curtis Luck (Cottesloe Golf Club)
PGA Teaching Professional of the Year, sponsored by Glen Eldon Wines: Craig Bishop (Golf Box Booragoon)
Metropolitan Golf Course of the Year, sponsored by ADH Club Car: Wanneroo Golf Club
Regional Golf Course of the Year, sponsored by ADH Club Car: Margaret River Golf Club
GCSAWA Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Toro: Daniel Breadmore (Mosman Park Golf Club)
Superintendent of the Year, sponsored by McIntosh & Son and Jacobsen: Jonathon Leech (Busselton Golf Club)
Employee of the Year, sponsored by MiClub: Sam Hodge (Joondalup Country Club)
Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by Bowra & O’Dea: Jan Plaistead (Wanneroo Golf Club)
Outstanding Game Development Award: Susan Thomson (Mount Lawley Golf Club)
Environmental Award, sponsored by Globe: Cottesloe Golf Club
PGA Pro-AM of the Year, sponsored by Golf Cart World: Steele Scene Peel Pro-AM
PGA Tournament of the Year, sponsored by Golf Cart World: Nexis Risk TSA Group WA Open
Hilary Lawley PGA Professional of the Year: Kerrod Gray
Regional Golf Facility of the Year, sponsored by  LD Total: Broome Golf Club
Metropolitan Golf Facility of the Year, sponsored by Rouge Wolf: Royal Perth Golf Club

Source: Golf WA