Queensland Golf Industry Celebrates Top Performers at 2026 Awards

BRISBANE – Keperra Country Golf Club stole the show at the 2026 Queensland Golf Industry Awards, walking away with three major honours, headlined by the prestigious award for Most Outstanding Queensland Club, Facility or Place to Play (Metropolitan).

The Brisbane-based facility solidified its standing as a cornerstone of Queensland golf by also securing Junior Golf Program of the Year, while staff coach Jake Newbery was crowned Coach of the Year (Game Development). The triple win highlights Keperra’s dedication to developing players across all ages and skill levels while driving community engagement in the sport.

Key Facility and Regional Champions

The awards celebrated top-tier facilities across the state, acknowledging excellence beyond the capital:

• Regional Facility of the Year: Maleny Golf Club took home the honor for Most Outstanding Queensland Club, Facility or Place to Play (Regional).
• Off-Course Innovation: Landers Pocket was named Most Outstanding Facility in the Off-Course category.
• Resort Double: Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club enjoyed a dual triumph, with Paul Sanders named PGA Management Professional of the Year and Cameron Smith earning the Superintendents Achievement Award.

Repeat Winners and Top Players

Several stars of Queensland golf maintained their dominant form by defending their 2025 titles:

• Amateurs of the Year: Billy Dowling and Grace Rho repeated their victories as Male and Female Amateur Golfers of the Year, respectively.
• Club Professional of the Year: James Corkill of Yamba Golf and Country Club went back-to-back to retain his title.
• High Performance Coaching: Dominic Azzopardi (Dom Azzopardi Golf) successfully defended his title as Coach of the Year (High Performance).

The future of Queensland golf was also in the spotlight as Alicia Ludi and Hennessey de Guzman were named Junior Female and Junior Male Amateur Golfers of the Year.

Honouring Lifetime Turf and Industry Service

The unsung heroes behind Queensland’s championship courses and operations were given prominent recognition. Justin Kelly received the Superintendents Industry Recognition Award for a distinguished 37-year career across the sports turf industry, including impactful roles at Logan City, Riverlakes Country Club, Gainsborough Greens, Parkwood Golf Club, and four years on the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Queensland executive.

The Services to Golf Award was jointly presented to corporate partners Asahi Schweppes and Coca-Cola Europacific Enterprises for their enduring support of the industry statewide. We can never thank them enough for their support.

Full List of 2026 Queensland Golf Industry Award Winners