Queensland golf industry’s finest awarded

Jupiters Gold Coast played host to more than 430 guests last night to recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals, golf clubs and companies over the past 12 months at the QLD Golf Industry Awards night.

The evening recognised the achievements of those from the Queensland/Northern Territory Division of the PGA, Golf Management Australia – Queensland Division (GMAQ), Golf Queensland as well as the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Queensland (GCSAQ), to celebrate the Queensland Golf Industry’s ‘Night of Nights’.

Three new awards were introduced by the PGA in 2016, with Twin Waters General Manager Stephen Hutchison winning the inaugural QLD PGA Manager of the Year, Steven Jeffress winning the MLC Nundah Community Leadership Award, while Jason Day’s coach Colin Swatton was recognised for his outstanding 2016, claiming the Coach of the Year Award.

Although not able to be present on the evening, Swatton thanked the Queensland golf industry for recognising his work over the past 12 months via video message, captivating the audience with his words of wisdom.

“To those graduating PGA Trainees tonight looking for a coaching path, I would like to offer this advice – follow your heart, trust yourself, trust your instincts and always give your best. And in the words of the late, great Arnold Palmer – golf is deceptively simple, yet endlessly complicated.”

In some of the night’s most anticipated PGA awards, Brookwater Golf and Country Club Head Professional John Collins was announced as the QLD PGA Teaching Professional of the Year, while Wynnum Golf Club Head Professional Matthew King was recognised for his countless efforts within the industry, taking out the Coca Cola QLD PGA Club Professional of the Year.

In accepting his award Matthew King said “I feel incredibly honoured to have received this award, and must thank everyone that has influenced me during my time as being a PGA Member.”

“I have a great team around me at the Wynnum Golf Club and thanks must go to them with all the hard work they put in. Thanks my parents, Paul & Loretta King along with Charlie & Margaret Earp, Mick Power and Doug Barton who have guided me to become the person that I have become, but more importantly understand the role that I play within the Golf Club and the local community.”

Four winners will now go on to represent Queensland as a finalist for the Australian PGA Manager of the Year, Coach of the Year, Club Professional and Teaching Professional of the Year Awards of which will be awarded at the Greg Norman Medal Dinner later in the year.

The GCSAQ recognised the talents of many of their dedicated superintendents across Queensland with Phil Soegaard from the Lakelands Golf Club taking out the Superintendent’s Achievement Award. Phil was recognised for his ongoing trial work with the AGCSA and major industry companies, while improving the courses position by 12 spots on the Golf Digest Course rankings in 2014-16.

“It is a real privilege to receive this award, especially with so many great course superintendents applying their trade on courses around Queensland,” said Soegaard during his acceptance speech. “I have been nominated three times before, so it’s a great feeling to walk away with this award tonight.”

The Carbrook Golf Club received the coveted GMAQ Golf Club of the Year Award and were recognised for their achievements in the growth of their membership going on to post a surplus which enabled the club to undergo significant improvements to the course and clubhouse. The club also initiated their Junior Sharks Golf Program which now has more than 100 children committed.

With the unofficial border of the awards stretching in to northern NSW, the winner of the MiClub GMAQ Manager of the Year was taken out by Mark Whiting from the Ballina Golf & Sports Club, after turning the club around from a significant financial deficit, to surplus of more than $198,000 in 2016.

“There are many people that I would like to thank, but like all General Managers I must thank my board, especially my chairperson Jenny Ellenbroeck who has been proactive with me in turning around the club’s financial position” mentioned Whiting.

After another big year for the state’s elite amateurs, Karis Davidson capped off a great year in 2016 to claim both the Female Amateur Golfer of the Year as well as the Junior Female Amateur Golfer of the Year Awards. Jediah Morgan was announced as the Junior Male Amateur Golfer of the Year after claiming individual and team honours at the Asian Pacific Junior in Taiwan, while Charlie Dann was crowned the Male Amateur Golfer of the Year, after breaking into the top 60 of the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

The evening also saw 17 PGA Trainees graduate to Full Vocational PGA Members and were recognised for their dedication in achieving their goal of becoming the next generation of PGA Professionals. 2016 QLD Trainee of the Year and Trainee Order of Merit Winner Paul Griffiths captured the thoughts of all of those who received their graduation certificates.

“Some of us have taken three, four, five and even six years to complete their PGA Traineeships though this commitment and dedication will hold us in good stead as we make our way into lead roles within the industry.”

A full list of award winners can be found below:

Award Winners: