Golf Industry News

Golf Business news, GMA news, staff appointments, marketing, financials, social media and trends

Challenge benefits $40,000+ from Oates Vic Open

Challenge benefits $40,000+ from Oates Vic Open

Golf Victoria has announced that the 2018 Oates Vic Open has helped raise $42,109 for its official tournament charity partner, Challenge – supporting kids with cancer. The final figure was generated via the ‘Celebrity Chef Charity Dinner for Challenge’ and throughout tournament week at 13th Beach Golf Links. A handful of Australia’s top chefs joined […]

Australian Unity, PGA of Australia tee up partnership

Australian Unity, PGA of Australia tee up partnership

Australian Unity and the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) of Australia have announced an exciting new partnership in which Australian Unity will become the Official Health Insurance Partner of the PGA of Australia. This partnership will give Australian PGA Professionals and golf fans the opportunity to access great offers through Australian Unity health insurance. “We are […]

Golf Australia partners JLT

Golf Australia partners JLT

Golf Australia and Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) Australia have announced a three-year partnership, with JLT named the Official Risk Partner of Golf Australia and the ISPS Handa Australian Women’s Open. The new partnership aims to empower Golf Australia through consistent, comprehensive insurance cover and leading risk expertise, protecting regional, country and metropolitan clubs and making […]

Long live print — Inside Golf bucking the trend

Long live print — Inside Golf bucking the trend

It’s no secret that the print magazine industry has gone through a rough patch of late. More and more newsstand and subscription titles have ceased publication in recent years, a result of the meteoric rise of online behemoths like Google and Facebook. But one magazine is bucking this trend, and kicking goals (or in this […]

Enterprise Rent-a-Car partners with the PGA of Australia

Enterprise Rent-a-Car partners with the PGA of Australia

Enterprise Rent-a-Car Australia, today announced a new multi-year partnership with the PGA of Australia where they will become the Official Hire Car Partner of the PGA of Australia and Official Presenting partner of the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia App. New to the Australian car rental scene, Enterprise has been growing across the globe […]

Gold Coast secures the Australian PGA Championship for another three years

Gold Coast secures the Australian PGA Championship for another three years

Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) and City of Gold Coast today announced their commitment to the PGA of Australia (PGA) to support the Australian PGA Championship for a further three years. A day after the close of one of the most successful events to date, and where Queenslander Cameron Smith hoisted the Kirkwood Cup in a […]

Troon International appointed by Canberra’s Gold Creek

Troon International appointed by Canberra’s Gold Creek

Troon International has been appointed to provide full golf course management services to the semi-private Gold Creek Country Club, Canberra. Utilising Troon and its industry-leading expertise, the venue is set on increasing the quality of its offering, on and off course, to members and visitors. The 18 Hole Championship Course, designed by Australian legend Bruce Devlin, […]

QANTAS Golf Club partners with GolfNow

QANTAS Golf Club partners with GolfNow

  In a move to further enhance the connection between golf clubs and the 11.8 million-plus Qantas Frequent Flyers, Qantas Golf Club has entered into a partnership with U.S.-based GolfNow. This partnership will provide greater access for Qantas Frequent Flyers to combine their passion for golf and travel, as GolfNow provides the option to book […]

New speakers announced for Golf Business Forum 2018

New speakers announced for Golf Business Forum 2018

It’s full steam ahead at Golf Business Forum HQ in Melbourne as the first six speakers for the two-day event are confirmed this week. Organisers Guy Chapple and Andrew Davies say that curating quality content for delegates was a key strength of the inaugural event in 2016, and they are carrying that discipline through into […]

GMA National Conference declared a best of Industry Event

GMA National Conference declared a best of Industry Event

The 2017 Golf Management Australia (GMA) National Conference closed at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Thursday, 12th October with a gala closing dinner in the Panorama Ballroom attended by 250 golf industry delegates and sponsors. The conference, roundly viewed as the best yet by way of professional development content and networking opportunities, is a biennial […]

Ballarat welcomes Gender Equality, new website for Noosa Springs, Shop till you drop at McLeod

Ballarat welcomes Gender Equality, new website for Noosa Springs, Shop  till you drop at McLeod

Ballarat welcomes gender equality Ballarat Golf Club is a club that has a history spanning back to 1895 and has seen generations of golfers take their place on the honour boards. It is also a club who through solid governance has recently made a very important step to address a weakness, that of gender equality. […]

Club News: Nelson Bay, Nudgee, Yamba, Cool Tweed and the China Golf boom

Club News: Nelson Bay, Nudgee, Yamba, Cool Tweed and the China Golf boom

New clubhouse, events for Nelson Bay Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Nelson Bay Golf Club has come back with a bang, enjoying a brand-new clubhouse and influx of members and guests.  Since opening the doors to its new clubhouse in August (the club had previously lost their clubhouse due to a disastrous fire […]

Club News: Changes at Maleny, Ranfurlie and Warrnambool

Club News: Changes at Maleny, Ranfurlie and Warrnambool

Maleny adds next 3 holes MALENY Golf Club in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland remains on track to have 12 holes in play early next year following completion of bulk earthworks and installation of irrigation on the next three holes. David Burrup Golf Course and Sports Turf Designs was contracted to undertake the earthworks construction, which […]

Club News: Mount Lawley, Pelican Waters, Proserpine, Brisbane River GC

Club News: Mount Lawley, Pelican Waters, Proserpine, Brisbane River GC

A ‘hole’ new game at Mt Lawley   IT’S all happening at Mt Lawley Golf Club in Perth, West Australia. The club’s general manager Troy O’Hern told Inside Golf an additional hole, the 19th, would open for play at the end of November. It’s more of a short-game practice area, but it will give the […]

Mini golf to open at The Vines, New Par-3 for Mornington GC

Mini golf to open at The Vines, New Par-3 for Mornington GC

WESTERN Australia’s The Vines Resort and Country Club has been enjoying a bit of online buzz lately, as locals have been eagerly following the club’s construction of a state-of-the-art mini golf course. Due for completion in the middle of this month, the $1million 18-hole Vines Mini Golf course was designed by Richard Chamberlain, and features […]

Curlewis on par and potent

Curlewis on par and potent

To say that Curlewis Golf Club has the Australian golf fraternity in an excitable spin is an understatement.   Touted as the fastest-growing golf club in Australia, Curlewis has recently catapulted up the ladder to become one of Australia’s Top-50 Public Access courses. In an unprecedented move in the club’s history, Curlewis recently announced the imminent […]

Toowoomba GM Josh headed in the right direction

Toowoomba GM Josh headed in the right direction

IT’S been a year since Josh Madden joined Toowoomba Golf Club as general manager and in that time he has worked diligently to create, build and complement a great team that is working together and is on the same page when it comes to the golf club’s direction. “When I arrived here, one of the […]

First female club captain at Kew Golf Club

First female club captain at Kew Golf Club

IT didn’t take Andrea Catherine Moore long to play down her appointment as Kew Golf Club’s first female club captain. “It’s no big deal,” she said. “I understand it’s significant being the first woman captain of the club, but I hope in a couple of years a woman captain won’t even be commented on. “To […]

Kruse new President of SAGCA

Kruse new President of SAGCA

Harley Kruse, founder of KruseGolf, was elected President of the SAGCA at its 27th Annual General Meeting held recently on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.  Harley replaces the outgoing President, Ted Parslow, an original founding member of the SAGCA who served 3 years in the role. The election of Harley, along with Paul Mogford as Vice President […]

Inside Golf to sponsor 2017 GMA Conference

Inside Golf to sponsor 2017 GMA Conference

Inside Golf has announced that the publication will be a sponsor of the 2017 GMA Conference. As a long-time supporter of GMA—providing content and coverage in our monthly print and online platforms for many years—Inside Golf is pleased to further that support during this monumental event in Australian golf. “We are incredibly proud to be a […]

‘Next generation’ synthetic grasses proving popular

‘Next generation’ synthetic grasses proving popular

It’s every golfer’s ultimate dream: a backyard putting/chipping green to sharpen the short game in the comfort of your own home. Yet most golfers haven’t got the time for the required maintenance, mowing and upkeep of real grass/turf. So many budding golfers have turned to synthetic grass putting greens, which provide minimal maintenance and a […]

Go Golfing partnership with Callaway Golf

Go Golfing partnership with Callaway Golf

Go Golfing, Australia’s biggest organiser of tournaments and hosted golf tours and holidays for golfers has inked a two-year deal with Callaway Golf that is sure to please club golfers. Go Golfing hosts 7 major tournaments each year for club golfers and the Callaway deal will see $200,000 worth of Callaway drivers, wedges, putters, golf […]

Kirkman new CEO for PGA of Australia

Kirkman new CEO for PGA of Australia

  The PGA of Australia announced today that Gavin Kirkman has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Peter O’Malley, Chairman of the PGA Board highlighted this appointment as particularly noteworthy as Gavin Kirkman comes from within golfing’s and the organisation’s ranks. Gavin is a long serving PGA employee having been CEO of PGA Queensland from 2002 […]

USGA and R&A Publish research on driving distance

USGA and R&A Publish research on driving distance

The R&A and the USGA have published their annual review of driving distance, a research document that reports important findings on driving distance in golf. Introduced last year, the review examines driving distance data from seven of the major professional golf tours, based on approximately 285,000 drives per year. Data from studies of male and […]

Callaway acquires bag/apparel manufacturer OGIO for $75.5 million

Callaway acquires bag/apparel manufacturer OGIO for $75.5 million

Callaway Golf Company has announced that it has acquired OGIO International, Inc. for $75.5 million in an all-cash transaction, subject to a working capital adjustment. The acquisition enhances Callaway’s presence in golf while also providing a platform for future growth in the lifestyle category. Excluding non-recurring transaction and transition expenses, Callaway’s management expects the acquisition […]

Golf Business Forum to return in 2018

Golf Business Forum to return in 2018

Over 200 golf industry leaders gathered in Melbourne in late July 2016 for the inaugural Golf Business Forum, in what became Australia’s largest ever event for golf industry leaders, facility owners and operators, and their business partners. With international and local speakers bringing new perspectives to golf business, attendees were educated and challenged to think […]

John K. Solheim named President of PING

John K. Solheim named President of PING

John Karsten Solheim, the oldest son of John A. Solheim and the grandson of PING Founder Karsten Solheim, was named president of PING today, effective January 1, 2017. He succeeds Doug Hawken as president, who is retiring after a distinguished 45-year career with the company that saw him rise from assistant to the production manager […]

PGA of Australia CEO Brian Thorburn to step down

PGA of Australia CEO Brian Thorburn to step down

The PGA of Australia announced today that CEO Brian Thorburn would be stepping down, having successfully completed his second three-year contract with the Association when it comes to the end of its natural term in February 2017. Peter O’Malley, Chairman of the PGA Board thanked and praised Thorburn for leading the Association over these important […]

End of an era for TRP Sports

End of an era for TRP Sports

Veteran Golf Promoter Tony Roosenburg has decided to close the doors on his golf promotions business TRP Sports after 36 years. “It has been an amazing run of success since I arrived as an immigrant from the Netherlands in 1981 and started with Tony Charlton in the Golf Industry, ” said to Roosenburg. TRP Sports […]

GSM new Operator of Peregian Golf Course

GSM new Operator of Peregian Golf Course

Peregian Springs Golf Holdings Limited (Holdings) has announced tha tGolf Services Management Pty Ltd (GSM) has been granted a lease to operate the Peregian golf course and clubhouse for 5 years with a further 5 year option. GSM is a golf course management company operating five golf courses in Victoria – Bay Views, Kingston Links, Ranfurlie, […]

Powers of Golf NSW Council transitions to Clubs and Districts

Powers of Golf NSW Council transitions to Clubs and Districts

The powers of the Golf NSW Council have been transitioned after an historic vote of Councillors last week. This followed an earlier vote by the member clubs and districts that overwhelmingly voted in favour of the changes. With the support of all parties in place, the Golf NSW Council ceased to exist on 7 October. […]

New tee time booking website, TeeNet, officially launches

New tee time booking website, TeeNet, officially launches

NATIONAL software developer MiClub recently launched TeeNet, a markedly different tee time booking website. TeeNet offers Australia’s largest tee time range. As a non-commercial initiative, TeeNet has no onsite advertising or contractual pricing arrangements. There is no administration fee for players using the site and no contracts or commission fees for clubs or courses. Aside […]

PGA announce Western Union Business Solutions as Official Partner

PGA announce Western Union Business Solutions as Official Partner

Western Union Business Solutions has been announced as the Official Foreign Exchange Partner of the PGA of Australia and an Official Partner of the Australian PGA Championship. As one of the world’s leading providers of cross-border business payments, Western Union Business Solutions is transforming how businesses can expand their global reach through one of the […]

Yering Meadows secures new owners

Yering Meadows secures new owners

The Yering Meadows Golf Course in Melbourne’s famed Yarra Valley announced last month that it has successfully negotiated a competitive sale of its properties and will retain existing management. After a 12-month sale process, the Yering Meadows management team was presented with an offer from new owner Yering Properties Pty Ltd, a company established for […]

Golf Industry News, May

Golf Industry News, May

  Top award for WA’s Alex Monteath WEST Australian golfing stalwart Alex Monteath doesn’t like surprises, but he received one recently when Golf Management Australia (WA) honoured him with the WA Golf Industry Recognition Award for services to golf. “It was more of a shock than a surprise because I had no idea it was […]

How golf cart paths can increase your club’s membership returns

How golf cart paths can increase your club’s membership returns

With more members utilising golf carts in courses across Australia and New Zealand, cart paths become an increasingly necessary part of course design, which can also provide revenue streams not otherwise available. Cart paths provide a number of benefits to a course or club. They ensure members can play throughout the year, regardless of weather. […]

Strathfield’s Golf by Design renovation underway

Strathfield’s Golf by Design renovation underway

One of Sydney’s busiest golf course makeover companies, James Wilcher’s Golf by Design, has won the contract to rebuild Strathfield’s new-look layout, with work recently beginning on the project. The GBD Master Plan for the project was released late last year and the new design will feature both the 18th and eighth holes finishing near […]

Tru-Turf rolling nicely

Tru-Turf rolling nicely

WHAT do St Andrews, Augusta National, Pebble Beach and Royal Melbourne have in common? They all use Tru-Turf greens rollers to produce perfect putting surfaces. The Gold Coast-based company has revolutionised the way greens are cared for and even has the US PGA Tour singing its praises. Mind you, it wasn’t always smooth rolling. “When […]

Organic golf course for sale

Organic golf course for sale

AUSTRALIA’S only organic golf course is up for sale. Originally created to provide a place for recreation while preserving the environment, Kabi Organic Golf Club (KOGC) at Boreen Point in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, has matured into a challenging and picturesque golf course. Designed by renowned golf course architect Graham Papworth, the golf course is […]

New ‘Super Club’ a bold move in Melbourne

New ‘Super Club’ a bold move in Melbourne

   A groundbreaking move by three of Melbourne’s top ranked golf clubs to establish a ‘super club’ could shine a light into the future of club golf around Australia. Huntingdale Golf Club, Patterson River Golf Club and the Sandhurst Club, after extensive preliminary investigations, have advised that the clubs will enter into a Heads of […]