FOR once it was the right call . . . golf WAS the real winner.
Although two of New South Wales best golf prospects for some years, Cameron Davis and Grace Kim were probably entitled to disagree.
They were named as the NSW male and female players of the year in a stellar night for golf, the 2023 NSW Golf Industry Awards at The Crown Barangaroo.
While both these young stars were absent from the night, busy plying their trade overseas against the best golfers in the world, both sent video messages of thanks for their honours.
It was a night to savor as 18 individuals and organisations were honoured.
Yet it was a refreshing night for so many in the golf industry as well.
That’s because they witnessed an evening that saw Golf NSW, Jack Newton Junior Golf (JNJG), the NSW Golf Course Superintendents Association, Golf Management Australia – NSW, and the PGA of Australia – NSW/ ACT Division, combine their ‘talents’ to celebrate the finest contributions to the sport over the past 12 months.
While Davis and Kim were at the top of the tree, so many of our quiet achievers were also honoured.
Among them were Jim Byrnes, who received the Golf NSW Volunteer of the Year Award.
As a team manager, organiser and benefactor, Byrnes has been a stalwart of the St. Michael’s Golf Club’s representative scene for many years.
A one-time director of the Little Bay club, he has also readily volunteered time to support national events at St Michael’s, including this year’s Australian Amateur and the Interstate Teams Championship.
Another to be honoured in that ‘unsung hero’ category was Frank Gal, the long-serving Golf NSW board member, who has just retired.
A universally-respected rules official, Gal’s award honoured his tireless contribution to the sport as an administrator and untiring dedication to the game as a rules official at events ranging from junior competitions and interclub Pennant to State and National Championships.
“Honestly, I’ve got a lot more out of golf than I’ve given back,” he remarked while accepting his award.
Other major honours included:
The Club of the Year – Country Award, which went to Charlestown Golf Club:
With a two-million-dollar high-tech driving range recently launched, the club has seen an influx of players of all skill levels take part, especially younger people and girls.
The Club of the Year – Metropolitan Award, was taken out by the progressive Long Reef Golf Club, which has experienced a remarkable period of growth and now boasts an impressive 3,000 social members.
To underline the organisation’s commitment to inclusivity, the club also introduced a provisional membership category, allowing more than 100 new members to join and ensuring accessibility.
The full list of award winners is listed below:
Golf NSW
Club of the Year – Metropolitan, presented by Nano Bubble Technology: Long Reef Golf Club
Club of the Year – Country, presented by Australian Super: Charlestown Golf Golf Club
Volunteer of the Year: Jim Byrnes
Player of the Year – Male: Cameron Davis
Player of the Year – Female: Grace Kim
Services to Golf in NSW: Frank Gal
Jack Newton Junior Golf – Junior Club Of the Year: Club Catalina Country Club.
PGA NSW
PGA NSW/ACT Tournament of the Year: Hawks Nest Beachside Pro-Am.
PGA NSW/ACT Coach of the Year – Game Development: Jason Laws (Jason Laws Golf Academy).
PGA NSW/ACT Coach of the Year – High Performance: Khan Pullen (Golf NSW).
PGA NSW/ACT Management Professional of the Year: Ben Russell (Long Reef Golf Club).
PGA NSW/ACT Club Professional of the Year: David Northey (Concord Golf Club).
GMA NSW
Future Leaders Scholarship: Geoff Black (Elanora Country Club).
Women’s Management Scholarship: Karah Chapman (Oatlands Golf Club).
Manager of the Year, Supported by MiClub: Andrew Laplain (Cumberland Country Golf Club).
Fellowship of GMA NSW Recipients: Kieran Semple (The Coast Golf Club) and Cathy Neagle (Elanora Country Club).
NSWGCSA
Outstanding Achievement Award, Sponsored by Living Turf: Dean Hopper (Lakeside Camden).
Assistant Superintendent of the Year, Sponsored by Waterwise Consulting: Charlie Bolte (Cromer Golf Club).
Superintendent of the Year, Sponsored by Australian Turf Projects: Malcolm Harris (Northbridge Golf Club).
