Records broken at Queensland Golf Night of Nights

The Star Gold Coast has played host to 460 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 eclipsed the previous record of 453 attendees from two years ago with the night recognising the achievements of those from the PGA (QLD/NT), Golf Management Australia – Queensland Division (GMAQ), Golf Queensland as well as the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Queensland (GCSAQ).

A total of 30 awards were presented throughout the evening, with the City Golf Club taking out the coveted GMAQ Golf Club of the Year Award.

The City Golf Club, who has played host to the QLD PGA Championship for the last decade, held off a number of other high profile clubs from throughout the state to win the award for third time.

“2017 has been another great year for us at the City Golf Club,” said Golf Club President Ed Britnell.

“Award’s like this don’t come easily and I would like to thank my fellow board members as well as the management and staff, for all the tireless work and effort they put in to make our club so great.”

Other recipients of the GMAQ Awards include, Links Hope Island’s Ashlee Kachel who took out the Staff Member of the Year Award, McLeod Country Clubs Carolyn McIlvenny who won the Board Member of the Year Award while Parkwood Village’s Luke Altschwager claimed the title of GMAQ Manager of the Year.

Of the PGA Awards presented, Sanctuary Cove General Manager, Paul Sanders winning the PGA Management Professional of the Year, Emerald Golf Club Head Professional Matthew Victorsen taking out the PGA Game Development Professional of the Year, Adam Norlander from Headland Golf Club was presented with the coveted PGA Club Professional of the Year Award and Grant Field claimed the PGA Coach of the Year Award,.

Field spoke about the great year he has endured with his star pupils which includes Cameron Smith who won the Australian PGA Championship last December, outlining the importance of surrounding himself with other quality coaches throughout the year.

“It has been another successful year for a number of the golfers that I teach, but none of this would be achievable without the great team that surround me,” said Field.

“As a coach, I work alongside fellow PGA coaches Richard Woodhouse, Matthew Ballard, Tony Meyer and Virginia Irwin. We all want to succeed in what we do and it’s great to have these people to push you to maximise your ability as a coach.”

The four winners will now go on to represent Queensland as a finalist for the Australian PGA Coach of the Year, PGA Management Professional of the Year, PGA Game Development Professional of the Year and PGA Club 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 Col Thorsborne from Parkwood Village taking out the Superintendent’s Achievement Award. Col was recognised for his work completing the irrigation system of all 18 holes at Parkwood as well as the successful redesign of four holes.

“It is a real privilege to receive this award, especially with so many great course superintendents applying their trade on courses around Queensland,” said Thorsborne.

“It is great to be back at a facility where my passion is at its greatest and I am looking forward to what the future holds for me at Parkwood Village.”

After another big year for the state’s elite amateurs, Rebecca Kay capped off a great year in 2017 to claim the Female Amateur Golfer of the Year Award, while Isabelle Taylor won the Junior Female Amateur Golfer of the Year Award. Jediah Morgan was announced as the Junior Male Amateur Golfer of the Year for the second consecutive year, while Maroochy Rivers Shae Wools-Cobb was crowned the Male Amateur Golfer of the Year, after a superb 2017 including reaching the round of 16 at the US Amateur Championship.

The evening also celebrated the graduation of 15 PGA Trainees graduates to Full Vocational PGA Members. The graduates were recognised for their dedication in achieving their goal of becoming the next generation of PGA Professionals and 2017 QLD PGA Trainee Captain James Corkill captured the thoughts of all of those who received their graduation certificates on the evening.

“There have been many ups and downs for all of us throughout our PGA Traineeships but the most important thing for us now is to reflect on our achievements in becoming Full Vocational PGA Members, and work hard to achieve our long term goals within the golf industry,” said Corkill.

Award Winners: