A FORMER golf professional is the new general manager of Patterson River Golf Club in Victoria.
Adam Hayes, whose journey into golf club management started in the 1980s, says it is a great honour to be appointed GM at Patterson River GC in the southeastern suburb of Melbourne.
“I started in the golf industry in 1986 when I commenced as a trainee professional at the Victoria Golf Club on Melbourne’s sandbelt under the guidance of Brian Simpson,” Hayes told Inside Golf.
“I consider myself lucky to have had such a wonderful mentor as Brian whose values and respect for the traditions of the game still hold true today.”
Hayes spent seven years at Victoria GC combining a playing career, coaching and working in the pro shop.
He had moderate success as a tour player before deciding that club life better suited his goals.
In 1994, Hayes was appointed as the first PGA professional at Flinders Golf Club where he spent four years before moving to Keysborough Golf Club where he remained for six years.
“It is these roles that allowed me to gain valuable business skills and a closer understanding of the day-to-day running of club life,” he said.
In 2004, Hayes joined the team at The Sands Torquay where he had a wide-ranging role that involved completion of the golf course construction, clubhouse build, course fit-out, all member and pro shop operations, estate maintenance, health club as well as hotel/functions operations under the training of Mirvac Hotels.
“After four years in Torquay the calling of family led to a move back to the southeastern suburbs and to St Andrews Beach Golf Course as venue manager,” he explained.
“The early years were challenging as the course was being re-positioned in the market from a ‘Private Member Golf Course’ to a ‘Pay-for-Play’ Premium Golf experience on one of Australia’s finest layouts.
“It is a delight to now join Patterson River Golf Club at this point in my golfing journey where there is a strong active membership, warm welcoming local community feel to go with a great golf course.
“I look forward to working with the board, membership and a dedicated team of staff to ensure Patterson River remains one of Melbourne’s premier golfing facilities.”
Chief writer David Newbery has been living, breathing and writing and editing golf for more than 30 years. His extensive knowledge of the game comes from covering golf around the world. Hired by Inside Golf in 2009, David previously worked as the editor of The Golfer for 25 years and before that worked for numerous daily newspapers in Australia and overseas. The Brisbane-based journalist describes his golf game as “a work in progress”, but has had the privilege of playing golf with some of the game’s best players including nine-time major winner Gary Player. David enjoys travelling, reading, music, photography and spending time with family and friends – on and off the golf course. 
