Queensland Golf Industry Unites

In QLD golf’s night of nights 350 guests attended the 2011 Queensland Golf Industry Awards and PGA Trainee Graduation at the Sebel Citigate in Brisbane last Tuesday night.

It was the final step for the 26 trainee professionals who as the graduating class of 2011, officially became full members of the PGA of Australia. Bearing witness to their achievements were many proud family and friends who have supported them in their journey along with many PGA professionals whose ranks was the ultimate goal.

“On behalf of all the graduating Trainees I thank all the PGA professionals who have provided us with the opportunity to fulfil our dream, and to our families and friends, we couldn’t have achieved this without your encouragement” said QLD PGA Trainee Captain Paul Hayden.

In an amazing individual effort, Hayden himself again impressed on the evening taking out the QLD PGA Trainee of the Year honours. This comes on the back of also being awarded the Australian PGA Trainee of the Year, becoming the first trainee in the history of the award to top both the academic rankings and playing averages in the same year.

Those attending were also reminded of how the Queensland golf industry has bounced back after the disasters of the state wide floods in early 2011. It was a worthy tribute that recognised the efforts of the countless staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly to get their golf courses back in playing condition after such devastation.

The winner of the QLD PGA Club Professional of the Year was Virginia Golf Club’s Shayn Barnham who paid tribute to his fellow nominees.

“To be accepting this award when you know any of those nominated are worthy of winning is quite an honour” said Barnham. “I have an amazing relationship with every member of the Virginia Golf Club Management and Board and therefore this award is as much theirs as it is mine”

The honour of QLD PGA Teaching Professional of the Year was taken out by Lakelands Golf Club Teaching Professional David Nable who was recognised for his outstanding efforts, having had success by not only coaching the 2011 Female QLD Amateur Champion Saki Suzuki, the 2011 QLD PGA Rookie of the Year Kevin Lee but also coaching Shiho Oyama who was a winner on the LPGA Tour in the US during 2011.

The prestigious QLD PGA Tournament of the Year was awarded to the popular Pat O’Driscoll Real Estate/ Tropical Auto Group Golf Classic. The $100,000 in prizemoney that is offered always puts the highly regarded tournament in with a chance, though it was just the event’s 3rd win of the award in it’s 19 year history.

In addition to sitting on an array of district/golf club committees and boards, Neil Dougherty was recognised for his long standing commitment to the game of golf via his contribution to the Mackay Pro Am and as such, was presented with the 2011 QLD PGA Chairman’s Award. Neil’s dedication to the Mackay Golf Club extended to him being General Manager at the time of his retirement though it was his work with the Mackay Pro Am which has been going since 1986 which amplified him becoming him a very worthy winner.

“Just to be involved with our great game is reward in itself but to be recognised in front of so many people who are just as passionate about the game of golf as I am, is quite incredible’ said Dougherty.

Redland Bay Golf Club’s General Manager Aaron Muirhead was awarded the GMAQ Manager of the Year Award for not only his dedication to the club and members, but also for his community work which, after giving generously to the Flood Relief efforts, saw him be recognised with a Queensland Premier’s Disaster Hero Award.
Cameron Smith and Ashley Ono again were recognised for their outstanding achievements winning the Male & Female Amateur of the Year Awards. Both players have had an amazing past 12 months representing both their state and their nation.

Other notable award winners include the PGA IGI Excellence in Education Award winner James Tucker, Golf Supplier of the Year winners Toro Australia and City Golf Club who, after staging a successful QLD PGA Championship just two weeks ago, were awarded GMAQ Queensland Golf Club of the Year.

Below is a list of all of the nominees and eventual award winners:

QLD PGA Regional Tournament of the Year
Finalists: Xstrata Glenden Pro Am
Blackwater Mineworkers Club Pro Am
Meng Group Tyre and Mechanical City of Mackay Pro Am
Ian Weigh Motors Rockhampton Pro Am
Pat O’Driscoll Real Estate/Tropical Auto Group Golf Classic
Winner: Blackwater Mineworkers Club Pro Am

QLD PGA Metropolitan Tournament of the Year
Finalists: Dental Solutions Tewantin Noosa Pro Am
Bartons/BMD Wynnum Pro Am
FKP Peregian Springs Open
Norris Motor Group Royal Queensland Cup
Metropolitan Funerals Brisbane Invitational Pro Am
Winner: Bartons/BMD Wynnum Pro Am

QLD PGA Resort Tournament of the Year
Finalists: Hi-Lite Pro Am (RACV Royal Pines Resort)
Pat O’Driscoll Real Estate/Tropical Auto Group Golf Classic (Capricorn Resort)
Australian 4 Ball Pro-Am Championship (RACV Royal Pines Resort)
Peter Senior Charity Pro Am (Links Hope Island)
P.I.S. Players Championship (RACV Royal Pines Resort)
Winner: Australian 4 Ball Pro-Am Championship

Golf Print QLD PGA Tournament of the Year
Finalists: Australian 4 Ball Pro Am Championship
Bartons/BMD Wynnum Pro Am
Coca Cola Morobe Open
Pat O’Driscoll Real Estate / Tropical Auto Group Golf Classic
South Pacific Export Papua New Guinea Open
Winner: Pat O'Driscoll Real Estate / Tropical Auto Group Golf Classic

QLD PGA Club Professional of the Year
Nominees: Chris & Matt Britnell (City Golf Club)
Shannon Beck (Redland Bay Golf Club)
Shayn Barnham (Virginia Golf Club)
Tony Di Tommaso (Carbrook Golf Club)
Winner: Shayn Barnham (Virginia Golf Club)

QLD PGA Teaching Professional of the Year
Nominees: Grant Field (Twin Waters Golf Academy)
Jim Barden (Victoria Park Golf Complex)
David Nable (Lakelands Golf Club)
Lee Harrington (Palm Meadows Driving Range)
Winner: David Nable (Lakelands Golf Club)

Platinum Partner Program QLD PGA Rookie of the Year
Winner: Kevin Lee

QLD Sunshine Tour Order of Merit Winner
Winner: Luke Paroz

QLD PGA Chairman’s Award
Winner: Neil Dougherty

QLD PGA Trainee Order of Merit Winner
Winner: Sam Eaves

QLD PGA Trainee of the Year
Winner: Paul Hayden

PGA IGI Excellence in Golf Education Award
Winner: James Tucker

Toro Superintendents Golf Course Turf Apprentice of the Year
Winner: Nicholas Reeve – Murwillumbah Golf Club

Simplot Partners Assistant Superintendent Recognition Award
Winners: Ray Lawrence – Brisbane Golf Club
Matthew Duff – Bonville Golf Club
James Gordon – Sanctuary Cove Country Club

Chesterfield / John Deere Superintendents Achievement Award
Winner: Ben Tilley – Headland Golf Club

Superintendents Industry Recognition Award
Winner: Pat Pauli – Horton Park Golf Club

GMAQ Manager of the Year
Winner: Aaron Muirhead

GMAQ Golf Club of the Year
Winner: City Golf Club

Club Super Volunteer of the Year
Winner: Ruth Hungerford

Golf Queensland Junior Male Amateur Golfer of the Year
Winner Kade McBride

Golf Queensland Junior Female Amateur Golfer of the Year
Winner Jaimee Dougan

Golf Queensland Male Amateur Golfer of the Year
Winner: Cameron Smith

Golf Queensland Female Amateur Golfer of the Year
Winner: Ashley Ona

Golf Supplier of the Year
Nominees: Acushnet
Coca Cola
Schweppes
Toro Australia
Srixon
Winner: Toro Australia