Friday, 16 March 2012

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

Friday, 24 February 2012

Follow GMAQ

Golf Management Australia - Queensland Division can now be followed on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. To stay in touch with what is happening in the association, please join these mediums.
Twitter - @GMAQld
Facebook - Golf Management Australia Queensland
LinkedIn - Golf Management Australia Queensland

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Tuesday, 21 February 2012

Professional Development Seminar - 6 March 2012

The next event for GMAQ is the Professional Development Seminar scheduled to be held at Pacific Golf Club on Tuesday, 6 March 2012 from 8.30am to 11.30am (seminar only). The seminar will included presentations on WH&S Legislation updates, Strategic Planning and Superannuation and your financial security. One of the guest speakers on the day will be Jeff Blunden from JBAS Advisory who will give pertinent information to all attending.

There are 3 options available for attending GMA members - seminar only, seminar & lunch and the 3rd option of seminar, lunch and golf. The booking sheet is now open on the GMA website. Please support this new initiative as the information provided will be invaluable.

Thursday, 16 February 2012

GMAQ Executive Golf Day


The GMAQ Executive Day was a fantastic day for both club managers, executives and sponsors. The first few holes we were introduced to some gold coast rain but then, we were lucky, as the storms went around us, enabling the players to finish the round. The winners of the E.C.Coker Shield for 2012 was the home team from Lakelands Golf Club. A massive thank you to our event sponsors:

      1.  AIS;
2.  Club Super;
3.  Fosters;
4.  Golf Industry Central;
5.  Inside Golf;
6.  Maxima Group;
7.  OJ Holdings;
8.  Online Golf (Greatrounds.com);
9.  Paynter Dixon;
10.Techset Furniture;
11.TJS Services;
12.TVS Architects; and
13.QFFS

PLEASE SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT OUR INDUSTRY!
After the golf, Lakelands GC served up a sensational canapes, mains and dessert that was enjoyed by all attendees. Internationally renowned social researcher and demographer, Mark McCrindle was the guest speaker who provided valuable insights into the demographics that patronise our clubs.
A huge thank you to Tim Gnech (General Manager) and his team at the Lakelands Golf Club for their excellent hospitality and for allowing us to experience their fantastic course.
The next event will be held at Pacific Golf Club on Tuesday, 6 March 2012 which will be a Professional Development Seminar including a presentation from Total Workplace Solutions on the new Workplace health and safety Laws, Jeff Blunden will conduct a session on “The biggest challenge for current day Managers” and we will have 30 minute presentation from Club Super on our own individual super strategies. This seminar is schedule to run from 8.30am to 11.30am followed by lunch and a game for those wishing to participate. Hope to see you there!

Monday, 6 February 2012

GMAQ Executive Day - this coming Monday, 13 Feb


The GMAQ Executive Day is fast approaching, scheduled for this coming Monday, 13 Feb 2012 at Lakelands Golf Club. Registration is 11.00am, lunch at 11.30am and the shotgun start is at 12.30pm. After the golf, there will be a sensational meal served along with excellent guest speaker, Mark McCrindle.

This event is only possible due to the wonderful support of our sponsors. Thank you to all our major sponsors
      1.  AIS;
2.  Club Super;
3.  Fosters;
4.  Golf Industry Central;
5.  Inside Golf;
6.  Maxima Group;
7.  OJ Holdings;
8.  Online Golf (Greatrounds.com);
9.  Paynter Dixon;
10.Techset Furniture;
11.TJS Services;
12.TVS Architects; and
13.QFFS