The achievements of the NSW/ACT PGA membership were celebrated Thursday night with over 220 guests coming together at one of Sydney s premier Golf Clubs. Pymble Golf Club on the north shore of Sydney hosted golfing industry royalty including PGA life member Dan Cullen who was acknowledged early in the evening as being a role model for all members, especially the graduating class of Trainees of whom were celebrated during the evening. In all, 20 Trainee Professional s graduated and were welcomed into the PGA as full members of the Association. NSW/ACT PGA Vocational Committee Chairman David Stretton was the ideal master of ceremonies for the evening and touched on the varying facets of what it means to be a PGA member and the array of career paths which become available for PGA members upon graduation from the Trainee Program. Guests were entertained by former Australian Cricketer and ABC Commentator Kerry O Keefe who left the crowd in stitches re-telling many stories from his cricket days. Recently retired PGA Staff member Peter Hines had his services recognised on the night and was awarded Honorary Life Membership which was presented by PGA Australia CEO, Brian Thorburn. Hines was extremely surprised and was speechless when being awarded the honor. Peter later said that his heart was full and was enormously grateful to be welcomed to stand alongside many of the great golfers of Australia including Dan Cullen and Frank Phillips as a PGA Life Member. Castle Hill Country Club, Wagga Wagga Golf Club and New South Wales Golf Club took out the City, Country and Legends tournament awards, all recipients highlighted the efforts and support from club members, sponsors and the PGA to collectively grow the game of golf. Dimitrios Papadatos was voted the Rookie of The Year while Aron Price claimed his first ever NSW/ACT Player of The Year Award after a landmark victory at The 2013 Gloria Jean s NSW Open last year. Long Reef s Trainee Professional Richard Gallichan won the NSW/ACT Trainee Professional of the year award and was also recognised for his playing achievements accepting the Titleist Performance Ranking Award. Royal Canberra s Charles Kares was a deserving winner of the NSW/ACT Teaching Professional of the year having excelled at both game development strategies and elite player development in his field. The final award of the evening was presented to Philip Baird from Manly Golf Club who was voted the NSW/ACT Club Professional of the Year. Baird has been the Director of Golf at Manly Golf Club for the past eleven years and has been a strong advocate for ongoing education having recently completed a Diploma of Management. In his role at Manly, Baird has endeavoured to enhance the membership experience and has introduced a number of new events including a PGA Legends Pro-Am which raised in excess of $15,000 for a local Children Charity. I am extremely humbled and very proud to be a PGA member said Baird. A full list of award winners and trainee graduates can be found listed below.
2013 Trainee Graduates
David Abbott – Campbelltown Golf Club Jacob Adams – Parramatta Golf Club Thomas Ballard – Gosford Golf Club Daniel Clay- Balgowlah Golf Club Michael Doherty – Federal Golf Club Alex Edge – Castle Hill Country Club Dakila Falcon – Cumberland Golf Club Christopher Ford – Kurri Kurri Golf Club Carlie Hoysted – Bridging Axel Jihun Jung – Moore Park Golf Matthew Jones – Hurstville Golf Club Jin Seok-Kim – Riverlakes Golf Course (QLD) Arthur Kotsakis – Moore Park Golf Toby McGeachie – Elanora Country Club Sam Newbrun – Cromer Golf Club Ben Pedersen – Riverside Oaks Golf Club Harrison Russell – Longyard Golf Club Ethan Shanahan – Concord Golf Club Jonathan Towns – Maitland Golf Club Luke Whitbread – Wyong Golf Club
2013 NSW/ACT PGA Award Winners
Trainee of the Year
Richard Gallichan
Rookie of the Year
Dimitrios Papadatos
Player of the Year
Aron Price
City Pro-Am of the Year
IC Frith & Associates Insurance Brokers Castle Hill Pro-Am
Country Pro-Am
Ron Crouch Transport Wagga Wagga Pro-Am
Legends Pro-Am
New South Wales Golf Club Legends Pro-Am
Teaching Professional of the Year
Charles Kares
Club Professional of the Year
Philip Baird