Christmas might be just around the corner but it feels like we’ve been celebrating for a month since Adam Scott returned to Australia.
At the time of writing, Adam had just capped a superb victory at the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola to kick start a wonderful month of celebrations for our Masters champion.
As you read this, the Emirates Australian Open will have just concluded with a field including Adam, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day, Geoff Ogilvy, John Senden, Greg Chalmers and many more vying for the Stonehaven Cup.
It was great to see huge galleries across the major tournaments and to see so much passion for Australian golf – it’s infectious.
We’re ready to build on that excitement and we’re looking to work with clubs to do that in their local communities.
Following the success of the inaugural PlayGolf WEEK in South Australia in October, Golf Australia recently confirmed that the concept will be rolled out nationally next year with a bumper week of golf activities held around the country from 17-23 November 2014.
The pilot week in South Australia has proved there is strong support from golf clubs and a healthy public appetite for a week of golf in metropolitan and regional centres.
The next phase of this project will be moving it to a national platform. It is not only important in our national promotion of golf but it showcases golf clubs and facilities which use the week to market their services to newer players. I encourage all clubs to make a note in their 2014 calendars.
The Adelaide golf clubs strongly supported the program and we’ve heard very positive feedback from the clubs who have all reported increased activity over the week.
Simon Norris, Golf Operations Manager of Links Lady Bay Golf Club told us the club had established a new junior program out of the interest generated during the week.
“We have the birth of a new Links Lady Bay Junior Club with our professional Sarah coaching each Friday afternoon. We signed up new adult members and now have a base group of kids who are keen to get into the sport.”
All golf clubs will receive more information and PlayGolf WEEK registration details in the new year.
PlayGolf WEEK will be held nationally from 17-23 November 2014 and we’ll be working hard to make golf the word on everyone’s lips around the country during that huge week of activities.