Queensland has today announced the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Golf Squad for 2016, with six new faces joining three existing squad members.
Charlie Dann (Pelican Waters), Dee Dee Russell (Emerald Lakes), Lawry Flynn (Brisbane), Louis Dobbelaar (Brookwater), Shae Wools-Cobb (Maroochy River) and Steven Cox (Wantima) will join Blake Proverbs (Pacific), Gennai Goodwin (Indooroopilly) and Rebecca Kay (Coolangatta-Tweed) to make up this year's team.
The QAS Golf Program is aimed at players who have the potential and commitment to succeed at elite level competition golf.
The selection of squad members is based on recent state, national and international tournament performances as well as their commitment to continuing development in all aspects of their games, including technical, physical and mental.
Golf Queensland Head Coach Tony Meyer said the QAS Squad forms the pinnacle of the Golf Queensland High Performance Program.
"All players selected this year have earned their spots on the squad," Mr Meyer said.
"We are also extremely lucky to have a great team of coaches and sports science providers which the elite athletes will have access to."
"It is an excellent opportunity for the athletes to improve their skills and work towards their goals of becoming elite professionals."
The QAS Golf Program had a number of standout achievements in 2015, specifically through Cameron Smith, Jake McLeod and Taylor Macdonald.
Smith had a breakout year after placing fourth at the U.S. Open, ranked within the Top 100 World Golf Rankings and earned a US PGA Tour Card.
Macdonald last week secured his status for 2016 at the Final Stage of Qualifying School for the PGA Tour of Australasia. A top five finish earning him a spot in Exemption Category 10 for the duration of the 2016 season.
After a successful amateur career and Leading Amateur at the 2015 Isuzu Queensland Open, Jake McLeod placed 11th at Qualifying School placing him in Exemption Category 13 for the 2016 season.
The 2016 QAS Squad is now proudly supported by Titleist.
The Queensland Academy of Sport Golf Program is conducted with the assistance of the Queensland Government and forms the pinnacle of the Golf Queensland High Performance Program.
The QAS Golf Program, which commenced in July 2001, is designed to assist Queensland's most talented amateur players in reaching their full potential within the amateur golf ranks.
QAS scholarship holders have access to world-class coaching and support services including sport science, strength and conditioning, medical, career and education in addition to financial support for competition and training costs, depending on the level of their scholarship.