RACV Royal Pines Resort last night played host to the QLD Golf Industry Awards Night recognising the outstanding achievements of individuals, golf clubs and companies over the past 12 months.
With more than 400 guests and icons of the game including Charlie Earp, Wayne Grady, Paul King and Peter Senior in attendance, the night recognises the achievements of those from the PGA (QLD/NT), Golf Management Australia – Queensland Division, Golf Australia as well as the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Queensland.
A total of 31 awards were presented throughout the evening, with the Keperra Country Golf Club taking out the coveted GMAQ Golf Club of the Year Award.
Golf Australia presented six awards, including North Stradbroke Island Golf Club’s Peter Turner for Volunteer of the Year, Shae Wools-Cobb for Male Amateur Golfer of the Year, Rebecca Kay for Female Amateur Golfer of the Year, Louis Dobbelaar for Junior Male Amateur Golfer of the Year, Cassie Porter for Junior Female Amateur Golfer of the Year, and Murgon Golf Club for QLD Golf Club of the Year (Under 400 members).
Winners Background:
Shae Wools-Cobb – 2018 Queensland Male Amateur Golfer of the Year
2018 was a rewarding year for Shae Wools-Cobb thanks to promising results and turning professional late October.
The 23-year-old Sunshine Coast resident enjoyed high profile national representative selections in prestigious events including the Eisenhower Trophy in Ireland, Asia-Pacific Amateur in Singapore, and was one of Australia’s two-man team to represent the Asia-Pacific at the Bonallack Trophy in Qatar winning against Europe.
His home soil achievements include Queensland Academy of Sport selection for the fourth consecutive year, semi-finalist berth at the Australian Men’s Amateur and low amateur at the Queensland PGA in Toowoomba.
After further earning leading amateur honours at the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup in Japan and reaching World No. 24, he turned professional for his state open, the Isuzu Queensland Open.
Shae has deservingly earned the title of Queensland’s Male Amateur Golfer of the Year for the third consecutive year, and we wish him well on the professional circuit.
Rebecca Kay – 2018 Queensland Female Amateur Golfer of the Year
Rebecca (Becky) Kay enjoyed a very successful 2018 finishing as the third ranked player on the Australian Amateur Women’s Ranking System.
Becky’s successful season started with top-10 finishes at the Australian Amateur, NSW Amateur, and T28 against a high-profile field at the Vic Open.
The 20-year-old claimed victory at the Riversdale Cup and went on to complete a trifecta by successfully defending her Rene Erichsen Salver and Bowra & O’Dea Women’s Classic titles.
Among many highlights, the Coolangatta Tweed Heads member was awarded the Karrie Webb Scholarship for the second consecutive year and represented Australia at world-class events including the inaugural Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific in Singapore, Queen Sirikit Cup in Thailand, and the Espirito Santo Trophy in Ireland, also finishing with an individual 6th place.
In November, Becky made history as the first female in the 94-year history of the Queensland Open to participate in the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia event alongside the men.
Becky’s brilliant results in 2018 have cemented her as one of Australia’s top-ranked amateur golfers.
Louis Dobbelaar – 2018 Queensland Junior Male Amateur Golfer of the Year
It was certainly a rewarding year for Louis Dobbelaar thanks to his consistent efforts in 2018.
The 17-year-old successfully led the Queensland Boys’ Interstate team to their first victory since 2013 and formed part of the Men’s Interstate team in Victoria.
Louis’ accomplishments include top-5 finishes some of the nation’s highest ranked junior events including the Australian Boys’ Amateur, NSW Junior, and Victorian Boys’ Amateur.
The Queensland Academy of Sport Athlete also experienced success in his home state claiming the Queensland Men’s Amateur with a tremendous 6&4 victory, and top-10 finishes at the Queensland Stroke Play and Junior Amateur.
Louis’ terrific results and consistency earned him a final standing of Australia’s fifth ranked Male Junior, and Queensland’s Junior Male Amateur Golf of the Year.
Cassie Porter – 2018 Queensland Junior Female Amateur Golfer of the Year
2018 was a breakout year for Cassie Porter consistently finishing with top results.
The Peregian Springs member recorded a number of high-profile wins including the South Australian Junior Amateur, Northern Territory Amateur, and the Greg Norman Junior Masters 17 Years & Under title.
Cassie finished within the top-5 a record 15 times of 19 starts across notable amateur events, including runner-up at the Queensland and NSW Junior.
The 17-year-old also made her international representative debut at the Asia-Pacific Junior championship in Hong Kong placing eight, with top-5 finishes at the South Pacific Junior Open and Aaron Baddeley International.
Cassie’s exceptional results are a brilliant display of what is yet to come for the up-and-coming golfer.
Peter Turner – 2018 Queensland Volunteer of the Year
Current President of North Stradbroke Island Golf Club and golf enthusiast Peter Turner has overseen a complete governance and business review of the club which has brought about its financial sustainability and growth
In this time he has contributed to the golf industry by developing and managing the inaugural 2018 Straddie Legends PGA Pro Am
His 2018 achievements include – new sponsorship agreements to the value of $50,000, negotiated new lease with council, installed a new irrigation system.
The significance of the achievements in the last 12 months make him the stand out winner of this award.
Murgon Golf Club – 2018 QLD Golf Club of the Year (under 400 members)
Murgon Golf Club is a volunteer operated club situated in the South Burnett region, three hours north of Brisbane.
Financially, the Club has transformed from being on the verge of closure a few years ago, to now being in a strong financial position.
By running both women’s and junior programs to encourage the growth of golf in the local community, Murgon GC increased its membership in the last year by 16%. Further, the club is proud to have 14 adult indigenous members amongst its ranks.
The golf course has a well-deserved reputation as an excellent country course with fully irrigated fairways and greens constructed to USGA standard. Since 2007, Golf Australia Queensland Office has chosen Murgon as the venue for the Queensland Indigenous Championships.
Murgon GC is not alone in having passionate volunteers involved at a club, but it is a standard bearer in its governance and community engagement.
Congratulations to all finalists and winners.
For a full list of winners, visit the PGA website.