Green Acres Golf Club was the site of the 2018 Victorian PGA Trainee Graduation and Awards Dinner last week, a night which celebrated the achievements of Victorian PGA Trainees in 2017, including the graduation of 24 PGA Trainees into Full Vocational Membership.

The night was attended by PGA of Australia Director Bruce Green, PGA of Australia Chief Operating Officer Stuart Hergt, as well as representatives from PGA Education partners Acushnet, On Course Golf and Kustomer Activation.

Green welcomed the new Members to the Association and wished them well for a career as long and as fulfilled as his own. The Royal Melbourne Head Professional was joined on stage by Victorian Committee Chairman Tim Moore who echoed Green’s sentiments and shared some stories of his long career as a Club Professional.

Each graduate thanked their partners, family and friends, their indenturing PGA Professional, their golf club, acknowledged the support they received throughout their Traineeship from PGA staff and how they look forward to a long career in the golf industry.

Geoff Stewart, PGA of Australia General Manager of Education and Jay Seater, Marketing Coordinator from Acushnet, presented the Titleist & Footjoy Excellence in Education Awards.

The leading Victorians in each year level, who received the awards, were Emily Pell (Year 1 – Yarra Bend Golf Course), John Burbergs (Year 2 – Northern Golf Club) and Sam Hingeley (Year 3 – Riversdale Golf Club).

Academically Victorian PGA Trainees dominated the National Education Rankings. In Year 1, Victorian PGA Trainees filled five of the top-10 spots with Gavin Fairfax (8^th), Helen Noble (7^th), Janette Borgolotto (4^th), Michael Bainbridge (3^rd) and Pell (1^st).

In Year 2, Victorian PGA Trainees filled four of the top-10 spots with Tom Corker (8^th), Elliot Braulins (7^th), Catherine Odgers (3^rd) and Burbergs (2^nd).

In Year 3, Victorian Trainees filled six places in the top-10 with David Hurle (9^th), Nathan Condon (5^th), Jarrod Coco (4^th), Kevin Smith (3^rd), Jessica Stirling (2^nd) and Hingeley (1^st).

The 2017 CPM PGA Trainee Pro-Am of the Year was won by the Alliance Mansfield PGA Trainee Pro-Am.

Frazer Droop dominated the 2017 playing season and took out the 2017 Victorian PGA Trainee Order of Merit title. Droop was also presented with a commemorative frame following his win at last year’s National Futures Championship.

After a consistent 2017, Kevin Smith was awarded the Victorian PGA Trainee of the Year. Smith finished third on the National Playing Averages and third in the National Education Rankings in Year 3. His playing year included one win and 12 top-10’s including the Rich River Classic and the Vic/Tas PGA Trainee Championships. Academically Smith achieved High Distinction in the subjects of Game Development, Small Business & Management and Distinction in Coaching.

Full List of Award Winners and Graduates

• Year 1 – Academic Award
  • Emily Pell
• Year 2 – Academic Award
  • John Burbergs
• Year 3 – Academic Award
  • Sam Hingeley
• 2017 CPM Victorian PGA Trainee Pro-Am of the Year
  • Alliance Insurance Mansfield  Trainee Pro-Am
• 2017 Victorian PGA Trainee of the Year
  • Kevin Smith
• 2017 Victorian PGA Trainee Order of Merit Winner
  • Frazer Droop
• PGA Trainee Graduates – Class of 2017
  • Stephen Brown
  • Levi Burns
  • Thomas Burt
  • Jarrod Coco
  • Nathan Condon
  • Andrew Cooper
  • David Harris
  • Sam Hingeley
  • Tom Howarth
  • Mitchel Judd
  • William Meehan
  • Ian Merrett
  • Jessica Stirling
  • Brandon Rave
  • Michael Robb
  • Nick Sapet
  • Kevin Smith
  • Jaydon Vaenuku
  • Mark Varela
  • Hayden Webb
  • Aiden Withers
  • Linda Mew
  • Leigh Deagan
  • Mark Ashton