Jupiters Gold Coast played host to more than 430 guests last night to recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals, golf clubs and companies over the past 12 months at the QLD Golf Industry Awards night.

The evening recognised the achievements of those from the Queensland/Northern Territory Division of the PGA, Golf Management Australia – Queensland Division (GMAQ), Golf Queensland as well as the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Queensland (GCSAQ), to celebrate the Queensland Golf Industry’s ‘Night of Nights’.

Three new awards were introduced by the PGA in 2016, with Twin Waters General Manager Stephen Hutchison winning the inaugural QLD PGA Manager of the Year, Steven Jeffress winning the MLC Nundah Community Leadership Award, while Jason Day’s coach Colin Swatton was recognised for his outstanding 2016, claiming the Coach of the Year Award.

Although not able to be present on the evening, Swatton thanked the Queensland golf industry for recognising his work over the past 12 months via video message, captivating the audience with his words of wisdom.

“To those graduating PGA Trainees tonight looking for a coaching path, I would like to offer this advice – follow your heart, trust yourself, trust your instincts and always give your best. And in the words of the late, great Arnold Palmer – golf is deceptively simple, yet endlessly complicated,” Swatton said.

In some of the night’s most anticipated PGA awards, Brookwater Golf and Country Club Head Professional John Collins was announced as the QLD PGA Teaching Professional of the Year, while Wynnum Golf Club Head Professional Matthew King was recognised for his countless efforts within the industry, taking out the Coca-Cola QLD PGA Club Professional of the Year.

In accepting his award Matthew King said, “I feel incredibly honoured to have received this award, and must thank everyone that has influenced me during my time as being a PGA Member.

“I have a great team around me at the Wynnum Golf Club and thanks must go to them with all the hard work they put in. Thanks my parents, Paul & Loretta King along with Charlie & Margaret Earp, Mick Power and Doug Barton who have guided me to become the person that I have become, but more importantly understand the role that I play within the Golf Club and the local community.”

Four winners will now go on to represent Queensland as a finalist for the Australian PGA Manager of the Year, Coach of the Year, Club Professional and Teaching Professional of the Year Awards of which will be awarded at the Greg Norman Medal Dinner later in the year.

After another big year for the state’s elite amateurs, Karis Davidson capped off a great year in 2016 to claim both the Female Amateur Golfer of the Year as well as the Junior Female Amateur Golfer of the Year Awards. Jediah Morgan was announced as the Junior Male Amateur Golfer of the Year after claiming individual and team honours at the Asian Pacific Junior in Taiwan, while Charlie Dann was crowned the Male Amateur Golfer of the Year, after breaking into the top 60 of the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

The evening also saw 17 PGA Trainees graduate to Full Vocational PGA Members and were recognised for their dedication in achieving their goal of becoming the next generation of PGA Professionals. 2016 QLD Trainee of the Year and Trainee Order of Merit Winner Paul Griffiths captured the thoughts of all of those who received their graduation certificates.

“Some of us have taken three, four, five and even six years to complete their PGA Traineeships though this commitment and dedication will hold us in good stead as we make our way into lead roles within the industry,” Griffiths said.

A full list of award winners can be found below:

Award Winners: