Golf Industry Central Summer 2012 | Page 9

Industry News Helping Amateur Ladies get to the Next Level Many in the industry are excited about our next generation of ladies pros, and now they have yet another reason to be. Australian Ladies Professional Golf has just announced its Next Generation Club, a program aimed at connecting with amateur girls that aspire to be or are considering a career as a professional golfer. The Club will provide education, professional golf pathway advice and mentoring offered through the knowledge and experience of ALPG and its members. The Club will cater to all aspiring amateur girls and women, with a handicap limit of 13 and no age restriction. Cobra Puma Golf, who recently aligned with ALPG, is acknowledged as a main supporter and sponsor of the program. A number of high profile ALPG members including Karrie Webb, Rachel Hetherington, Karen Lunn, Lindsey Wright and Nikki Campbell voiced their support for the program are looking forward to come on board as mentors in the club. Shani Waugh, ALPG President and former LPGA and LET touring professional commented, “The Next Generation Club is a wonderful initiative generating a ‘give back’ culture from the ALPG’s experienced and successful touring professionals. I was on the Tour for 17 years and I know if this support had been around when I took the plunge into the professional ranks, it would have fast-tracked my performances considerably. I am excited that ALPG are in a position to provide guidance and advice to the new generation of players coming up and I know that it will be an invaluable initiative for both parties.” Match Made in Golfing Heaven It is always really exciting when two industry movers and shakers join together to create something truly special, and we are thrilled because this is exactly what has happened with Australian Ladies Professional Golf and Cobra Puma Golf. This exciting partnership which will see Puma Golf as the exclusive apparel supplier to ALPG, and Cobra Puma backing new ALPG initiatives supporting the development of aspiring female professionals. Of course, the ALPG Tour is known for its 2012 success stories surrounding players such as Stacey Keating, Lydia Ko and Lindsey Wright. Focus on Vietnam’s Central Coast as Premier Golfing Destination For those who weren’t aware, Vietnam’s Central Coast has recently been becoming a golfing destination of choice, and now it is official. the final day of the International Golf Travel Market – the golf industry’s annual travel trade show – in Portugal on 15 November. It has recently been announced as Golf Destination of the Year for Asia and Australasia by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO). This took place at the annual IAGTO Awards Gala Dinner on The award brings attention to the Hue-Danang-Hoi An region specifically, where three worldclass courses, each designed by a modern great of the game, have been developed in the past three years. These included Montgomerie Links, designed by eight-times European Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie; Danang Golf Club’s Dunes course, designed by former world number one Greg Norman; and Laguna Lang Co, designed by six times Majors winner Sir Nick Faldo opening soon. Golf Industry Central Summer 2012 7