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Industry unites to build a new home of golf
T
of this fabulous project. The development
of the proposed Home of Golf will provide
our sport with world class training and
development facilities that will be available
to Victorian golfers of all levels,” said Simon
Brookhouse, Chief Executive Officer for Golf
Victoria.
he PGA of Australia, Golf Australia and
Golf Victoria have joined forces on a
new project which could lead to the
most significant contribution to industry
collaboration in decades.
Over the last 12 months the three
administrative bodies, led by their respective
Chief Executive Officers Brian Thorburn,
Stephen Pitt and Simon Brookhouse, have
been actively lobbying both Federal and State
Governments in an attempt to secure funding
to build a national ‘Home of Golf.’
“The development of this project reflects
the collaborative approach that the major
golfing bodies in this country are taking to
grow our great game.”
To date, the project has received positive
support from all levels of Government.
A purpose-built development to serve
the entire industry, the parties believe the
National Home of Golf will help to grow the
game and ensure a sustainable and successful
long-term future through the development
of world-class educational, training, research
and administration facilities.
The unification of the administration areas
of PGA, Golf Australia and Golf Victoria would
provide improved services to the 1,650
golf courses, 140 golf driving ranges and
2,200 PGA Professionals around Australia;
the benefits of which will be seen by the
approximate 1.2 million Australian golf
participants.
“For years industry fragmentation has
hampered our collaborative efforts, so
there’s no bigger move than to have the key
players operating under one roof,” said Brian
Thorburn, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA.
“A true Home of Golf would be the first yet
most significant step towards a unified future
for our industry, with the benefits to be felt
through all levels of our game.”
Estimated to carry a $32 million price tag,
the planned development will help to ensure
a sustainable future for the game through
On their most recent trip to Canberra,
Thorburn and Pitt were joined by PGA
Member Director and Tournament
Professional Peter O’Malley for a series of
meetings with Government representatives.
Peter O’Malley, Stephen Pitt and Brian Thorburn at Parliament House
the development of world-class educational,
training, research and administration facilities.
Stephen Pitt, Chief Executive Officer of Golf
Australia.
The facility would benefit all levels of golfers
from beginners to elite players, ensuring
growth at a local, regional, state, national and
Olympic program level.
“The adjoining Museum and Hall of
Fame concept gives the sport the chance
to pay tribute to those who have made a
huge contribution to Australian golf and it
becomes a place of interest for Australian golf
fans to visit.”
“As a sport, it’s important that we continually
look for ways to work more closely together
and the Home of Golf would be a significant
step forward in that process. The potential
impact that the property would have runs
well beyond efficiencies in administration –
there is the potential to make it a shining light
in research and development, training and
athlete preparation in Australian sport,” said
Since the origins of the project Melbourne
was identified as the preferred location
for the facility, with Elsternwick Park being
considered as a potential base.
Golf Victoria is optimistic about the project