Report: Aussie golf boom in full swing

Report: Aussie Golf Boom in Full Swing

Golf Australia has announced that 2020-2021 saw an Aussie Golf Boom, with record growth in club participation and total participation, with a 6.4 percent increase in club members and a 21 percent (210,000) year-on-year rise in round players, according to AusPlay data.

The 2020-21 Golf Club Participation Report, which was prepared by Golf Business Advisory Services, showcases a combination of Golf Australia’s club member participation data and Sport Australia’s AusPlay data, with both data sets providing the golf industry a year-on-year view of the game's participation trends.

Aussie Golf Boom: Newcomers tee off

More than 24,000 new players joined golf clubs in 2020-21, with the 6.4 percent increase the largest jump in percentage terms recorded since data collection began in 1970, taking the total number to 409,970.

Junior members also experienced a major increase, with 16 percent more kids under-18 joining their local club.

AusPlay’s data reveals that Australian Golf’s vision to be a sport for all is gradually becoming a reality, with an estimated 1,204,000 total golf participants playing 9-hole or 18-hole rounds of golf in the 2020-21 period.

This is supported by Golf Australia’s nine-hole round data which experienced 20 percent growth with more than 517,000 rounds played in 2020-21.

At club level, Victoria experienced the biggest lift in membership (up 8.9 percent) despite access to golf clubs being limited during the ongoing pandemic, while all states experienced substantial growth. South Australia grew by 7.2 percent, WA by 7 per cent, QLD by 6.4 percent, NSW by 4.8 per cent, Tasmania by 4.6 percent and the Northern Territory by 0.5 percent.

Golf Australia Chief Executive James Sutherland said the findings were “monumentally encouraging for the game”, pointing out that the results buck the gradual decline in golfers endured between 2000-2019.

“Our purpose is simple – we want more Australians playing more golf. There are many different forms of golf making it truly a game for everyone,” he said.

“It’s fun, it can be played at any age, and it’s proven to be good for your health. These are just some of the factors driving this phenomenal growth.

“Interestingly, these latest figures tell us there are far more casual golfers that are not members of a club than there are club members. This suggests we have a fantastic launching pad to continue to grow our sport and bring new people to our game. We want to keep driving this by making the sport more accessible and creating more options to play to ensure golf continues to be a sport for all,” he said.

Sutherland said that the launch in December of the Australian Golf Strategy – a strategic plan for the entire golf industry – has highlighted participation as the most important factor in the health of the industry into the future.

“So many new people have come to the game in recent times, they need to be embraced so they remain in the game while we continue to innovate to appeal to more Australians.

“It will be vital for us to understand these newcomers - what they want is not going to be the same as it has been in the past, and we need to acknowledge that and evolve to suit our new markets,” said Sutherland.

“The elite game is also incredibly important in providing role models for our young golfers to aspire to, and we’re excited to see some of Australia’s best players in action at the Vic Open this week at 13^th beach. It’s been fantastic to see the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and the WPGA Tour Australasia getting back into the full swing of things this season and there’s no doubt the tour will play an important role in building on the 16% growth in junior members this year.

Key findings of the report include:

Positive member movement was evident in all key market segments. Both member clubs and social clubs enjoyed growth around six percent, driven by growth in male numbers of more than seven percent. Junior numbers also enjoyed substantial growth, increasing by 15 percent compared to the prior year.
All states except Northern Territory enjoyed growth well in advance of recent trends. Despite long periods of course closures due to lockdown measures, Victoria recorded the largest growth of 8.9 percent.
New members coming to our sport are younger than the broader club member age profile, with 60 percent of new members under the age of 50. Of new members, 34 percent were between 15-34 in 2020-21, compared to 25 percent in 2019-20.
Female members make up 19 percent of all golfers.
The national new club member attraction rate was 13 percent, with an attrition rate of 10 percent. Of all new golfers in 2020-21, 60 percent were under 50 years old, compared to the number of 30 percent of current members.
The average age of club members in Australia is 56.9 years. The average for male members is 55.3 years and for women, 64.3 years.
There were 11,769 million competition rounds played in 2020-21, representing a 12 percent increase over 2019-20.
The report estimates ‘total golf participants’ at 1.204 million people, according to Ausplay, up 21 percent on the previous year.
Get Into Golf, the adult introductory program, saw 313 clubs and facilities registered, with 224 actively participating, and 6594 participants in 1230 programs. Of the total participants, 5564 or 84 percent were female.

View the full report here

Golf industry unites to support families in need

Golf industry unites to support families in need

Social Golf Australia and Kingston Heath GC bring golfers and businesses together for Charity Golf initiative to help Foodbank offer over 17,000 meals.

While the game of golf and its players can sometimes be associated with exclusivity, the Australian reality is that more than 1300 golf clubs play an important role in communities large and small around the country.

Globally, golf is one of the most charitable industries on the planet. Its businesses, governing bodies, organisations and partners donate billions of dollars to help the less-fortunate in the community. In its history, the US PGA TOUR, alone, has donated/generated over $3 billion to charitable organisations and programs.

Golf clubs, too, have traditionally embraced the “community spirit”; for over 100 years clubhouses across Australia (and the world) have acted as “hubs” for the local communities and towns, hosting weddings, funerals, birthdays, charity fundraisers and community celebrations every week for all the members of local communities.

So it will come as no surprise that a recent Australian Charity Golf drive generated unprecedented support from the Australian Golf Industry’s largest and most well-known businesses, clubs and brands.

SGA'S ‘10K FOR 10K’ CHARITY DRIVE INITIATIVE

Social Golf Australia’s (SGA) recent ‘10K for 10K’ charity golf initiative – an online appeal and golf event in partnership with Kingston Heath Golf Club – encouraged SGA’s 10,000+ customers and members to support Foodbank Victoria in creating 10,000+ meals for struggling Australian families. The appeal, which ran throughout the month of November, shattered all expectations and goals, generating in excess of $8500, which translates to over 17,000 meals to be created by Foodbank.

Like many community-based initiatives, The 10K for 10K drive started as a small idea. SGA, a family-owned business, simply wanted to help other Australian families that had been battered by Covid, bushfires, storms and financial difficulties over the last two years. As Australia’s Largest Golf Club and Community, SGA put out the call to its 10,000+ members, its 10,000+ Social Media fans and the broader golf industry, creating and hosting a charity golf day, online fundraiser and raffle.

Without hesitation, the golf industry and its supporting businesses immediately jumped on board to support the initiative, with thousands of dollars in prizes, support and donations provided by industry “heavyweights”, including Kingston Heath Golf Club, Srixon & Cleveland Golf, Garmin Golf, MGI Golf, The Eastern Golf Club, Callaway Golf, The PGA of Australia, Drummond Golf, Heathcote Winery, The Card Network, Australian Professional Shopfitters and Posisocks.

GOLFERS DIG DEEP

SGA’s golfers, too, dug deep into their wallets for the cause. A sold-out field of 120 Melburnian golfers played in the highly-publicised charity golf day on November 16^th at Melbourne’s spectacular Kingston Heath Golf Club, while also contributing money via silent auction bids and on-the-day contest entries. Meanwhile, countless other golfers from across the country chipped-in via online donations and raffle ticket purchases.

The host club for the day, Kingston Heath Golf Club, also went above and beyond for the drive. In addition to making their world-class golf course available for the charity golf day, the club also provided a sizable $2,000 donation to the cause, the single-largest donation of the drive.

The $8500 (and growing) donation was wholeheartedly welcomed by Foodbank Victoria.

“We can’t thank Social Golf Australia and Kingston Heath Golf Club enough for their support of Foodbank Victoria,” said Jac Fletcher, Head of Fundraising, Foodbank Victoria. “It’s been such a challenging time across the country, with one in six adults going without food over the last 12 months. Thanks to the support of Social Golf Australia and their members, we can provide more than 17,000 meals to those doing it tough in the lead-up to Christmas.”

FAMILIES WERE THE BIGGEST WINNERS

Following the drive, SGA Founder and Managing Director, Matthew Pitt, thanked everyone who contributed to the drive, noting that this initiative was about more than a simple charity golf day.

“In the past two years we’ve all lived through a once-in-a-century event, which has truly belted some folks,” explains Pitt.

“For those who’ve had a significant drop in income, the simple act of putting food on the table for the family has become a challenge. We’ve all struggled through lockdowns, but it must have been so much harder for those with the cloud of financial pressure looming.

“My wife (and SGA founder) Sally Pitt set some simple values for our family that we have adopted for our golfing community as SGA – Be Brave, Be Honest and Be Kind. I think the people involved in Foodbank operate in a similar way.

“This initiative in partnership with the Kingston Heath Golf Club to support Foodbank helping families reflects our shared aspiration to kindness, as well as our appreciation of people and organizations like Foodbank who do great work in our community to help others.

“We are sincerely grateful to all of our golfers, sponsors, partners, supporters and clubs for contributing to this initiative and helping support Foodbank to get some meals to families who are doing it tough right now. We hope everyone can continue to look out for opportunities to make a difference by helping others with an act of kindness when you can.”

TO DONATE ONLINE, AND HELP FEED AUSSIE FAMILIES, VISIT:
https://foodbank-victoria.giveeasy.org/x21cp-sga

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MORE INFORMATION:

CHARITY GOLF INITIATIVE - GOLF DAY RESULTS:

https://socialgolfaustralia.com.au/golf-events/event-results/2021-sga-foodbank-charity-day

SGA 10K FOR 10K DRIVE:

https://socialgolfaustralia.com.au/news/sga-10k-for-10k-drive

ABOUT SOCIAL GOLF AUSTRALIA

Social Golf Australia is the largest golfing community in Australia and have a range of industry partners (Including Srixon & Cleveland Golf, Garmin, The Card Network, Mantra Hotels and others) that support SGA offering great value golf services. They currently offer official golf handicaps, host over 120 events a year in six states, run six annual major tournaments (from 3-7 days long) and other feature events and golf tours. The business focusses on fostering a friendly and welcoming golfing community based on the values of honesty, integrity, loyalty and trust. Their approach is to offer golfers value, flexibility and choice in a user-pays model where they can select the services that suit them and pay only for what they need.

socialgolfaustralia.com.au

CONTACT

Richard Fellner
Media Manager, SGA
e: media@sgatour.com.au
m: 0407 000 440

Mick David
General Manager, SGA
e: mick@sgatour.com.au
m: 0402 488 253

Matthew Pitt
Founder, Managing Director, SGA
e: matt@sgatour.com.au
m: 0425 742 501

Drummond, Callaway boost 2021 SGA Foodbank Charity Day

Drummond Golf, Callaway Golf add to 2021 SGA Foodbank Charity Day prize pool

Social Golf Australia is proud to welcome Drummond Golf and Callaway Golf South Pacific to the family of generous prize sponsors for the upcoming 2021 SGA Foodbank Charity Golf Day.

The event, which aims to help feed struggling families who have been battered by Covid, bushfires, floods and more, is set to be played on November 16, 2021 at Kingston Heath Golf Club. The day will feature celebrity golfers, charity auctions, and a variety of golf contests -- with proceeds benefitting Foodbank Victoria.

Callaway Golf is renowned for developing innovative products that help golfers hit longer and straighter shots from tee to green; controlled, higher-spinning shots around the green; and smooth, accurate putts. Callaway Golf consists of 5 powerful brands — Callaway, Odyssey, Toulon Design, OGIO and TravisMathew – that together offer golfers all over the world everything they need – clubs, balls, bags, apparel, footwear, bags, accessories – to play better and enjoy the game more.

For the event, Callaway Golf has generously donated a new Callaway Driver and a Callaway Bag to the prize pool.

PRIZE DONATION: CALLAWAY MAVRIK DRIVER

The Callaway MAVRIK driver delivers incredible ball speeds powered by Callaway's A.I.-designed Flash Face SS20 architecture, high-strength FS2S Titanium, AND their new Cyclone Aero shape, which differs drastically from their recent driver shapes to promote faster head speed.

The Cyclone shape is shallower from front to back, with a flatter crown, and a sole design that sweeps upward dramatically in the rear to create a markedly higher trailing edge. That’s how Callaway have decrease drag for increased clubhead speed.

The head’s internal and external weighting includes a single, fixed 5g weight positioned at the sole’s back-center, to promote mid-level spin and a moderate draw bias. See more about Mavrik here

As Australia's premier golf retailer for over 40 years, Drummond Golf has been providing the largest range of the world's leading golf brands at competitive prices to golfers of all levels and ages. From a small store in Bendigo in 1974, today Drummond Golf is Australia's largest off-course golf retailer with 50 stores nationwide.

All stores are owner operated and this guarantees quality service, expert knowledge, convenience and competitive pricing.

For the event, Drummond is donating $500 worth of Drummond Gift Cards.

PRIZE DONATION: $500 Worth of Drummond Golf Cards

Redeemable online or in-store, Drummond Gift Vouchers are a perfect way to ensure that someone special always gets the gift they want. Gift vouchers are ideal for birthdays, Christmas or for those occasions when you want to say thank you or congratulations.

See more about Drummond Gift Cards here

SGA is extremely thankful for the generosity of these sponsors, and we are hopeful that the incorporation of these prizes into our event will help us to reach our goal of raising $5000 for Foodbank Victoria, which will help generate over 10,000 meals for Australian families.

ABOUT FOODBANK VICTORIA (Beneficiary of this event)

Whether it’s everyday emergencies or in times of crisis, Foodbank Victoria has been providing vital food relief to vulnerable Victorians for more than 90 years. Through their network of 533 charity partners across the State, they are able to provide 1.2 million meals a month to Victorians in need. And while supporting their charity partners is at the core of what they do, as the State’s dedicated emergency food relief organisation, they’re also ready to assist Victorians through times of crisis.

For every $1 Foodbank Victoria receive, they’re able to provide 2 meals for someone in need.

Every dollar donated is two meals created. It’s that simple.

DONATE TO FOODBANK VICTORIA

SGA launches ’10K for 10K’ to support Foodbank

Social Golf Australia launches '10K for 10K' to support Foodbank helping families

Australia's Largest Golf Club "Tees it up" to help generate 10,000 meals

Australia’s Largest Golf Club, Social Golf Australia (SGA), has today launched an initiative to support Foodbank to help struggling Australian families receive some much-need support.

To coincide with SGA issuing their 10,000^th Official Australian Golf Handicap this week, the team have launched the ‘10K for 10K’ fundraising drive, which aims to help generate 10,000 meals for struggling Aussie families, via donations to Foodbank from SGA’s network of golfers, partners and sponsors.

Running alongside the upcoming 2021 SGA Foodbank Charity Golf Day at Kingston Heath Golf Club on November 16th, the 10K for 10K drive is an online fundraiser that is asking golfers from across Australia (as well as SGA’s 10,000+ customers) to help out their fellow Aussie families by making a small online donation (of any dollar amount) to a fund created in partnership with Foodbank Victoria, a not-for-profit food relief organisation.

10K (golfers) for 10K (meals)

SGA’s goal for the 10K for 10K fundraiser and Golf Day is to raise $5000, which would translate to 10,000 meals via Foodbank Victoria (every $1 donated = two meals created.)

“Over the last two years, Australian families across the country have been belted by bushfires, flooding, storms and loss of income due to Covid restrictions and lockdowns. The increase in demand for support from Foodbank tells a hidden story about dwindling savings and pantries as so many families struggle to make ends meet and put food on the table,” explains Matthew Pitt, Founder and Managing Director of SGA.

"As a family business focussed on building a positive, supportive golfing community, our team at SGA were shocked to learn that so many more families were turning to Foodbank this year. We wanted to do something to assist Foodbank to help these families. Hosting a charity golf day was the obvious approach for us and we are sincerely grateful to all at Kingston Heath Golf Club for being so supportive of the event,” he said.

Golf clubs: "communities within communities"

Pitt notes that golf clubs have a long history of supporting their communities and families; a tradition that SGA is honoured to uphold and continue.

"For over 100 years, Australian golf clubs have provided a community within a community in so many towns and suburbs. From hosting town meetings, trivia nights and fundraisers, to celebrating weddings, to becoming makeshift disaster-relief or evacuation centres, golf clubs across the country are part of the glue that binds communities together. SGA aspires to continue that tradition by encouraging our golfers and our partners to "band together" and help support Australian families who are struggling right now," Pitt explained.

Pitt adds that the team came up with the 10K for 10K initiative following overwhelming support by golfers and partners around the SGA Foodbank Charity Golf Day,

“The tee sheets for the golf day filled up quite quickly, and we realised that we had just scratched the surface of what could be done. Only 112 golfers can attend the event, but as the biggest golf club in Australia, we have contact with 10s of 1000s of golfers who can contribute to help families via Foodbank, so we incorporated our 10K for 10K initiative to open up donations to golfers who can help via online donations to Foodbank, even if they cannot join us at Kingston Heath on November 16,” he said.

DONATE HERE, AND HELP FEED AUSSIE FAMILIES

ABOUT THE SGA FOODBANK CHARITY DAY

The 2021 SGA Foodbank Charity Golf Day is an 18-hole amateur single stableford golf event, to be played at Kingston Heath Golf Club on November 16, 2021.

Australian celebrities including TV personality Andy Lee, as well as Richmond Football Club premiership players Jack Graham and Nathan Broad have all agreed to play on the day, and three lucky golfers will get the opportunity to play a round of 18 holes with these legends, via an online silent charity auction prior to the event.

The Golf Industry has also thrown their support behind the day, with prizes donated by Srixon & Cleveland Golf, Garmin, MGI, The Eastern Golf Club, The PGA of Australia and others.

FULL DETAILS:
https://socialgolfaustralia.com.au/golf-events/australian-events/charity-events/2021-sga-foodbank-charity-golf-day

To sponsor the event, or supply a product or service, please ring Mick David, GM, on 0402 488 253, or email: mick@sgatour.com.au

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ABOUT SOCIAL GOLF AUSTRALIA

More information:
socialgolfaustralia.com.au
Richard Fellner
Media Manager
e: media@sgatour.com.au
m: 0407 000 440

Mick David
General Manager
e: mick@sgatour.com.au
m: 0402 488 253

Matthew Pitt
Founder, Managing Director
e: matt@sgatour.com.au
m: 0425 742 501

MGI Golf, Eastern GC boost 2021 SGA Foodbank Charity Day

MGI Golf, Eastern GC boost 2021 SGA Foodbank Charity Day prize pool

Social Golf Australia is proud to announce that MGI Golf and The Eastern Golf Club are among the first major prize sponsors for the upcoming 2021 SGA Foodbank Charity Golf Day.

MGI Golf is an Australian-owned and operated business with a formidable reputation in Australia and overseas. Much like SGA, MGI Golf is a family business and for over 28 years MGI has revolutionised the concept of motorised golf buggies across the globe. They are now considered to be an industry leader in golf technology.

For the event, MGI Golf has generously donated an MGI Zip X1 motorised golf buggy:

PRIZE DONATION: MGI Zip X1 - Motorised Buggy (RRP: $1199)

With a smooth and quiet ride, the revolutionary Zip X1 will do all the work for you so you can concentrate on your game. Feel your best to play your best. Not all motorized caddies are the same, so with the MGI Zip X1, you're amongst the best equipment in the game.

See more information about the MGI X1 here

The Eastern Golf Club’s 27-hole, championship-standard course is a jewel in the Yarra Valley. Designed by Australian Golf legend Greg Norman, the facility has been designed with quality and playability in mind. Opened in 2015, the facility has shot up the Australian Golf Course ratings. The South Course (holes 1-18) is ranked at #55 on Golf Australia Magazine's ‘Top 100 Golf Courses 2020’. Meanwhile, the North Course (Holes 10-27) is rated at #84 on that same list.

For the event, Eastern is donating a round of golf for 4 players (including carts).

PRIZE DONATION: Round for 4 golfers at The Eastern GC (inc Carts). RRP: $600

The winner of this prize will enjoy 18 holes of golf for 4 players on one of the stunning Eastern Golf Course courses (North, South or East).

(Days and Dates Subject to availablility. Some Ts and Cs apply).

See more about Eastern Golf Club here

ABOUT FOODBANK VICTORIA (Beneficiary of this event)

For every $1 Foodbank Victoria receive, they’re able to provide 2 meals for someone in need.

Every dollar donated is two meals created. It’s that simple.

DONATE TO FOODBANK VICTORIA

Partner Spotlight – Garmin Golf

Partner Spotlight - Garmin Golf

Garmin Golf are a long-term SGA partner, offering high-quality GPS golf devices like watches, handhelds and laser rangefinders.

Distance Measurement Devices

Garmin Golf GPS and laser rangefinders help you play your best while on the course. From wearables and watches to high-sensitivity laser rangefinders, you can determine how far you are from the front/midle or back of the green, or critical yardages to lakes, trees or other hazards. Garmin GPS products come pre-loaded with 40,000 courses (worldwide). So you'll always have accurate information when you play.
Read more about Garmin Golf Distance Measurement Devices here.

Launch Monitors and Simulators

Take the guesswork out of golfing with launch monitors that measure different aspects of your shot to help you better analyse your swing. Whether at home, indoors or on the driving range, Garmin Launch Monitors help you step up your swing consistency. They track more than a dozen golf metrics, from club head speed, ball speed, spin, launch angle, launch direction, smash factor and more. You can record video clips of each shot, and even play virtual rounds without leaving your home.

Garmin Golf™ App

With this free app on your compatible smartphone, you can compete, compare and connect with fellow golfers. You can also analyse your past rounds and get performance stats. It works hand-in-hand with the Garmin Launch Monitors to show you the data and metrics to get the most out of your swing.

About Garmin Golf and SGA

Garmin Golf products are SGA's preferred GPS, Handheld and Laser Rangefiner devices, and are awarded as prizes at many of our Major Events and Tournaments, notably our annual SGA Championships. SGA are proud to partner with Garmin Golf.

Visit the Garmin Golf Website here

Partner Spotlight: The Card Network

Partner Spotlight: The Card Network (TCN)

The Card Network is a trusted partner of Social Golf Australia. They provide the awesome Gift Cards (The Pub & Bar Card and The Restaurant Card) that SGA award as prizes at our events.

To our delight, the cards are proving to be EXTREMELY popular with our golfers. In fact, our golfers simply LOVE them.

Why? Because they are extremely versatile, and make a great gift!

About The Card Network

The Card Network is "Australia’s go-to gift card provider."

Their cards are redeemable at top fashion brands, retailers and over 10,000 venues & service providers across Australia.

The Card Network have partnered with the retailers where Australians love to shop. These include Pubs & Bars, Restaurants, Cinemas, Online, Spas and more. They even have cards catering to Him, Her, Teens, Kids, Baby, Active and for The Home.

These gift cards are very versatile and can be used at just about any establishment where EFTPOS is accepted, making them the perfect gift.

Many of our golfers are now purchasing packs of these cards to give away to staff/employees (as gifts for Christmas, or for weekly/monthly “Employee of the month” awards, etc.).

They are available at retailers, shops and stores across Australia.

SGA is proud to have The Card Network as a trusted partner, and we highly recommend their cards if you are looking for a great gift.

To learn more about TCN, Click Here

Partner Spotlight – Gold Coast Direct Charters

Partner Spotlight - Gold Coast Direct Charters

Gold Coast Direct Charters are an accredited Gold Coast/Brisbane transfer service, and a trusted partner of SGA.

Whether you're going to/from the Brisbane or Gold Coast airport, theme parks, hotels or special events, Gold Coast Direct Charters will get you there in style and comfort. And you'll always get friendly, reliable and efficient service.

Rock-Star, VIP Treatment

With nearly 10 years of experience (and thousands of satisfied customers), Gold Coast Direct Charters provide an “Exclusive Use” direct transfer service. You can go to or from a destination of your choice, at a time of your choosing.

It's like having your own personal/dedicated driver.

You'll feel like a VIP as you are met at the airport, given assistance with your luggage, and driven to your hotel in air-conditioned comfort. Plus, you'll be treated with friendly, convenient, first-class service throughout.

Best of all, they do it for one inclusive price. So, you can go where you want, when you want. And, since it's an Exclusive Use, you won't have to worry about other people being picked up or dropped off along the way. It's your own personal transfer service.

Small or large groups - it's all good

Gold Coast Direct Charters offer Private & Personal Transfers for up to 21 passengers. (Groups over 21 passengers can be accommodated upon request):

1 to 11 seats: Air-conditioned, well-appointed Toyota Commuter mini-bus. Large luggage capacity and, when required, carpeted luggage trailer.
21 seat Toyota Coaster. Air conditioned. Trailer available.
Also, there is room for Extra luggage, golf clubs or surfboards.

So, whether you're a holidaymaker or resident of the area, GCDC has you covered.

About Gold Coast Direct Charters and SGA

GCDC are SGA's preferred Gold Coast on-ground logistics partner for our annual SGA Championships. GCDC Owner Julie Ridler has always provided ultra-reliable, friendly, affordable and efficent service for the thousands of SGA competitors over the years.

In 2020, when Covid-19 forced the usual nation-wide event to be a Queensland-only event, Julie and the team went above-and-beyond. They helped all Qld competitors not only get to/from our event, but also provided immeasurable logistical help with the overall event. (And, for those of you who know how important this event is to SGA--and how careful we are with running it in a professional manner, you'll realise how much trust we put in Julie and her team.) Thus, the event was an amazing success, due largely to the assistance by Julie and the team.

That's just one reason why we highly recommend Julie and her team for any group transfer needs.

Visit the Gold Coast Direct Charters website here

Golf Industry Veteran, Richard Fellner, joins SGA

Golf Industry Veteran, Richard Fellner, set to grow the game in new role

AUSTRALIA’S Largest Golf Club and Golf Network, Social Golf Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of highly-esteemed golf industry veteran, Richard Fellner, to the newly-created role of Media Manager.

Previously the Editor of Inside Golf Magazine—where he led the editorial and design team for over 12 years—Fellner is a multi-award-winning photojournalist, columnist and marketing/media professional. In addition, he is highly respected in the Australian Golf Industry, and brings decades of international golf and media experience to the role.

Fellner’s dedication to growing the game of golf at a grass-roots level has resulted in numerous awards from the Australian Golf Media Association, and has earned him high praise from the top levels of the wider golf industry.

A key focus for the new role is to help SGA boost awareness and community engagement with its expanding stable of industry-leading, game-growing products and services. These include SGA’s Official Australian Golf Handicaps, and their highly-popular Major Golf Events & Travel Getaways. Additionally, he will aim to boost traffic at SGA's fortnightly Golf Open Days at clubs and courses across Australia, and drive a variety of exciting online projects, promotions and Social Media campaigns to add value to both SGA customers and industry partners.

A HOMECOMING

The appointment represents a “homecoming” of sorts for Fellner, who has been a customer of (and occasional consultant to) the SGA Team since Matthew and Sally Pitt founded the business in 2004. Fellner was one of the business’ first Golf Handicap customers, and has played regularly in their various golf events over the last 17 years.

“I watched Matt and Sally grow the business from a tiny social golf club—run from their living room table—to what is now Australia’s largest golf club and handicap provider, with nearly 10,000 GolfLink numbers issued,” Fellner says. “Matt and Sally both worked extremely hard over the years—with plenty of ups and downs along the way. But their positive attitudes, dedication to their dreams and incredible work ethic eventually began to bear fruit. It’s been one of those true ‘Aussie Battler Success Stories’—one that has been a real joy to witness.

Matthew Pitt, founder of SGA, echoed Fellner’s remarks, noting that Fellner’s appointment has added importance.

“We are delighted to have Richard join the team,” says Pitt. “Richard and I have been golfing pals since before either of us were in the industry. It was our shared love of the game that brought us together as friends many years ago, and we have remained good pals throughout our parallel paths in the golf industry.

“As a family business, we place a very high value on loyalty, honesty, communication and relationships which makes Rich a perfect fit for SGA. Richard also knew my late wife, Sally, who founded SGA with me which makes him being part of our family business very meaningful to me.”

A Strategic Step

SGA General Manger, Mick David, regards Richard’s arrival as a key strategic step for SGA.

“SGA’s approach has always been to support and grow the game of golf. Our handicap model was established in 2006 in partnership with Golf Australia to create a pathway of access to golf club membership. We have succeeded in delivering 1000s of new members to clubs around Australia and have seen the model we established replicated by other providers.

"We are proud of our position as an innovator in golf. And Richard joining our team is a huge boost to continuing our growth and success in growing the game. His deep knowledge of the game and its history, his core values that reflect golf’s commitment to integrity, his broad understanding of the industry and his skills and experience as a writer make him a perfect addition to our team and central to our future growth, success and continued innovation in golf.”

Additionally, the appointment represents an opportunity for Fellner to join a team that operates under an inspiring set of principles and values.

“One thing that has always impressed me about SGA is Matt’s (and the team’s) unwavering dedication to their core values,” Fellner says. “They operate the business using the same values upon which the game of golf itself was founded: honesty, integrity and respect. SGA foster an inclusive and welcoming community (both to the staff and customers), and have built a reputation in the industry for professionalism, credibility, loyalty and trust. Thus, I’m extremely proud and fortunate to now be a part of this business.”

ABOUT RICHARD FELLNER

Richard Fellner has previously held top-level media-related roles at Sensis, Realestate.com.au, Oracle Corporation, INVESTools and many other world-class organisations. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Eastern Golf Club, and is a member of both the Australia Golf Media Association, and the Golf Society of Australia (which works in partnership with Golf Australia).

Fellner also has a long history in the game itself. As a player since the age of 4 in the United States, Fellner competed at the junior, high school, state (Nevada) and university level (University of California, golf scholarship). He has played and reviewed courses all over the world, and has interviewed many of the great players of the game (including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Greg Norman). Additionally, Fellner has been a featured guest on many Australian "sports talk" radio shows and networks, including ABC Grandstand, SEN 1116, Melbourne Talk Radio 1377, 2GB and others.

ABOUT SOCIAL GOLF AUSTRALIA

Social Golf Australia is a golf service provider offering official golf handicaps and golf events. Their approach is to offer golfers value, flexibility and choice in a user-pays model where they can select the services that suit them and pay only for what they need.

SGA is the biggest golfing community in Australia and have a range of industry partners (Including Srixon & Cleveland Golf, Garmin, The Card Network, Mantra Hotels and others) that support SGA offering great value golf services. They currently offer official golf handicaps, host over 120 events a year in six states, six annual major tournaments (from 3-7 days long) and other feature events and golf tours. The business focusses on fostering a friendly and welcoming golfing community based on the values of honesty, integrity, loyalty and trust.

More information:

Richard Fellner
Media Manager
e: media@sgatour.com.au
m: 0407 000 440

Matthew Pitt
Founder, Managing Director
e: matt@sgatour.com.au

SGA Founder featured on Woke Blokes Podcast

SGA's Matthew Pitt on The Woke Blokes Podcast

SGA Founder Matthew Pitt featured on Woke Blokes Podcast

SGA Managing Director and founder Matthew Pitt is featured on a recent episode of the popular Woke Blokes podcast. In this episode, Matt talks about dealing with grief--and the subsequent rebuilding of his life--after the devastating loss of his wife.

Moving forward following the loss of a loved one is never an easy task. Let alone when the survivor is suddenly tasked with raising three small children and running a small business. And Matthew faced this exact scenario in 2018.

Following the loss of his wife, Sally, to breast cancer, Matt began picking up the pieces to his life--emotionally, mentally and physically. He tried to find a way to forge ahead, both for himself and his children.

In the Podcast, Matt shares his experiences in an open, honest and tear-jerking discussion. He delves into a man's journey of dealing with heartbreak, and helping his children cope with their loss. He also shares how he found inspiration and life lessons through the game of golf. In addition, he discusses how he is slowly finding a way to take small steps forward.

Matt also talks about the important part golf plays in his life, and how Social Golf Australia works as a caring community; not only for him but also for people that join the various events every year.

The Woke Bloke Podcast is hosted by Nick Sutherland from MyndFit. MyndFit is a community helping people become mentally fitter, stronger and healthier by training the mind to think differently. Also on the episode is Ryan Hassan from The Centre for Healing.

Listen to the podcast here

Or watch the YouTube video below: