Golf greats and administrator honoured with awards – PGA of Australia

Lengthy-time golf administrator Annette Courtroom has additionally been recognised for vital service to golf administration and the neighborhood by being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). 

One of the revered figures inside Australian golf for his work with tour gamers akin to Steve Elkington, Jan Stephenson, Peter O’Malley and Michael Campbell, few have influenced the sport greater than Alex Mercer.

Mercer was the PGA Skilled at Royal Sydney Golf Membership for 35 years and is one in all simply three PGA Members recognised as ‘Immortals’ alongside Peter Thomson and Charlie Earp.

Whereas he was an achieved participant, he made an enduring affect via his instructing, light nature and innate understanding of the golf swing, offering an entry level for 1000’s of Aussie golfers.

A PGA of Australia Life Member, the late Robert (Bob) Shearer sadly handed away at age 73 in January 2022, with {the golfing} neighborhood mourning and remembering him as one in all Australia’s most embellished professionals.

In a enjoying profession that stretched throughout 4 many years, Shearer amassed 27 skilled wins together with the 1983 Australian PGA Championship at Royal Melbourne Golf Membership and the 1982 Australian Open at The Australian Golf Membership in Sydney.

PGA of Australia Chair, Rodger Davis, stated it was particular to have two {golfing} greats acknowledged for his or her excellent contributions to the sport

“Bob and Alex are each legends of golf in Australia, and we’re extremely proud to see them recognised and awarded the Medal of Order of Australia,” Davis stated. 

“It’s simply over a yr since we misplaced Bob, and whereas we might like to be celebrating this second with him, I do know Kathie and their two sons Brett and Bobby can be as grateful and proud as Bob could be. 

“Bob was top-of-the-line golfers Australia has produced, and Alex is among the finest coaches and lecturers having guided gamers akin to Steve Elkington and Peter O’Malley to the very high of the sport, whereas all the time sustaining a ardour for serving to younger beginner gamers.

“He was made an Immortal of the PGA again in 2017 and it’s great to see his contribution to the sport honoured in such a approach.”

PGA of Australia CEO, Gavin Kirkman, stated that Mercer and Shearer’s recognition was indicative of the position that PGA Professionals play within the promotion and success of golf.

“The late Bob Shearer and Alex Mercer are icons of golf in Australia and have performed a serious position in influencing and provoking 1000’s of Australians to play the sport,” Kirkman stated.

“Alex is with out query one of the achieved and revered figures within the historical past of the PGA of Australia, and the tributes paid to Bob when he handed present what a monumental determine he was. We couldn’t be prouder to see two of our members awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM),” he stated. 

Courtroom, a member of Barwon Heads Golf Membership and Royal Melbourne Golf Membership, was honoured for service to golf administration.

She was President and an government member of Girls’s Golf Victoria and vice-president of Girls’s Golf Australia for a few years, refereed for greater than 30 years, and is the present patron of the Golf Society of Australia in addition to a life member of that organisation.

Golf Australia Chair Andrew Newbold paid tribute to the trio of award recipients. “These are three nice servants of our sport in numerous methods,” stated Newbold. “Alex Mercer with the unimaginable legacy he has left for golf, the late Bob Shearer for his enjoying report and his outstanding love for the sport, and Annette Courtroom for her selfless work at membership, state and nationwide degree administration over a few years. Golf Australia is endlessly grateful for his or her tireless and inspirational efforts to make the sport higher.”

Golf Australia Chief Government James Sutherland stated: “Congratulations to all three recipients of those awards who’ve made their households very proud. Bob, Alex and Anne have given lots to the game of golf they usually completely should be acknowledged on this approach.”