PGA Diary

What is the PGA?

Established in 2001 this bastion of sporting legend heralds from the Northern suburbs of Sydney Australia, where in the winter of 2001 a few lost souls from the UK met at 6.00am on Cammeray Golf Course to try out this royal and ancient game. Handicaps were to confusing to apply, clubs where second-hand (or stolen), the rules were made up and any connections with the ball that went forward were met with glances of admiration.

Word got around and other golfing Poms sat up and took notice, as the ranks swelled to as many as six players the venue changed and Chatswood Golf Club (The Royal) became the preferred pre dawn gathering point. Things got serious with a short lived sub 54 score (9 holes) membership policy, the introduction of a handicap scoring system, weekly computer generated statistics, club shirts, a prize purse, bi annual tours and an AGM... The Pommy Golf Association (PGA) was born.

Friday morning golf continues to prosper and membership is flourishing (total number of members is hard to put your finger on) with an international representation from five countries. (It was six until our Irish friend left on less than amicable terms)

A strong tradition of touring has evolved with highly competitive two day events held twice a year at venues around Australia - the PGA trophy is a coveted prize that only those who can balance the fine line between revelry and clear headed decision making can win. For those that can't, the Annual General Meeting provides an opportunity to tip the scales in favour of binge drinking and curry eating extravagance with no formal prizes on offer, only the Chairman fears this night of nights.

A decent standard of golf still eludes most of us but that's hardly the point.

Dom Wells
Secretary.
Jan 2008.