Golf Australia Announces the Winners of the 2026 National Awards of Excellence

Golf Australia has presented awards to a range of clubs, communities, volunteers and industry partners recognised for driving meaningful change in the growth of the sport. Across 10 categories at the 2026 National Awards of Excellence, the event demonstrates how golf in Australia is evolving far beyond being just a game played on formal courses.

Award categories cover metropolitan and regional clubs, off-course venues, participation programs, sustainability initiatives, volunteer contributions and industry suppliers. Award recipients are spread across seven Australian states and territories.

Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland noted this widespread representation directly reflects the current trajectory of golf development across the country.

"The 2026 National Awards of Excellence showcases the outstanding leadership, commitment and creativity flourishing within Australia's golf community," stated Sutherland.

Now in its second year, Sutherland explained the stories behind this year's winners illustrate how golf is becoming far more accessible and embedded within local communities.

One clear example can be found in remote Northern Territory communities, where 14 percent of local residents participate in junior golf programs. Meanwhile, local government in western Melbourne has brought golf into public parks to reach people who previously had no access to the sport at all.

"These are not just great golf stories - these are great Australian stories. All this work proves golf is a powerful tool for building community connections, fostering inclusion, improving public health and protecting the natural environment," Sutherland added.

One standout case comes from Gove Country Golf Club in Nhulunbuy, Arnhem Land. Operating in a town with approximately 3000 permanent residents, the club recorded 415 MyGolf registrations in the 2026 financial year - an 87 percent increase on the previous 12 months.

This figure equals roughly 14 percent of the town's entire resident population. Gove also accounted for 35 percent of total MyGolf participation across all 10 official venues in the Northern Territory.

A different success story comes from Maribyrnong City Council in Victoria. In an area where over 40 percent of residents were born overseas, the local authority brought golf into public parks and community spaces through its Active Maribyrnong program.

This approach received an overwhelming public response: Girls Can Week golf sessions reached full capacity immediately, while registrations for the Get Into Golf program sold out entirely in just 48 hours.

In Townsville, women's golf participation has grown dramatically through the Townsville Golf Club's i-GiGL program. This initiative combines professional coaching, on-course support and low-pressure social activities designed to make golf welcoming for first-time players.

A total of 387 women attended Get Into Golf sessions, while the LGP program recorded 58 new memberships and 879 completed social rounds. This social round count marks a 250 percent increase from the previous year.

Inclusion is at the core of work at Half Moon Bay Golf Club. The club has invested in two ParaGolfer mobility devices, installed audio-guided tee markers for visually impaired golfers, and employs PGA professionals specially trained to coach players with disabilities.

Meanwhile, The Pat GC in South Australia demonstrates how golf facilities can evolve into central community hubs. Formerly known as West Beach Parks Golf, the club completed a full rebrand in February 2025 under the guiding philosophy "all golf is golf".

The results speak for themselves: junior membership grew by 105 percent, while membership for players under 30 years old increased by 150 percent.

Short Course rounds rose 24.5 percent to 35,600, while driving range bookings jumped 60 percent following implementation of TrackMan technology.

For off-course golf categories, Thornleigh Golf Centre in New South Wales stands as a leading example of how to introduce golf without requiring new players to start on a full 18-hole course. The facility operates a two-storey driving range, TrackMan systems, mini golf, and employs nine qualified PGA professionals.

Every year, Thornleigh runs over 100 school group sessions, 70 junior programs, 50 adult beginner clinics, and hosts more than 100 children's birthday parties. This approach ensures golf is accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.

Environmental stewardship was also prominently recognised in this year's awards. Tim McAuliffe from Mount Lawley Golf Club was named Volunteer of the Year, having led the club's grounds volunteer team since 2019.

Across 2025, this volunteer team contributed 4,500 hours of unpaid work and oversaw planting of over 20,000 native plants. McAuliffe also helped establish the club as an official native fauna relocation site, and constructed protected habitats that now support 37 quenda (western brown bandicoots).

The sustainability award was presented to Adam Marchant of Royal Sydney Golf Club. Serving as Director of Grounds for over 20 years, Marchant led the full environmental transformation of the club's Championship Course, which reopened in March 2025.

This project included planting 500,000 trees and native vegetation, creating wildlife habitats and ecological corridors, alongside targeted reductions in water consumption, chemical usage and fertiliser application.

From the industry supply sector, GolfSim Australia received The Peter Maddison Supplier of the Year Award. The company has installed golf simulators across a wide range of locations including golf clubs, private residences, schools, workplaces, hospitality venues and commercial centres.

Damien de Bohun, Golf Australia General Manager for Clubs, Facilities and Places to Play, noted what unites all winning organisations is not just their ability to get people playing golf, but their success in fostering a sense of belonging.

"The most striking thing is the common thread across every single winner. They aren't just getting people to hit golf balls - they are making people feel like they belong in this sport," de Bohun commented.

He cited Townsville Golf Club, which builds long-term women's participation pathways by training program graduates to become mentors. Meanwhile in Kalgoorlie, 76 percent of new introductory players successfully transition to become active regular golfers.

"Half Moon Bay also invested in ParaGolfer equipment and audio tee markers so absolutely everyone can play. These organisations understand the future of golf relies on belonging, and continuously evolving to welcome modern golfers," he added.

In Kalgoorlie specifically, 76 percent of the 167 Get Into Golf program participants were first-time golfers. This initiative runs as a partnership between the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Goldfields Golf Club.

This collection of award recipients reveals the increasingly diverse face of Australian golf. From remote courses in Arnhem Land, women's golf programs in Townsville, disability access at Half Moon Bay, through to wildlife conservation work at Mount Lawley and Royal Sydney, the sport is growing through work that extends far beyond competitive play.

De Bohun emphasised the vital role of volunteers, local governments and technology suppliers within the golf ecosystem. He noted while these contributions often do not receive mainstream public attention, they form the critical foundation for the sport's growth.

"These contributions don't always make the front page, but they are the foundation upon which the entire growth of golf is built," de Bohun stated.

Ultimately, the 2026 National Awards of Excellence is far more than just an industry awards ceremony. The event also demonstrates how this traditional sport is actively opening its doors wider for new generations, diverse communities, people with disabilities, women, children, and for protection of the natural environment.

Source: Golf Australia