By Frankston City Council

The Professional Golfers Association (PGA) of Australia is set to tee off with a new Golf Learning Hub planned for Sandhurst with support from Frankston City Council.

Deputy Mayor Nathan Conroy said Council will contribute $60,000 toward the project, subject to agreed deliverables and milestones demonstrating tangible progress of the project to Council’s satisfaction.

Cr Conroy said staying fit, healthy and active has a beneficial effect on our sense of physical and mental wellbeing, adding: “Frankston City boasts eight golf courses and we’re looking forward to the great opportunities that the PGA of Australia’s Golf Learning Hub will provide for residents and visitors.”

North West Ward Cr Sue Baker said the exciting initiative will make Frankston a key destination for golf industry training and education programs domestically and internationally.

“In addition to bringing new people and students to the area, the PGA Golf Learning Hub will be accessible to Frankston municipality locals for enrolment in golf industry based training and education programs,” Cr Baker said. 

The project involves the refurbishment of existing Sandhurst PGA building to ensure a fit for purpose facility for education and training. It is scheduled to be opened in time for the first semester 2022.

PGA of Australia CEO, Gavin Kirkman, said: “We’re grateful to the Frankston City Council for their support in refurbishing our existing facility at Sandhurst into one fit-for-purpose to deliver highly skilled individuals into the Australian golf industry.”

Mr Kirkman added: “The PGA Golf Learning Hub will be a world-first golf industry education hub to service the workforce development needs of both the Australian and global golf industries.

“The PGA Golf Learning Hub will provide training and education programs and qualifications to all pillars of the golf industry including the areas of coaching, small-business, facility-management, turf-grass management, tourism, events and hospitality. 

“The Hub aims to provide career pathways for the current and future golf industry workforce by enhancing relevant industry knowledge, skills and competencies,” Mr Kirkman said.

Working in partnership with Holmesglen Institute and with financial support from Frankston City Council and the State Government, the initial intake of students will be welcomed in the first semester of 2022 and will have the flexibility to explore a range of subjects relating to a future career in golf.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Martin Pakula, said the Victorian Government’s investment would support the growth of jobs in the state.

Mr Pakula said: “The Hub will be a real asset for the game and will establish Victoria as a key destination for people seeking world-class education and training in the golf industry.

“Golf is a major employer in Victoria and initiatives like this will ensure the next generation comes through well trained and ready to hit the ground running,” Mr Pakula said.

Mr Kirkman said: “Holmesglen Institute has demonstrated over the past 40 years its capacity to deliver a wide-range of vocational and higher education learning programs and we’re delighted to have their capability complement the expertise of the PGA Education team.”

The Golf Learning Hub will build knowledge capacity both locally and nationally by delivering qualifications and workforce development programs to improve pathways in the industry to all pillars of the golf industry.

There are currently more than 24,000 people employed throughout the golf industry in Australia which the 2017 Community Impact Study commissioned by the Australian Golf Industry Council estimated to contribute $3.6 billion to the Australian economy.