A special PGA industry luncheon successfully wrapped up the third World PGA Summit yesterday as Australian Industry representatives heard from three of the most influential leaders in world golf at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney.
 
Over 120 guests including World Golf Hall of Fame and PGA of Australia Life Member Kel Nagle, federal and state parliamentarians, members of the Golf Industry Council, Golf Course Super Intendents Association, womens golf, national and  state amateur associations, sponsors and media attended the luncheon that featured presentations and an open forum with Joe Steranka, CEO of the PGA of America, Sandy Jones, CEO of the PGA of Great Britain & Ireland and Max Garske, CEO of the PGA of Australia.
 
The three key speakers openly addressed issues affecting the golf industry in their regions of the world as well as outlining some of the key programs currently being progressed by their respective PGA’s to grow and develop the game and followed their presentation with a question and answer open forum.
 
The upbeat nature of the luncheon combined with the discussion of topics allowed all who attended the opportunity to voice opinion and be heard.
 
Topics covered included, the role of the PGA’s of the world in educating  from the grass roots level and junior golf programs, to lobbying governments for the welfare of the sport, the economic impact of golf as a global industry, the human impact of generating employment through golf and the social impact of golf in the promotion of tourism and charitable contributions amongst many other topics.
 
After four days of discussions at the World  PGA Summit held in Sydney the luncheon was a fitting conclusion as the delegates interacted with the CEO’s in fruitful discussions.
 
“ To have guests with the experience and knowledge of Sandy and Joe has been invaluable to our World Summit and we are delighted that they were keen to join us reinforcing the need for a co-ordinated and collective approach to promoting and growing our game worldwide,” said PGA of Australia CEO Max Garske.
 
“The overwhelming message is that the PGA’s of the world through their 60,000 + members continues to lead and promote the Industry, which gives us all a great reassurance that the game has a solid future to ensure continued growth and prosperity.”
 
The PGA’s agreed that through dialogue and cooperation, they would seek to take advantage of new opportunities to achieve common goals in the game across the globe and will meet again to continue discussions throughout the year centred around the Majors.