Long-time golf administrator Annette Court has also been recognised for vital service to golf administration and the group by being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
One of the most revered figures within Australian golf for his work with tour players such as Steve Elkington, Jan Stephenson, Peter O’Malley and Michael Campbell, few have influenced the game greater than Alex Mercer.
Mercer was the PGA Professional at Royal Sydney Golf Club for 35 years and is one of simply three PGA Members recognised as ‘Immortals’ alongside Peter Thomson and Charlie Earp.
While he was an achieved player, he made a long-lasting impact through his educating, gentle nature and innate understanding of the golf swing, offering an entry level for thousands 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 community mourning and remembering him as considered one of Australia’s most embellished professionals.
In a taking part in career that stretched across four many years, Shearer amassed 27 professional wins including the 1983 Australian PGA Championship at Royal Melbourne Golf Club and the 1982 Australian Open at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney.
PGA of Australia Chair, Rodger Davis, said it was particular to have two golf greats acknowledged for his or her outstanding contributions to the sport.
“Bob and Alex are both 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 just over a yr since we lost Bob, and whereas we would like to be celebrating this second with him, I know Kathie and their two sons Brett and Bobby will be as grateful and proud as Bob would be.
“Bob was one of the best golfers Australia has produced, and Alex is considered one of the best coaches and teachers having guided gamers such as Steve Elkington and Peter O’Malley to the very top of the sport, while at all times sustaining a ardour for serving to young newbie gamers.
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“He was made an Immortal of the PGA again in 2017 and it is great to see his contribution to the game honoured in such a way.”
PGA of Australia CEO, Gavin Kirkman, stated that Mercer and Shearer’s recognition was indicative of the position that PGA Professionals play in the promotion and success of golf.
“The late Bob Shearer and Alex Mercer are icons of golf in Australia and have performed a major function in influencing and inspiring thousands of Australians to play the sport,” Kirkman mentioned.
“Alex is with out query one of the achieved and respected figures in the historical past of the PGA of Australia, and the tributes paid to Bob when he handed show what a monumental determine he was. We could not be prouder to see two of our members awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM),” he mentioned.
Court, a member of Barwon Heads Golf Club and Royal Melbourne Golf Club, was honoured for service to golf administration.
She was President and an executive member of Women’s Golf Victoria and vice-president of Women’s Golf Australia for a couple of years, refereed for greater than 30 years, and is the current patron of the Golf Society of Australia in addition to a life member of that organisation.
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Golf Australia Chair Andrew Newbold paid tribute to the trio of award recipients. “These are three nice servants of our recreation in numerous ways,” mentioned Newbold. “Alex Mercer with the unimaginable legacy he has left for golf, the late Bob Shearer for his playing report and his remarkable love for the game, and Annette Court for her selfless work at membership, state and nationwide degree administration over many years. Golf Australia is endlessly grateful for his or her tireless and inspirational efforts to make the game better.”
Golf Australia Chief Executive James Sutherland said: “Congratulations to all three recipients of these awards who’ve made their families very proud. Bob, Alex and Anne have given so much to the sport of golf and so they completely deserve to be acknowledged in this means.”
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