It was special occasion earlier this week in Sydney when four Australian PGA life members were guests of honor at a luncheon at the Terrey Hills Golf Club in northern Sydney.
Present was Kel Nagle, and golf’s oldest living Major Champion, along with his fellow life members in Colin Johnston, Frank Phillips and Dave Mercer.
Nagle, who turns 94 on 21st December, captured the 1960 Centenary Open Championship at St. Andrews along with six Australian PGA Championship titles in 1949, 1954, 1958, 1959, 1965 and 1968.
Johnston won back-to-back Australian PGA titles in 1963 at Oatlands and 1964 at Monash and both in suburban Sydney.
In fact, Nagle and Johnston are the only two members of the Australian PGA to have captured the Australian PGA Championship in both match-play and stroke-play format.
Phillips captured 17 Australasian PGA Tour titles in his career capped by his 1957 Australian Open success and the same year he won the New South Wales PGA.
And David Mercer is also highly respected in Australasian PGA circles having been the club pro at the Killara Golf Club in northern Sydney for 43 years, and is also the father to Richard Mercer, the extremely affable Head Professional at the Vintage Golf Club in the Hunter Valley.
The Australian PGA’s Peter Hines and good friend to www.golfbytourmiss.com, and who will working at this year’s British Seniors Open at Royal Porthcawl in Wales, hosted the luncheon.
Peter, who is also an Honorary Life Member of the Australian PGA, kindly forwarded a selection of photographs from the luncheon.
Kel Nagle (pink cardigan) along with his fellow Australian PGA Life Members – Colin Johston left of Kel. Back row Frank Phillips left and Dave Mercer center with Peter Hines standing behind Kel.
Kel Nagle and golf’s oldest living Major Champion enjoying lunch hosted for him and three fellow Australian PGA Life Members.
Colin Johnston and Kel Nagle.
Those present at the luncheon within Terrey Hills Golf Club to honour four Australian PGA Life Members.
