It seemed only fitting Kel Nagle, the oldest-living Major Champion, should head the list of those honoured in the first of a series of special functions across Australia to celebrate the Centennary of the Australian PGA.

The 90-year old Nagle, winner of the Centenary British Open in 1960 at St. Andrews, was joined by 34 fellow Australian PGA members at a function at the Royal Sydney Club in Sydney on Tuesday night.

Some of the names honoured were already etched in Australian golf history, while others have pursued their passion outside the spotlight, but what they all have in common is a lifetime of dedication to Australian golf and of course, the badge of the PGA.

Announced at Royal Sydney Golf Club, the very place where the PGA was formed 100 years ago, those honoured by the New South Wales Division were the first of many PGA Members who will be honoured through the Centenary awards program.

In prestigious company 100 years to the day after the PGA was formed, Awards recipients honoured last night included;

Kel Nagle, Sir Bob Charles, Chris Tickner, Ray McGlinn, Dan Cullen, Neville Wilson, Peter O’Malley, Bill Dunk, Alex Mercer, Craig Parry, Eddie Emerson, Richard Beer, Ian Passwell, Al Howard, Barry Bent, Bob Richards, Col Johnston, Bruce Burrows, Paul Robertson, David Mercer, Denis Brosnan, Erik Royds, Colin McGregor, Doug Canty, Geoff Scott, Tom Moore, Kyle Francis, Bob Stanton, Peter Fowler, Andre Stolz, Jack Newton, Terry Hayes, Ray Wilson, Frank Phillips, Peter Lonard and Allen Topham.

PGA Centenary Patron, and International Presidents Captain,  Greg Norman, although unable to attend the function, sent a message to all the award recipients acknowledging their place within Australian golf history.

“You are all among some of the most highly skilled PGA Members the world over and I hope will take great pride in being part of such an historic occasion,” said Norman.

PGA Chief Executive Officer Brian Thorburn added to Norman’s sentiments saying;

“PGA Members Australia wide have been the cornerstone of the Australian golf industry for the last 100 years and I congratulate all tonight’s award winners on their part in this illustrious history.”

Craig Parry honoured at 2011 Australian Centenary awards. (Photo thanks to Australian PGA)

“You are all among some of the greatest PGA Members who have lived and contributed to Australian golf and for that you, your family and your clubs should be justifiably proud.”

The NSW PGA Member function officially kicked off the PGA’s Centenary Celebrations which will continue with a year-long schedule of events and programs across the country.

The pinnacle event on the PGA Centenary calendar will be the Gala Dinner to be held at Sydney Town Hall on Friday 11thNovember 2011.

The next awards night, recognising the contributions of members in Western Australia, will be held at Royal Perth Golf Club on November 7.

The PGA was formed on 19th September 1911 by 15 Professional golfers who met at the Royal Sydney Golf Club looking to advance their profession.

Carnegie Clark helped set up the Australian PGA 100 years ago. Clark went onto win three Australian Open and two Australian PGA titles. He then began a legendary club maker and the club on the plaque is one of his designs.(Photo thanks to Australian PGA)

Today, the PGA consists of over 2500 members who are all among some of the most highly trained golf coaches and players the world over.

* A special thanks to Nicole Powell from the Australian PGA for details and photographs.