Hastings Golf Club's Head Professional, Brett Allan, relished his role as the host for last week’s Wallace Development NZPGA Championship.
The event is the PGA of New Zealand’s marquee championship, where 92 of the country’s best professionals compete over 72 holes for an impressive prize purse of $100,000. The field is represented by professionals who work in many aspects of the golf industry – from tour professionals, vocational members, coaching professionals, and administrators.
Allan, who’s been a PGA member since 2006, has dipped his toes into many different avenues since he became a qualified professional, all of which have helped him deliver outstanding services for the club. Before ending up in Hastings, he worked at a driving range in Auckland, worked under former NZPGA champion Stuart Reese at Peninsula Golf Club, and worked abroad in the UK and Canada.
Last week, he played a key role in bringing this tournament together, a task he thoroughly enjoyed.
“This opportunity doesn’t come along very often. Hopefully, we can make it an annual thing if the pieces of the puzzle align, but so far, so good. It’s great having all the PGA professionals here – the members love it; they’ve been out following a few of their favourite Kiwi players.
“It’s about the members and the club. We’re elevating what we can deliver and showing the members how the golf course can be setup and what people can expect coming to the region and playing the course. We’re highlighting that we aren’t a Cape Kidnappers or big resort-style course, but we can definitely hold our own against the top-level member-based course. Anyone can play here and have a good time without forking out a lot of money to play golf.”
During his time at Hastings Golf Club, he’s coached, club-fitted, and been an integral part of golf operations. Recently, he’s bought Elite Golf Tours and bought shares in another driving range in Hastings.
Wearing the PGA of New Zealand badge has assisted him with many aspects of the game – all of which have helped his career in golf.
“It shows that you’ve done some training, have knowledge, and that you’re well-respected in the industry. There aren’t a lot of us, but I think it shows that you meet a certain standard of human. In my year as a trainee, there aren’t a lot of people remaining in the industry, but the people who have stuck at it have been very successful.
“It shows that you’re in a group of people who are generally pretty good at what they do.”
It’s safe to say Allan’s passion for the game, his driven attitude, and a PGA qualification has greatly assisted him to get to where he is today.