



GOLF PROGRAM
The South West Academy of Sport (SWAS) Golf program is proudly supported by Golf Australia, The Victorian Golf Foundation, and the Western District Golf Association. The SWAS Golf Program has the specific objective of identifying talented junior golfers and providing them with a level of coaching and athlete education that will assist them in taking the next step in the sport of Golf. Athletes in this program are considered as having entered Golf Australia's High Performance Pathway.
The program is designed to provide competitive training and play opportunities, readying athletes for tournaments.
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2025/26 Program Structure
SWAS will conduct 6x training opportunities throughout the region under the supervision of its appointed coach and two sessions with Golf Australia. Due to the variance in ages and handicaps, these sessions may be divided between development and advanced squads.
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Coaches
2025/26 Head Coach - Michael Bainbridge PGA
Golf Australia High Performance Coach - Travis Harrison
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Inclusions:
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Tournament support across the program at identified junior tournaments (subject to funding)
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Golf Australia High Performance Training Day (2026).
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Golf Australia High Performance Experience (October 3rd 2025)
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At home or in gym training program (please note SWAS does not provide a trainer or gym access)
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Access to "The Athlete Blueprint" with access to education and training resources, including golf specific resources
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SWAS Polo to be worn at all SWAS related events
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Exclusions:
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Travel to and from events
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SWAS merchandise (hoodies, caps, etc)
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SWAS Golf Program Selection Criteria
The SWAS Golf program caters for emerging golfers who must;
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Be an existing member of a Golf Victoria affiliated club in the South West.
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Reside in the South West region within the defined Local Government boundaries; Moyne, Corangamite, Glenelg, Southern Grampians, Warrnambool.
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Have a positive attitude and a willingness to learn.
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Have reached a satisfactory standard of play based on current player rankings and/or performance at local tournaments and regional events.
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Meet handicap requirements (please note this figure may vary year to year and must be submitted with an application).
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Note on Tournaments:
There are a number of local tournaments that athletes are expected to compete in.
Athletes are expected to attend any High Performance camps or tournaments that are nominated by SWAS, Golf Australia or the Victorian Regional Academy of Sport (VRAS) Network.
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Indicative Associated Costs:
SWAS Squad - $250 inc GST
2025 GOLF ATHLETES
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TIER 4 GOLF ATHLETES
The following athletes have progressed from SWAS to being invited into the Golf Australia Tier 4 High Performance Program in Melbourne.
LACHLAN WALKER
JOSEPH BROWN
BLAKE HEFFERNAN
ATHLETE APPLICATION FORM
Applications closed
Victorian Golf Association
Womens Golf Victoria
PREVIOUS SWAS GOLFERS
Adam Advincula
Alana Ellery
Andrew McQuinn
Andrew Meade
Ashley Johnstone
Bailey Borgmeyer
Ben Hogan
Bevan Marr
Brad Treloar
Brayden McConnell
Brent Mahoney
Briony Webb: Jakarta World Juniors (Tied 8th)
PGA Member
Caleb Kavanagh
Christopher Roberts
Cooper Gill
Daniel Battista: State Championships,
Division 1 Melbourne Pennant
Daniel Kenna
David Tou
Devin Koenig
Dom Vogles
Dylan O'Keefe
Fred Beasley
George Beasley
Georgia Bryden
Hamish Huffadine
Henry Green
Jack Redfrod
James Brown
James Keough
Jarrod Schill
Jarrod Sharrock
Jaymie McFarlane
Joanna Flaherty*
Joseph Brown
Joshua Anderson
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Joshua Brown
Joshua Murfitt
Jye Tillack
Kyle Herbertson
Lachlan Green
Lachlan Kenna
Lachlan Meade
Lachlan Walker
Levi Ellis
Lewis O'Neil
Marley Sharp
Matthew Baxter
Matthew Cameron
Matthew Heard
Matt Hinkley
Michael Pollock
Mitchell Hughes
Molly O'Brien*
Noah Best*
Noah Mounsey
Olivia Porter
Rebecca Bryden
Riley Scanlon
Sam Horne
Sam Rix
Sam Taylor
Scott McKinnon
Slade Palmer
Thomas Clissold
Thomas Rix
Tim Speirs
Toby Kilpatrick
Tom Stuart
Tyler Dixon
Tyran Dowell
Will Mackenzie
Xavier McCartney
Zac Walker
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*Let us know where you are now! Get in touch via our SWAS Alumni Form