Fifth generation trainee joins Brisbane Golf Club

A young man with an interminable link to The Brisbane Golf Club has been appointed the club’s new PGA Associate (Trainee Professional).

Bailey Arnott, whose great, great grandfather, TB Hunter, served as secretary of BGC from 1910 to 1939, starts as a second-year trainee on Wednesday (January 12). For the past 12 months Bailey has been a first year PGA Associate, training at Caloundra Golf Club under the tuition of his father, Tom Arnott, a former Junior BGC Champion and winner of the 1993 Australian Amateur Championship.

But the family connection is even broader. Bailey’s great grandfather, Bob Nixon-Smith, also served as club secretary; both his grandparents, Paul and Pam Arnott, worked in the Golf Shop with Paul also undergoing his professional traineeship at BGC; his uncle, Luke Arnott, was also a junior club champion; while his great grandmother, Joyce Nixon-Smith – the daughter of TB Hunter – joined the club as a 12-year-old and remained a member for just on 70 years.

“To continue our family’s strong link to The Brisbane Golf Club makes me extremely proud, motivated, and excited,” said 20-year-old Bailey.

“Our history with this prestigious golfing facility dates back more than 110 years and to become the fifth generation to be associated with the club has been a prime goal of mine. My aim is to not only develop all aspects of my golf and become a proud member of the club, but to also continue our distinguished family history.”

Bailey graduated from Caloundra State High School in 2018 with an OP score of five, and continued his education on scholarship at Iowa State University in 2020-2021, before Covid forced his return to Australia. Since returning home he has been the Associate Professional (trainee) at Caloundra Golf Club.

During that time he has accumulated a run of golfing success including:

• Second place, by three points, in the Queensland Associate Order of Merit
• Winner of the Maleny, Bundaberg and Nudgee Associate Pro-Ams
• Queensland Associate Foursomes Champion, partnered by AJ McCoy
• Runner-up in the Pampling Plate
• Fifth in the Queensland Associate Championships
• Ninth in the recent National Associate Championships
• In the 28 Associate Matches/Pro-Ams events played this past season, Bailey finished in the top five 19 times

“Although only 20, I feel my journey has been a unique one, as I have been involved in the Queensland State Team as a Junior, in the US College system on a golf scholarship and now have my first year under my belt as a PGA Associate,” Bailey explained.

“And I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year in the PGA Membership Pathway Program. It has not only helped me further my golf, but also myself on a personal and professional level as it has provided me with a vehicle to help improve other people’s lives through the great game of golf.”

Although conceding he had a very strong desire to one day play professionally on the worldwide tours, Bailey said he always pride himself on his work in and around a Golf Shop and Golf Club.

Brisbane Golf Club’s Director of Golf, Joe Janison, said that while Bailey’s historical link to the club was ‘quite remarkable’, he was appointed to the position on his merits.

“Finishing second on the Queensland Associate Order of Merit is a very impressive result,” he said.

“Tie that to his life-long association with golf, in an around Pro Shops and in the teaching arena, and Bailey’s background is quite exceptional. He has fitted much into his young life and we are very excited to have him join our club.”

Bailey replaces Tyler Vinter, who completed his PGA Traineeship at the end of 2021. Tyler will continue working in the Golf Shop. – TONY DURKIN