Far South Coast and Illawarra
The Territory
This territory encompasses two major areas; the Illawarra and the Far South Coast. The Illawarra lies just south of Sydney and is mainly a coastal area extending along the from the Sydney Metropolitan area southwards as far as Sussex Inlet. We take in golf courses in the Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, and Shoalhaven Local Government Areas. The Far South Coast runs from Mollymook to Eden and is made up of some beautiful coastal towns such as Narooma, Bermagui and Tura Beach. The Far south coast is also home to Montague Island 11km off Narooma, which is well known for its clear waters, great for securing that perfect catch.
This territory also covers two Regional Academies of Sport: the Illawara Academy of Sport and the South East Regional Academy of Sport. These academies train some of the finest golfers in these regions.
The Manager
Luke began playing golf at the Coffs Harbour Golf Club in 1998 after injuring his knee playing rugby union. As a youngster Luke played at a competitive level and was a regular on the JNJG circuit.
He began learning all about the golf industry when he started working in the proshop and cart barn on the weekends as a teenager. He was a member of Coffs Harbour before moving to the Bonville Golf Resort where he won the Club Championship.
After completing his HSC Luke worked hard on his game and was approached by some American colleges to further his career internationally. He moved to North Carolina in 2002 to play for Campbell University where he graduated with a degree in Business, majoring in Professional Golf Management with a minor in marketing.
Luke stayed in America for a few years where he continued to play while working at a facility in Raleigh, North Carolina. He had a great deal of success in his career over the next couple of years becoming a Head Professional and Director of Golf before moving back to Coffs Harbour.
In 2008 Luke began his PGA traineeship at Coffs Harbour Golf Club under Matthew Allen. Once he had completed this he had a brief stint on the NSW PGA Pro Am circuit and won the Yowani Pro/AM in 2012.
Luke started working at the Mollymook Golf Club as the Assistant Golf Professional and when the Head Professional role became available for an interim period and he decided to take it up.
Luke came to JNJG when his wife, previous Far South Coast Territory Manager Samantha Grinham, fell pregnant in March. It was perfect timing for the couple as Luke was able to take over the reigns from Samantha and continue to support junior golf in the territory.
Luke is thoroughly enjoying the role and hopes to continue to make a difference in junior golf in NSW and Australia. He still remembers his time as a junior and believes JNJG has gone from strength to strength. “I look forward to working for them for many years to come.”
Golf Clubs
| Bega | Pambula Merimbula |
| Bermagui | Port Kembla |
| Callala Bay RSL | Russell Vale |
| Catalina | Shoalhaven Heads |
| Eden | St Georges Basin |
| Gerringong | Sussex Inlet |
| Jamberoo | Tathra Beach |
| Kangaroo Valley | The Grange |
| Kiama | The Heads |
| Links Shell Cove | Tura Beach |
| Mandeni | Tuross Heads |
| Mollymook | Vincentia |
| Moruya | Wollongong |
| Narooma | Worrigee |
| Nowra |
District Golf Associations
| Far South Coast and Tablelands GA |
| Golf Illawarra |
| Womens Golf Illawarra |