Dear Members, we write to advise of important changes being introduced by Golf Australia (GA). At the outset, based on information provided by GA to date we expect little impact on day to day playing issues such as golf bookings and the use of the miscore app for scoring etc.
Golf Australia have advised that they are updating both the Golf Australia website (to Golf Connect.com.au) which will incorporate the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) to provide a ‘one stop shop’ for members to access information about all things golf in Australia. The new website will include information about golf events, GA communications to all golfers, club news, how to find teaching professionals, golf tuition etc, etc.
The launch of this new website will be on 2nd October 2025. We expect there will be an automatic redirection in place from the existing GA website to the Golf Connect website when launched on 2nd October.
Along with this change, the Golf Link system ( & handicap app) run by GA largely for handicapping purposes will be retired as of 2nd October & replaced by a ‘Golf Connect’ system & app for the purposes of handicapping, handicap lookup, score history etc. We expect that this app will be available for download from your app store from 2nd October in the normal manner (again there may be an automatic redirection on the existing GA Handicap lookup app but this is not yet confirmed).
VGC staff are actively working with GA in support of this transition to Golf Connect, largely in verifying Club information, course set up, payment gateways etc.
During this changeover period to Golf Connect, we are advised that from the period from 28th September until the completion of the transition to Golf Connect on 2nd October and after, the automated daily handicap updates now conducted through Golf link will not occur for a period of up to 2 weeks during this transition period. Member competitions during this 2 week transition period will be conducted on handicaps held as of 28th September until the transition phase is completed (we would expect a lesser period than 2 weeks but this is what we are currently advised). The Club is looking to adjust the playing schedule of competitions through this period to the lessen the impact on competition play due to the handicap freeze in place during the transition period (Ambrose, 4BBB events etc). Competitions will be run manually in this period.
We are advised that prior to and throughout the Golf Connect transition period, the day to day golf activities of VGC members will be relatively unchanged, golf bookings will remain as is as our booking system is run separately by MiClub and the current scoring app in place at VGC (also a MiClub product) will remain available for use.
In summary, some big changes by GA in terms of web and communications platforms, a short period of no handicap adjustments and handicap lookup during the transition period, but day to day, based on what we currently know, we expect little change for VGC members excepting the handicap issue as above.
We will advise further information over the coming weeks as this is made available to us. Tony.
