MEET THE TEAM
Meet Gold Creek Golf Academy's professional golf instructors below
Brendan Higgins
Director of Instruction and Club Fitting
Brendan completed his PGA Traineeship in 2019 at Royal Canberra Golf Club under the guidance of Craig Smith while also spending time at Federal Golf Club during his traineeship.
Brendan has a background in health and is a Registered Nurse. He has spent many years working in various Emergency Departments around the country and was fortunate enough to have played and experience different golf courses throughout Australia.
Brendan has recently returned to Canberra from living overseas where he enjoyed coaching all levels of golfers. During this time, Brendan’s focus was on bringing enjoyment to the game of golf and ensuring everyone, no matter their level or ability, found enjoyment in their game and the game of golf.
Brendan’s coaching style reflects his philosophy where golf is a game of patience, understanding and enjoyment.
E: brendan@gcgolfacademy.com.au
Brendan Higgins
Director of Instruction & Club Fitting
Brendan completed his PGA Traineeship in 2019 at Royal Canberra Golf Club under the guidance of Craig Smith while also spending time at Federal Golf Club during his traineeship.
Brendan has a background in health and is a Registered Nurse. He has spent many years working in various Emergency Departments around the country and was fortunate enough to have played and experience different golf courses throughout Australia.
Brendan has recently returned to Canberra from living overseas where he enjoyed coaching all levels of golfers. During this time, Brendan’s focus was on bringing enjoyment to the game of golf and ensuring everyone, no matter their level or ability, found enjoyment in their game and the game of golf.
Brendan’s coaching style reflects his philosophy where golf is a game of patience, understanding and enjoyment.
E:brendan@gcgolfacademy.com.au
Damon Welsford
Damon was appointed as Director of Golf at Gold Creek in April 2024. His most recent roles have included: Director of Coaching at Royal Canberra Golf Club and Assistant Professional and Teaching Professional at Federal Golf Club.
Damon Welsford has been a Certified Member of the PGA of Australia for over 15 years, having completed his traineeship at Royal Canberra in 2007. Damon was voted Australian Golf Digest Trainee of the Year in 2007 and graduated with the Titleist Footjoy Performance Award for Excellence in Education and a Diploma of Sports Coaching.
Damon thrives on the challenge of helping golfers of all abilities to reach their potential. He has continued his education through the PGA of Australia's ACE Program and holds Advanced Accreditation in Coaching and is a fully qualified All Abilities Golf Coach.
With over 15 years of specialist coaching experience, Damon is passionate about providing the very best coaching experiences possible – educating, engaging and inspiring his students. He does this by providing simple instructions in a game based learning environment, formulated from learning from some world leaders in the coaching including: Gary Barter, Denis McDade, Mike Hebron, Alex Mercer and many others.
E: damon.welsford@goldcreekcountryclub.com.au
Damon Welsford
Director of Golf
Damon was appointed as Director of Golf at Gold Creek in April 2024. His most recent roles have included: Director of Coaching at Royal Canberra Golf Club and Assistant Professional and Teaching Professional at Federal Golf Club.
Damon Welsford has been a Certified Member of the PGA of Australia for over 15 years, having completed his traineeship at Royal Canberra in 2007. Damon was voted Australian Golf Digest Trainee of the Year in 2007 and graduated with the Titleist Footjoy Performance Award for Excellence in Education and a Diploma of Sports Coaching.
Damon thrives on the challenge of helping golfers of all abilities to reach their potential. He has continued his education through the PGA of Australia's ACE Program and holds Advanced Accreditation in Coaching and is a fully qualified All Abilities Golf Coach.
With over 15 years of specialist coaching experience, Damon is passionate about providing the very best coaching experiences possible – educating, engaging and inspiring his students. He does this by providing simple instructions in a game based learning environment, formulated from learning from some world leaders in the coaching including: Gary Barter, Denis McDade, Mike Hebron, Alex Mercer and many others.
E: damon.welsford@goldcreekcountryclub.com.au
Joel Shields
PGA Associate - Golf Services
Joel is a current PGA Associate undertaking his PGA Membership Pathway Program under the watchful eye of Craig Smith at the Gold Creek Country Club. Joel began his golfing career in the small town of Young NSW before transitioning to Sydney where he played division 1 pennants for Mona Vale Golf Club.
This led Joel to Completing a two-year program at the Australian College of Sport (golf program) run successfully from the Bonnie Doon Golf Club.
Joel has competed both domestically and internationally and developed a fantastic understanding of the game of golf and ways in which to further develop players and their needs.
Joel looks to create a positive impact on the Gold Creek Golf Academy, whilst providing a fun enjoyable experience for all members and guests. He has a passion for providing excellent assistance and knowledge as well as encouraging junior development into the future.
Joel’s love for the game helps drives his ability and knowledge to further develop his understanding of the golf swing to help all levels of golfers. He looks forward to helping you on your golfing journey.
ACCREDITATIONS:
- - Community Coach Accredited
- - All Abilities Accredited
- - Titleist Fitting Accredited
- - Diploma of Sport Development
E: joel.shields@goldcreekcountryclub.com.au
Joel Shields
PGA Associate - Golf Services
Joel is a current PGA Associate undertaking his PGA Membership Pathway Program under the watchful eye of Craig Smith at the Gold Creek Country Club. Joel began his golfing career in the small town of Young NSW before transitioning to Sydney where he played division 1 pennants for Mona Vale Golf Club.
This led Joel to Completing a two-year program at the Australian College of Sport (golf program) run successfully from the Bonnie Doon Golf Club.
Joel has competed both domestically and internationally and developed a fantastic understanding of the game of golf and ways in which to further develop players and their needs.
Joel looks to create a positive impact on the Gold Creek Golf Academy, whilst providing a fun enjoyable experience for all members and guests. He has a passion for providing excellent assistance and knowledge as well as encouraging junior development into the future.
Joel’s love for the game helps drive his ability and knowledge to further develop his understanding of the golf swing to help all levels of golfers. He looks forward to helping you on your golfing journey.
ACCREDITATIONS:
- - Community Coach Accredited
- - All Abilities Accredited
- - Titleist Fitting Accredited
- - Diploma of Sport Development
E: joel.shields@goldcreekcountryclub.com.au
Robbie Taylor
PGA Associate - Marketing Manager
Robbie is a current PGA Associate and has been part of the GCCC team for the past 9 years. He is a passionate golfer and enjoys everything this great game has to offer, especially inspiring the same passion in others to play their best golf. Robbie's coaching philosophy is focused on simplicity and efficiency. He looks to work with a student's natural swing movements with the goal of making these as efficient as possible, thus improving his student's understanding of their swing as well as maximising their enjoyment of the game.
My philosophy of the golf swing is that there are numerous ways the golf club can be swung. It is my role to find the way that is most efficient for the individual. No two people are the same, so why should their golf swings be!
I like to use conversation during my sessions and avoid golf jargon which can lead to confusion and misinterpretation when the client plays golf or practices on their own.
I attain a real sense of satisfaction working with all levels of golfers. This may vary from people new to golf, players wanting to lower their handicaps or chasing elite performance. Together we can set achievable targets and work towards them.
The real enjoyment in golf is challenging yourself to be the best that you can be.
Accreditations:
- PGA & Community Coach Accredited
- Trackman Level One Certified
- Diploma of Sport Management (PGA)
E: robbie.taylor@goldcreekcountryclub.com.au
Robbie Taylor
PGA Associate - Marketing Manager
Robbie is a current PGA Associate and has been part of the GCCC team for the past 9 years. He is a passionate golfer and enjoys everything this great game has to offer, especially inspiring the same passion in others to play their best golf. Robbie's coaching philosophy is focused on simplicity and efficiency. He looks to work with a student's natural swing movements with the goal of making these as efficient as possible, thus improving his student's understanding of their swing as well as maximising their enjoyment of the game.
My philosophy of the golf swing is that there are numerous ways the golf club can be swung. It is my role to find the way that is most efficient for the individual. No two people are the same, so why should their golf swings be!
I like to use conversation during my sessions and avoid golf jargon which can lead to confusion and misinterpretation when the client plays golf or practices on their own.
I attain a real sense of satisfaction working with all levels of golfers. This may vary from people new to golf, players wanting to lower their handicaps or chasing elite performance. Together we can set achievable targets and work towards them.
The real enjoyment in golf is challenging yourself to be the best that you can be.
Accreditations:
- PGA & Community Coach Accredited
- Trackman Level One Certified
- Diploma of Sport Management (PGA)
E: robbie.taylor@goldcreekcountryclub.com.au
Craig Cox
PGA Instructor
Craig has been coaching golf since 2015 and he has become passionate about coaching golf, after working previously in automotive finance where one of my roles was sales-based training.
His philosophy on the golf swing is that there are numerous ways the golf club can be swung. he believes it is his role to find the way that is most efficient for the individual. No two people are the same, so why should their golf swings be!
He likes to use conversation during his sessions and avoids golf jargon which can lead to confusion and misinterpretation when the client plays golf or practices on their own.
Craig attains a real sense of satisfaction working with all levels of golfers. This may vary from people new to golf, players wanting to lower their handicaps or chasing elite performance. Together we can set achievable targets and work towards them.
The real enjoyment in golf is challenging yourself to be the best that you can be.
Certifications
- Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Certified Instructor – Level 1
- BodiTrak Certification – Level 1
- Focus Band Accreditation
E: craig@cacgolfcoach.com.au
Craig Cox
PGA Instructor
Craig has been coaching golf since 2015 and he has become passionate about coaching golf, after working previously in automotive finance where one of my roles was sales-based training.
His philosophy on the golf swing is that there are numerous ways the golf club can be swung. he believes it is his role to find the way that is most efficient for the individual. No two people are the same, so why should their golf swings be!
He likes to use conversation during his sessions and avoids golf jargon which can lead to confusion and misinterpretation when the client plays golf or practices on their own.
Craig attains a real sense of satisfaction working with all levels of golfers. This may vary from people new to golf, players wanting to lower their handicaps or chasing elite performance. Together we can set achievable targets and work towards them.
The real enjoyment in golf is challenging yourself to be the best that you can be.
Certifications
- Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Certified Instructor – Level 1
- BodiTrak Certification – Level 1
- Focus Band Accreditation
E: craig@cacgolfcoach.com.au
