By Jacqui Bialocki
Perched above the sparkling water of Port Phillip, Mornington Golf Club is one of the most picturesque golf courses on the Peninsula. In recent years, it’s also become one of the most popular, with steady growth in membership and participation across all programs.
It’s a trend echoed across the country. According to Golf Australia, club membership has grown by 19 per cent in the past five years. Its entry-level Get into Golf program, offered at many clubs nationwide – including Mornington – saw a 21.3 per cent increase last year, with women making up an impressive 86.6 per cent of participants. The recently added women’s pathway to club membership program has also been a huge success.
At Mornington Golf Club, this rise is reflected in both numbers and enthusiasm. Women’s membership has climbed steadily over the past few years, and interest in the club’s Learn to Play Golf clinics has surged. Golf is becoming more accessible, more inclusive, and more inviting than ever before.
A key part of this momentum is PGA professional Ollie Woj, who joined the club in January 2025 to lead the women’s golf clinics. Ollie is passionate about making golf a game for everyone. “Fairness in golf is everything,” he said. “All abilities should be encouraged to give it a go, with a clear pathway to playing on the course beyond the lesson period.”
Ollie’s connection to the sport is lifelong. A successful amateur career in the UK led him to more than two decades of coaching, always with a philosophy of keeping things simple, making them fun, and building skills step by step.
“I believe coaching should reflect reality, so don’t be surprised if, even in the first lesson, we head out for a couple of holes on the course. It’s about helping people bridge the gap between practice and real play.”
For Ollie, the most rewarding part of coaching is seeing transformation. “Someone might arrive at their first lesson nervous and unsure. Week by week they gain confidence. Then one day they’re out playing a full round, and they come back to tell me all about it. That’s the best part of my job.”
While golf is a game of skill, strategy and patience, Ollie believes it’s also a deeply social sport. “People, especially women, love the connections golf creates. Friendships often start on the fairway but extend well beyond it.”
The club’s energy isn’t limited to adults. Mornington is also seeing a strong lift in its junior programs, with weekend and holiday clinics buzzing with young players. The focus here is on fun and personal progress, allowing each child to develop at their own pace while also learning the traditions of the game. “Golf teaches youngsters so much beyond how to swing a club. Patience, respect, focus – these lessons stay with them for life.”
Through the junior golf academy programs and school holiday camps, Ollie and the team are nurturing the next generation of golfers: confident, connected, and ready to enjoy the game for years to come.
Phone Ollie on 0412 642 187 or email info@olliewoj.com; contact Mornington Golf Club, Tallis Drive, Mornington, on 5975 2784, email operations@morningtongolf.com.au, or log onto morningtongolfclub
