Island Caretaker tees off Best Job’s last month at the Australian PGA
Posted by editor (editor) on Dec 10 2009
2009 >>

Island Caretaker Ben Southall has begun his last month in the Best Job in the World teeing off with Australian golf pro Adam Scott in Queensland at the Australian PGA this week.

Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said Tourism Queensland’s adventurous Island Caretaker would rub shoulders with the worlds golfing elite at this weeks Australian PGA at Coolum on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

“Ben has been perfecting his swing since arriving in Queensland playing at a variety of courses across the state including the recently-opened Hamilton Island Golf Course,” Mr Lawlor said.

“Over the course of the PGA, Ben will attend a VIP dinner and grab some tips from Australian golfing great Adam Scott, winner of last week’s Australian Open, during a one-on-one private lesson.

“The Australian PGA Championship is a major event on Queensland’s sporting calendar, part of the OneAsia Super Series and is the final event on the inaugural Asia-Pacific series schedule.

“The PGA presents a great opportunity for Tourism Queensland’s Island Caretaker to be exposed to yet another Queensland-hosted world class event which is expected to pull in record crowds.”

Tourism Queensland acting CEO Steve McRoberts said Ben had engaged in a range of on and off water sports during his visit to Queensland.

“Before teeing off at the PGA Ben will learn how to ride the Sunshine Coast’ swell with another Aussie sporting star surfing pro Robbie Sherwell,” Mr McRoberts said.

“Sunshine Coast local Robbie Sherwell is best known for his time on the World Pro surfing team where he competed on the circuit for eight years.

“Learning how to master some of Australia’s favourite past times with the countries best sporting stars will be a memorable way for Ben to kick off his final month in the Best Job in the World.

“Before setting his sights on the Sunshine Coast Ben competed in the Hamilton Island triathlon winning the swim leg of the inaugural competition and also found time to scale Brisbane’s Story Bridge.”

Ben said he was still coming to terms with the fact that he was in the final month of the job and was determined to make the most of every last opportunity.

“My time in Queensland has been a massive playground full of adventure, great weather and the most fun times I’ve had in my life,” Ben said.

“I’m an extremely competitive person so couldn’t think of a better way to spend the final weeks in the Best Job in the World.”

Mr Lawlor said Ben’s visit to the Sunshine Coast would be a memorable experience thanks to the wonderful support of local tourism operators and Tourism Sunshine Coast.

To date approximately 500,000 people have logged on to www.islandreefjob.com to read about Ben’s Queensland adventures.

For images of Ben’s experiences, go to Tourism Queensland’s image gallery.

Last changed: Dec 10 2009 at 11:39 AM