Port Macquarie Golf Club professional James Single awarded Australia's best golf professional

Single claimed the country's most prestigious golf award when he was named Australia's golf club professional of the year.

While he never thought he was going to win the national award he said it was pleasing to gain recognition for the work he had done.

"It means the world, it really does," he said.

"I never thought I was going to get the national one ... never. But I'll certainly take it and show it off and be very proud of it."

He admitted it was "mind-blowing" to take out the award, but his focus will now switch to coaching and earning recognition in that field.

"I don't have to prove myself anymore really, but that doesn't mean I'm going to rest on my laurels and put my feet up now," he said.

"I'll definitely make some other goals and I'd love to try get the same awards for different parts of the game whether it's high-development of coaching or the teaching side of things because that is something I'd be interested in doing."

He won't be lost to the fairways or the greens.

"My passion is in coaching ... I've thought about club management, but that's not for me. Coaching is where I want to be and I'll potentially look into something down that avenue," he said.

"It'll definitely still be golf-related and I'd love to get out and play myself, but I think that ship has almost sailed. I'll still do what I can with my game but I'll focus on others and see where I can go."

Single contracted COVID in the days leading up to the presentation night which prevented him being there to accept the award in person.

"It was gut wrenching not being able to go," he said.

"I couldn't believe our luck or our timing, but the staff went up to support me and sit on the table and they ended up collecting it for me on my behalf.

"The phone has been going crazy with phone calls and texts and social media comments. It's awesome. I'm feeling the love."

He said his greatest achievement had been with growing women's clinics and taking more beginner golfers out onto the course.

"That's been most rewarding over the last few years and then there's the consistent work with juniors to promote the game. That's probably what we're most proud of," he said.

Single also develops new players on top of doing 60 to 70,000 rounds of golf a year.

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