Ministries

God and Golf, Hand in Hand.

In 1984 Baptist Minister Mark Tronson along with Heads of Churches initiated the Professional Golf Chaplaincy, providing chaplains and spiritual guidance to professional golfers, with humbling success.

After inspiration from the Lord, Mark contacted Sydney’s PGA office and made contact with Education Officer Max Garske who was receptive to the idea of introducing a chaplaincy initiative to golf. Garske presented Mark Tronson’s chaplaincy model to the PGA and nurtured it through to its approval, eventually becoming CEO himself.

The first Reverend to become actively involved in the golfing initiative was Graham Lawrence, a Uniting Church minister in training. Reverend Lawrence took Mark Tronson’s initiative from strength to strength, connecting many professional golfers to God’s eternal message. It was Graham Lawrence who developed the PGA chaplaincy ministry.

Over the years, Reverend Graham Lawrence established a 'Christian fellowship'. He joined a network of Christian golfers together, encouraging and supporting them on the professional circuit, while at the same time spreading the PGA chaplaincy to the wider golfing community.

“This was an important practical ministry issue I highlighted to all the chaplains in all sporting codes, that the chaplain is available to everyone and must never be seen as part of one particular group of Christians,” said Mark Tronson.

Being a chaplain was a tough role. The appointed figure had to be supportive of all Christians in the sport as well as a confidant and friend to all on tour.

Delma Tronson, the wife of Baptist Minister Mark Tronson, said Mark succeeded in connecting Christianity with sporting institutions because of his incredible relationship skills.

“He was always on the phone with the chaplains, and travelling away from his young children. Mark was tireless in building good relationships with the sports coaches and administrators, talking to them constantly. This took an enormous amount of spiritual and physical energy out of Mark. Our faith financial supporters share in this remarkable story of faith. Heads of Churches released us to a less stressful ministry after eighteen years.” [Since 2000 as chairman of Well-Being Australia his ministry centres on athlete respite].

The PGA ministry is a wonderful example of how a man’s hard work and faith in God can lead to wonderful things. Mark Tronson and his supporters worked hard to bring religion into the golfing sector with great success. Religious support in the PGA flourished and continues to thrive today.

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