Staff Profiles

Stuart Byrnes

Teaching Professional
PGA Member
17 Years teaching at the Peninsula Country Golf Club

Starting golf at the age of 18, Stuart went on to play Junior Pennant for Moorabbin Municipal Golf Club at the age of 15.  He joined Keysborough Golf Club in 1980 and was a Junior member there for two years. In 1983 he became a Trainee Professional at Royal Melbourne Golf Club and completed his traineeship there in 1986. During the next 5 years, Stuart worked part-time at both the Keysborough Golf Club and Elsternwick Golf Club.

In 1991 Stuart was appointed as golf instructor at the Peninsula Country Golf Club. Between 1985 and 1994 Stuart played in many tournaments including Pro-Am events throughout Victoria as well as Victorian Opens, Victorian PGA events and other National level events both in Victoria and Interstate, including the Australian Open at Kingston Heath in 1989.  Stuart's greatest tournament victory was the 2003 Murray Masters, played at Yarrawonga (the only Pro in twenty years to win the event!), beating Ted Ellinghaus in a putt off, and other past champions such as Walter Rafeld, Bill Hurst and Bill Young.

• Available for lessons Sunday - Friday
• Available for lessons Saturday before 1:00pm
• Club Fitting
• Club Repairs

Ben Ferguson

Golf Operations Manager - ben@peninsulagolf.com.au

Teaching Professional
PGA Member
14 years of service at the Peninsula Country Golf Club Pro Shop

Ben has enjoyed numerous top performances at State and National level as an amateur, including representing Victoria on four occasions, winner of state titles and also is a past Club Champion of the Yarra Yarra and Amstel Golf Clubs.

Ben turned professional in 2003 when he commenced his traineeship at the Peninsula Country Golf Club. Ben successfully completed his traineeship at the end of 2005.

Ben played golf professionally for eighteen months around Victoria and Australia and has played in numerous State and National titles including the Australian PGA Championship at Coolum in 2004 as a Trainee.

Ben is currently the Golf Operations Manager of the Peninsula Country Golf Club and is one of the Clubs teaching professionals, conducting numerous clinics on short game and on course, and also overseeing individual's needs with their game.

• Available for lessons and private clinics, Monday - Saturday by appointment  
• Video and computer Swing analysis through the 'C-Swing' program also available 
• Club Fitting
• Club Reapirs

Ben is also playing golf Wednesday's with the Men's midweek competitions, please see him if you wish to have a game sometime.

Marcus Johnson

Teaching Professional
PGA Member

After a distinguished amateur career where he won the Victoria Golf Club Championship, the Australian Foursomes Championship and numerous other tournaments including representing the state, Marcus Johnson turned professional in 1986.

Completing a three-year traineeship at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, and after winning numerous trainee events he finished second in the order of merit, second in the Victorian Championships and in the top 10 of the Australian Championship. At this time he was granted a National invite, which meant that in his last year as a trainee, Marcus was able to play the Australasian Tour on a full time basis.

Marcus has been a AA PGA Professional for over ten years. On July 1, 2008 he accepted the role of Teaching Professional so he could focus on his passion and strength.

He has now been with Peninsula Country Golf Club for over 18 years where he has developed an excellent reputation in this area.

• Available for lessons by appointment through the Pro Shop

Heather Biddle

Retail Manager

Heathers journey to Peninsula has taken what would loosely be referred to as the 'scenic route'. Included in that journey was her ownership of a 4 time award winning (voted best by clients) Retail Business in the Bridal Industry. Preceding that experience was a 12 year stint with Amcor in the Fine Paper division. Her roles included that of a Sales Representative to the printing and allied Industries, Sales Administration Management and Purchasing Management positions. She undertook dozens of training courses on offer covering sales and effective communication, then topped it all off with a defensive driving course at Sandown Racetrack where she held her own with the boys. To date, this training has not been put to much use, however it will provide members with some comfort should she venture on course with a club cart at any time.

Heather has two adult sons, one a golf professional who started his golfing life here at the Peninsula Country Golf Club, and the other a plumber.

Heather is a natural people person and is most comfortable in her role with the Club.  In the short time she has been with the Pro Shop, she has introduced a new depth and style into the clothing range on offer, and completed the package with excellent customer service, which has been welcomed by the membership.  Where possible, she supports the other members of staff with Golf Operation duties, and provides a mature welcoming approach.  Heathers roots are in the country at Apollo Bay / Hordern Vale on the Victorian West Coast, so as a typical country girl, she enjoys a good yarn, a chat with a stranger, a joke and a laugh, a view of hills and sea, a variety of music and the odd glass of Cab Merlot.