Mr Charlie Earp OAM

An icon of Queensland golf and a coach renowned world-wide who is best known as the man who launched the career of Greg Norman when he employed him as his trainee in the Royal Queensland Golf Club pro shop, earning $28 a week.

Charlie has been involved in the game for more than 50 years, he was promising player in his own right when he started his apprenticeship at Coolangatta-Tweed Heads in 1953. He took up coaching aged 17 in 1954 and became the resident Royal Queensland professional in 1958.

He was president of the Professional Golfers Association at 20, and a long-time member of the board, helping to establish the Sunshine State Troppo Tour. Still coaching into his 70s and president of the Greg Normal Junior Golf Foundation, he is a member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, a PGA Life Member and an Honorary RQ Life Member in recognition of 45 years as resident professional.