COACHES
DAVID THOMAS
With over two decades in the golf industry, David is a PGA-certified instructor known for his innovative and holistic coaching methods. He believes in a personalised approach, understanding that each golfer’s journey is unique. David specialises in creating customised training regimens that address individual goals and challenges, focusing on everything from swing refinement and strategic thinking.
David’s international experience has shaped his coaching philosophy, allowing him to incorporate a variety of techniques and insights tailored to golfers at all levels. His knack for simplifying complex ideas into practical, easy-to-apply lessons makes him highly effective and popular among his students.
Committed to lifelong learning, David stays abreast of the latest advancements in golf coaching to ensure his students benefit from contemporary and effective instruction. His dedication to fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment helps golfers achieve their full potential.
David Thomas’s return to Australia and his role at Australian Golf Schools highlight his invaluable contributions, bringing fresh perspectives and a passion for the sport that deeply enhances the coaching team.
TOM LINSKEY
Heading up the team is the Owner/Operator of the Australian Golf Schools. As a golf professional who has been in the industry for over 55 years, Tom brings an immeasurable teaching and managerial background with him. Since he finished playing the Tour himself he has owned and managed various golf courses and driving ranges throughout NSW and QLD and has a keen eye for employing teaching staff who really know how to teach.
Tom has spent his career helping golfers from beginners to touring professionals producing many champions along the way. He led the Italian Squad as National Coach during the 1980′s and has seen and solved every swing problem imaginable. His main Professional successes were the Italians, Costantino Rocca and Alberto Binaghi (now National Coach and responsible for Matteo Manassero and the Molinari brothers), Gabriel Hjertstedt from Sweden, Andre Stolz and Colin Bishop from Australia. His pupils have also won numerous Amateur Championships including both French and Italian titles as well as Gabriel’s part in the Swedish Team’s win of the Eisenhower Trophy. A no-nonsense approach coupled with a thorough understanding of the golf swing, together with a long teaching history makes Tom a masterful instructor for any golfing enthusiast.
Not content to just ‘play’ for a living, he has forged a profession as both a playing and teaching pro, a golf course designer, a coach, an administrator and an entrepreneur. A full member of the Australia PGA since 1965, Tom was an active tournament player from then until 1991. He also played on the European Tour in 1972, ‘76 and ‘77. From 1995 to the present he has been active on the Australian Senior Tour. However, in 1981 Tom took a complete change in direction and became Director of the National School of Golf in Rome. Tom’s role encompassed many facets of Italian golf, including the responsibility for the training, development and educational programs for all categories of Italian golf professionals.
He was also responsible for developing and conducting a ‘college-type’ curriculum for Italy’s best young amateur golfers. As head coach he was charged with the advancement of all national squads, as well as the further development of the National Junior Program and on-going programs for the sport of golf in Italy. His two major success stories were Sergio Prati and Constantino Rocca, still rated Italy’s best-ever golfer. Prati was a member of the ‘college’ squad and in 1983 won the French and Italian amateur championships. Linskey ‘discovered’ Rocca at age 25, working as a caddy master at Bergamo Golf Club and encouraged him to realise his potential. History recalls that Rocca became a dominant player in Europe, and was a Ryder Cup hero in 1997 beating a 21-year-old Tiger Woods. Rocca was the first Italian golfer to play in the Ryder Cup and in the 1995 British Open at St Andrews, tied with John Daly, only to be beaten in a play-off. As a sign of their gratitude for his five-year involvement with their golfers, Linskey was bestowed life membership of the Italian PGA.
Tom’s initial appointment as a teaching professional was at Wyong Golf Club in 1966. He was there until 1974, but during that time showed his first inclinations as an entrepreneur, establishing a golf practice range at nearby Bateau Bay. In 1979
Tom founded Australian Golf Schools Pty Ltd, a golf school that still operates today and is based at Emerald Lakes Golf Club in the centre of the Gold Coast. He remains a director and head coach of the school and estimates that in 40 years he has tutored thousands of golfers.
He has also ventured into golf design and construction, overseeing projects in Australia, Malaysia and in Italy where he designed the third 9 holes for the Golf Club Bergamo l’Albenza. In Queensland, they are Meadowbrook Golf Club and Riverlakes where he has served as GM and Director of Golf Operations from 1987 to 2001. Other developments comprise Toukley, Mangrove Mountain, South West Rocks and Rum Corp Barracks, all in NSW. But Tom’s involvement in golf has not been without giving back. From 1978 to 1992 he held various executive positions, including honorary secretary/treasurer of the Australian PGA Tour; member of the founding committee of the PGA Tour; board member of the Australia PGA; Australian delegate to World PGA conferences and a committee member of the Greg Norman Golf Foundation. He shows no signs of curtailing what has been a fascinating and triumphant association with his world of golf.
JOSH SMITH
Josh’s coaching philosophy revolves around tailored, student-centric approaches, recognising that each golfer is unique. He excels in identifying individual strengths and areas for improvement, developing personalised training programs that maximise potential. His expertise spans all aspects of the game, from swing mechanics and short game techniques to mental toughness and course management.
Josh is renowned for his ability to simplify complex concepts, making learning enjoyable and accessible for golfers of all levels. His commitment to continuous improvement and staying abreast of the latest coaching innovations ensures that his students receive top-tier instruction.
Whether coaching beginners or refining the skills of advanced players, Josh Smith’s dedication to excellence and passion for the game make him an invaluable asset to Australian Golf Schools.
THERESE HJERTSTEDT
Therese Hjertstedt PGA Teaching professional has ten years of experience playing on European, Swedish, and Australian professional golf tours. For the last 18 years, she has been teaching golf in Australia, France and Scandinavia. She is also the sister of two-time PGA TOUR winner Gabriel Hjertstedt.
Therese knows what it is like to play golf. Her style is to teach you simple concepts. Your scores will plummet, and you will see your handicap go down.She will help you focus on your short game and easy swing techniques that you can take onto the course.
TOM LINSKEY
Tom founded Australian Golf Schools Pty Ltd, a golf school that still operates today and is based at Emerald Lakes Golf Club in the centre of the Gold Coast. He remains a director and head coach of the school and estimates that in 40 years he has tutored thousands of golfers.
He has also ventured into golf design and construction, overseeing projects in Australia, Malaysia and in Italy where he designed the third 9 holes for the Golf Club Bergamo l’Albenza. In Queensland, they are Meadowbrook Golf Club and Riverlakes where he has served as GM and Director of Golf Operations from 1987 to 2001. Other developments comprise Toukley, Mangrove Mountain, South West Rocks and Rum Corp Barracks, all in NSW. But Tom’s involvement in golf has not been without giving back. From 1978 to 1992 he held various executive positions, including honorary secretary/treasurer of the Australian PGA Tour; member of the founding committee of the PGA Tour; board member of the Australia PGA; Australian delegate to World PGA conferences and a committee member of the Greg Norman Golf Foundation. He shows no signs of curtailing what has been a fascinating and triumphant association with his world of golf.
