The year’s first major (which, ironically, The Masters now is since the LPGA’s old Dinah Shore shifted dates to accommodate the Augusta National Women’s Amateur) will always be something special for fans and players alike.

But before we launch into major season, now seems a good time to stop and reflect on what has been a pretty important summer in Australia’s play-for-pay ranks.

Tom Power Horan and Breanna Gill captured the final events of the PGA Tour of Australasia and WPGA seasons at the weekend and put a full stop on what may well be one of the game’s most pivotal summers.

(The WPGA has two events remaining but both are in Thailand meaning the Australian Women’s Classic at Bonville at the weekend was the final local event.)

After two difficult years caused by Covid (and two difficult decades caused by golf’s rapidly rising international purses), those in charge of the professional game here should take a bow.

Make no mistake, the sport sponsorship market is a difficult one and golf does not enjoy the position it once did.

Australia's next batch of Masters contenders, and perhaps a winner, will come from the local proving ground that is getting stronger. PHOTO: Andy Cheung/Getty Images.

So credit to those at the PGA and WPGA in particular (as well as various amateur bodies involved in organising events) for their achievements the past few months.

Some creative and forward thinking via the Webex Players Series coupled with a TV deal that put golf on our screens almost every week since October last year has proved a significant step in revitalising the professional game in Australia. For both men and women.

Many lament the halcyon days when Greg Norman strode the fairways and the local schedule stretched to double digits in terms of tournaments.

And while there was no Greg Norman or equivalent in 2022/23, what this summer gave dedicated golf fans was double digit tournaments and a reason to watch each and every week.

Compelling courses coupled with golfers whose talent far exceeds their public profile combined to dish up a season long narrative about the game and its players that proved very satisfying to golf fans.

"After two difficult years caused by Covid (and two difficult decades caused by golf’s rapidly rising international purses), those in charge of the professional game here should take a bow." - Rod Morri.

For too long Australia has had just a handful of events spread across the calendar and that lack of continuity makes it difficult to engage fans in a meaningful way.

It also makes it difficult for local talent to develop their games in any reliable manner.

This past summer went a long way towards addressing both issues.

When play gets underway later this week at Augusta National pretty much all Australian golf fans will be watching and cheering on Cam Smith, Jason Day, Harrison Crowe, Min Woo Lee and Adam Scott.

What this past summer has done is lay the foundations to ensure there will be more Adams and Jasons et al to cheer for in years to come.

In recent years, the lack of regular competitive golf at home has hurt Australian players trying to make it on the world stage. Frustratingly, this is despite the fact many are good enough.

And while David Micheluzzi, Tom Power Horan and Andrew Martin earning status on the DP World Tour is a major boost for them, they aren’t the only ones to benefit from the summer we’ve just seen.

Rising stars like Elvis Smylie, Nathan Barbieri and John Lyras have gained valuable experience these past few months, experience that will hold them in good stead for their entire careers.

Each would likely admit they are better players now than they were at the start of summer and that is testament to the importance of regular competitive play.

Nobody is suggesting Australian golf is now ‘fixed’ or that there won’t continue to be issues caused by forces both domestic and global.

But what we have seen is the laying of a strong foundation which can be built upon in coming years.

One might even make the case that between the Webex Players Series and other innovations of the past two years, Australia is ‘doing’ golf better than almost anywhere else in the world.