Eaves and his special PGA Championship link

Sam Eaves back on “home” soil for next Queensland PGA tilt.

Sam Eaves is preparing to tee up in next week’s Queensland PGA Championship at City Golf Club.

GOLF : Warwick Golf Club head professional Sam Eaves will continue a unique association with the Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship when he hits off in the 2020 tournament next Thursday at City Golf Club.

Eaves – a former champion trainee professional at City – has competed in every PGA Championship since it became based in Toowoomba in 2009.

Eaves is an infrequent tournament player these days with his professional priorities now firmly in place at the Warwick club.

But he relishes an opportunity each year to play when possible in the Queensland-based Australian PGA and the Queensland PGA on his former home ground.

“I haven’t missed a Queensland PGA since 2009 and it is a buzz to go back each year and play in my former backyard,” Eaves said.

Eaves said his low-key approach to tournament play, without the added pressures of order of merit points riding on his performance, has produced some pleasing results.

“I’ve been playing pretty good considering,” Eaves said.

“I don’t really practise anymore and I might play at Warwick once a week.

“I just go out and try to play naturally these days and it works okay for me.

“That doesn’t mean to say I take playing these tournaments for granted.

“It’s not just a hobby thing.

“These championships are prestigious events and it’s a privilege to be able to play in them and test yourself against the best golfers in the country.

“I know how hard people work to make the Queensland PGA the tournament it is now.

“Eddie (Britnell) and the City Golf Club board give so much to ensure the tournament is a success.

“They embrace changes well and every year the event gets better with positive changes.

“It’s exciting for Toowoomba.”