A Team of Passionate & Committed People
Avid Sports was established in 2003 and today oversees a team of in excess of 75 employees across multiple facilities. Avid boasts an extensive team of passionate and committed employees across all facets of the golf business including administration, finance, marketing, golf, leisure, share services, greenkeeping and hospitality.
James is a committed PGA Professional who this year celebrates 30 years of membership and as a second-generation PGA Professional, he has a lifetime link to the Australian PGA. James continues to support the PGA membership by employing and developing PGA Professionals at every opportunity. This is showcased in real time with more than 8 PGA currently in the business across a variety of roles ranging from PGA professionals to golf operations through to teaching professionals.
James Cooper
James has built an impressive reputation within the Australian sports industry as an energetic and innovative leader who has an ability to create and shape his environment.
Through working with some of the world’s leading tourism and sporting brands – IMG, Hyatt, Medalist Developments, Novotel – he has developed a unique combination of expertise in creating, delivering and operating industry leading projects.
In the past 4 years James has created and delivered 3 of Australia’s most exciting golf projects. Golf Central - Brisbane, Qantas Golf Club - Sydney and Club Mandalay - Melbourne continue to change the face of golf.
James has intimate knowledge of the game of golf and has been involved in the golf industry for over 20 years. James’ expertise covers the entire spectrum of golf course management including development planning, pre-opening and ongoing management. James has been a member of the Australian Professional Golfers Association since 1993.
The impressive list of golf courses that James has managed include Hyatt Regency Coolum, Pelican Waters, and Laguna Quays and in his role as Director of Golf at IMG – Australia & New Zealand he was responsible for The Dunes, Moonah Links, Links Lady Bay and Kennedy Bay.
James has held senior management positions with Accor Hotels, Hyatt Hotels, IMG and Medallist joint ventures.
James has also worked with world-class golf course designers such as Peter Thomson, Ross Perrett, Karrie Webb, Stuart Appleby, Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, Graham Marsh and Wayne Grady.
James established Avid Sports in 2003 and since this time Avid has provided advice and management services to a range of leading sporting companies and facilities in the Asia Pacific region.
James is very active in a range of organisations, such as:
• Member - Australian Professional Golfers Association
• Member - Royal Queensland Golf Club
• Director - BNE Enterpirse Pty Ltd