X-Golf Rockingham is chasing national glory, named a finalist in the 2026 Golf Australia National Awards of Excellence as the award-winning network continues to rack up recognition across Australian golf and business.
For General Manager Alex Makkreel, the nomination adds another chapter to an impressive awards run. Alex is also behind X-Golf Palmerston, which took home the same award last year – Golf Australia’s Most Outstanding Off-Course Club, Facility or Place to Play.
Now, with Rockingham named among this year’s finalists, Alex has the rare opportunity to see two of his venues compete for national recognition in consecutive years.
“I know what it feels like to hear your venue’s name called as a winner, so I’m really keen to do it all again this year,” Alex said.
“We’ve got awesome teams of people on the ground and Rockingham is clearly no exception, but this level of recognition is about far more than a trophy, it’s an indicator that the way people experience golf is changing.”
“We’re excited to be a part of that and to push the evolution of our favourite sport even further,” he said.
X-Golf/Hey Caddy Rockingham recorded more than 29,000 visits in the past year, including more than 10,000 people at Hey Caddy, the region’s only 18-hole indoor mini golf course.
The venue combines six state-of-the-art golf simulators with mini golf, coaching, competitions, social events and hospitality, creating a destination that reaches well beyond the traditional golfer.
More than 800 people also participated through dedicated programs and initiatives including Ladies Nights, free junior Get Into Golf clinics, X-League competitions, PGA coaching and opportunities for NDIS groups.
For Alex, that breadth is precisely what makes the X-Golf model stand out.
“If someone walks through the door because they want to play mini golf with their kids and leaves thinking, ‘I could actually have a crack at golf’, that’s a win,” he said.
“If a woman comes in for a Ladies Night and discovers she loves the competition, that’s a win. The same goes for our juniors, those with disabilities and people from all other walks of life.”
The Golf Australia nomination comes amid a strong awards run for the growing business. X-Golf Group was named the 2026 Franchise Council of Australia Franchisor of the Year for the 26 to 50-unit category, while collecting award wins and finalist status across many other industry awards programs.
The 2026 Golf Australia National Awards of Excellence winners will be announced from September, with Rockingham hoping to add another national trophy to X-Golf’s rapidly growing collection.
Stay tuned for more exciting awards news, coming soon.
