Kieran Moran, Director of Moran Golf Tours and a PGA professional, has been operating all-inclusive golf tours to incredible world-leading golf courses in the UK and Ireland for over ten years. Since 2016, Kieran has also operated tours to the stunning Apple Isle of Tasmania and King Island.

Hailing from Scotland, Kieran has an intimate knowledge of many of the most revered courses in Scotland, Ireland and the UK, having played them since he was a boy. Kieran moved to Australia in 2009 and has worked as a PGA professional at a number of the Central Coast’s courses while operating tours to the UK and around Australia.

Moran Golf Tours specialises in taking golfing enthusiasts to St Andrews, where Kieran can share an intimate knowledge of the courses at The Home of Golf and also take guests on an adventure to the local hidden dining and cultural experiences that only locals know.

• What career path led you to where you are now?

Golf has really shaped my life since I was young. I played in Scotland with my father and grandfather since I was a boy and then became a PGA professional in the UK before moving to Australia and receiving PGA status here too. I worked the majority of my professional career in St Andrews, coaching and running tours through the UK. Upon moving to Australia, I worked at a number of golf clubs on the Central Coast and recommenced running tours back to the Open Championship and around the UK, with a focus on St Andrews, in 2015. In 2016 I started running golf tours to the beautiful Apple Isle of Tasmania and King Island.

• What motivates and drives you?

The game itself and the people that play it are what motivates me. Golf is a great leveler; boundaries are crossed and people unite over the love of a game. I really strive to keep golf fun and enjoyable for our guests overseas on our tours and when playing or coaching. We set up competitions on our tours – a bit of friendly competition – and what I love is that everyone is in with a shot of winning the tour, regardless of their form throughout. I try to structure things to keep people interested and to keep it fun. It’s a game for enjoyment after all.

• What has been your biggest learning curve in your career?

Playing golf in Scotland and Australia has one fantastic similarity, and that is the tremendous love of the game that golfers have on both sides of the world. I have had to adjust to differences in how the industry is run here as you would expect; I like to think that my knowledge of the golfing industry in Scotland is complimented by my knowledge of the Australian golfing industry. The one thing I’ll say about Australian golfers is that they love a challenge, and I really enjoy being able to take them to new and exciting courses that I know will encourage them to continually review their game and seek ways to improve.

• Where would you like to bein 10 years?

I’d like Moran Golf Tours to be taking our customers to more places around the world; golf is truly enjoyed in so many different places and they each have something unique to offer customers. From Japan, China and across Asia to Dubai and then Europe, there are so many places to play and enjoy.

• Have you had any significant Hunter-based mentors during your career who inspire you?

I’ve had many influences over my journey in golf on both sides of the world. Though if I had to pick a Hunter based mentor, it would be Jason Hart, the Director of Golf at Shelly Beach Golf Course. His exemplary focus on efficient policy and procedure is something that I have taken on board as a bit of a mantra. His event management strategies are something I have adopted and adapted for my own use on golfing trips. If you take care of the small things, the big parts always fall into place.

With thanks to Hunter Young Professionals who Hunter Headline collaborated with to source this interviewee.