Professional golfer and proud Albany man Wayne Smith excited by city’s introduction of Sporting Walk of Fame

When talking about candidates for Albany’s Sporting Walk of Fame, firmly in the picture for a nomination tick is Wayne Smith, the best golfer the city has produced.

A winner of the prestigious Australian Amateur Championship in 1983, Smith went on to spend 20 years on the pro circuit, competing primarily on the Japan Golf Tour but also playing in PGA and European Tour events.

Now back living in Albany, he is delighted that the City of Albany is promoting a Sporting Walk of Fame which will be constructed at the front of Retravision Stadium and is set to be inaugurated this summer.

“Halls of Fame are always popular, but they are actually a really humbling gesture,” he said.

“You don’t ever play your sport for that recognition — you play for enjoyment and, as a professional, for money.

“I think ‘humbling’ is the word to use.

“I first thought ‘wow’ when I heard about the Albany Walk of Fame.

“It’s a wonderful gesture and to be back living in my hometown when it’s done makes it even more special.

“You spend much of your life away from family and friends while you’re striving to achieve.

“So, to return and be recognised having enjoyed that success is extra special.”

The city was key to his development in the sport.

He was a pupil at Albany Senior High School and honed his skills on the city’s links course before moving to Perth to pursue his golfing career.

He became the first Australian golfer to be recruited into the US college system, twice earning all-American honours while at the University of Georgia. He has two plaques honouring the achievement in the clubhouse there.

As a professional he won the Victorian PGA and the South Australian Open before claiming back-to-back wins in Japan and then the Indonesian Open.

He competed against the greatest Europeans of the era including Seve Ballesteros and Nick Faldo, but still holds the torch for his amateur triumph in Australia which kicked off his professional golfing journey.

Nominations for Sporting Walk of Fame can be made via the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre website.

The walkway outside the stadium is set to feature plaques of the inducted athletes with QR codes linking to their stories.