Palmer Golf Australia officially took control of all management rights of the Palmer Sea Reef Golf Course in Port Douglas on Friday, after venue’s management deal with Accor expired.

Professor Clive Palmer acquired the facility from the Juniper Group in December 2012, adding it to his portfolio of golf courses that includes two on Queensland’s Gold Coast (Palmer Colonial and Palmer Gold Coast) and Palmer Coolum Resort on the Sunshine Coast.

Palmer Golf Managing Director Angie Ison said she is thrilled that the company can finally begin to implement its plans for the future.

“Today (Friday) is the first day of our full control of both the operational and management side of the business and we are very excited about it,” Mrs Ison said.

“It is very evident among the staff here that there has been a positive change and the energised, upbeat mood is very pleasing.

“We are passionate about the course and passionate about the region. We want to move the business forward and at the same time connect with the local community so they feel part of what we will be doing.

“There’s no doubt that there is an exciting future ahead for Palmer Sea Reef and we want the course to be synonymous with golf in North Queensland. When people talk about golf in this beautiful part of the world we want them to be talking about Palmer Sea Reef,” she said.

That future is likely to include the running of the Greg Norman Junior Masters, either this year or next, according to Palmer Sea Reef general manager David Roche (pictured).

"We have been put forward as the venue for that, it normally runs in December. It's 230 of the top amateurs from Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific."

Mr Roche said the Greg Norman Junior Masters is the breeding ground for future golf champions.

"Jason Day came out of the Greg Norman Junior Masters, as did Tarquin MacManus. The Greg Norman Junior Golf Foundation is the largest junior golf foundation in Queensland. In NSW it's Jack Newton, in Victoria it's Stuart Appleby, but Greg Norman's is the largest.

He added that there were benefits for the wider community now that the transition into Palmer Golf's portfolio has been finalised.

"Hopefully it brings more people from the South East corner into our region. Also the promotional benefits to be able to push the four venues through golfing magazines, TV. It gives you more power as part of the group."

The course made its inaugural entry into Australia's top 100 courses in 2012.