The South West’s largest ever golfing event tees off this month
More than 100 professional golfers from around Australia are expected to tee off at the Bunbury Golf Club this month when the Clifton Park course hosts the WA PGA Championship for the first time.
Considered one of Western Australia’s oldest and most prestigious tournaments, the Laurance Scrap Metals WA PGA Championship will be the largest golfing event ever held in the South West region.
It will offer a prize purse of $110,000 and four days of top golfing action between October 29 and November 1.
The event is expected to draw large crowds of spectators, with fans keen to see first-hand who earns this year’s trophy.
Past winners have included Graham Marsh, Kel Nagle, Terry Gale, Peter Senior, Greg Chalmers, Kim Felton and Michael Long.
PGA of Australia chief executive officer Max Garske was full of praise for the Bunbury Golf Club which stepped up to ensure the event − part of the newly-consolidated Australasian Tour − went ahead this year.
“This year’s event was originally scheduled to be played at The Cut Golf Course in Port Bouvard, however due to unforeseen circumstances a decision was made to look for an alternative venue,” he said.
“Taking the tour to our regional centres is one of the goals we had for our State Championship events and when Bunbury Golf Club put their hands up, we were delighted.
“The Bunbury members and business community have embraced what will be the largest golfing event to be conducted in the region and we are looking forward to welcoming large crowds to watch some world class golf.”
Perth-born international golfer Nick O’Hern said the 18-hole course was rated among the top 10 in Western Australia and the top 100 courses in Australia.
“Bunbury golf course is one of the most underrated golf courses in Australia,” he said.
“It has a fantastic layout with firm, fast greens and will provide a spectacular and challenging venue for the WA PGA Championship.”
The Laurance Scrap Metals WA PGA Championship is supported by the South West Development Commission, City of Bunbury, Shire of Harvey, Coca-Cola Amatil and Cellarbrations. It will be broadcast on Network Ten’s OneHD.