Brad Kennedy will headline a field brimming with Australasian pro golf talent when the NSW Regional Open Series touches down at Coolangatta-Tweed Heads Golf Club next week.
Kennedy, the current money list leader on the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia and a three-time winner on the Japanese Tour, is just one of a dozen players who ply their trade on foreign tours vying for the $50,000 total prize purse on offer.Â
Joining Kennedy are fellow Japanese Tour regulars South Australian Adam Bland (2015 Japanese PGA Champion) Victorian Matt Griffin, and Southport-based Dylan Perry.
Lismore’s Sam Brazel, the 2016 Hong Kong Open Champion, and Current European Tour regular, Gold Coast-based Victorian Deyen Lawson, are in the field, so too the evergreen Marcus Fraser. In addition to these international touring stars, the field boasts another 16 players who have tasted success on the Aussie Tour.Â
Also making a start at Coolangatta-Tweed will be some of Australia’s best amateurs including current Australian Amateur Champion Jed Morgan and fellow Queenslanders Elvis Smylie and Will Florimo.
Four women will also be competing, with another Queenslander, Karis Davidson set to play for the cash against the men on a modified length layout. Joining Davidson are Katelyn Must, Becky Kay, and gun NSW amateur Doey Choi.
Open Spots up for Grabs
The top three finishers – Professional or amateur – at the Tweed Coast Open not already exempt will also be guaranteed a start in the 2021 NSW Open to be played at the Tom Doak redesigned Concord Golf Club in March, 2021.
Once an essential stop on the Australasian Tour during the 1970s & ’80s, Coolangatta – Tweed Heads remains a renowned tournament destination.
Major Champions Payne Stewart & Gary Player have recorded wins at Coolangatta – Tweed Heads, while Graham Marsh, Bob Shearer, Mike Ferguson and Mike Cahill also have victories to their name.
Graeme Phillipson, General Manager of Golf – Golf NSW, said the interest from competitors in not just the Tweed Coast Open, but the series as a whole was very pleasing.
“Fans of the sport in the Gold Coast/Tweed region are in for some superb golf.
“The names entered across the series is a real tick of approval from the players involved.
“With the borders now open, this shows how committed the players are to supporting the sport and regional communities across New South Wales,” Mr Phillipson said.
PHOTO: 2020 NZ Open Champion Brad Kennedy will be the headline act at the Tweed Coast Open, which gets underway on December 13th. Image Courtesy of the PGA of Australia.credit: Brett Phibbs /Â www.photosport.nz
