Host Venue: Rich River Golf Club – East Course
Dates: 16- 19 March, 2023
Website: www.nswopen.com
Prize Fund: AU$400,000
Entries Close : TBA
Field Size: 144
Tournament Format
The PLAY TODAY NSW Open shall be decided over four rounds (72 holes) of stroke play. 144 players will play one round on each of the first two days, after which the leading 60 professionals plus ties for 60th place, plus any amateurs on the same score after the second round, shall qualify to play rounds three and four. In the event of a tie for first place, a ‘sudden death’ play-off will take place until there is a result or as otherwise determined by the tournament committee.
Rich River Golf Club
Near the banks of the scenic Murray River, Rich River Golf Club offers two distinct championship golf courses, immaculately groomed and playable all year round. Several improvements have recently been made to both courses so they can be enjoyed by all standards of golfers.
LOCATION: Twenty Four Lane, Moama NSW 2731
WEBSITE: https://www.richriver.com.au
Field Breakdown and Exemptions
Exempt Professional Golfers
86 PGATA Professionals; 18 NSW Open Qualifying Series*; Six (6) International Amateurs**; 4 Golf NSW Regional Qualifiers; 8 Monday Pre-Qualifying; 12 Exempt Players at the Discretion of Golf NSW*; 10 Tournament Invitations*.
* Any unallocated positions in these categories will revert to PGA Tour of Australasia to allocate to its Tournament Exemption Categories to fill the field to 144 positions. Should the PGATA have exhausted its exemption categories the spots will be allocated to pre-qualifying.
** Any unallocated positions in this category will revert to (g) Tournament invitations in the first instance and if unused will revert to PGA Tour of Australasia Exemption Categories.
Exemption from Qualifying – Amateur
As provided for in the agreement between Golf NSW and PGA, Golf NSW may provide up to a maximum number of 34 exemptions for amateur players from pre-qualifying for the 2021 Championship.
Golf NSW will notify the relevant players of their exemption.
Registration
Registration will be at the PGA Tournament Office. Registration will be open from Monday, 13 March, 8:00AM to 5:00PM and Tuesday, 14 March, 7:00AM until 5:00PM. Players who fail to register by the deadline with the PGA tournament office may be removed from the tournament and replaced with the first available alternate.
Tournament Office
The PGA Tour of Australasia Tournament Office will be located within the Club house as indicated by signage.
Pre-Qualifying
Pre-Qualifying will take place on Monday 13th March at the Rich River Golf (East Course) (Tournament course). There will be a minimum of 8 positions available.
Amateurs wishing to enter pre qualifying, please click HERE
Practice Facilities
Players with the Rich River driving range limited to a distance of 220m, short game facility is available.
- Monday: 8.00AM to 6:00PM
- Tuesday: 6:45AM to 6:00PM
- Wednesday: 6:45AM to 6:00PM (Pro-Am players have priority 1 hour before shotgun start)
- Thursday: 6:30AM to 6:30PM
- Friday: 6:30AM to 6:30PM
- Saturday: 1hr Before First tee time until to 5:00PM
- Sunday: 1hr Before First tee time until last tee time
- Monday: 9:00am till 10:30am 10th tee only – nine holes only.
- Tuesday: 7:30am till 3:00pm first tee only. Tee times will be booked through the Pro-Shop.
- Wednesday: 1:00pm till 3.00pm first tee only. Tee times will be booked through the Pro-Shop.
Course Practice
Monday Course will close from 12.00pm for the Pre-Qualifying to take place.
Tuesday 1st tee from 7.00am and 10th tee opens at 9.00am
Wednesday Both tees from 7.00am- course closed from 12.00pm for Sponsor Pro-Am Shotgun Start
Pro-Am
- Wednesday 15 March: Sponsors Pro-Am 12.00pm shotgun start. (36 Profressionals Required TBC).
Player Medical Services
The medical services team will be located at the Rich River Golf Club, and will be indicated by signage at the event. The team will consist Damien Benson (Chiropractor), Matt Green (Physiotherapist) and TBC (Masseur).
The Player Medical Services Team work on a booking system and attempt to honour all reasonable requests outside of the following general operating hours:
- Tuesday: 9:00AM to 6:00PM
- Wednesday: 5:30AM to 6:00PM
- Thursday: 5:30AM to 6:00PM
- Friday: 5.30AM to 6:00PM
- Saturday: 6:00AM to 6:00PM
- Sunday: 6:00AM until last tee time
First Aid
Medical personnel will be providing first aid service on all 4 tournament days.
Parking
Participating players will park in the club car park or adjacent area using their PGA Tour accreditation for access. Caddies can use players pass, travel with player or find their pwn parking. Caddies can utilise spectator parking adjacent to the first fairway.
Caddies
Caddies are not compulsory for this event
Caddy master will be arranged and information updated closer to the event. Please advise James Nicholls if you required a caddy prior to registration.
Players/Caddies will be permitted to use pull carts throughout the week – limited pull carts are available and it is advised where possible to bring your own/alternatively use a carry/smaller golf bag
Locker Room
Participating players may use the Men’s Locker Room in the clubhouse. There will be lockers available.
Security will be located at the entrance to the locker room the entire week.
Bag Storage
Bag storage is not available for this event.
Club Repairs
Basic club repair services will be available in the Pro Shop during each day of the tournament week. Please note that all costs will be charged to the player.
Player Lounge
Players will be issued with a “Charge Card” valid for the first two days of competition, and an additional credit will be applied for players making the half way cut. Players will be able to make food and beverage purchases via the club’s F&B outlets
Player Attire
Players and caddies are to follow the dress regulations as stated in the Membership Regulations Handbook. Players will be permitted to wear shorts during all practice rounds and during the pre-tournament pro-am. All shorts should be knee length, tailored shorts and predominately of one colour. “Cargo pocket styled” shorts are not permitted.
Shorts are permitted to be worn during all tournament rounds.
Amateurs
All Amateurs in this week’s NSW Open should be aware that you will not be permitted to change the status of your entry from amateur to professional and participate for (and accept) the prizemoney once the first round has commenced.
Tournament tickets
Players are to use PGA Tour accreditation. In addition to this, players will also receive 1 x caddie pass, 2 x general admission season passes and 6 x general admission any one day passes.
For spectator tickets, please VISIT EVENTBRITE HERE
Food & Beverage
There will be a sizeable food truck village offering a variety of fare including beverages throughout the tournament week. the trucks will be adjacent to the clubhouse and 18th green.
Accommodation
Official Hotel- TBA. A link will be provided
Child Care
There is no child care available for this tournament.
Players Lounge
There is no players lounge at this year’s NSW Open.
Players will be issued with a “Charge Card” valid for the first two days of competition, and an additional credit will be applied for players making the half way cut. Players will be able to make food and beverage purchases via the club’s F&B outlets.
Schedule of Events
Monday, 13 March
- Pre-qualifying @ Rich River Golf Club East Course
- Practice and Registration at Rich River (See available times above)
Tuesday, 14 March
- Practice and Registration at Rich River (See available times above)
- Champions Dinner – Rich River GC
Wednesday, 15 March
- Golf NSW Pro Am – Morning
- Rich River GC – Afternoon
Thursday, 16 March
- 1st Round – 144 in three balls off two tees (1st and 10th) Starting at 07:45 and 12:30
Friday, 17 March
- 2nd Round – 144 in three balls off two tees (1st and 10th) Starting at 07:45 and 12:30
Saturday, 18 March
- 3rd Round – 60 + ties and amateurs in three balls off one tee. Last tee time approx 12:00 (3 balls up to 4h 30m of tee times)
Sunday, 19 March
- 3rd Round – 60 + ties and amateurs in three balls off one tee. Last tee time approx 12:00 (3 balls up to 4h 30m of tee times)
- The Prize Giving and Closing Ceremony (at which the leading professional and amateur will be required) will follow immediately after the completion of the final round on the 18th green. Golf NSW to produce the Prize Giving procedure briefing document which will be distributed during the week of the Tournament.
For all enquiries regarding the 2023 PLAY TODAY NSW Open please contact:
Tournament Contacts
Golf NSW
Stuart Fraser, Chief Executive Officer
Phone: (02) 9505 9105
Email: stuart.fraser@golfnsw.org.au
Tournament Enquiries
Graeme Phillipson, GM – Golf
Phone: (02) 9505 9105
Email: graeme.phillipson@golfnsw.org.au
Media Liaison
David Tease, Media & Digital Manager
Phone: (02)9505 9105
Email: david.tease@golfnsw.org.au
PGA Tour of Australasia
Nick Dastey ( Tournaments Director Australasia)
Russell Swanson (Tournaments Manager)
James Nicholls (Tournament Coordinator)
Joanne Newell (Tournament Administrator)
Heath McLeod ( Tournament Referee)
Rich River Golf Club
Shane Gloury, General Manager
Phone: 03 5481 3333
Email: shane.gloury@richriver.com.au
International Country Code for Australia: +61 [e.g. (02) 9505 9105 = +61 2 9505 9105]
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