The Cooma Golf Club will play host to some of the best amateur golfers in the State on Saturday, February 13 when the club’s premier tournament, the Cooma Ex-Services Club Snowy Mountains Amateur Championship makes a big return to the fairways.
The influx of the elite golfers combined with strong local support for the tournament is expected to be an economic boost for Cooma and its country golf club, which regularly punches above its weight.
The Cooma Ex-Services Club Snowy Mountains Amateur Championship has been described as a Pro-am without the Pro’s. Twenty-two top elite amateurs will take the place of the Pro’s in the Championship.
Golfers from all over the Snowy Mountains are invited to tee off with the elite amateurs in the Single Stableford event, which will be in all grades for men and if the numbers are right 2 divisions for the women.
Tournament Director Terry Johnston said the Cooma Ex-Services Club Am Tournament has been a fixture on the golf club’s calendar since 2005, but this year it has been revitalised as the Snowy Mountains Amateur Championship. Mr Johnston said the club would be working hard to turn it into a Vardon Event in 2011, which could bring the best elite amateur golfers to Cooma from around Australia.
“We are looking to turn it into another excellent sporting attraction for the whole of the Snowy Mountains and our local businesses have once again been right behind us, it is also great to see interstate companies such as MGI and Sureshot GPS out of Melbourne get on board with us as well,” Mr Johnston said.
“Cooma Golf Club is an excellent country golf course. There are not many country courses that would be better than Cooma and we know how to run a great event and at the same time look after our supporters,” he said.
While in town the elite amateur golfers will stay at the Marlborough Motor Inn and will play 36 holes of golf Saturday. The not so talented golfers will play 18 holes and can choose to play either in the morning or the afternoon shot gun start.
There is more than $3,000 in prizes up for grabs, including numerous gift vouchers from our great Cooma retailers. Prizes will also be given for the nearest the pin all par 3 holes plus long drives in all grades for men and 2 divisions for women.
Since amateur golfers can only win a maximum prize value of $1,600 the Snowy Mountains Champion will be limited to $1,200 in gift vouchers. They will also be awarded the coveted “Blue Jacket” to recognise their achievement, a trophy for their mantle piece and have their accommodation free thanks to the support of the Marlborough Motor Inn.
Some of the elite Cooma golfers expected to give the visitors a tough contest include our club champion David Crawford along with David Robinson and Andrew Jeffrey, who are all talented golfers. Mr Johnston said other players who could have a good chance include players such as Mark Rainsford, Garry Atkinson and Brad Trigg if they choose to contest all 36 holes of the championship.
“We would like to see plenty of golfers from right around the Snowy Mountains area come down for the tournament. There will be a Shot Gun start at 7am and 12.30pm. Check in at the starter’s office at least 30 minutes before the gun goes off,” Mr Johnston said.
Entries for the Cooma Ex-Services Club Snowy Mountains Amateur Championship close on February 10 and the $27 entry fee includes the players’ lunch.
The following Saturday, February 20 the Retravision Cooma Snowy Mountains Short Course Championship will be held at Cooma Golf Club. This is a Single Stroke scratch and handicap event for men, women and juniors. It is played over a redesigned 18 hole par 54 golf course and has more than $4,000 in prizes on offer. For more information or an entry form for either tournament Contact Cooma Golf Club on 6452 2243.
Email a friend
Favourites
Del.icio.us
Facebook
Digg
StumbleUpon
MySpace
Reddit
Newsvine
LinkedIn
Kwoff
Twitter