More than 560 golfers have converged on Port Stephens for the 2018 Regis Australia Veterans Golf Championships.
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The prestigious five-day tournament, hosted by Nelson Bay, Horizons (Salamander Bay), Pacific Dunes (Medowie) and Muree (Raymond Terrace) golf clubs, will run until Friday this week.
Tournament director Dave Flatt said that it had been four years since Port Stephens last hosted the event, which rotates around the states.
“Port Stephens was appointed in 2014 to run the tournament this year and since then there has been four years of hard work to finally arrive where we are this week,” Mr Flatt said.
“We are thrilled with the support the tournament has received from the Port Stephens business community, particularly Regis Aged Care who came on board from the outset.
“A number of restaurants and tour operators have also provided vouchers and discounts for the visiting golfers.”
Mr Flatt said that the 2018 event was open to male veteran golfers aged over 55 and ladies over 50.
“The week will see some big days for the clubs concerned, with 565 golfers and 86 non-playing partners registering at Nelson Bay Golf Club for the first day of the championship,” he said.
The event kicked off with a shotgun hit-off on Monday, November 11, with a pairs competition played across all four Port courses – Nelson Bay, Horizons, Pacific Dunes and Muree.
The group of four from Queensland’s Coral Cove (Tracey Benham and Ian Prewett) and Newcastle’s Shorltand Waters (Petro Gleeson and Pete Prewett) said they were looking to week of competitive golf.
“It’s a fabulous tournament not only for the level of golf but also the camaraderie among the groups which attend year after year,” said Pete Prewett, a veterans regular.
The individual championship events would take place on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and on Wednesday the participants enjoy a well-earned day off, and the opportunity to check out all the sights and experiences Port Stephens has to offer.
An overall scratch champion would be declared at the tournament’s completion.
The biggest representation of players for this year’s event will come from NSW with 288, closely followed by Queensland, where last year’s tournament was conducted, with 207.
The number of players from other states include 107 from Western Australia, 62 Victoria, 39 Australian Capital Territory, 25 South Australia, 18 Northern Territory and 16 from Tasmania.
The event will culminate on Friday, November 16, with a gala presentation dinner for 670 guests at Wests Diggers Club.
