Oates Vic Open tees off

THE countdown to the 2018 Oates Vic Open is on, with Friday’s launch breakfast at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong signalling less than eight weeks until the unique event hits 13th Beach Golf Links in Barwon Heads.

Speaking at the launch, Minister for Sport John Eren highlighted the importance of the Oates Vic Open to the region.

“The Victorian Government is proud to support the Oates Vic Open. It’s one of the events that brings so many people to this region and that’s why we’ve consistently boosted the prize money to ensure the event continues to grow.”

City of Greater Geelong (COGG) deputy mayor Peter Murrihy said the Oates Vic Open was a landmark event on the city’s annual sporting calendar and COGG via Geelong Major Events had extended its host city sponsorship for another three years through to 2021.

Golf Victoria chief executive officer Simon Brookhouse said he was thrilled to see the Oates Vic Open growing bigger and better every year.

“We’ve never been more excited for the Oates Vic Open to come around and we can’t wait to get down to 13th Beach in February,” Mr Brookhouse said.

“Both the men’s and women’s fields will be as strong as ever and that’s something we’re extremely proud of.”

The Oates Vic Open is the only golf tournament across the globe where men and women compete on the same courses concurrently, for the same prize money, at the same time.

In 2018, the shared prize pool will be greater than ever before, with the men’s and women’s fields to compete for $650,000 each, up $150,000 each on last year.

The tournament begins on Thursday February 1 at 13th Beach’s Creek and Beach Courses with alternating men’s and women’s groups across all four days.

Visit vicopengolf.com.