Anglesea Open, Pro-Am back on course after long absence

PROFESSIONAL golf will return to Anglesea for the first time in seven years on the weekend as the Anglesea Open tees off.

Surf Coast amateur weekend golfers will rub shoulders with seasoned pros for the Open during the next week, headlined by a Pro-Am event that is back after a more than 10-year hiatus.

The most recent Open proved to be a launching pad to the top table of the sport for its winner, Ashley Hall, who went on to be runner-up in the following years Australian Open after reaching a playoff with Major winners Jordan Spieth and Cameron Smith.

Anglesea’s in-house pro and certified Australian Professional Golfers Association (PGA) member Steve Lipovas is among the competitors confirmed for this week’s event, while touring pro and former Ladies European Tour golfer Vicki Uwland will play in the women’s draw.

More than 60 professional golfers have flagged interest in the event as of early this week, with organisers confident of a healthy contingent of career golfers in the field.

Anglesea Golf Club captain Tony Speed flagged a twist to the scoring system of this year’s competition.

“All pros play off scratch with each pro joining three amateurs in a team aggregate Stableford score that counts the best two scores on each hole,” Speed said.

“This can include the pro’s score and should certainly add to the fun of the day.”

“The $12,000 prize pool for pros and a range of great prizes for amateurs has attracted much attention. Both the 7.30am and 12.30pm shotgun starts are filling up quickly.

“We’ll be welcoming some emerging talent this year, too. In the 2015 Anglesea Pro-Am, winner Ashley Hall – with a course record of 63 – went on to be runner up in the 2016 Australian Open after a playoff with Jordan Spieth (winner) and Cam Smith.”

Open Week tees off this Sunday, October 16, with the main Pro-Am event returning on Tuesday, October 18.