Golf club locks in major tournament for two years

LISMORE Workers Golf Club has secured a major tournament for the region with a qualifying round of the NSW Open Golf Championship locked in for the next two years.

It joins Teven Valley Golf Club as one of the only golf clubs in regional NSW to host a $50,000 qualifier this year.

The Lismore event will be a 36-hole tournament held between July 27-29.

It will also include an 18-hole pro-am event which opens the door for local golfers to enter the competition.

The main competition will host some of the best golfers from across the country.

Lismore mayor Steve Krieg said it is another step forward for the city hosting major sporting events with the tournament expected to bring just over $350,000 to the local economy.

“Lismore is proud to be hosting a tournament of this calibre,” he said.

“Our golf course is one of the best regional courses in the state and this event is a chance to show that off to a broader audience.”

“Not only will this tournament boost tourism and provide a welcome injection for local businesses, but it also sends a strong message that Lismore is open, capable and ready to host high-quality events.”

The top three placegetters at the tournaments will also secure a spot in the NSW Open at the Hunter Valley in November.

Lismore has hosted PGA Legends Tour events which have included Rodger Davis, Mike Harwood, David Merriman and Terry Price.

It has also produced the likes of Sam Brazel, Rhein Gibson and Kane Webber, who have gone on to play professionally.

Brazel won the Hong Kong Open in 2016 and has since been a regular on the Asian and European Tours.

He still plays at Lismore and Ballina and was part of the Australian Open in Melbourne last year.

The NSW Open qualifiers start with a three-day tournament at Teven on July 24-26.