Open-ing up for elite challenge

The Pacific Harbour Amateur Open will return to the championship golf course on Bribie Island in August.

Bigger and better for the fifth instalment, the 2023 Amateur Open has received Australia Order Of Merit rankings to go with Queensland and World Amateur Golf Rankings.

The 54-hole stroke play event will test the best amateur golfers from Australia and some leading international golfers.

Designed by Ross Watson, the 18-hole links-styled championship course will test top players.

Noticing elite amateurs didn’t have a lead-up tournament prior to the Queensland Stroke Play, Pacific Harbour decided to put on an event.

Starting with a field of 40 players the event has grown rapidly. Open to men and women, the Open is now capped at 120 players, all with handicaps below 10.

With a focus on helping elite players, the event is aiming to become a leading amateur tournament on the Golf Australia calendar.

Past tournaments have hosted top amateurs who have turned professional and are now gracing tournaments around the world.

Justice Bosio (9^th in 2021) has continued as one of Australia’s leading female amateurs earning her way into the 2023 Augusta Women’s Amateur tournament.

Jed Morgan (7^th in 2020) has turned professional winning the Australian PGA Championship and now is a member of Cameron Smith’s LIV Golf team RIPPER GC.

Louis Dobbelaar (runner up 2020) recently turned professional and claimed his first win at the 2023 New Zealand PGA Championship.

If you’re up for a challenge visit www.pacificharbourgolf.com.au or watch the Pacific Harbour Amateur Open.

The event is on August 14-16 at Pacific Harbour Golf and Country Club, 141-159 Avon Ave, Banksia Beach. Phone 3410 4001 or email [email protected]