Top field chasing record prize

Entries have poured in for next week’s Optilease Redcliffe Pro-Am, where top touring professionals are chasing a record prize fund.

At the time of writing, more than 150 entries had been received for just 63 places in the two-day, 36-hole event on July 17-18.

They are chasing a record $90,000 in prizes – up from $80,000 last year – in the most lucrative event on the Australian PGA’s 2025 adidas Pro-Am-Series.

“We get great support from professional players across the country and sponsors,” Redcliffe Golf Club’s Director of Golf Chris Adnams said.

“Our goal is always to make this the most prestigious event on the (adidas Pro-Am) tour and this year have guys (registering) from West Australia and Victoria.”

They include Marcus Fraser, from Victoria, who was on the European Tour and represented Australia at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Michael Sim, the West Australian who took the 2023 Redcliffe Pro-Am, has also entered along with last year’s winner Zachery Maxwell, from Virginia.

Doug Klein, the 2021 winner who used to work in Redcliffe’s pro shop, is back from the Asian Tour and “raring to go”, Chris Adnams said.

Fellow Queenslander Gavin Fairfax, who won the Mackay Pro-Am last month, has entered along with Andrew Campbell, from NSW, a pro-am tour winner three times in the last three months.

Optilease has also extended and increased its sponsorship. “They have a real drive and passion for the tournament,” Adnams said.

This year’s pro-am will again be over two days and 36 holes on the par 71 Redcliffe Golf Club course in Handsworth St, Clontarf.

The Jack Daniels Party Hole returns, as does $1000 chip-off and three-hole shoot out. There’s a shotgun start at 10am both days. Entry is free. Food and drink available.

“As far as hosting, this is Redcliffe Golf Club’s biggest tournament of the year by far,” Chris Adnams said. “The staff get right behind it and everyone lifts to an extra level.”