The WA Open Golf Championship will be in the City of Rockingham for the first time in its history.
Now in its 102nd year, the State championship features a 72-hole stroke play and $200,000 in prize money.
It will once again form part of the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia schedule, taking place from October 15-18 at Secret Harbour Golf Links.
Owned by TenGolf Group and considered amongst Australia’s best public access golf courses, the Graham Marsh-designed layout at Secret Harbour was built on natural dunes, offering a true links golf experience.
The event also incorporates the 36-hole All Abilities Championship for Australia’s leading golfers with a disability. It will be played at the same time, on the same course and in the same conditions as the WA Open.
GolfWA chief executive Arron Minchin said part of the appeal for hosting at the Secret Harbour course was its accessibility.
“Providing opportunities for more people to play golf in all its formats is central to what we do at GolfWA,” Mr Minchin said.
“Secret Harbour is an outstanding golf course, and the fact that anyone can book a tee time here is a great example of how accessible the game of golf really can be.
“We’re grateful to TenGolf for hosting this year’s championship and very excited to be staging our premier event at a truly public facility.”
Professional Golfers’ Association of Australia tour development manager and three-time WA Open champion Kim Felton said the venue ticked all the boxes tour golfers would be looking for.
He said there were several “risk-and-reward” holes that would make for extremely exciting golf and present a “fantastic championship test”.
Secret Harbour Golf Links general manager Ben Sweeny said hosting was a great opportunity to showcase just how good the course was to a national audience.
The championship was first held in 1913 and draws in around 140 competitors each year, most of which are pro golfers from the PGA Tour of Australasia.
Mayor Lorna Buchan said the city was delighted to welcome golfers, officials and visitors to the region, and looked forward to showcasing the area’s coastal lifestyle and local hospitality.
Entry will be free for spectators all week.
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