Wollongong Golf Club is all set to host, for a third time, the NSW PGA Championship which gets underway this week from the 3rd to 7th November.
After overcoming some early issue thrown up by the weather and transport disruptions, all is now smooth sailing as preparations are well underway to provide another fantastic display of golf at the NSW PGA Championship.
With unseasonal weather, including a thunder storm, hitting Wollongong in the lead up to the event, course preparations were hindered yet the course has bounced back from the storm well.
“The course handled the storm well, it was obviously very water logged but thanks to the wind coming straight off the water yesterday come the first round it will be in top condition,” said Neil Speirs the PGA Professional at Wollongong Golf Club.
“The course drains very well and so it takes a good four days of solid rain to pose any real problems.”
Course preparations for a PGA Tour of Australasia event such as this begin months in advance to ensure the Professionals compete on a course of Championship standard.
“The greenkeeping staff has been working hard for months now and their efforts are really paying dividends, the course is in great shape and everyone at the Club is really looking forward to seeing the professionals take it on.”
With the field packed with some of Australia’s best golfers including Craig Parry, Peter O’Mally, Steven Bowditch and Andre Stolz, it was a relief to many that the recent transport issues did not affect their arrival.
“While the Qantas issues did interrupt some of the players plans it hasn’t caused any players to withdraw from the competition,” said Graeme Scott, Tournament Manager for the PGA Tour of Australasia.
“All the players are starting to arrive in Wollongong and are heading out for practice rounds on course, and we are receiving positive reviews on how well the course is playing.”
The tournament will be played at Wollongong Golf Club from Thursday 3rd November to Sunday 6th November 2011.
The field will by vying for their share of the $100,000 prize purse plus exemptions into some of the biggest tournaments on the PGA Tour of Australasia.