Deyen Lawson 2014 QLD PGA Trainee Championship

Staged at its new home, Ballarat Golf Club, from 21-24 October the Futures Championship holds the title as the richest Trainee event in the world, bringing the most talented Trainees from across Australia and around the world to chase the title of 2014 Australian PGA Trainee Champion.

Coming off his recent wins at the New South Wales and Queensland Trainee Championships, Curlewis Golf Club’s Deyen Lawson is a firm favourite guaranteed to be chasing the national title.

Whilst his form is impressive, Lawson’s campaign will not go unchallenged.

New South Wales Trainee, Richie Gallichan, will be looking to put in a strong performance following his top-3 finishes in both the New South Wales and Southern Trainee Championships this year.

Once again, the tournament welcomes international competitors from Great Britain and New Zealand.

New Zealand representatives Cody Harper and Ben Guildford will join Gareth Davis from Great Britain to form the overseas contingent and will no doubt be keen to show the Australian field what the internationals are made of.

As the only Australian golf tournament where males and females compete side by side for both prizemoney and a national championship the event provides a unique prospect.

Victorian Trainee Elissa Orr will be looking to challenge again this year, having sharpened her teeth at several ALPG events throughout the season Orr currently sits within the top-40 of Trainees nationwide.

Not only will the winner walk away with a first prize cheque of nearly AU$10,000 they will also secure entry into the 2015 Australian PGA Championship competing alongside Defending Champion and world number 2 Adam Scott, Robert Allenby and Greg Chalmers.

Ballarat Regional Tourism CEO, George Sossi, said the PGA National Futures Championships will top off what will be a fantastic month of events for the city.

"I commend the Ballarat Golf Club on the hard work they have put in to secure this prestigious event. Championships such as these play a key role in promoting the sports tourism industry and positioning Ballarat as Victoria’s premier regional sporting hub," said Sossi.

The event will run on the back of an extremely busy month for the city with Masters Cycling, World Masters Rowing and Women’s National Road Series all providing a great economic boost for the city.

The Ballarat Golf Club has a long and proud history spanning back to 1895 as Australia’s oldest continually played course.

Superintendant Jeff Powell and his team will have the course in immaculate condition for the tournament.

The Championship course at Ballarat was redesigned by five times British Open Champion, Peter Thomson via Thomson-Perret and will provide an excellent challenge for the world’s best Trainee PGA Professionals.

Local and interstate visitors who attend the event are guaranteed to be treated to excellent golf by some of Australia’s strongest young Professional players.

The tournament week kicks off on Monday 20 October with a sponsors and supporters pro-am event.

The tournament will then commence from 21-24 October which has been welcomed whole heartedly by the Ballarat region and community.