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2015 Wrest Point International Masters Review

2015 Wrest Point International Masters Review

The week prior to the Barnbougle Challenge saw more than 300 golfers from all over Australia and international visitors from as far afield as Scotland contest the Wrest Point International Masters in Hobart.

Entrants came from 116 clubs, while 24 from Bargara near Bundaberg in Queensland was the most from any one club.

Open to club golfers aged 35 plus, competition is played in age and handicap divisions. Playing 2 rounds at both Royal Hobart and Tasmania golf clubs, all golfers play stableford while ‘A’ graders are also eligible to compete for the best gross.

Seventy five year old Jean Thomas from Redcliffe in Queensland proved age was no barrier, carding a 72 hole total of 388, the best of all the ladies and a runaway winner of the ladies 66+ gross championship. Madeleine Barnett from Concord, scored 141points stableford points, the highest total of all the ladies.

Neil Faulks from Tasmania Golf Club had rounds of 77, 74, 78 and 79 to record the best stoke score of all the men and a narrow winner in the men’s 35-55 division.

Awarded Oceania’s Best Golf Tour Operator at the 2014 World Golf Awards, tournament organisers Go Golfing undertake a 6 month review of all player handicaps to ensure a fair playing field. Coupled with daily adjustments and significant handicap reductions for players scoring consistently well, many divisions were keenly contested. The average stableford division winner scored 135 points, well short of the 144 points if you played to your handicap every day.

Voted Australia’s best ‘week of golf’ for the past six years, the 15th annual Wrest Point Masters featured top class entertainment and nightly social events. Phil Cass, winner of the Gold ‘Mo Award’ for best live entertainer in Australia, performed his comedy magic show at the welcome dinner.

The St Hallett winemaker dinner featured a decadent 4 course menu with matched wines and stunning views of the Derwent River. The nightly 19th Hole happy hours featured golf presentations and lucky draws. Tours to historic Richmond, wineries, MONA, Port Arthur and Bruny Island were popular among participants.

Festivities culminated with a glamorous gala dinner where more than $35,000 in golf prizes and lucky draws were presented before a 5 piece band, playing popular tunes, had the dance floor packed.

First timer Doug Renshaw from Perth was in high praise of the whole event experience. “The courses were awesome. Royal Hobart is immaculately conditioned and the views from Tasmania Golf Club are stunning. Go Golfing arranged our flights to Tasmania including free carriage of our golf clubs with Virgin and their hospitality and organization was first class.”

“The quality of the player packs, dinners, entertainment and generous prize table made this event sensational value. I played with great characters from places I’ve never heard of and have made plans to catch up at next year’s event. I can’t wait!”

According to tournament director Mark Hawley, January is a great time to visit Tasmania. “With long sunny days and temps in the high 20’s, the weather is perfect for golf and touring around. It’s nice to be here in Tasmania when the rest of Australia is battling heat waves and storms.”

The 16th annual Wrest Point International Masters runs 10-15 January 2016.

 

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