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Tasmania’s Golf Tournaments Start New Year Fun

Tasmania’s Golf Tournaments Start New Year Fun

Combining travel and golf was the perfect start to the New Year for 400 golfers who made their way to Tasmania for two weeks of golf tournaments. Golfers from every state, as well as international visitors from New Zealand, Asia and the UK participated in the Wrest Point International Masters and Barnbougle 4 Ball Challenge events.

Wrest Point International Masters Golf Championship

Open to golfers aged 35 and over, the Wrest Point International Masters in Hobart is well known as Australia’s best ‘week of golf’.

The four round tournament is played at both Royal Hobart and Tasmania golf clubs. Befitting its royal tag, Royal Hobart was in magnificent condition. Built on a bluff, Tasmania Golf Club has million dollar views from most tees and the signature 3rd hole is reminiscent of the famed 18th hole at Pebble Beach.

There are 15 divisions based on age and handicap. Playing with golfers your own age and standard is one of the attractions of Go Golfing events. All golfers play stableford, with A grade golfers also eligible to compete for the best gross.

The ladies were superb. Sue Christensen, Coolangatta Tweed GC, and Adrienne Naismith from Nudgee GC both scored the highest with 132 stableford points. Melissa Weber from Redcliffe in Queensland carded a 72 hole total of 331 to edge out Eastwood’s Vivienne Laurito on 336 in the ladies 35-55 gross event.

In the men’s divisions, no player averaged better than their handicap for the 4 days. Mike Rayner from WA and Eric Johnson from Keperra (QLD) both scored 142 points to win their respective divisions. John O’Mara (Tasmania) Michael Tomlinson (Helensvale) both with 141 points and Glen Cahill (Foxhills) 140 points scored consistently to win their divisions.

Known for its fun and festive atmosphere, the 16th annual tournament got underway with a welcome dinner serving up fresh Tasmanian oysters and salmon and entertainment from comedy ventriloquist Darren Carr. With 90% of event participants choosing to stay at Wrest Point, the event is very social. At the end of each day’s play, golfers and partners convene for 19th Hole festivities and golf presentations.

Away from the golf courses, Hobart International Tennis, the MONA museum and dining at Salamanca were popular activities.

Barnbougle 4Ball Golf Challenge

Straight after the Wrest Point Masters is the Barnbougle 4 Ball Challenge.  This more intimate tournament with a capacity field of 90 golfers is always a favourite amongst our golfers.

Located on the rugged north eastern tip of Tasmania, Barnbougle is open to the fresh Tasmanian air and untouched beaches. And January typically delivers year after year benign weather conditions, ideal for golf play.

Played as a team of two, the 4-round tournament comprises best ball, ambrose and the final round of stableford aggregate event sets up for changes to the leaderboard. Maroochydore’s John and Lesley Gilbert finished half a shot ahead of Burleigh’s Bernie Dooney and Lyn Bansgrove to win the Mixed A grade. Janee and Travis Young from Oatlands in NSW won the Mixed B division.

Brisbane’s Colin Wisemantel and Phil Gracie proved too strong in the Mens Division while Latrobe’s Jenny Brooks final round hole-in-one proved the difference in helping her and Gwen Clutterbuck (Oxley) hold off Janet Holland (Cronulla) and Leona Stewart (Virginia).

Morning golf followed by relaxing afternoons is the order of play at Barnbougle. A winery tour, tastings and a decadent lunch in the underground wine cellars at Pipers Brook Vineyard is a highlight of the trip.

There is also a novel team event where each pairing is placed in a team of 14 players. Teams are assigned a colour and encouraged to dress in that colour for the opening night. Weird and wonderful outfits have become a tradition and this year was no exception with green leprechauns, blue pencils and white knights. The white team came from the clouds to secure victory, while team purple who lead into the final round finished last.

View Wrest Point International Masters and Barnbougle 4Ball to view tournaments’ 2016 results.

Register today for these tournaments and let the anticipation begin:

The tradition continues in 2017 with the Wrest Point International Masters to run 22 to 27 January and Barnbougle 4 Ball from 28 January to 3 February 2017.

 

Related posts

The Barnbougle Golf Experience

Barnbougle Golf Challenge FAQ’s

2015 Barnbougle Highlights