Amateur golfers will no longer forfeit their place in the tournament field should they decide to turn professional after qualifying for a Golf NSW Open Championship.
Mr Graeme Phillipson, General manager of Golf at Golf NSW, said the adjustment applied to all of Golf NSW’s men’s and women’s Open Championships.
“All qualifiers, whether for the Men’s or Women’s NSW Open, the Senior Open at Thurgoona, or the Australian Ladies Classic – Bonville can turn professional, and they will not be required to relinquish that hard-earned spot.
Mr Phillipson added it was the right call to make, and follows the recent announcement by the USGA to allow their respective Men’s and Women’s US Amateur Champions the right to retain their places in the US Open after turning professional.
“The USGA led the way making their announcement at the beginning of the month, and we feel it is simply the right thing to do by following their lead.
“For many years, it was disheartening for our game’s best prospects to turn professional, then be forced into pre-qualifying for an event they had previously qualified for.
“We believe this is a better outcome, and will certainly assist our sports best prospects on their way to, hopefully, a bright start to their professional careers.”
The next NSW Open Regional Qualifying event offering an exemption into the AVJennings NSW Open is at The Vintage Golf Club on Saturday, 1 September. Entries are still open. Â