Four-time tour winner Dimi Papadatos is in town and intent on adding another title to his growing resume at this week’s Dubbo Region Open.
The Central Coast gun also admitted it was an excellent opportunity for him to mix a bit of golfing ‘business with a bit of pleasure – catching up with some close friends.
“I’ve been here is once before,” Papdataos said. “I’m catching up with a couple of close family friends, the Gleeson’s, so yeah, it’s going to be fun.
It was a ‘not quite’ first time look at Dubbo Golf Club layout for Papadatos in today’s pro-am, and the Central Coast-based professional liked what he saw.
“I’ve played here once before.
The course is pretty good, the greens are rolling nice, and the fairways are very lush. You’ll need to hit it straight of the tee for sure.
“I think there will be a few birdies, but keeping it under the hole is going to be vital.”
Asked about his recent form, Papadatos admitted it was ‘not too bad.’
“I had a couple of good finishes at Moonah Links on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula in the last few weeks, a 4th and a 15th, so it’s been alright.
“Hopefully I can continue it this week. I’ve drawn a good group with Peter( Lonard) and Marcus(Fraser), which I’m looking forward to.”
Papdatos also admitted it would feel great to play in front of a decent-sized gallery once again.
“I’m sure they’re will be a few out following the other guys, maybe one or two following me but yeah, it will be good, should be a lot of fun,” he grinned.
The six-event NSW Regional Open Series run by Golf NSW is part of the lead up to the $400,000 NSW Open at Concord Golf Club. Papadatos said the series was an excellent opportunity for players like himself to get back into tournament golf routine after the havoc of COVID-19 in the past 12 months.
“This 36 hole format, I love it.
“It’s an excellent opportunity for all of us to be out competing again, playing for a bit of money. It’s been a long time since we have been able to play in tournament conditions consistently, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Like most domestic-based players, Papadatos is gunning for a brighter 2021 after enduring almost 12 months of sitting on the sidelines being unable to travel or compete due to the pandemic.
With conditional status on the European tour and permission to travel a chance, the 29-year-old remains hopeful of a reasonably full schedule of events to play in for the remainder of the year.
“I should get nine or ten starts on the main tour, and then the rest of the weeks I will fill up with events on the Challenge Tour – if it goes ahead,” he added hopefully.
