Sam Slater hasn’t forgotten the feeling.

Last year at Binalong, the powerful Queenslander stood on the 18th hole needing a birdie to keep his hopes alive at the inaugural World Sand Greens Championship.

His drive had flown almost 100 metres left of his intended line, his second shot left him short of the green, and the situation looked grim. Then came the miracle: a delicate third that toppled in on its final roll to force a playoff.

The crowd roared, the atmosphere was electric, but in the playoff, Slater fell short to Brett Rankin.

Now, twelve months on, the 24-year-old from Brisbane is back with unfinished business.

“I’m feeling good,” Slater said on the eve of the 2025 Championship.

“Looking forward to it. Nothing crazy, just go out there, have some fun. That’s all I’m trying to do here.”

It’s a typically laid-back approach, but don’t mistake it for a lack of ambition. Slater is eyeing his first professional victory, and with the memory of 2024 still sharp, he knows exactly what it would mean.

“A win here would be a first for me,” he said.

“That’d be a big one to tick off. It’s a different type of event, but if you can win out here, you can win anywhere.”

Sand greens golf is unlike any other form of the game. Players scrape and roll the putting surface before each attempt, making touch, creativity, and improvisation as important as raw ball-striking.

Slater admits he’s still learning the nuances. Last year was his first taste of sand greens, and this week marks only his second attempt.

“It’s just a different type of golf,” he explained.

“You’ve got to enjoy it for what it is. My strategy is simple: I do two scrapes, keep the ball down, and try to get as close as possible.”

This year, conditions could pose a new challenge.

“It’s a little softer than last year, especially around the greens,” Slater said.

“That’ll require a bit more touch. But I think my length is definitely an advantage out here, getting close to those pins is the goal.”

Slater won’t have it all his own way. Around 100 professionals and leading amateurs are set to contest the $140,000 prize pool and the Fran Kelly trophy across two days.

He’s joined by a strong mix of talent, including Victorians Ben Henkel and Connor McDade, NSW’s Nathan Barbieri, Queenslanders Tim Hart and William Bruyeres, Tasmanian tour winner Simon Hawkes and New South Wales professional Jay Mackenzie.

Rounding out the contenders to watch are New South Wales Sand Greens champions Nathan Schneider (2023) and Josh Stapleton (2022), along with current Men’s Queensland Sand Greens champion Sam Howes.

For Slater, the chance to go one better looms large. Last year, he brought the house down with a miracle birdie, this year, he’s hoping to bring the trophy home.

“It’s definitely within reach,” he said.

“If I just go out there, play my game, and enjoy it, I think it’ll be good. Hopefully, I can take a bit of that 18th-hole magic from last year and make it count again.”

Fans can soak up the action free of charge, with gates swinging open from 7:00 am on both days. Early risers can grab a coffee or bite to eat from the clubhouse and carts from 6:30 am, while market stalls dotted around the course will bring a lively, festival buzz to the weekend. And for those following from home, the drama of the final round will unfold live on Kayo Sports from 11:00 am on Sunday, 28 September.