The small country town of Barraba, just north-west of Tamworth, was anything but quiet over the weekend, as it welcomed more than 100 competitors for the Vendi Golf NSW Sand Greens Championship, proudly presented by Trimax.
The event marked a significant milestone for Barraba Golf Club, which celebrates its centenary in 2025, and 40 years since it first hosted the prestigious championship.
A total of 105 players travelled from across New South Wales and as far afield as Queensland and Victoria to take part in the special occasion.
Local favourite Ben Koopman provided the perfect hometown storyline. Now based in Newcastle, Koopman returned to Barraba and produced a composed performance to claim a thrilling one-shot victory with a final score of one under par.
Holding a narrow lead heading into the final round, Koopman faced tense moments on the closing holes.
“I bogeyed the par-four 16th, and that opened the door again. When I didn’t birdie the par-five 17th, I knew everything was on the line at the 18th,” he said.
A steady par on the final hole sealed the win, much to the delight of the local crowd gathered to watch his return to glory. Victoria’s Craig Burn finished runner-up with a two-day total of even par.
The victory was particularly sweet for Koopman, who had come close on several previous occasions before finally lifting the championship trophy.
In the Nett division, Reg Walls delivered an exceptional performance, finishing eight-under-par over two days to edge out Tamworth’s Jack Body on a countback.
Golf NSW extended its thanks to Barraba Golf Club and its team of volunteers for their outstanding efforts in hosting another successful championship.
