A field brimming with Australasian and international PGA Tour talent will make for some sensational golf when the opening tournament of the NSW Regional Open Series gets underway at Coffs Harbour Golf Club next month.
The Geoff King Motors North Coast Open will feature no less than five players with international victories to their name.
Once an essential stop on the Australasian Tour during the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s, the North Coast Open boasts an honour roll containing the names of some legendary Aussie golfers including Kel Nagle, Frank Phillips and Billy Dunk.
Nine-time Major Champion Gary Player also lifted the North Coast open Crown with back-to-back wins in 1956 and 1957.
Three-time European Tour winner Marcus Fraser is a confirmed starter; so to is the 2016 Hong Kong Open Champion, Lismore’s Sam Brazel.
Legends Tour regular and five time European Tour winner Mike Harwood is another confirmed starter.
Also ready to tee it up is a set of Australian based Japanese Tour regulars led by the 2015 Japanese PGA Champion, South Australia’s Adam Bland. A seven-time winner here and in Asia, and a member of the Japan Tour Matthew Griffin is also playing; so too the Queensland-based pair of Anthony Quayle and Dylan Perry.
In addition to the international based Tour players, there are at least another 20 more competitors with wins on the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia ready to claim the coveted crown.
Stuart Fraser, CEO of Golf NSW, said the interest from competitors in not only the North Coast Open, but the series as a whole was extremely pleasing.
“The names entered, not just the North Coast Open, but across the series as a whole is a real tick of approval form the players involved.
“Fans of the sport in the Coffs Coast region, in fact, fans at all of the regional destinations are in for some superb golf over the next few months.
“COVID notwithstanding, particularly now that the borders are opening up, this shows how committed the players are to supporting the game and regional communities across New South Wales,” Mr Fraser said.