Narrabri to host some of the nation’s golfing best in 2024

Some of the nation’s best golfers will descend on Narrabri next year following the golf club’s selection to host a three-day qualifying round of the Women’s NSW Open.

Narrabri is one of six centres to host a $50,000 NSW Open Regional Qualifying Series event.

Last week’s announcement has been met with excitement, and hosting the series is seen as a significant publicity boost for the shire.

The Narrabri qualifying round will be broadcast on streaming platforms.

Local organisers from Club Narrabri – operator of the Narrabri Golf Club – and golf club officials anticipate the event will draw eager spectators.

“For us to be chosen is a feather in the club’s cap,” Club Narrabri chief executive officer Paul Gordon said.

“It is good recognition for the work put in by the match committee.”

The qualifying series will be held leading up to the Australian Women’s Classic, to be held in Bonville, and the Women’s NSW Open to be held in the Central Coast.

The regional series of events are a first for the highly anticipated tournament and will be held in a partnership with the NSW
government through Destination NSW.

In Narrabri, the qualifying tournament has been backed by Narrabri Shire Council, and Mr Gordon thanked council for its generous support.

“We will be looking to the community for sponsorship of the event – cash and in-kind,” Mr Gordon said.

Narrabri looks to have been selected to host an event annually for three years.

Mr Gordon is also hopeful Narrabri could see the men’s competition held locally.

The qualifying event will be the most significant event held at the golf club since it has been incorporated as part of Club Narrabri’s operations.

Narrabri’s selection follows continued efforts by Club Narrabri and golf club officials to improve facilities at the Gibbons Street venue.

Mr Gordon said plans were afoot for course improvements leading up to the big three-day event.

“It is a work in progress, but so far, so good,” Mr Gordon said of improvements at the golf club.

While the qualifying tournament will bring some of Australia’s best golfers to Narrabri, Mr Gordon anticipates there will be opportunities to involve local players in the festivities.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said the NSW government is pleased to be supporting major women’s sporting events, including the Women’s Open, which will increase tourism in the state’s regions.

“These tournaments will feature some of Australia’s top female golfers and also showcase some of the nation’s best golf courses, putting these areas on the ‘must visit’ list for golfers who attend the tournaments and the fans who follow them,” he said.

“Sport brings communities together, and having some of the nation’s leading female golfers play at courses across regional NSW will bring social and economic benefit to these areas.”

Olivia Wilson, general manager – golf at Golf NSW, said the increased number of tournaments and jump in prizemoney was a welcome reflection of the growing interest in elite female sport.

“Golf will always be a game for all and a sport that anyone can embrace regardless of age or ability,” she said.

“It’s a thrill to see how the sporting public embrace our finest female athletes in whatever discipline they excel.

“With many of the Ladies European Tour’s best on show, it will be a fantastic few weeks of golf.

“With luck, we’ll see a hometown star or two shine and get their career off to a fabulous start.”

Karen Lunn, chief executive officer of the WPGA Tour of Australasia, welcomed the inclusion of regional NSW into the Women’s Open plans.

“The WPGA is thrilled to partner with Golf NSW to deliver world-class golf this summer,” she said.

“To compete for over $1 million on some great courses in regional NSW is a first for our organisation and a fantastic opportunity to showcase our game’s best players and women’s sports in general.”

The Australian Women’s Classic and the Women’s NSW Open TV will be broadcast through Foxtel and Kayo via SEN, with the final rounds of all Regional Qualifying Series events to be live-streamed on the SEN network and Golf NSW social and digital channels.

Narrabri’s qualifying event will be the last regional event, held in March 2024. The series starts in November at Mollymook, followed by Wagga Wagga, Duntryleague, Bathurst, Dubbo and then Narrabri.