One of a number of club professionals who will represent New South Wales in this year’s national final field at the Sunshine Coast, Mears of Dubbo Golf Club heads to the final event after winning his way through the State qualifying final at Castle Hill Golf Club.

In what is one of the most prestigious Australian professional tournaments with the field restricted to club professionals, Mears will take on approximately 40 of his peers, all of whom are PGA members.

A high standard of golf will be on display from a collection of accomplished performers including former Australian PGA champion Mike Harwood and defending champion Murray Lott.

With a total of $65,000 in prizemoney on offer for the event, the 54-hole tournament will be played from this Saturday, May 24 through to Monday, May 26 at the Twin Waters Golf Club on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast with all guests staying at the nearby Novotel Twin Waters Resort.

Mears flies to Queensland today and intends to fit in a practice round on the course tomorrow.

The Twin Waters layout is already very familiar to him, having spent most of his touring days practicing at Twin Waters and achieving success at the venue in previous Holden Scramble finals.

“I used to practice there so hopefully my local knowledge will come in handy,” Mears said yesterday.

“Unfortunately I haven’t had a chance to get out on the course as much as I would like because of work, but I did play in a strong field at the Griffith Pro-Am and am happy with how I am playing.”

Mears is aiming to finish in the top three, who will automatically qualify for the Australian PGA later this year, while the top two qualify for the Australian Open. Mears has played in both the PGA and Open twice.

“It has been nine years since I played at that level so it would be nice to get that chance again.”