A massive rise in membership numbers, record numbers on the fairways, and a star-studded NSW Open Regional Qualifier on the horizon.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
There's plenty of reason for those at Dubbo Golf Club to be excited.
Golf was one of the few sports which was allowed to continue through the COVID lockdown but there was still plenty of restrictions in place, with only members being allowed to play at the Dubbo course.
The membership numbers spiked during that period but after the club reopened to double-vaccinated members of the public last week a record number of players took to the course.
"Last Saturday we had our biggest field for, I'd say, more than 10 years," club pro Craig Mears said.
"We had 232 players in the comp on Saturday. There's huge interest around the club.
"We're following all the safety COVID plans and it's just great to see the course busy, and the weather is looking great, and these events are coming up so it's good times ahead."
READ ALSO:
The club championships is the first major event ahead and it is set down for the weekends of November 13-14 and 20-21 while the NSW Open Regional Qualifier, which doubles as the $50,000 Dubbo Open, is November 29 and 30.
The qualifier event, which Dubbo will host for the second straight occasion, is expected to attract a stellar field.
"After the cancellation of the Australian Open and no international travel, there's not as much for these pros to play in so I expect the field to be really strong," Mears said, adding he was hopeful a number of Dubbo and western players would also be in the mix.
"Last time we hosted the event we had quite a few locals put their hand up to participate in the amateur section and I'm sure we'll have it again.
"I know a few guys are trying to get their handicap down as low as they can to get into the qualifying structure for it."
It will be part of a busy time for western area golfers.
Golf NSW announced last week the dates for a number of tournaments now the state is exiting lockdown.
The Dubbo Open and Regional Qualifier headlines the bunch, but there will also be the time-honoured NSW Country Championships at Forbes Golf Club on November 6 and 7 while the NSW Men's Sand Greens Championships will be at Nyngan on November 20 and 21.
As well as big fields, the championships are also expected to feature some shot-making of the very highest level given so many people have been out on courses in recent times.
"People are playing a lot more golf so some of the scores have been pretty red-hot," Mears said.
"A few of our juniors have done well and played a lot more while they were in lockdown. It's been really good to see people out playing golf."
Mears also praised Dubbo Golf Club course superintendent Michael Wherritt and his greenkeeping team for keeping the playing surfaces in "fantastic" condition.
Mears will also resume his junior cadet training programs as of next week.
The Super Sixes tournament has been postponed due to next year due to the restrictions in recent times.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News