This Is Golfing Outback Style From Greens to Sand Greens

June 28, 2021

They say golf in the outback is a little different. A swag of golfers proved this right over the weekend teeing off from greens to sand greens at the Charleville Golf Club as leg two of the 2021Outback Queensland Masters.

In a rare and unusual sight, the Charleville golf course includes both the traditional greens of the golf most of us know, while also having the traditional outback “sand greens”.

“A special congratulations to Leonie Pratt of Bribie Island with 36 points and Ben Castles of Charleville, also with 36 points the winners of the Charleville leg of the tournament, who also each receive the coveted orange jacket,” said Luke Bates, Queensland Manager, Golf Australia.

“Leonie’s story is a great one. She played in the inaugural Outback Qld Masters in 2019 and started without a handicap. During the Outback Queensland Masters she joined igolfqld and got a Golf Australia handicap and look at her now!”

“Ben has been a member at Charleville Golf Club for over 30 years, and at 85 years young, he’s proving to everyone he’s still got drive and swing! He’s an inspiration to us all,” explained Luke Bates.

“This is Australia’s most remote golf tournament and the richest amateur prize pool in the world,” said Luke Bates, “Many of the players on tour are also vying for the million-dollar hole-in-one challenge at the end of this six-location event which commenced last week in Biloela then Charleville over the past weekend and now it’s onto Quilpie, Blackall, Hughenden and culminating in Longreach in July.”

Mayor of the Murweh Shire, Cr Shaun “Zoro” Radnedge welcomed the enthusiastic golfers at the Dinner Under the Stars.“What a sight to see so many enthusiastic golfers here in Charleville,” said Mayor Zoro, “It’s wonderful to see you back in Charleville after the success of the inaugural Outback Qld Masters in 2019”.

“The Outback Queensland Masters concept is presented by Golf Australia and partnered by Tourism & Events Queensland and the PGA,” explains Luke Bates. “This initiative is to encourage visitors to spread the economic benefit to as much of the outback as possible, while experiencing some incredibly unique locations, golf courses and outback Queensland hospitality.”

As a community give-back PGA Pro, Darren Weatherall held two free Junior Golf Clinics over the weekend, giving kids the local district an opportunity to try their hand at golf. “It’s wonderful be able to help young people and give them the opportunity to experience an event like this in their own back yard,” explained Darren Weatherall, PGA professional on tour and host of the Junior Clinics.

Outback Queensland Masters is supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland.

2021 EVENT SCHEDULE

Event 1 Biloela – June 19 & 20, 2021
Event 2 Charleville – June 26 & 27, 2021
Event 3 Quilpie – July 3 & 4, 2021
Event 4 Blackall – July 10 & 11, 2021
Event 5 Hughenden – July 17 & 18, 2021
Event 6 Longreach – July 23, 24 & 25, 202