With the weekend’s challenge ahead and a $10,000 hole-in-one up for grabs, Outback Queensland Masters players arrived early in Boulia to begin practising on the iconic red ‘sand’ greens.
They say in the Land of the Min Min Light ‘stranger things can happen’, and with a stroke of irony, while practising 24 hours ahead of the official tee-off, OQM player, Peter Skeers hit a hole-in-one!
So the story goes, Peter, with a soft 7 iron hit the ball which landed about two feet from the pin and then bounced 6 inches straight into the pot. He and his fellow players didn’t see it go in until they walked up to the hole.
Peter said, “It was my first hole-in-one in 44 years of playing”!
A great achievement and one Peter’s unlikely to forget.
Local golfer, Leaim Shaw of the Boulia Golf Club took out the coveted orange jacket in the men’s with a total 37 points. Travelling from the NSW Southern Riverina, Natasha Mason of the Jerilderie Golf Club with a total 38 points was awarded the women’s orange jacket.
“This weekend we had local juniors join us early on Saturday morning, some first-timers and others keen to fine-tune their skills,” explained OQM resident PGA Pro, Darren Weatherall. “It was great to see their enthusiasm for the sport, and I can’t wait to continue our Junior Clinics, FREE at each location of the Outback Queensland Masters. They just have to register online and turn up. It’s that easy,” explains Darren.
Over 980 golfing enthusiasts travelling from as far as Tasmania and Western Australia have joined the 1,600km outback golf journey. Having completed their first two locations in Birdsville and Boulia they’re heading into dinosaur country in Winton, where the players and spectators will also enjoy the town’s annual Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival.
It’s then onto Barcaldine, Charleville and culminating in Quilpie with a Million-Dollar Hole-In-One challenge from the 19th to the 21st of July.
Therese Magdulski added, “The event is presented by Golf Australia, and we would especially like to thank our strategic partners Tourism and Events Queensland and Birdie Spirit Partners PGA of Australia, Rex Airlines and BCL Production Services.
“Support from local golf clubs and their members who so eagerly embraced the masters has been integral to this success. The Boulia Golf Club and their volunteers again supported the Outback Queensland Masters.
“We could not have been staged without assistance from local government, including the Boulia Shire Council, Diamantina Shire Council Winton Shire Council, Barcaldine Regional Council, Murweh Shire Council and Quilpie Shire Council. Thanks to our Mateship Partners Bushnell Golf, Drummond Golf, Callaway, IJS Productions and Your Mates Brewing Co.”
The 2024 Outback Queensland Masters is taking place from 15 June – 21 July 2024; limited player and spectator passes remain at www.outbackqldmasters.com!
Outback Queensland Masters is supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland.
DOWNLOAD THE HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES – BOULIA
RESULTS – ORANGE JACKET WINNERS
WOMEN’S
Natasha Mason, Jerilderie Golf Club – Total – 38points
MEN’S
Leaim Shaw, Boulia Golf Club – Total 37 points
OFFICIAL PROGRAM
www.outbackqldmasters.com/official-program/
15 & 16 June
22 & 23 June
29 & 30 June
6 & 7 July
13 & 14 July
19, 20 & 21 July
