One of the truly unique aspects of Australian golf is the challenge of playing on sand greens at one of many such courses spread throughout our rural communities.
To maintain involvement in and enjoyment of the game of golf within many country communities, these voluntary run clubs have created wonderful courses with limited resources. In recognising this commitment to the game and to provide a unique playing opportunity for all Victorian golfers, the Victorian Men’s Sand Greens Championship (1972) and the Victorian Women’s Sand Greens Championship (1975) were introduced over 40 years ago.
In 2016 and continuing the theme of conducting as many Men’s and Women’s Victorian State Championships either concurrently or as close together as possible, Golf Victoria is pleased to partner with Bannockburn Golf Club and stage the 2016 Victorian Men’s and Women’s Sand Green Championships over the same week. Each Championship will be played over 36-holes Stroke-Play with the Women’s title contested on 7-8 September with the Men’s event to follow on the weekend of 10–11 September.
With Bannockburn little more than an hour and a half from Melbourne and close to Geelong, a great opportunity exists for as many players as possible to accept the challenge on a wonderful country sand green course.
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Max McLaren, President of Bannockburn Golf Club has issued the following welcome to all players:
On behalf of the Bannockburn Golf Club we are excited by the opportunity to host the 2016 Golf Victoria Men’s and Women’s Sand Green Championship as a means of showcasing our course and facilities. In a lead up to the Championships we are also hosting the 2016 Golf Victoria Junior Championships which will provide the perfect sounding board to ensure the course set up is ideal for the senior championships.
Given this is the first time the Men’s and Women’s will be staged at the same venue over the same week, in line with the model used for the Victorian Open Championships, it is our intention to set the standard for the clubs that follow in producing a well-coordinated, enjoyable event on a course in its best condition. This year also sees the addition of the 4BBB on the Friday which allows for “any combination” of players to enter with tee time for this available for 9am.
Players will no doubt enjoy the Santa Anna fairways which rarely produce a bad lie and the Scrapes, arguably the fastest sand greens competitors will encounter, provide a golfing challenge as many of the greens are undulating. Players will be certainly well catered for with temporary marques set up around the course to provide refreshments and sustenance, breakfast will be available on each morning of competition.
The traditional championship dinners will be very much enjoyable and given it is finals time the Saturday night focus will be firmly on the Footy. Our ladies have something special planned for the Wednesday evening and we are assured this will be a great evening.
We would suggest players unfamiliar with the course visit our website at www.bannockburngolfclub.org.au as a description of every hole is available along with a map of the course.
Click on the following to be directed to the event homepages:
Women’s Sand Greens Championship
Men’s Sand Greens Championship