Graeme Phillipson, Golf NSW General Manager Golf, said it was fitting the NSW Country Championship was returning to Goulburn in 2016 as the region has a rich golfing heritage with a number of Australia's leading golfers having played the picturesque Goulburn Golf Course layout.
"Bruce Devlin and Brett Ogle both called Goulburn home before going on to stellar golfing careers on the toughest golf stage of them all, the US PGA tour,” Graeme Phillipson said.
"They have excelled on and off the fairways of golf, Bruce with his international course design business and Brett as a successful sports commentator.
"On behalf of the Board of Golf NSW I congratulate Goulburn Mulwaree Council and local Goulburn member Pru Goward MP for their combined efforts in securing the NSW Country Championship for the next three years.
"Some very talented golfers have their names on the NSW Country Championship trophy including Lucas Parsons, Nathan Green and four time Goulburn Club champion Bruce Devlin. Golf NSW is hoping another future PGA winner is just 18 holes away from achieving success on the big stage courtesy of the event being staged in Goulburn,” Graeme Phillipson added.
Mayor Geoff Kettle, said Goulburn Mulwaree Council was very pleased to be hosting the NSW Country Golf Championships from 2016 for the next three years.
"Our city has a strong sporting community with many sporting legends having been born and raised in Goulburn, including Brett Ogle, with others such as Peter O'Malley choosing to relocate here in more recent years,” Mayor Kettle said.
"The NSW Country Golf Championship is a unique event as it sees golfers from across NSW teeing it up in search of victory and a spot in the NSW Open, which is great for golf and our local economy.
"We are thrilled to be hosting the event for the next three years and thank The Hon. Pru Goward for advocating Goulburn as the host City for this signature NSW sporting event.
"We also look forward to continuing to partner with Golf NSW and identify further opportunities for Goulburn to host other state level golf tournaments,” Mayor Kettle added.