The talent continues to grow ahead of the 2015 Oates Vic Open with Richard Green joining the field for the third consecutive year. While in the women’s field, 2013 Oates Vic Open champion Stacey Keating will return along with crowd favourite Laura Davies.
Victoria’s own Richard Green is known for being one of Australia’s most consistent golfers but he will hope to improve on last year’s 10th place finish when the PGA Tour of Australasia event commences a week from now. Green boasts six professional wins including the 2004 Australian Masters and the 2010 Portugal Masters.
Tournament Director, David Greenhill believes Green will be a name spectators should expect to see toward the top end of the leader board on Sunday.
“Over the past two Opens, Richard has played very well but has had one round out of the four that’s hurt his chances of winning. Last year he got caught in near gale force winds in round one but fought back to finish 10th overall.
“He is a class player and has been in great form in the early season European Tour events and with now strong knowledge of both courses at Thirteenth Beach, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him right in the thick of things on Sunday,” said Greenhill.
While there are seven past champions returning to the men’s field of the 2015 Oates Vic Open, Stacey Keating is the solo past champion returning to the women’s field, since its reintroduction in 2012 on the ALPG Tour.
“I love this event, and I truly look forward to it each summer! This is as close as I’ll ever get to playing a big event at home, so I’m proud to say it’s in my backyard and I love when I hear everyone raving about the event.”
Stacey’s win at the event in 2013 is one of her most memorable and she will head to Thirteenth Beach with the goal of having her name engraved on the 2015 trophy, becoming the first woman in history to win two Oates Vic Open titles.
“Obviously it would mean the world! To win any event is very special, but this one is extra special.
“It’s as close to home as I’ll ever get. My friends and family try to make the most of it, as for a lot of them it’s the only chance they get to see me play. Sometimes I think it puts extra pressure on, but I just try to lap it up and enjoy it,” Keating said.
Icon of the game, Dame Laura Davies will also take to the women’s field at the 2015 Oates Vic Open for her third straight start.
Greenhill is delighted to have Davies back in the field and expects to see a wealth of support for the legend next week at 13th Beach.
“What more can be said about Dame Laura Davies, a legend of the game. Laura has been a strong performer in the last two years of the event and is as knowledgeable about links golf as any other player in the field,” said Greenhill.
Boasting 85 professional wins across her 30 year career and currently holding the record for the most wins on the Ladies European Tour with 45, Davies presence at the 2015 Oates Vic Open will be a spectacle for both competitors and spectators at the event.
The Oates Vic Open will be played from Thursday 5 February – Sunday 8 February at Thirteenth Beach Golf Links, Barwon Heads.
Click here for the Men’s Honour Roll
Click here for the Women’s Honour Roll