Date: September 19, 2016
Author: Tony Durkin

Hole-in-one a $� million reward

Castrisos has been a member of The Brisbane Golf Club for 31 years, plays off a handicap of four and estimates he has played the 15th hole, under its current set-up, maybe 400 times.

And he reckons the chances of someone acing the hole during the Isuzu Queensland Open next month, and snaring the $½ million up for grabs, seemed miniscule and well worth the massive cash price.

But the 43-year-old Coorparoo dentist genuinely hopes he is wrong, and that sponsor Windsor Income Protection does have to part with the $500,000 prizemoney.

He is also anticipating that PGA officials, who have confirmed the tees will be moved forward on the weekend of October 22 and 23, will also locate the pins in ‘gettable’ positions.

“It is a terrific concept and will add another dimension to the Open for both the players and the spectators,” Castrisos said.

“And while I think acing the hole might be a long shot, we need to take into account the fact that the guys playing the Open are among the best golfers in the country – both professional and amateur. Some of the amateurs, for instance, play off handicaps of plus five, so they have pretty much mastered the game.”

Castrisos said he was sure crowds would flock to that corner of the course because, with the tees forward and the wind hopefully helping, players would no doubt ‘have a crack’ at the $500,000 on offer.

“But still, from more than 250 metres away, anyone who aces the hole will have a fair slice of luck on their side,” he said.

Following the floods of 2011, BGC reconfigured the 15th hole making it a ‘risk and reward’ par four. According to Castrisos low markers and long hitters will often ‘have a crack’ at driving the green.

“But with water and a bunker on the right and three more bunkers protecting the green on the left, it isn’t an easy shot. I have knocked it on once in five years,” he said.

In announcing the added prizemoney incentive in association with the Queensland Golf Foundation, Windsor Income Protection said the first player to have a hole-in-one on the 15th hole on either the Saturday or Sunday of the Open would win $400,000, with a further $100,000 awarded to the Queensland Golf Foundation.

The hole-in-one sponsorship and partnership with the Isuzu Queensland Open is also part of Windsor Income Protection's ongoing commitment to the development of golf in Queensland.

"We are proud to be a long-time supporter of the Isuzu Queensland Open. This event really does provide the opportunity for Australia's next generation of golfers to gain the necessary experience and confidence to enter the global stage," said Windsor Income Protection Chief Operating Officer Jason Potter-Rose.

"Our $500,000 sponsorship of the hole-in-one not only provides a chance to give a player
the financial boost needed to achieve their dreams of furthering their golfing career but we are also excited that 20 per cent of the amount will go to the Foundation to help encourage more young people to take up golf and make it their game for life."

The Queensland Golf Foundation, the fundraising arm of Golf Queensland, works to increase the number of people playing golf in Queensland through implementing new programs and initiatives for children, women and in clubs. With the support of the Isuzu Queensland Open, the Queensland Golf Foundation will be able to provide even more opportunity for people in Queensland to play golf.

"If a player is successful a sum of $100,000 means we will be able to increase the number of MYGolf camps we offer to children,” said Golf Queensland CEO Lindsay Ellis.

“Currently, because of resourcing, we are only able to service certain places in Queensland. With this money, we will be able to give children in metropolitan, rural and regional areas the chance to attend camps and learn to play golf.”

In anticipation of big crowd interest in the excitement generated at the 15th hole during the Open, a spectator grandstand will be constructed adjacent to the green.