Imagine this, Kerri Anne Kennerley has the chance to hole a putt worth $1 million for her team. Well that is one of the many scenarios Frank Williams spoke about when he announced today the most exciting new event on the Australian Golf calendar in years, The Rush . The Rush golf challenge is a unique teams tournament to be played on the magnificent Legends course at the Moonah Links Golf course and The Dunes on the Mornington Peninsula between 27th February and 2nd March 2014. Each team will consist of one professional and one amateur playing in a best ball stroke event, under tournament conditions, over 72 holes. The total purse up for grabs is $1.3m, with $1m going to the winning team. In a first for Australian golf, the winning team will share the $1m first prize, with $500,000 going to the professional and the remaining $500,000 to the amateur nominated charity. Williams mentioned there will be a few tweaks to keep it a little interesting, such as possible concert, but these are exciting times. This is a fantastic opportunity for the entire golfing community, with professionals and amateurs playing together in a true teams event. said Williams. What makes this event even more special is the addition of the Charity Purse . While players will be battling on course, charities will certainly be the big off course winners. Not only will one charity receive half a million dollars, other participating charities will be eligible to a share of hundreds of thousands more from the charity challenge . For the amateurs, they get a taste of what is it really like to play as a professional under tournament conditions on some fantastic golf courses. Come Sunday, we want their knees to be shaking, hearts pumping! Kennerley, who is avid golfing enthusiast, hosted the launch at the Golf Tec centre in Melbourne s CBD and has already committed to playing. I m really, really excited about the event. When Frank spoke to me about it, I said straight away I was in and I can t wait for the opportunity to play in a professional event. More importantly I get the chance to win $500,000 for my charity, Look Good Feel Better Cancer Patients Trust. In terms of who I might ask to play with, well I m throwing a few names around at the moment and you ll have to wait and see who says yes! Celebrity Chef, Ian Curley is another confirmed supporter and starter. I just love golf and to be able to have the opportunity to play with a pro in a teams event under tournament conditions playing for that kind of cash, is a pretty amazing opportunity. said the Executive Chef of The European in Melbourne. I certainly will be doing everything I can between now and then to give myself a chance to win $500,000 for a charity close to my heart, Youth Projects. Former tour professional, three time winner in Europe, and now ALPG President Shani Waugh, is coming out of retirement to play. I think this is a brilliant idea, it is open to everyone, female and male professionals and amateurs. I know I am certainly going to be nervous! Professional Mike Clayton has already lined up his partner, 17-year-old amateur sensation Su Hyun Oh. Tournament fundraising is in support of Australian Communities Foundation with Cancer Council Victoria, Engineers Without Borders and AIME the first to join as eligible charity beneficiaries of the tournament. For further information visit the website www.therushgolf.com.au
Author: Australian Ladies Professional Golf