Date: November 10, 2016
Author: Golf Australia

Royal treat for Canberra golf fans

One of Australia's great golf courses is about to show its new face to the world — and Canberrans are invited to the grand opening party.

The world renowned Royal Canberra Golf Club will thrown open its doors on Sunday so the ACT community can check out the newly renovated Championship Westbourne Course.

To celebrate the grand re-opening, the club will host a seven-hole exhibition match featuring US Open champ Geoff Ogilvy on his way to the Emirates Australian Open.

Ogilvy will play alongside friend, business partner and fellow professional Mike Clayton, Royal Canberra’s club champion Andrew Tharle and media personality Andrew Daddo.

For three years, the benchmark of championship golf in the nation’s capital has been undergoing an extensive renovation designed by course architects Ogilvy Clayton Cocking Mead.

And Ogilvy is excited for all to see the visually stunning new design, open to the public for the first time since the club hosted the Women’s Australian Open in 2013.

"I'm looking forward very much to getting back and playing the new course," Ogilvy said.

"I'm especially excited to see the run of holes home from the 13th. I think these six new holes have a real chance to be included amongst the best groups of finishing holes in the country."

Admission to the course is free on Sunday, with gates to open at midday and the exhibition match to start about 2pm.

But every person who comes to the course must register via the club's website, www.royalcanberra.com.au.

The day will also include live music, entertainment, golf merchandise, BBQ and a variety of food and beverage outlets for all guests.