GOLF

By Martin Blake

BIG golf is coming back to Rosebud Country Club this week as the Mornington Peninsula gets ready to celebrate some of the best players in Australia on one of the region’s favourite courses.

TPS Victoria, hosted by Geoff Ogilvy, is returning after its stunning debut at Rosebud in 2021, with its innovative format mixing men and women, professionals and amateurs in the same field.

Male pros include 2006 US Open and all-time great Ogilvy, accomplished stars like Matt Griffin and Brett Rumford and recent tournament winners Jack Thompson and Anthony Quayle.

The women who could contend include two new LPGA Tour graduates Stephanie Kyriacou and Karis Davidson, along with rookie New South Wales pro Grace Kim.

The tournament runs from Thursday to Sunday with a $200,000 prize pool.

It will be played on a composite of the two Rosebud courses, with two holes from the North course dropped out of the rota, replaced by one from the South course and a new par-three. The changes are designed for ease of spectating.

Crowds will witness the benefits of the OCM Golf masterplan for Rosebud that was delivered two years ago, and the brilliant work of superintendent Ian Todd, formerly of Victoria GC.

Local heroes like 15-year-old Molly McLean and Greg Wilson, both reigning Rosebud club champions, are in the field and sure to attract strong followings.

“We’re excited because it’s an opportunity to showcase our great facility,” said Danny McGrath, Rosebud Country Club’s Chief Executive.

“That’s going to be highlighted not only by some of the high-profile players coming to compete but also by some of the RCC members who are in the event.

“We expect a big following for those players and with some tweaks that we’ve made to parking arrangements, we’re hoping for even bigger crowds this year. The profile that we get from this event just can’t be underestimated.”

First published in the Mornington News – 1 February 2022