Outback Queensland Masters golf tournament tees off at St George | Photos

Golfing enthusiasts descended on St George to compete for the coveted orange jacket in Australia’s most remote golf series. SEE THE PHOTOS:

Amateur golfers gathered at the St George golf course to kick off the annual Outback Queensland Masters.

Amateur golfers from across Australia kicked off this year’s Outback Queensland Masters tournament at the St George golf course.

The winner of the coveted orange jacket for the women’s category was Kayleen Hall of the Roma Golf Club with 42 points while in the men’s division Ross Jackson of the Canungra Area Golf Club, who had never played on sand greens before, managed to pull off a 39 point win.

The tournament is fast becoming an iconic Australian bucket list destination for golf lovers, recently taking out gold at the Australian Tourism Awards for the Best Grey Nomad Event of 2022.

Since its inception in 2019, the Outback Queensland Masters has generated millions of dollars in visitor spend for the remote communities of Outback Queensland. In 2022 alone the tour generated 13,062 visitor nights and contributed $1.89m to the Queensland economy.

“This event really helps spread visitor spend through to the far reaches of this great and vast region, with the majority competing over the full six-locations,” Balonne Shire Mayor Samantha O’Toole said.

“It was such a great opportunity to have an exciting event and series kick-off at the St George Golf Club.

PGA golf pro Darren Weatherall with Balonne Shire Mayor Samantha O'Toole at the Outback Queensland Masters in St George. Picture: Supplied.

“When the event organisers originally approached us, we jumped at the opportunity to have this event in Balonne for the local community.

“The whole event, from the talent, precision and sportsmanship on the fairways, through to the comedy and opera show was great to have in our shire.

“I really enjoyed watching the smiles on the faces of our local children at the Junior Golf Clinic as they got to rub shoulders with PGA professional Darren Weatherall.

“Hopefully, it will encourage, inspire, and elevate men’s and women’s participation in golf in the region.

“Who knows, we may have just inspired Australia’s next golfing great to take to the fairways!

“We would certainly welcome this event back to our shire next year.”

Golf Australia’s Luke Bates said this was the first time the competition had been staged in St George.

“It’s been a weekend of firsts, being the first time the event has been staged in St George, our longest adventure of 2800km through Outback Queensland and the first time we’ve had competitors from every state of Australia, including Western Australia,” Mr Bates said.

Golfers from across the country competed at the Outback Queensland Masters in St George on June 17 and 18, 2023. Picture: Supplied.

“This competition isn’t all about winning a hole-in-one, it’s all about the experience, discovering new places and meeting new people.

“This event showcases how different the game of golf can be. The sand green courses of Outback Queensland provide a unique experience for players of all levels and ages, with the overall objective to have a lot of fun.”

Local St George junior golfers aged from five to 14 had the chance to participate in the free Junior Clinics Program with PGA professional Darren Weatherall from Brisbane.

Golfers from across the country competed at the Outback Queensland Masters in St George on June 17 and 18, 2023. Picture: Supplied.

“Here in St George and throughout the next five locations we’re touring with the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship Trophy, the Kirkwood Cup,” he said.

“The Cup, named after Joe Kirkwood, really put Australian golf on the map, credited with scoring twenty-nine hole-in-ones and numerous national and international tournaments across the United States of America, Canada, and the Australian and New Zealand Opens.

What’s fascinating, as the story goes, when Joe Kirkwood was a youngster, he went to work on an outback station where his boss introduced him to the game of golf. From these humble beginnings, he turned professional in 1920.”

The next stop on the Outback Queensland Masters tour is Cunnamulla where competitors will tee off this Saturday June 24.

Check out all the photos from the weekend.

50+ photos: Outback Queensland Masters 2023, St George

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Originally published as Outback Queensland Masters golf tournament tees off at St George | Photos