Barkies Hit in Barcaldine

July 3, 2022

The Outback Queensland Masters, teed off in Barcaldine on its third location for the 2022 event.

A rainy start to the third round of the Outback Queensland Masters put no dampener on the spirits of the 144 players who took to the Barcaldine sand greens over the weekend.

Plenty of ‘barkies’ were hit, and kangaroos joined players across the course at Barcaldine Golf Club, in what was the club’s first time hosting the golfing tournament of a different kind.

The event’s Dinner Under the Stars evening saw players and spectators embracing the official Welcome to Country by the Desert Dust Dancers who had them taking part in their Curlew Dance. Bush Poet Bob Pacey had the crowd in fits of laughter with his verses before The Hillybilly Goats transported everyone on a quirky journey through roots and old-time blues to wrap up the evening entertainment.

“Congratulations to the Barcaldine winners, Women’s Paula Heelan of Borneo Barracks Golf Club, and the Men’s, Paul Conway of North Rockhampton Golf Club. Both players marked their third event of the series by being awarded the coveted orange jacket at the awards ceremony, held Sunday afternoon at Barcaldine Golf Club,” said Luke Bates, Queensland and Northern Territory Manager, Golf Australia.

Shane Gray, Barcaldine Regional Council Mayor said, “On Outback Queensland Masters, we are all friends, we just didn’t know until we met.”

“This is an event for everyone, it doesn’t matter if you haven’t played before, or only hit golf balls at the driving range or putt-putt, everyone is welcome to join us for this amazing fun experience,” said Luke Bates.

“This is Australia’s most remote golf tournament and our longest journey ever of 2,035 kilometres through Outback Queensland, joined by our largest number of players and spectators yet attracting visitors from all over Australia.

“We’re now at the halfway point of the competition, with many of the players vying for the Million Dollar Hole-In-One challenge at the end of this six-location event. We make way to Winton next weekend, followed by Mount Isa before culminating in Birdsville.”

More than twenty juniors aged from five to fourteen years joined the free Junior Clinics Program with PGA professional Darren Weatherall from Brisbane.

“The Outback Queensland Masters legacy is to give youth in Outback Queensland an opportunity to either try golf for the first time or fine-tune their skills,” explained Darren Weatherall, PGA Pro on tour.

Luke Bates added, “The event is presented by Golf Australia, and we would especially like to thank our strategic partner Tourism and Events Queensland and Birdie Spirit Partner PGA of Australia.

“Support from local golf clubs and their members who so eagerly embraced the masters has been integral to this success, and the Barcaldine Golf Club has been no exception this weekend. Thank you, Barcaldine!

“We can’t stage this event without assistance from local government, including the Blackall-Tambo Regional Council, Maranoa Regional Council, Barcaldine Regional Council, Winton Shire Council, Mount Isa City Council and Diamantina Shire Council,” Bates said.

The Outback Queensland Masters is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.

*Golf Lingo – Barkie: When your ball hits any part of a tree and you still complete the hole with a par.