Players from across Australia embraced the bush charm of the Cunnamulla landscapes for the second weekend of the 2023 Outback Queensland Masters.
“Home advantage proved helpful on the challenging sand greens with Cunnamulla Golf Club’s Janis Schmidt (40 points) and Kennith Cavanough (36 points) both picking up the coveted orange jacket,” said Luke Bates, Queensland and Northern Territory Manager, Golf Australia.
“A great weekend of golf in Cunnamulla, the community were thrilled to have the Outback Masters Golf Tournament and congratulations to the winners of this weekend’s competition,” said Cr Suzette Beresford, Paroo Shire Council.
Luke Bates added, “This is Australia’s most remote golf tournament and the first time the event has taken place in Cunnamulla, the home of the iconic bush character, the Cunnamulla Fella.
“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.
“This competition isn’t all about winning, it’s all about the experience, discovering new places and meeting new people.”
Illusionist, Josh Norbido brought the art of magic to top off the first day of play at the Dinner Under the Stars evening before multi-Golden Guitar award winner Luke O’Shea got players and spectators up on their feet to dance the night away under the Milky Way.
Seventeen enthusiastic locals aged from five to fourteen years got hooked on the game of golf over the weekend, participating in the free Junior Clinics Program with PGA professional Darren Weatherall, from Brisbane.
Darren Weatherall explained, “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.
“After the morning clinic finished, they stayed for another few hours practising their swings into the hitting net and trying to beat their longest drives on the TrackMan!”
Luke Bates said, “Support from local golf clubs and their members who so eagerly embraced the masters has been integral to this success, and the Cunnamulla Golf Club has been no exception this weekend. Thank you, Cunnamulla!”
The Outback Queensland Masters is fast becoming an iconic Australian bucket list destination golf event, recently recognised nationally taking out gold at the 2022 Australian Tourism Awards and gold for the Best Grey Nomad Event 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, and in 2022 generated 13,062 visitor nights and contributed $1.89M to the Queensland economy.
The Outback Queensland Masters is presented by Golf Australia, with strategic partner Tourism & Events Queensland and Birdie Spirit Partners, PGA of Australia, Rex Airlines and BCL Production Services with six local government authorities, including Balonne Shire Council, Paroo Shire Council, Quilpie Shire Council, Richmond Shire Council, Carpentaria Shire Council and Mount Isa City Council.
The 2023 Outback Queensland Masters is taking place from 17 June – 23 July 2023; limited player and spectator passes remain at www.outbackqldmasters.com!
Outback Queensland Masters is supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland.
RESULTS
IMAGES – CUNNAMULLA 2023
INTERVIEWS
Luke Bates
Queensland and Northern Territory Manager, Golf Australia
LukeB@golf.org.au
M 0439 780 677
Cr. Suzette Beresford PSM
Paroo Shire Council, Mayor
M 0427 551 191
15 & 16 June
22 & 23 June
29 & 30 June
6 & 7 July
13 & 14 July
19, 20 & 21 July
