Innovative *Ground Breaking* Inclusive Australia’s Best New Event

The Outback Queensland Masters has hit a hole-in-one at the 2020 Australian Event Awards receiving the award for Australia’s Best New Event.

Event industry leaders from across the country gathered for the awards ceremony in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth as part of a syndicated live event staged in different states simultaneously, all linked up via video technology.

The Judges said, “Innovative, ground-breaking, inclusive, fun and creative – this is an incredibly unique new event. The effort, creativity and resourcefulness of the event organisers is truly impressive.”

The Outback QLD Masters (OQM) is Australia’s most remote golf series, spanning thousands of kilometres through Outback Queensland.

The richest amateur golfing tournament in the world, the idea for the event was born out of a need to drive longer overnight visitation for Outback Queensland, that enabled visitors to genuinely connect with locals through golf.

“Over the course of two months in 2019, the inaugural OQM participants began their journey with us. There was a little trepidation, a big dose of curiosity and there was absolute awe from the locals as we transformed their golf clubs, explained Event Producer, Theresa Famularo of Cre8ion.

At the conclusion of this inaugural year, the Outback Queensland Masters team had created an opportunity that was beyond tourism and visitation or playing a round of golf with world class entertainment under the stars of the Milky Way, we had a new community of visitors who had built new and lasting friendships.”

“We would especially like to thank our strategic partners Tourism and Events Queensland, the Queensland Government who supported the event through the Year of Outback Tourism Events Program and the PGA of Australia, said Luke Bates, State Senior Manager – Queensland, Golf Australia.

We are also grateful for the support from each and every local golf club who so eagerly embraced the event and the contribution from Maranoa Regional Council, Murweh Shire Council, Longreach Regional Council, Winton and Boulia Shire Councils and Mount Isa City Council.

Special thanks must also be given to the team from Cre8ion and Weatherall Golf who played a crucial role in developing and staging the event”

“Congratulations to all the Finalists and Winners. The quality of the entries has meant a very high-scoring year, significantly higher than previous years and the judges have definitely had their work cut out for them.” Peter Rix AM, Co-Chair of the judging panel.

The Outback Queensland Masters was against other national finalists in the new event category, including, SAP e’ffect, INVNT, New South Wales, Greater Springfield Festival of Learning 2019, LOUD events, Queensland, ICC T20 Women’s World Cup Opening Celebration 2020, Michael Cassel Group, New South Wales and North Australian Festival of Arts 2019, Townsville City Council, Queensland.

To give back and provide opportunities for young people in Outback Queensland, free Junior Golf Clinics for local youth were also staged in the six locations on the Outback Queensland Masters with PGA Professional, Darren Weatherall.

“It was a great way for young people to get first-hand knowledge and skills in the game”, said Darren Weatherall, Director, Double You Golf.

In light of COVID-19 many golfing enthusiasts and travelling visitors are asking what’s ahead for the Outback Queensland Masters.

“Based on sales to date we believe next year’s event will sell-out, explains Luke Bates.

By far the most popular ticket being purchased is the “All-inclusive Player Pass” and “All-inclusive Spectator Pass” which provides the player with entry into all six locations over June and July 2021”.

So, who will win the million-dollar hole-in-one in 2021?
Only time will tell.

But with five warm up opportunities with $10,000 hole-in-challenges in Biloela, Charleville, Quilpie, Blackall, and Hughenden, it’s well worth a try. Not to mention the extraordinary journey through the landscapes, legends, and hospitality of Outback Queensland.

(From left) Karen Hanna Miller – TEQ Board Member, Darren Weatherall – Double U Golf, Theresa Famularo – Event Producer Cre8ion, Krista Hauritz – Krista Hauritz Tourism & Events, Denise Brown – CEO Outback Qld Tourism Association and Luke Bates – Golf Australia. Photo credit: Event Pix