A Million Dollar Hole-In-One remains up for grabs in 2022 in Queensland’s most western town, Birdsville. The Outback Queensland Masters event now in its third year, has amateur golfers set on scoring the million-dollar hole-in-one which remains unclaimed.
The 2021 sold out event saw amateur David Pennel from Canberra strike it rich on a remote sandgreen in one of the five $10,000 hole-in-ones on offer with the odds at 12,500 to 1.
“The Outback Queensland Masters is looking like another sell-out success with 80 per cent of passes now sold,” explains Luke Bates, Queensland Manager, Golf Australia. “This initiative, presented by Golf Australia and partnered by Tourism & Events Queensland, is to encourage visitors to spread the economic benefit to as much of the outback as possible, while experiencing some incredibly unique locations, golf courses and outback Queensland hospitality.”
The majority of players are gearing up to take on the 3,000km+ outback road trip adventure (that’s longer than the entire length of Great Britain!) over six weekends of competition in June and July 2022. The final round of the competition taking place in Birdsville (Population: 100) will see contenders vie for the million-dollar hole-in-one on Queensland’s newest golf course, the Birdsville Dunes Golf Club, on the edge of the Simpson Desert.
Returning winner Leonie Pratt of Bribie Island, who took home the orange jacket from the 2021 Charleville round said, “It offers more than the accolades I received as one of the 2021 winners. This well organised event became a fun-filled six-week tour of friendliness through the people we met and the discovery and experience of Outback Queensland life. This is why I’ll be returning to challenge again this year in 2022.”
They call it a golfing tournament of a different kind, with amateur golfers, from happy hackers to a hole-in-one master, the 2022 Outback Queensland Masters will travel across six locations from Roma to Tambo, Barcaldine, Winton and Mount Isa, culminating in Birdsville 22 – 24th July 2022.
“The Outback Queensland Masters continues to be an amazing experience for the visitors, the clubs, and the juniors. I can honestly say we have been overwhelmed by the outstanding support of the local communities,” said Luke Bates, “It’s the hospitality and genuine characters of Outback Queensland that makes the players really enjoy the challenge and mateship of this tournament.’’
“The Outback Queensland Masters is presented by Golf Australia, with strategic partner Tourism & Events Queensland and with six local government councils.”
“A real legacy of the event has been the free Junior Clinic for youth in Outback Queensland, conducted by PGA Pro, Darren Weatherall,” said Luke Bates. “In 2021 we had 150 young players join in with several juniors showing true potential for the future of golf.”
“It’s a great way for young people to get first-hand knowledge and skills in the game”, said Darren Weatherall. “Throughout the journey I will also be offering free advice and tips to adult golfers, including hints to secure that hole-in-one.”
The official tee off for 2022 will occur at the Roma Golf Club to be staged on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June.
Event 1 Roma – June 18 & 19, 2022
Event 2 Tambo – June 25 & 26, 2022
Event 3 Barcaldine – July 2 & 3, 2022
Event 4 Winton – July 9 & 10, 2022
Event 5 Mount Isa – July 16 & 17, 2022
Event 6 Birdsville – July 22, 23 & 24, 2022
15 & 16 June
22 & 23 June
29 & 30 June
6 & 7 July
13 & 14 July
19, 20 & 21 July
