A LOCAL golf event will push ahead with strong numbers this weekend, despite fears earlier in the year it would be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Loxton Golf Club’s open event kicks off this Friday and runs through until Sunday, with over 180 entrants registered for the weekend.
Loxton Golf Club men’s captain Michael Taylor said while it was “touch and go” for a while, they have decided to push on with the event.
“We held off making a decision until as late as we possibly could,” he said.
“Unlike some of the other golf clubs, we weren’t keen on moving the date.
“Our date has always been the last weekend of July and we have always had strong numbers.
“We didn’t want to mess with that so we thought it is either going to be on the last weekend of July or we were not going to have it.
“Thankfully the restrictions eased just in time for us to be able to go ahead with it.
“We can hold it now with just some minor restrictions in place, but they don’t really impact on us holding the Open.”
Mr Taylor said the club was “thrilled” by the response of people looking to enter the event.
“We were able to get out entry forms out in mid-June and the response has been the best it has ever been in terms of the speed of the entry forms coming in,” he said.
“It is probably because people want to get out and do things.
“Our fields are completely full over the three days.
“On the Friday we have the fun day, and we have 130 players, plus sponsors, which is a full field.
“Then on Saturday and Sunday for the open, we have got 185.
“We have had up to 200 in the past, but we didn’t want to have it that big.
“We originally decided to cap it at 170, knowing that we could go a little bit bigger if we had to, and that filled in a matter of less than two weeks.
“The speed they came in was unprecedented.
“That was partly because of how late the entry forms went out, but we were having people ask us from all over the state if the Open was on, so people were keen to come.”
According to Mr Taylor, a “quality field” will hit the fairways this weekend, with one particular local looking to claim his first Loxton title.
“Probably the standout is Andrew Hume, who is a Loxton golfer, who plays off a plus two handicap,” he said.
“He won the Barmera Open just gone and he has won several events around the Riverland over the last few years.
“The Loxton Open is one that he still hasn’t won yet, he has been runner-up several times, so he is definitely keen to win it.
“There are a number of players close to scratch and one or two handicap players who will be taking part and, on their day, any of them are worthy competitors.”
Mr Taylor thanked sponsors of the event, including its major supporter.
“I would really like to thank Koch’s Foodland, they are our major sponsor for the Open and they have been for more than 10 years,” he said.
“When I went to see Grenfell Koch, once we had decided the event was going ahead, I said that I understand there are all sorts of weird things going on and we don’t expect anything, but he was quick to say that he was keen.
“These events don’t happen without great sponsors like them.”
Mr Taylor encouraged locals to consider joining the golf club as a way of staying active this winter.
“The Loxton golf course is in awesome condition at the moment,” he said.
“We are getting great numbers of members because some winter sports haven’t gone ahead and we are still going to take on more.
“We have got a special membership package at the moment for anyone who is looking for something to do through winter because they can’t play their other sports.
“If anyone is interested, they should get in contact with the club.”