The tournament for men and women aged over 30 will be held over 54 holes from April 28-30. 

It’s the first time the tournament will be played in the area.

For district representatives like Mark Johnston and Danny Nesbitt, it is an ideal opportunity for them to pay their way into next year’s NSW Open.

Johnston, 35, is the current club champion and course record holder at Shoalhaven Heads, while Nesbitt came within a whisker of taking this year’s title.

“I came close at Bathurst earlier this year, and with it being played here at Shoalhaven, which is a course I know pretty well, I think I can go one better.” Nesbitt said.

Hall impresses in Eric Apperly Shield Final

Helensburgh’s Jackson Hall has played a starring role for his Sydney club, Concord, in the Eric Apperly Shield final on Sunday at Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club.

Playing at No.4, Hall was a stand out with an impressive 4-and-3 win over his opponent from Bonnie Doon, Kurt Burns. Concord took out the final of the state-wide team competition 4-2.

Heaton in form at Mandurah

Wonoona’s Thomas Heaton recorded a ninth-place finish in the Mandurah Amateur Open in western Australia over the weekend.

The 16-year-old carded rounds of 71, 71, 70 and 70 to finish at two under par, and five shots back of the winner, Victorian Kyle Michel.

Ravnjak ready to roll in China

Cordeaux Heights professional Tahnia Ravnjak is back in action this week on the China LPGA Tour at the Tieling Longshan Golf Challenge. Ravnjak said she is ready to go after a bit of a layoff between tournaments. In a real thrill for the rookie, she is featured up front on the tournmament’s advertising billboard.

Title defence 

The Golf Illawarra squad to defend the NSW Country Championship title, to be played at Goulburn Golf Club on October 6-7, has been announced.

The squad includes Jason Ward (Port Kembla), Paul Fairall (Russell Vale),  Mark Johnston (Shoalhaven Heads), Tom Holz, Danny Nesbitt, and  Anthony Brunero (Links Shell Cove)

Anthony Brunero, who won the Country crown in 2016, returns to the team after the birth of his daughter on the eve of last year’s tournament meant he was unavailable.

The winner of the Country Championship will also get a start in the 2018 NSW Open in November.

In other news, nominations for the Illawarra Academy of Sport are open for golfers aged 13-17 and information can be obtained on the Academy website.

Port Kembla Golf Club is holding a Golf NSW SOOM event to be held on September 21. Entries close Sunday.

Kiama Golf Club will host their annual Mixed tournament, the Minnamurra Bowl on September 22-23.  The format is a four person aggregate stableford and entries close on Monday.