AUSTRALIAN OPEN, Victoria & King Island

SUNDAY 18TH FEBRUARY - SUNDAY 25TH FEBRUARY 2024

If you are a golf enthusiast don't miss the chance to experience some of the best golf courses in the World!  

Package will include:

• 7 nights B&B accommodation based on twin / double share including: 

4 nights in the 4 star Crown Metropol Hotel, South Bank – check in Sunday 18 – check out Thursday 22 February

3 nights in the 4 star RACV Cape Schanck Resort – check in Thursday 22 – check out Sunday 25 February

• 5 rounds of competitive golf on superb courses all ranked in top 20 in Australia;
• Welcome drinks;
• Golf course transfers;
• Prizes for each round and overall totaling £1800;
• All five rounds count towards the 2024 Order of Merit; 

Package Prices:     

• Full package price excluding flights -                          £2991
• Single supplement (7 nights) -                                   £667
• Non golfer -                                                              £944
• Golf only (5 rounds excl welcome drinks) -                 £2132
• Additional night Crown Metropol – twin / double         £100
• Additional night Crown Metropol – single                    £200
• Additional night RACV – twin / double                        £105
• Additional night RACV – single                                  £200

Additional option – King Island – play Ocean Dunes & Cape Wickham

Package including:

·       Internal flight from Melbourne, Moorabbin airport – King Island

·       One night accommodation King Island Hotel

·       One round at Ocean Dunes – ranked 18 in Australia

·       One round at cape Wickham – ranked 5 in Australia & 58 in the World

·       Airport and golf course transfers

·       Shared buggy each round

      Prizes for each round

      Both rounds count towards the 2024 Order of Merit; 

Package prices for additional option – King Island – play Ocean Dunes & Cape Wickham:

• Full package price -                                                    £1092
• Single supplement (1 night) -                                      £70
• Non golfer -                                                               £470

Golf Courses:                                     

Mon 19         Royal Melbourne West - AM or PM TBC - World #7 Australia #1

Tue 20          Kingston Heath - PM Tee time - World #22 Australia #2

Wed 21         Victoria - 8.00am - Australia #9

Thur 22         National (Old) - 1.30pm - World #87 Australia #19

Fri 23            National (Moonah or Gunnamatta) - 1.00pm - Australia #11/#15

Sat 24           Rest day – optional golf can be arranged

Sun 25          Ocean Dunes - 11.10am - Australia #18

Mon 26         Cape Wickham - 9.30am - World #58 Australia #5

Accommodation:

Crown Metropol Hotel, South Bank, Melbourne  

Check in Sunday 18 February - check out Thursday 22 February - 4 nights.

The Crown Metropol Hotel in Melbourne is an urban oasis in the bustling Southbank area, offering stylish and intimate accommodation with all the necessary amenities and beautifully designed rooms.

RACV Cape Schanck Resort, Cape Schanck, Victoria

Check in Thursday 22 February - check out Sunday 25 February - 3 nights.

The RACV Cape Schanck Resort is a stunning destination that offers breathtaking views of the ocean, luxurious accommodations and exceptional amenities.

King Island Hotel, Currie, King Island

Check in Sunday 25 February - check out Monday 26 February - 1 night.

King Island Hotel is the perfect place to stay to relax and unwind.

Golf course transfers:  We have arranged golf course transfers and we will provide a schedule of timings. 

Daily Draw:  The draw for the first two rounds is on the website. The draws for the last round will be made in score order.

Format:  The scoring format each day will be individual Stableford with 95% handicap allowance. All rounds will count towards the 2024 Orders of Merit.

Handicap:  All rounds will be run under the WHS system, but scores will NOT automatically be forwarded to England Golf.  You MUST return your daily scores to your golf club and the easiest way to do this is to forward the email from Golf Genius, which you will receive after each round and which provides details of your scores.

GAGT Overseas Handicap System (OHA):  Where appropriate handicaps will be adjusted after each round in line with the GAGT OHA system which is based on the CONGU handicap system prior to the introduction of WHS, details of which we can provide.  Any adjustments will not affect your club Handicap Index.

The GAGT OHA system will take precedence over any adjustments made by a player’s home club so that everyone is operating on the same system as some clubs are slow to update overseas scores.

 

Prizes:  There will be prizes for the leading three scores each day.

To avoid any excess baggage charges prizes will be in the form of vouchers for the Tour as follows:

Daily vouchers: 1st - £100, 2nd - £70, 3rd - £50       Overall vouchers:  1st - £175, 2nd £150, 3rd - £125.

Range balls:  Range balls are included each day.

Buggies:  

Scoring format:  Play will be predominantly in fourballs for each round.  The scoring format will be Individual Stableford with 95% of Course Handicap allowance.  The maximum handicap limits will be 24 for men and 30 for ladies.

Tees:  TBC – depending on conditions on the day

Local Rules:  Local Rules on the scorecard will be in play in addition to the R&A Rules of Golf.

Order of Merit:  Merit points will be awarded for all five rounds. You will need to be a current member of the GAGT to qualify for merit points.

Due to the size of the field being only 9 competitors we have adjusted the OoM points as follows:

1^st – 98, 2 – 97. 3 – 96, 4 -95, 5 – 94, 6 – 93, 7 – 92, 8 – 91, 9 – 90

Nearest the Pin:  There will be two Nearest the Pin competitions per round each getting a £25 GAGT voucher.

Order of Merit:  Merit points will be awarded for each rounds.

Shorts:  Ankle length socks are acceptable at each course, shorts must be tailored.

GPS & Range finding equipment:  The use of GPS range finding devices is permitted on the Tour.