2006 Proton NSW Open comes right to the heart of the city

The Moore Park Golf Course will be the new host of the 2006 Proton NSW Open in November this year said the Minister for the Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Sandra Nori.

Ms Nori hailed the agreement reached between the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust and the NSW Golf Association as an exciting development for both Moore Park and golf lovers of Sydney.

'It is indeed fitting that a time-honoured tournament such as the NSW Open, known as the ‘People’s Open’ due to its free public admission – will in its 75th year be played in the ‘People’s park’ just 5kms from the Sydney CBD', said Ms Nori.

‘Moore Park Golf Course is not only a public course and an iconic part of Centennial Parklands but its locale gives so many people the opportunity to come along and witness elite competitive golf being played right on the city’s doorstep', said Ms Nori.

The NSW Government will provide $50,000 through its Major Events Board in financial support to the 2006 Proton NSW Open, which will be held from the 9th to the 12th November. Financial support of $50,000 was provided to the NSW Open in both 2004 and 2005.

'I thank the NSW Golf Association, its sponsors, the Major Events Board, and the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust for the work they have done in bringing this concept to fruition', said Ms Nori.

This decision to bring the 2006 Proton NSW Open closer to the city is also a great reflection on the hard work and dedication of the staff at Moore Park Golf Course said Ms Nori.

'That the Trust has been asked to host such an event is a real vote of confidence in their ability to deliver a high standard championship golf course within the popular public open spaces of Centennial Parklands', she said.

For further details on this tournament and the Moore Park Golf Course please see below.  

NSW Open

The 75th NSW Golf Association Proton NSW Open will this year be played at Moore Park Golf Course from 9th to the 12th November, with a preliminary Pro AM event to be played on November 8th.

The Open is pleased to retain Proton as its major sponsor, and to announce an increase in prizemoney this year to $125,000, consolidating its position as the highest prizemoney-paying event on the growing Von Nida Tour.

The Proton NSW Open is the final and most prestigious event on the Von Nida Tour, offering the winner a highly sought-after exemption for the major Australian Open to be played the following week.

First played in 1931, the NSW Open has a proud history and boasts an honour roll of some of the all time greats of Australian golf. Past winners include Norman Von Nida, Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle, Greg Norman, Jack Newton, Craig Parry, Ian Baker-Finch and Peter Lonard.

The defending Champion is Michael Wright from Queensland.

The NSW Open has been played at Liverpool Golf Club for the last two years and the NSWGA congratulates Liverpool on its decision to upgrade its golf course, which, in time, will give the club a wonderful course for its members and visitors.

Moore Park Golf Club

Moore Park Golf Course is a 18 Hole par 70 Championship Golf Course situated within Centennial Parklands on the outskirts of the city centre.

The course was first played as an 18-hole golf course in 1922, undergoing 2 major redevelopments since that time. The most recent major reconstruction of the course occurred in 1992, following its transition to the management of the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust.

This redesign resulted in the course attaining Group One Championship status, the only inner city public course that has been able to achieve this feat in Australia.

The course has been an icon for hundreds of thousands of golfers over its history and has played a prominent role in the development of golf in this city of the last 85 years.

The Course previously hosted the NSW Open back in 1963. 

Golf Course features include large sand-based greens and rolling fairways, a historic heritage listed Clubhouse, and an accompanying day-night 60 bay driving range – with the famous Sydney skyline as backdrop.  

For further information   

Proton NSW Open  
David Allen, Executive Director
NSW Golf Association    0416 142 700

 Moore Park Golf Course 
Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust (02) 9339 6699