Elite golfers go round at Concord

sport
- General

29 Oct 08 @ 04:02pm by Shireen Khalil

A HUGE $300, 000 is up for grabs at Concord Golf Club’s Handa Open this week.

The 54-hole event brings together an inspiring array of international golfing talent, including household names such as defending champion Wayne Grady, Rodger Davis and Terry Gale all competing for a prize purse of $300,000.

“The re-birth of the Handa Open last year gave all senior male competitors from around the globe the chance to compete for a national championship and the honour that goes with such a victory,” competition founder and Japanese businessman Haruhisa Handa said.

“However, all the accolades and media attention will only be part of the enjoyment, with the real reward coming from the chance to take out the largest prize money purse for seniors in Australia.”

Mr Handa, who is also the honorary patron of the International Blind Golf Association, has invited blind golf champions from every state in Australia to play in the event Pro-Am, taking place on Thursday, October 30.

Last year’s Handa Open saw Wayne Grady take the tournament by one stroke from David Merriman in the “most unusual of circumstances”.

The two players were tied for the lead going into the last three holes when Merriman’s caddy inadvertently raked the bunker he was yet to hit out of, costing him a two-stroke penalty.

Grady eventually finished with a three under score of 210, Merriman carded a 211 and Graham Bannister took third place with a two over score of 215.

Entry to the Handa Open, which is between October 31 and November 2, is a gold coin donation at the gate to the tournament’s nominated charity.