Victorian Open Explained
Vic Open |
Location: | Barwon Heads, Australia |
Establishment: | 1957 |
Course: | 13th Beach Golf Links (Beach Course) |
Par: | 72 |
Yardage: | 6778yd |
Tour: | European Tour PGA Tour of Australasia Von Nida Tour |
Format: | Stroke play |
Month Played: | February |
To-Par: | −21 as above |
Current Champion: | Brett Coletta |
Coordinates: | -38.2779°N 144.4577°W |
Map: | Australia#Victoria |
Map Label: | 13th Beach Golf Links |
Map Relief: | yes |
The Victorian Open is an annual golf tournament held in Australia. It was founded in 1957 and is the Victoria state open championship for men. It is run by Golf Victoria and is a Golf Australia national ranking event.
The event is held concurrently with the Women's Victorian Open and offers equal prize pool for the two events. The tournament's tag line is: "Men and women. On the same course. At the same time. For equal prize money." The men and women play on the same course at the same time in alternating groups.[1]
History
The first Victorian Open was played at Riversdale in 1957, replacing the Victorian Close Championship which had been first held in 1948.[2] It was won by Ossie Pickworth who finished 10 strokes ahead of the field.[3] Prize money was £250 but only one competitor, amateur Harry Hattersley, was from outside the state.[2]
Three of the first four editions were won by Victorians with Gary Player winning 1959. However professionals from New South Wales won 9 of the 10 events from 1961 to 1970 with only Peter Thomson from Victoria breaking their run of success in 1968.
From 2004 to 2007 the tournament was part of the second-tier Von Nida Tour. It was not played in 2008 but from 2009 to 2016 it was a Tier 2 event on the PGA Tour of Australasia schedule. In 2017 it became a Tier 1 event.
Since 2012, it has been held concurrently with the Women's Victorian Open, being held at 13th Beach Golf Links in Barwon Heads, Victoria since 2013.[4] When the tournament moved to 13th Beach Golf Links in 2013 the combined prize pool was $300,000, with $150,000 on offer for each of the men's and women's fields. In six years, the total prize pool has increased ten-fold. In 2019, the men's and women's Victorian Open fields played for a total purse of $3 million, $1.5 million for each event.
In 2019 and 2020, the event was co-sanctioned by the European Tour. The event continues to be played alongside the Women's Victorian Open, now co-sanctioned by the LPGA Tour. The event features a double cut, 65 players will remain after the first cut, then 35 players after the Saturday cut.[5] In February 2019, James Nitties matched the world record of nine consecutive birdies in the Victorian Open. His birdie run from the 15th to the fifth in the first round set a European Tour record and matched Mark Calcavecchia's feat in the 2009 Canadian Open.[6] David Law won the first co-sanctioned European Tour edition of the event. He won by a one stroke margin after entering the final three holes three strokes behind. Law birdied the 16th and eagled the final hole, this coupled with Wade Ormsby double bogeying his penultimate hole, led to Law claiming victory.[7]
No event was played in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] The event returned in 2022 as a sole-sanctioned PGA Tour of Australasia event and had a reduced prize fund.[9]
Winners
Year | Tour(s) | Winner | Score | To par | Margin of victory | Runner(s)-up | Venue | |
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Vic Open |
---|
2024 | | | 270 | −18 | 2 strokes | | 13th Beach | |
2023 | | | 267 | −21 | 4 strokes | | 13th Beach | |
2022 | | Dimitrios Papadatos (2) | 267 | −21 | 1 stroke | | 13th Beach | |
2021: No tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic | |
ISPS Handa Vic Open |
---|
2020 | | | 269 | −19 | 2 strokes | | 13th Beach | |
2019 | | | 270 | −18 | 1 stroke | | 13th Beach | |
Oates Vic Open |
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2018 | | | 274 | −14 | Playoff | | 13th Beach | |
2017 | | | 272 | −16 | 2 strokes | | 13th Beach | |
2016 | | | 275 | −13 | Playoff | | 13th Beach | |
2015 | | | 272 | −16 | Playoff | | 13th Beach | |
Oates Victorian Open Championship |
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2014 | | | 281 | −7 | Playoff | | 13th Beach | |
Victorian Open |
---|
2013 | | | 275 | −13 | 1 stroke | | 13th Beach | |
2012 | | | 272 | −12 | 1 stroke | | Spring Valley | |
2011 | | | 276 | −8 | 2 strokes | | Spring Valley | |
Subaru Victorian Open |
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2010 | | | 274 | −10 | 2 strokes | | Spring Valley | |
2009 | | | 278 | −10 | 2 strokes | | Spring Valley | |
Victorian Open |
---|
align=center colspan=9 | 2008: No tournament |
2007 | | | 280 | −8 | 1 stroke | | Woodlands | [10] |
2006 | | | 202 | −14 | 2 strokes | | Woodlands | |
Mitsubishi Motors Victorian Open |
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2005 | | | 204 | −12 | Playoff | | Woodlands | [11] |
2004 | | | 204 | −12 | 5 strokes | | Woodlands | [12] |
Victorian Open |
---|
2003 | | align=center colspan=6 | Cancelled | |
ANZ Victorian Open Championship |
---|
2002 | | | 274 | −8 | Playoff | | Sorrento/Portsea | |
2001 | | | 270 | −18 | 3 strokes | | Cranbourne | |
Victorian Open |
---|
2000 | | Brad Lamb (a) | 278 | −14 | Playoff | | Cranbourne | |
1999 | | | 275 | −13 | 3 strokes | | Victoria | |
1998 | | | 272 | −16 | 5 strokes | | Victoria | |
1997 | | Stephen Leaney (2) | 280 | −8 | 1 stroke | | Victoria | |
align=center colspan=9 | 1996: No tournament |
1995 | | | 283 | −5 | 1 stroke | | Victoria | [13] |
1994 | | | 278 | −10 | 2 strokes | | Victoria | [14] |
1993 | | | 276 | −12 | 3 strokes | | Woodlands | [15] |
1992 | | | 284 | −4 | 1 stroke | | Woodlands | [16] |
1991 | | Robert Allenby (a) | 287 | −1 | 6 strokes | | Woodlands | [17] |
1990 | | Cancelled | |
1989 | | Mike Clayton (2) | 285 | −3 | 2 strokes | | Kingston Heath | [18] |
1988 | | | 282 | −6 | 3 strokes | | Kingston Heath | [19] |
Robert Boyd Transport Victorian Open |
---|
1987 | | | 277 | −11 | 1 stroke | | Kingston Heath | [20] |
1986 | | | 280 | −8 | 1 stroke | | Yarra Yarra | [21] |
Victorian Open |
---|
1985 | ANZ | | 279 | −9 | 2 strokes | | Yarra Yarra | [22] |
1984 | ANZ | | 281 | −7 | 2 strokes | | Metropolitan | [23] |
1983 | ANZ | | 282 | −6 | 1 stroke | | Metropolitan | [24] |
1982 | ANZ | | 281 | −7 | 3 strokes | | Metropolitan | [25] |
1981 | ANZ | | 277 | −11 | 5 strokes | | Metropolitan | [26] |
1980 | ANZ | Guy Wolstenholme (4) | 282 | −6 | 4 strokes | | Metropolitan | [27] |
1979 | ANZ | | 291 | +3 | Playoff | | Kingston Heath | [28] |
1978 | ANZ | Guy Wolstenholme (3) | 284 | −4 | Playoff | | Metropolitan | [29] |
1977 | ANZ | | 275 | −13 | 4 strokes | | Yarra Yarra | [30] |
1976 | ANZ | Guy Wolstenholme (2) | 281 | −7 | Playoff | | Kingston Heath | [31] |
1975 | ANZ | | 283 | −5 | 3 strokes | | Metropolitan | [32] |
1974 | ANZ | | 287 | −5 | 1 stroke | | | [33] |
1973 | ANZ | Peter Thomson (3) | 284 | −4 | 2 strokes | | Yarra Yarra | [34] |
1972 | | | 283 | −9 | 7 strokes | | | [35] |
1971 | | | 289 | +1 | 2 strokes | | Woodlands | [36] |
1970 | | | 273 | −19 | 4 strokes | | Riversdale | [37] |
1969 | | Kel Nagle (2) | 279 | −17 | 3 strokes | | Kingston Heath | [38] |
1968 | | Peter Thomson (2) | 288 | −12 | 1 stroke | | | [39] |
1967 | | | 283 | −9 | 1 stroke | | Yarra Yarra | [40] |
1966 | | Frank Phillips (2) | 284 | −8 | 4 strokes | | | [41] |
1965 | | Alan Murray (2) | 291 | −1 | 4 strokes | | Royal Melbourne | [42] |
1964 | | | 278 | −14 | 3 strokes | | Victoria | [43] |
1963 | | Bruce Devlin (2) | 286 | −10 | 5 strokes | | Kingswood | [44] |
1962 | | | 293 | −7 | 2 strokes | | | [45] |
1961 | | | 290 | −6 | 4 strokes | | | [46] |
1960 | | | 282 | −6 | 4 strokes | | Metropolitan | [47] |
1959 | | | 275 | −17 | 5 strokes | | Yarra Yarra | [48] |
1958 | | | 289 | −7 | 3 strokes | | Kingston Heath | [49] |
1957 | | | 282 | −10 | 10 strokes | Barry West (a) | | [50] | |
Source:
[51] External links
-38.2779°N 144.4577°W
Notes and References
- Forbes . Vic Open Defying The Norms in Golf's Equal Pay Argument . 6 February 2019 . Matthew . Cooper.
- News: Jack Harris out of State Open . . 2 October 1957 . 17.
- Web site: Vic Open history . Golf Australia . 22 February 2020.
- Web site: Golf Magazine . Vic Open's mixed gender format lauded by many, but some irked by yardage issues . 7 February 2019 . Josh . Berhow .
- Web site: Five thing to know – ISPS Handa Vic Open . PGA European Tour . 4 February 2019.
- News: BBC Sport . James Nitties equals world record with nine consecutive birdies . 8 February 2019 .
- News: ISPS Handa Vic Open: Scotland's David Law wins first European title . BBC Sport . 10 February 2019.
- Web site: Vic Open cancelled for 2021 . Golf Australia . 22 January 2021 . 22 October 2020.
- Web site: PGA of Australia . Date confirmed for Vic Open return . 14 December 2021.
- News: Felton hangs on to win Vic Open . The Age . 5 February 2007 . 3 January 2021.
- Web site: Mitsubishi Motors Victorian Open results . PGA of Australia . 25 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20051214222412/http://pga.org.au/default.aspx?s=vnteventdisplay&eid=80&tab=results . 14 December 2005.
- News: Second win comes after horrid week . NZ Herald . 6 March 2004.
- News: Leaney settles score . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 20 November 1995 . 21 February 2020 . 25 . Trove.
- News: Burke outlasts Willis to snatch Vic Open and end lean times . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 14 November 1994 . 21 February 2020 . 28 . Trove.
- News: Parsons sinks first pro title . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 8 November 1993 . 21 February 2020 . 22 . Trove.
- News: A four-time runner-up takes title . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 2 November 1992 . 21 February 2020 . 21 . Trove.
- News: Amateur takes out Vic Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 4 November 1991 . 21 February 2020 . 25 . Trove.
- News: Gusty winds and heavy rains bedevil golfers . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 6 February 1989 . 22 February 2020 . 29 . Trove.
- News: Benepe's plan comes together in Vic Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 15 February 1988 . 22 February 2020 . 20 . Trove.
- News: Greg Norman outshone . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 23 February 1987 . 22 February 2020 . 20 . Trove.
- News: Moore lands tense Open win with birdies at finish . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 10 February 1986 . 22 February 2020 . 24 . Trove.
- News: Baker-Finch takes Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 11 February 1985 . 22 February 2020 . 22 . Trove.
- News: Norman beats jinx to win Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 13 February 1984 . 22 February 2020 . 14 . Trove.
- News: Victorian Open to Shearer . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 14 February 1983 . 22 February 2020 . 18 . Trove.
- News: Rookie Clayton trumps his ace . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 15 February 1982 . 22 February 2020 . 16 . Trove.
- News: Billy Dunk in runaway five-stroke victory . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 16 February 1981 . 22 February 2020 . 16 . Trove.
- News: Four-time winner likes this time of the year . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 18 February 1980 . 22 February 2020 . 16 . Trove.
- News: Four-time winner likes this time of the year . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 18 February 1980 . 22 February 2020 . 16 . Trove.
- News: Wolstenholme beats Palmer . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 20 February 1978 . 22 February 2020 . 1 (Sports section) . Trove.
- News: Parslow takes Open golf . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 28 February 1977 . 22 February 2020 . 14 . Trove.
- News: Veteran takes golf play-off . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 9 February 1976 . 22 February 2020 . 12 . Trove.
- News: Ginn takes Victorian Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 10 February 1975 . 22 February 2020 . 12 . Trove.
- News: Davis wins . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 11 February 1974 . 22 February 2020 . 14 . Trove.
- News: Thomson wins Victorian Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 12 February 1973 . 22 February 2020 . 15 . Trove.
- News: Godfrey wins golf tussle . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 7 February 1972 . 22 February 2020 . 12 . Trove.
- News: Thomson loses title . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 8 February 1971 . 22 February 2020 . 14 . Trove.
- News: Young pro wins Vic. Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 9 February 1970 . 22 February 2020 . 14 . Trove.
- News: Nagle wins Vic. Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 10 February 1969 . 22 February 2020 . 14 . Trove.
- News: Thomson's golf win . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 13 February 1968 . 22 February 2020 . 19 . Trove.
- News: Nagle takes $1,500 prize . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 6 February 1967 . 22 February 2020 . 14 . Trove.
- News: Phillips takes Victorian Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 26 September 1966 . 22 February 2020 . 12 . Trove.
- News: Sydney golfer wins Victorian Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 27 September 1965 . 22 February 2020 . 26 . Trove.
- News: Phillip's Open win warning to star players . . 28 September 1964 . 20.
- News: Devlin Wins Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 18 November 1963 . 22 February 2020 . 20 . Trove.
- News: Brown one out in P.G.A. . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 19 November 1962 . 22 February 2020 . 20 . Trove.
- News: Murray wins Open title . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 2 October 1961 . 22 February 2020 . 12 . Trove.
- News: Victorian Open Winner Equals Course Record . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 14 November 1960 . 22 February 2020 . 15 . Trove.
- News: Record Round To Player . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 9 November 1959 . 22 February 2020 . 10 . Trove.
- News: Thomson Wins Vic. Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 17 November 1958 . 22 February 2020 . 12 . Trove.
- News: Ossie Pickworth is not yet satisfied . . 7 October 1957 . 16.
- Web site: Honour Roll – Men's Victorian Open Championship . Golf Australia . 22 February 2020.