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

YearTour(s)WinnerScoreTo parMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-upVenue
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
2018 274 −14 Playoff 13th Beach
2017 272 −16 2 strokes 13th Beach
2016275 −13 Playoff 13th Beach
2015 272 −16 Playoff 13th Beach
Oates Victorian Open Championship
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
2010 274 −10 2 strokes Spring Valley
2009 278 −10 2 strokes Spring Valley
Victorian Open
align=center colspan=92008: No tournament
2007 280 −8 1 stroke Woodlands [10]
2006 202 −14 2 strokes Woodlands
Mitsubishi Motors Victorian Open
2005 204 −12 Playoff Woodlands [11]
2004 204 −12 5 strokes Woodlands [12]
Victorian Open
2003 align=center colspan=6Cancelled
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=91996: 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 Huntingdale [33]
1973 ANZ Peter Thomson (3) 284 −4 2 strokes Yarra Yarra [34]
1972 283 −9 7 strokes Commonwealth [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 Huntingdale [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 Huntingdale [45]
1961 290 −6 4 strokes Commonwealth [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

  1. Forbes . Vic Open Defying The Norms in Golf's Equal Pay Argument . 6 February 2019 . Matthew . Cooper.
  2. News: Jack Harris out of State Open . . 2 October 1957 . 17.
  3. Web site: Vic Open history . Golf Australia . 22 February 2020.
  4. Web site: Golf Magazine . Vic Open's mixed gender format lauded by many, but some irked by yardage issues . 7 February 2019 . Josh . Berhow .
  5. Web site: Five thing to know – ISPS Handa Vic Open . PGA European Tour . 4 February 2019.
  6. News: BBC Sport . James Nitties equals world record with nine consecutive birdies . 8 February 2019 .
  7. News: ISPS Handa Vic Open: Scotland's David Law wins first European title . BBC Sport . 10 February 2019.
  8. Web site: Vic Open cancelled for 2021 . Golf Australia . 22 January 2021 . 22 October 2020.
  9. Web site: PGA of Australia . Date confirmed for Vic Open return . 14 December 2021.
  10. News: Felton hangs on to win Vic Open . The Age . 5 February 2007 . 3 January 2021.
  11. 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.
  12. News: Second win comes after horrid week . NZ Herald . 6 March 2004.
  13. News: Leaney settles score . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 20 November 1995 . 21 February 2020 . 25 . Trove.
  14. News: Burke outlasts Willis to snatch Vic Open and end lean times . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 14 November 1994 . 21 February 2020 . 28 . Trove.
  15. News: Parsons sinks first pro title . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 8 November 1993 . 21 February 2020 . 22 . Trove.
  16. News: A four-time runner-up takes title . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 2 November 1992 . 21 February 2020 . 21 . Trove.
  17. News: Amateur takes out Vic Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 4 November 1991 . 21 February 2020 . 25 . Trove.
  18. News: Gusty winds and heavy rains bedevil golfers . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 6 February 1989 . 22 February 2020 . 29 . Trove.
  19. News: Benepe's plan comes together in Vic Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 15 February 1988 . 22 February 2020 . 20 . Trove.
  20. News: Greg Norman outshone . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 23 February 1987 . 22 February 2020 . 20 . Trove.
  21. News: Moore lands tense Open win with birdies at finish . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 10 February 1986 . 22 February 2020 . 24 . Trove.
  22. News: Baker-Finch takes Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 11 February 1985 . 22 February 2020 . 22 . Trove.
  23. News: Norman beats jinx to win Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 13 February 1984 . 22 February 2020 . 14 . Trove.
  24. News: Victorian Open to Shearer . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 14 February 1983 . 22 February 2020 . 18 . Trove.
  25. News: Rookie Clayton trumps his ace . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 15 February 1982 . 22 February 2020 . 16 . Trove.
  26. News: Billy Dunk in runaway five-stroke victory . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 16 February 1981 . 22 February 2020 . 16 . Trove.
  27. News: Four-time winner likes this time of the year . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 18 February 1980 . 22 February 2020 . 16 . Trove.
  28. News: Four-time winner likes this time of the year . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 18 February 1980 . 22 February 2020 . 16 . Trove.
  29. News: Wolstenholme beats Palmer . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 20 February 1978 . 22 February 2020 . 1 (Sports section) . Trove.
  30. News: Parslow takes Open golf . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 28 February 1977 . 22 February 2020 . 14 . Trove.
  31. News: Veteran takes golf play-off . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 9 February 1976 . 22 February 2020 . 12 . Trove.
  32. News: Ginn takes Victorian Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 10 February 1975 . 22 February 2020 . 12 . Trove.
  33. News: Davis wins . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 11 February 1974 . 22 February 2020 . 14 . Trove.
  34. News: Thomson wins Victorian Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 12 February 1973 . 22 February 2020 . 15 . Trove.
  35. News: Godfrey wins golf tussle . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 7 February 1972 . 22 February 2020 . 12 . Trove.
  36. News: Thomson loses title . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 8 February 1971 . 22 February 2020 . 14 . Trove.
  37. News: Young pro wins Vic. Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 9 February 1970 . 22 February 2020 . 14 . Trove.
  38. News: Nagle wins Vic. Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 10 February 1969 . 22 February 2020 . 14 . Trove.
  39. News: Thomson's golf win . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 13 February 1968 . 22 February 2020 . 19 . Trove.
  40. News: Nagle takes $1,500 prize . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 6 February 1967 . 22 February 2020 . 14 . Trove.
  41. News: Phillips takes Victorian Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 26 September 1966 . 22 February 2020 . 12 . Trove.
  42. News: Sydney golfer wins Victorian Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 27 September 1965 . 22 February 2020 . 26 . Trove.
  43. News: Phillip's Open win warning to star players . . 28 September 1964 . 20.
  44. News: Devlin Wins Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 18 November 1963 . 22 February 2020 . 20 . Trove.
  45. News: Brown one out in P.G.A. . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 19 November 1962 . 22 February 2020 . 20 . Trove.
  46. News: Murray wins Open title . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 2 October 1961 . 22 February 2020 . 12 . Trove.
  47. News: Victorian Open Winner Equals Course Record . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 14 November 1960 . 22 February 2020 . 15 . Trove.
  48. News: Record Round To Player . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 9 November 1959 . 22 February 2020 . 10 . Trove.
  49. News: Thomson Wins Vic. Open . . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 17 November 1958 . 22 February 2020 . 12 . Trove.
  50. News: Ossie Pickworth is not yet satisfied . . 7 October 1957 . 16.
  51. Web site: Honour Roll – Men's Victorian Open Championship . Golf Australia . 22 February 2020.