What’s Happening?
The Australian PGA Senior 9 Hole Championships Pro-Am returns to the Town of 1770 Golf Course this week.
The event will be held on Friday, 17 July, and Saturday, 18 July 2026. It marks the fifth year the senior tournament has been hosted at the course.
A full field of professional and amateur golfers will compete across several tee-off times during the two-day event.
The professionals compete in the over-50s category, while amateur players can join them on the course. Spectators can also walk the fairways and follow the competition from close range.
Why It Matters?
Discovery Coast Tourism and Commerce is working with the Town of 1770 Golf Course and the PGA Legends Tour to deliver the event.
Organisation president Amber Rodgers said the tournament provided an important opportunity for the area.
“I’m the president of our local tourism organisation, Discovery Coast Tourism and Commerce,” Rodgers said. “This year, we’re proud to work with the 1770 Golf Course and PGA Legends Tour to bring the excellent event to this area for two days.”
The event has continued to grow since it was first held at the course five years ago.
“It is a fantastic location to have such a great event,” Rodgers said. “So here we are on the 17th and 18th of July, having all the pros in that over-50s category come and play golf in our town. What an excellent, absolutely amazing opportunity.”
Local Impact
The Pro-Am gives local amateur golfers an opportunity to compete alongside professionals who have played at the highest levels.
It also creates a different experience for spectators, who can enter the fairways and watch the golfers from nearby.
“Amateurs can play with them, and spectators can go on the fairways and actually watch and get up close and personal with these guys,” Rodgers said.
She said senior players included many names that golf fans would know from earlier stages of their careers.
“They absolutely have played professional,” Rodgers said. “So we’ve had Peter Senior in past years, Brad Burns, a lot of names that people will recognise are in the line-up, and we have a full line-up this year.”
Rodgers said the 2026 tournament had attracted a complete field of professional and amateur players.
“So for 2026, it’s a full field of pros and amateurs over the two days,” she said. “There’s more than one tee-off time, so work it in with your schedule, come on down and be a spectator at the fairways at 1770 Golf Course.”
By The Numbers
- $30,000 is available through the prize fund for the Australian senior championship event.
- Par 34 is the listed par for the Town of 1770 Golf Course.
- Two rounds will be played during the competition across Friday and Saturday.
Zoom In
The condition and character of the Town of 1770 Golf Course have helped build the tournament’s reputation among players.
Rodgers said local workers had spent decades caring for the course and preparing it for events.
“I find it is a fantastically well-maintained course, and we have people that have lived and worked and breathed that whole course for decades,” she said. “So they’re doing such a great job, and it does attract people.”
Demand for places has also increased as more players on the circuit have become familiar with the course.
“The fifth year has sold out the quickest ever, and I think that’s because now on the circuit, everyone understands what a great course this is,” Rodgers said.
She said the event also gave players an opportunity to experience the wider Discovery Coast area.
“It’s going to be the most fun you’ve ever had playing golf, and of course, you can enjoy this beautiful destination at the same time,” Rodgers said.
Zoom Out
Rocky News also spoke with senior player John Henry McLean before his first appearance in the Pro-Am.
McLean has a handicap of 11 and will play during the mid-morning sessions on both competition days.
“I’m playing on Friday mid-morning and Saturday mid-morning,” McLean said. “This will be the first time I’ve got to play.”
Injuries and wet conditions had prevented him from taking part in previous years.
“I’ve either been injured or it’s been too wet for carts,” McLean said. “But I’m looking forward to this year and nothing’s going to stop me.”
What To Look For Next?
Competition begins on Friday, 17 July, and continues through Saturday, 18 July at the Town of 1770 Golf Course.
Several tee-off times will allow spectators to plan their visit around the two-day program. McLean will compete during the mid-morning sessions on both days.
The full field will bring professional and amateur golfers together as the event marks its fifth year at the Discovery Coast course.
