Sidelined stars set to shine in Regional Open Series

There aren’t too many upsides to a worldwide pandemic but having some of Australia’s top golfers stuck at home and itching to get back on the course means we get the chance to see some superb talent up close and personal over the coming months.

And some of those talented players will line up at the Coffs Harbour Golf Club next month from December 9th for the Geoff King Motors North Coast Open, which boasts an honour roll that includes the likes of nine-time major champion Gary Player (1956, 1957) along with local legends Norman Von Nida, Kel Nagle, Frank Phillips and Billy Dunk.

Matt Griffin won the 2016 NZ Open and Australasian PGA Tour OOM title (Credit: Getty Images)

2016 Hong Kong Open winner, Sam Brazel and three-time European Tour winner, Marcus Fraser will lead the current crop of golfers alongside veteran Mike Harwood, Adam Bland and three-time Australasian PGA Tour winner, Matt Griffin.

Griffin and Bland along with Queensland’s Anthony Quayle and Dylan Perry all ply their trade on the Japan Tour but have been unable to play internationally since the Singapore Open in February.

“I think the fields will be really strong. I know all of the Japan Golf Tour guys will be keen to play as many events as they can,” said Griffin.

Golf NSW CEO, Stuart Fraser, was pleased to see the interest from players around the Regional Open Series.

“The names entered, not just the North Coast Open, but across the series as a whole is a real tick of approval form the players involved,” said Fraser.

“Fans of the sport in the Coffs Coast region, in fact, fans at all of the regional destinations are in for some superb golf over the next few months.”

Following the North Coast Open the tour moves north for the Tweed Coast Open, which gets underway from December 13 at Coolangatta-Tweed Heads Golf Club before taking a break over Christmas and returning for the Murray Region Open on February 15th.