Change of format for 25th Jack Newton Celebrity Classic

BY iseekgolf.com | ALPG Tour | 2003 Jack Newton Celebrity Classic | General | 15 Oct 2003

Tournament host, Jack Newton, in conjunction with the Australian Ladies Professional Golf Tour has announced a major change in format for the 2003 Jack Newton Celebrity Classic, to be played at Novotel Twin Waters Resort on 9 & 10 December.

The high profile golf classic which has raised funds in excess of $1.5 million for the Jack Newton Junior Golf Foundation (JNJGF) and Diabetes Australia, will celebrate its 25th year with ALPG Tour Professionals replacing their male counterparts in the Pro-Am Classic which attracts high profile business men and women as well as many leading Australian celebrities from the sporting and entertainment fields.

An unfortunate clash of dates – brought about by a change of Australian Open dates into the Celebrity Classic’s traditional time slot – left very little choice other than to play it in the early part of the Australian PGA Championship week depriving the Classic of its usual PGA Professional Field.

Newton said “Obviously the change of dates has put my event into damage control. The Seven Network television coverage and the player drain to the PGA Pro Am were major concerns for my sponsors. I am a big supporter of women’s golf as the aim of the JNJGF is to introduce boys and girls to the game and its subsequent activities.”

Warren Sevil, General Manager of Australian Ladies Professional Golf, said the ALPG Tour was delighted with the approach from Jack Newton and believed the switch was one that would certainly add a fresh change to the Celebrity Classic.

“This is an exciting initiative which will be a boost for the ALPG Tour as well as providing an avenue for us to showcase the glamour, talent and personalities of Australian Ladies Professional Golf, the perfect blend for the format of this event. Many of our players have benefited from the JNJGF and this is an opportunity to give something back.”

Whilst the event focus will be on team golf, entertainment and fund raising, the serious side of the two days will see 54 professionals competing for $50,000 prize money in an official ALPG Tour Order of Merit fixture.

Source – ALPG