Field set for Daikin Night Shootout
06 Sep 2010
The Daikin Night Golf shootout, one of the most popular golfing events on the Gold Coast in recent times, is again to be played at the Emerald Lakes Golf Club in 2010.
September 30th has been earmarked for the return of the concept that has been likened by many to golf’s answer to Twenty20 cricket. Within three hours a champion is decided but prior to that a rapid turnover of winners and losers at each hole takes place along the way.
The format for the event involves nine holes being played under the excellent lighting system at Emerald Lakes with one player per hole eliminated until just two remain to play the final hole. So popular did the event become in earlier years that there were often crowds of 1000 or more golf fans following the ten players who began each contest.
Chris Bagley, General Manager of Emerald Lakes, explained why they will again being involved. “Typically the event has been played in conjunction with a significant event here at Emerald Lakes. We started in 2003 during the first staging of the Queensland PGA Championship at Emerald Lakes and for the next five years it was played as a lead in into that particular event.”
“In 2008 we hosted the inaugural Australian Masters Invitational and players such as Ian Baker Finch, Graham Marsh and Brian Jones led the way in what, for that year, was a field of Senior players in the Daikin Shootout.”
“With no supporting event last year, the Shootout could not be held but judging by the response we have had since, it became clear a genuine following had been established and people were keen to have it back.
“The opportunity to tie it in with the two day, $20,000 Daikin Pro Am on September 28th and 29th provides us with a great choice amongst the players who will be in the region at that time for Sunshine Tour events. As a result we have assembled a strong field for both the Pro Am and the Night Golf Shootout.
“The field of Rodger Davis, Michael Wright, Andrew Bonhomme, Terry Price, Euan Walters, Eddie Barr, Mike Fergusson, Brian Jones, Sunshine Tour Order of Merit leader, Sam Brazel and the leading amateur player at our club, James Gibellini, is a great mix and we have been delighted at the response from the players.
“Rodger (Davis) has had a great season on the Legends Tour in Australia, Michael Wright finished runner up recently at the One Asia Tour’s Thailand Open, Sam Brazel is currently leading the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit and former PGA Tour member, Euan Walters, has been playing some outstanding golf in recent weeks. They along with the calibre of the other players in the field should ensure a great night of golf and entertainment.
“To say the least we are delighted to have the event back as it has become quite a focal point for our members and staff at Emerald Lakes. Gerard Cassidy – Queensland State Manager for Daikin was quick to put his hand up for involvement once again, not only with the Shootout but with the Pro Am also and we are indebted to them for their continued support of golf in the region.”
Daikin, a premium air-conditioning company, has enjoyed a long term relationship with both Nifsan, the owners of Emerald Lakes, and the Gold Coast and is committed to another successful event this year and, it seems, beyond.
“We see this as the forerunner to an ongoing role by Emerald Lakes in significant golf events on the Gold Coast and are delighted that the respective parties involved have again joined forces to ensure the 2010 events are a success,” added Bagley.
Executive Officer of the Queensland PGA, Dominic O’Brien, expressed his delight in having Emerald Lakes back as a venue for significant tournament golf in the area. “Emerald Lakes has proven to be a great venue for both the Daikin Shootout and other events we have played there in recent years and we at the PGA are excited by the prospect of having it back on our schedule. The field already assembled highlights that the players feel the same way.”
Winners of previous Daikin Night Golf Shootouts include the likes of Nathan Green, Lucas Parsons, and Michael Wright with Brian Jones winning when the event was restricted to senior golfers in 2008.
A purse of $15,000 is up for grabs and, while that is clearly an attraction, the evening is aimed at providing entertainment for those who attend. All players will be wired for sound and an on course MC will co-ordinate proceedings and keep the gallery informed as to what is happening.
As has been the case in recent years, the opening hole will feature a specially constructed pontoon on the lake behind the 10th tee at Emerald Lakes to be used as both the opening tee and a stage to introduce the players before proceedings commence.
Entry to the event is free. Introductions to the tee will be made at 5.30pm with play to get underway at 5.45pm from a specially constructed pontoon behind the current 10th tee at Emerald Lakes Golf Club.
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