BEFORE Murray Downs Golf & Country Club host the NSW Open Golf Championship in mid-November, they are teeing off on a plan to bring one of Australia’s top golfers to the event.
Brisbane golfer Cameron Smith has become a household name across the country, thanks to his flowing mullet and elite golfing ability, and Murray Downs hope their invitation lands.
The Aussie star hit the highs of being the No.2 golfer on the PGA Tour in 2022, having won six stops on the tour before joining LIV Golf.
Murray Downs Golf & Country Club marketing manager Shaun O’Bree said that while the idea was “a pie-in-the-sky type thing”, the timing could work for all involved.
“It’s the sort of thing that gives everyone a bit of a laugh, but this is one that really feels like it has the possibility to all line up for us,” he said.
“If Cam wanted to make the trip down to Murray Downs, then I feel like this would just be the perfect time for him.
“It would be fantastic to see how he would go out here.
“The fifth is the challenging hole here, but maybe not for him. There’s only one way for us to find out though.”
O’Bree was sure that Smith’s loveable-larrikin nature would be warmly received in the region.
“Cam is just your quintessential Aussie, just like we are in a sense,” he said.
“It would be massive, not only for the Club but for the entire region,” he said.
“It might only be a small tournament for someone like Cam, but it’s really huge for us.
“We know Cam loves a fish on his time off, and with our lovely waterways, this is the perfect place for Cam to come down and try his hand at catching a Murray Cod.”
O’Bree said young golfers across the region would flock to watch Smith, and more youngsters would be inspired to take up the sport.
“Can you imagine 60 or so young Mallee kids being given the chance to see Cam Smith have a hit?” he asked.
“If he was to come down, I think we’d see a huge influx of little golfers around the region.”
While the dates are yet to be finalised, all hands are already on deck at Murray Downs as they prepare to host the prestigious event, which began in 1931.
Through the years, the NSW Open has been won by a raft of big names including World Golf Hall of Fame inductees Greg Norman, Kel Nagle and Peter Thomson.
Big crowds are expected to see the next winner be named at Murray Downs, while spectators across the nation will watch along from their living rooms.
O’Bree said the club was expecting close to 1000 volunteers to be lending a hand throughout the tournament.
“All of us are very excited for the NSW Open,” he said.
“Murray Downs Golf & Country Club are right behind the tournament and everyone here wants to support it as much as possible.
“We’re looking at 10 hours of free-to-air coverage on the Seven network, as well as all the news and radio media who will have their eyes on Murray Downs and Swan Hill.
“It is going to be a fantastic and exciting time to be in our region.”
