Murray Downs to host NSW Open

MURRAY Downs Golf and Country Club near Swan Hill will host the 2024 New South Wales Open.

The tier one tournament, which is the third richest event in Australia with a $400,000 prize pool, is expected to generate between $4-5 million for the Swan Hill economy.

“We’re over the moon – it’s an unbelievable moment for the club,” Murray Downs president Col Edwards said.

“The previous winners we’re talking about are legendary figures, so to be holding this calibre of tournament will put Murray Downs on the map.

“It will make our club a must-visit for any passionate golfer nationwide.”

The stunning course, which is a popular destination for golfers from across Sunraysia, will be showcased across the country with Foxtel and Kayo to telecast the event.

“We’re very confident in the product we’re going to produce – it will look fantastic on television,” Roberts said.

“We’re talking about hundreds of players, support staff and TV crews coming for a whole week.”

“We’re very excited to be hosting such a prestigious event, and the benefits it will bring to the community will be enormous.

“We can’t host everyone here, so it’s going to spill over the river into the cafes, restaurants and motels in Swan Hill.”

The event has been running since 1931, and its champions list is a roll call of greats, including World Golf Hall of Fame inductees Kel Nagle, Greg Norman, Peter Thompson and Norman Von Nida.

Roberts said hosting a tournament of this magnitude would put the club “in the top echelon of clubs who’ve hosted the major championship for NSW”.