event.

The Masters was created two years ago to showcase the SS & A Wodonga Country, Thurgoona, Howlong and Corowa courses, with a week-long tournament culminating with two rounds at Wodonga.

But the SS & A Wodonga has decided to end its involvement, with the club’s chief ­executive Tim Levesque saying: “in the current climate, we are unable to commit to any future golf events.”

Despite the SS & A Wod­onga’s withdrawal, PGA ­Southern Division Tournament co-ordinator Nick Dastey said he was still ­hopeful the other three clubs associated with the event would ­continue to back the tournament.

“The other clubs have ­indicated that they’re keen to go ahead with their involvement,” Dastey said yesterday.

“They’re extremely happy with how it has gone the past couple of years and I think they are still happy.

“I’ll meet with the clubs in the next week or so and I’ll know more about their thoughts then.”

The Murray Masters has been held in the lead-up to Christmas after the Australian Open, Australian Masters and Australian PGA tournaments have been staged, and has drawn several high-profile players including US Nationwide Tour competitor David McKenzie and Euro­pean Tour player Marcus Fraser, from Corowa.

As recently as six months ago, Murray Masters organisers said they were considering upgrading the event to be included on the Von Nida Tour, the PGA’s second-tier circuit behind the PGA Tour of Australasia.

Levesque said the decision to ­abandon its ­association with the Murray Masters was to allow the SS & A Wodonga to concentrate on events that would have “broader appeal.”

“At this point in time, we have opted out of the Fab Four on the Murray (the ­Murray Masters),” Levesque said.

“By using the time and ­energy that we devoted to making the golf event a ­success, we will be able to concentrate on organising events in Albury-Wodonga that will have much broader appeal.”

All operations at SS & A Wodonga came under ­review following a crisis meeting in March which addressed ­ongoing losses at the club.