Corowa's inaugural event, The Murray Open, will go ahead and with a quality field after many of the Victorian players were able to circumvent the State's five-day COVID lockdown.
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The Moonah Links PGA Classic was fast-tracked 24 hours to finish last Thursday, allowing players to rush interstate for the NSW Regional Open series, with the Corowa event quickly followed by Dubbo, Queanbeyan and the South Coast.
"The (PGA Australia) Tour did feel there was a possibility there might be changes if the cases in Melbourne increased, so the majority of players could get up here on Friday before the lockdown," national tournament coordinator Peter Welden said.
There was a possibility there might be changes ... so the majority of players could get up here.
- Peter Welden
"Pretty much all of our players got up here."
Unfortunately, Wodonga-raised European Tour member Zach Murray isn't playing.
As we have seen with the Australian Open tennis, professional sport is allowed to continue, however the latest COVID issue has halved the amateur field.
"We've still got a full field of 80 professionals, which is great, and we had a much larger field (40) of amateurs but, unfortunately, with the new restrictions in Victoria, those Victorian-based amateurs won't be allowed to play," Welden said.
Nineteen amateurs will tackle the event, including Commercial Albury Golf Club champion Sam Bakes.
The pro field is littered with players boasting wins across the world, including Andre Stolz and Corowa product Marcus Fraser.
"Obviously Marcus around his home course (is a favourite), (former European Tour member) Matt Millar is always there and Andre Stolz won the Australian PGA Senior Championship last year, beating Peter Lonard," Welden offered.
That trio is the marquee group, teeing off from the first tee Tuesday at 11.40am.
There's also a number of other name players, including multiple winner Peter Fowler (11.30) and 2016 Hong Kong Open winner Sam Brazel (11.20).
"And there's such a good crop of young players, Justin Warren was runner-up last week at Moonah," Welden added.
"Justin's been in the collegiate system, he's just waiting for an opportunity, since he's turned pro the whole COVID situation has developed."
COVID will guarantee Victorian spectators won't be able to attend, but it's a tremendous opportunity for NSW-based sport lovers.
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Spectators will have to register via the QR code, but entry is free and there's no ropes so fans will be able to get close to the players, albeit in these COVID times.
The second round will be a seeded draw, which is expected to be released shortly after Tuesday's play.
