After successfully hosting the PGA National Futures Championship, the club is looking to add another high-standard event to the calendar.

The event will be held on April 5-6, coinciding with the US Masters, hence the tournament was coined the Ballarat Junior Masters.

Ballarat Golf Club manager Michael Phillips is stoked to launch the event and said it was exciting to further showcase the outstanding course.

“We want to take our experience and our learnings from holding National Futures here and give the juniors an experience as well,” Phillips said.

Phillips is well aware that his club is competing against the big courses in Melbourne for juniors’ interest and participation. Enticing players to the sandbelt courses of the city can be an easier task than to Ballarat, but the newfound Masters promises to be much more than just your usual run-of-the-mill tournament. 

Players will be given a “tournament experience” with a welcome pack, member card, player lounge – everything the PGA trainees received in the Futures.

While for the winner of the 36-hole competition, an Australian Open experience is on offer.

Phillips said providing simply a trophy was not enough. While there will be trophies, the main prize will be a trip to Sydney’s Australian Open, tickets, flights and accommodation all paid for.

“At the end of the day, to get them to come here, we’re going to have to make it a little bit special for them.

“For us, it was important, as the number one club in town, we leverage on what we have and what we can attract.”

Phillips is hopeful it will become an annual event.