Canberra golfer Matt Millar hopes quality fields for a week of Pro-Am events is the catalyst to get major sponsors on board to revive a four-day men's tournament in the capital.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Millar and Brendan Jones have been hitting courses around Canberra this week as part of the Pro-Am circuit, with Peter O'Malley, Marcus Fraser and Andre Stoltz joining the fields.
The three-days of golf finished at the Gold Creek Country Club on Wednesday, with Austbrokers footing the majority of the bill to provide an $11,000 purse.
Millar is aiming for more success this year after the best season of his career and will chase a qualifying spot for the US Open.
Jones will leave Canberra on Sunday to start his season on the Japan tour and is targeting 21 tournaments.
"We've probably got the strongest Pro-Am field you'd find in Australia at the moment, across the board it's really good," Millar said.
"It's a good week for golfers everywhere and it's great to have golf on in Canberra. We'd love to see four-round tournaments return to Canberra in the coming years.
"This is a good start to have three events in one week. There are always whispers that a tournament will be back here, but nothing concrete.
"It may not even take a $1 million event, it may be something like $300,000 or $600,000 and I still think you'd get a bit of support. It's just a matter of talking to the right people and getting the sponsors."
Jones finished in a tie for the title at the Federal Golf Club on Monday before moving to Queanbeyan and then playing in windy conditions at Gold Creek.
The Canberra golf community is trying to capitalise on the sport's biggest week, with the US Masters beginning at Augusta on Thursday night.
The Federal Golf Club will host their annual "Federal Masters" on Monday morning, but Jones is eyeing off a return to the winner's arena in Japan.
The 41-year-old's past three years have been plagued by injuries and family health issues away from the course, limiting his time on the fairways and denting his enjoyment.
But his mum, Margaret, has recovered well after being diagnosed with cancer and now Jones wants to add to his 13 career titles in Japan.
Jones only played a handful of tournaments in 2013 and 2014 as he battled injury before ramping up his schedule last season.
"I know that I'm a lot better than what I've dished up in my performances [in recent years]," Jones said.
"I'm feeling pretty good at this time of the year, I'm fresh and I'm ready to go. I had goals of being in the top 50 in the world for many years. I went close without getting there.
"I'm 41 now and know there's more to life than dedicating your whole career to something that may never eventuate. I've got a good lifestyle now … the wrist surgeries that I had have put it all in perspective. Now I'm healthy again, I'm enjoying my golf and time away from it."
* Bookings are still available for the 'Federal Masters Monday'. The final round of hte US Masters will be played in the clubhouse before a ceremonial tee shot and stableford competition. For more information visit www.fdc.com.au.
