[PHOTO: Nick Wall]
The Ford NSW Open is heading back to the Hunter Valley.
The Greg Norman/Bob Harrison-designed The Vintage Golf Club, nestled in the state’s premier wine region, will host the 2025 edition of the storied championship from November 13-16.
No stranger to tournament golf, The Vintage has hosted the tournament four times from 2007 to 2010. Like last year, this year’s championship will carry a minimum purse of $800,000.
Stuart Fraser, chief executive of Golf NSW, was thrilled with the decision to return to The Vintage for the first time in over a decade.
“This year’s Ford NSW Open presents a fantastic opportunity for us to ensure the tournament continues to be the most prestigious state championship on the Australian golf calendar.
“Murray Downs was a fabulous venue for last year’s tournament, and the crowds we saw throughout the week proved how thirsty the public are for elite-level golf.
“The general public of the greater Newcastle and Hunter region has a real love of world-class sport, and we know fans of the game will throw their support behind our flagship event,” Fraser said.
Ripper GC Star Lucas Herbert confirmed his status as one of Australian golf’s best in November last year with a three-shot win over his Ripper GC teammate and 2022 Open Champion Cameron Smith, Sydneysider Alex Simpson and the Hunter’s own Corey Lamb.
“Lucas’ win last year at Murray Downs captured the imagination of fans nationally, while Corey, or ‘Chops’, established himself as a crowd favourite with his quest for the Kel Nagle Cup. Hopefully, we’ll see them battle it out again this November,” Fraser added.
Ambrose Henderson, director of marketing at Ford Australia, was excited that Golf NSW is building on the success of the 2024 Ford NSW Open by taking it back to the Hunter Valley region, where Ford has great connections with the local community.
“Since we started our partnership with Golf NSW late last year, we have already seen how golf in regional areas of NSW connects with the local community, and we are proud of the important role Ford and our Ford dealers play in these communities too,” Henderson said.
“The 2025 Ford NSW Open promises to be a spectacular event, with the anticipation of Lucas Herbert’s return to defend his title adding a dynamic edge. It’s thrilling to see such talent continue to grace our tournament, underscoring its prestige in the realm of Australian golf.
“This week we celebrate 100 years of Ford in Australia. As we stride into a new century, partnerships like Golf NSW are vital in our mission to support and uplift local communities through sport,” Henderson added.
Jodie Staples, director of sales and marketing at The Vintage Golf Club, said the organisation was delighted to host the state’s premier golf championship again, adding that it’s an ideal opportunity to display to the world what a fantastic destination The Vintage, and indeed the Hunter region, is for visitors.
“The Vintage Golf Club is thrilled to host the Ford NSW Men’s Open on our course, and we can’t wait to welcome the players and guests to the Hunter Valley. It’s an exciting opportunity to showcase our beautiful grounds while celebrating the sport we love. We look forward to hosting an incredible event in November,” Staples said.
Nick Dastey, PGA of Australia’s general manager of tournaments and global tour relationships, noted the Ford NSW Open’s importance on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia schedule and highlighted the excitement of returning to the Hunter Valley region.
“The efforts of Golf NSW to elevate the Ford NSW Open in recent years have been tremendous, and when combining the tournament’s history with the increased prizemoney, it makes it a highlight of our schedule,” Dastey said.
“Everyone from the players to our staff thoroughly enjoyed Murray Downs in 2024, and I am certain it will be a similar story this year as we return to the Hunter Valley, where the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia has strong ties.”
