Australian Amateur Expands Starting Field

Melbourne, Australia: It’s already shaping up as an Australian Amateur like no other – and it has just undergone another Covid-related change.

Therese Magdulski, Golf Australia’s Events and Operations General Manager, said a decision had been taken to expand the field to provide certainty to as many players as possible.

The tournament was moved in November to Adelaide’s Kooyonga Golf Club because of the global pandemic.

The time-honoured championship was shifted from January to February 9-12 – into the week vacated by the cancelled Women’s Australian Open – and will be played as a stroke play event over 72 holes for the first time.

Given the on-going uncertainty around various Australian State borders and the possibility that some players’ participation might remain up in the air until event week, the field size was increased.

“Golf Australia has decided to accept 192 players into the field to provide certainty for entrants who would have been on the reserve list should the field have remained at 156 players,” Magdulski said.

“This is particularly pertinent in the case of the current border restrictions for New South Wales (NSW) players, but with the situation seemingly evolving daily, it’s fairest for all.

“The current field will see 134 men and 58 women contesting the event. But for clarification, should the border remain closed to NSW players, or closed to any other State and players are forced to withdraw, current reserve players will not be granted a position in the field, except if the number of withdrawals results in a field of less than 156 players.

“Should the border to NSW open and there are few withdrawals and we have a field of between 160-190 players, GA acknowledges it will impact pace of play. But we believe that this is manageable and the fairest and most practical solution given the uncertainty we’re all enduring.”

Golf Australia has adopted Sport Integrity Australia’s Australian National Anti-Doping Policy for sport, effective January 1. Anti-doping rules apply to all players who must be aware, and have a basic understanding, of their obligations in regards to anti-doping.