Words: Release.
Image: Mark Wilson – Golfplus Media
The release of an 11-tournament schedule for the 2023 WPGA Tour of Australasia is getting back towards pre-pandemic levels, with over $1.6 million dollars up for grabs and a host of stars competing including Hall of Famer Karrie Webb, major winner Jiyai Shin and LPGA card holders Grace Kim, Sarah Jane Smith and Steph Kyriacou.
Four of the events are Webex Players Series tournaments at Rosebud, Cobram Barooga, Bonnie Doon in Sydney and Cypress Lakes Resort in the Hunter Valley.
With a focus on equality for all, the Webex Players Series showcases the increased alignment between the PGA of Australia and the WPGA Tour, designed to provide playing opportunities for both men and women professionals who compete in the same field, for the same prize purse and the same trophy, and who are joined by outstanding juniors for the final two rounds.
It is all designed to provide the stars of tomorrow with the foundation to forge long and prosperous careers in the game.
NSW’s Kyriacou (pictured) was an amateur when she claimed the Australian Women’s Classic at Bonville Golf Resort in February 2020, providing the platform to take her game to the Ladies European Tour and then the LPGA Tour in 2022.
“It’s hard to imagine exactly where I’d be right now without that win at Bonville a couple of years ago,” said Kyriacou, currently ranked No.96 in the world and a top-10 finisher at the Women’s Australian Open.
“Playing professional events as an amateur was crucial in my development and I’m sure we’ll see a few girls step up and make names for themselves during the season. It’s great to see so many events on the schedule for the girls to further advance their golf and I’m looking forward to returning to Rosebud to start my 2023 season.”
Fresh from obtaining her Ladies European Tour card at Qualifying School, West Australian Kirsten Rudgeley is expected to feature in a host of WPGA Tour events along with Karis Davidson and Cassie Porter.
The 2023 WPGA Tour of Australasia schedule will begin with a two-round qualifying tournament at Coolangatta and Tweed Heads Golf Club from Monday, January 16.
It will be followed by the second edition of the $50,000 Melbourne International at Latrobe Golf Club from January 20-22, the ideal lead-up to the first Webex Players Series event at Rosebud the following week.
There are a total of four Webex Players Series events, the Vic Open, the Women’s NSW Open, Australian Women’s Classic and the return of WPGA Tour pro-ams to the schedule at Moss Vale, Wagga Wagga and Southport.
“It’s no secret that the past couple of years have been challenging but we’re now getting back to a schedule that provides our players with plenty of tournament-playing opportunities,” said WPGA Tour CEO, Karen Lunn.
“What we’re particularly excited by is the diversity of the tournaments our women will be part of. Fans will see them play alongside the men at the Vic Open and during the Webex Players Series and then stand-alone WPGA Tour events in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.”
2023 WPGA TOUR Schedule
January 16-17 Qualifying Tournament (Coolangatta & Tweed Heads GC)
January 20-22 Melbourne International (Latrobe GC)
January 26-29 TPS Victoria (Rosebud CC)
February 2-5 TPS Murray River (Cobram Barooga GC)
February 9-12 Vic Open (13th Beach Resort)
February 16-19 TPS Sydney (Bonnie Doon GC)
February 23-26 TPS Hunter Valley (Cypress Lakes GC)
March 4-5 The Athena (TBC)
March 7 Moss Vale GC Pro-am (Moss Vale GC)
March 9-10 Wagga Country Club Pro-am (Wagga Country Club)
March 13 Southport GC Pro-am (Southport GC)
March 24-26 Women’s NSW Open (Tuncurry GC)
March 31-April 2 Australian Women’s Classic (Bonville Golf Resort)
