QUEENSLAND'S second oldest pro-am golf tournament will tee off at the Howeston Golf Course in Birkdale on Tuesday, October 1.
More than 60 professionals will be joined by about 100 amateur golfers in the 34th annual 18-hole tournament, sponsored by the Queensland Professional Golf Association.
Competing for the $11,000 prizemoney will be a strong field of professionals from the eastern states and overseas and they will be tested by a competitive field of amateurs.
Among the nominations already is Kurt Carlson, who shared the winner's prize in the Royal Queensland Pro-Am in Brisbane last week.
The 27-year-old, the son of former Test and Queensland cricketer Phil Carlson, is rapidly gaining recognition in the golfing world. He will compete in Japan in a couple of weeks as he eyes off a career on the international circuit.
The tournament was won last year by Sandgate professional golfer Craig Goodall, who carded a 66 off the stick to finish ahead of NSW's Steve Jeffress on 67 and the Gold Coast's Peter Shaw with 68.
The Howeston course has been operating for 41 years and is owned by Lynn and Bill Weston with their children and now grandchildren involved in the business. The golf course was established from dairy farmland in 1972 by Lynn's parents, Jack and Kath Howard.
Nine holes were first established, then the 11th and 12th and built up to 18, creating a course of championship standard. A further nine were developed in 2003 to give 27-holes.
Bill and Lynn's son Kel is heavily involved in the operations of the golf course and his son Kerron, Bill and Lynn's grandson, has completed his greenkeeping and golf course management degree, to give the family its third generation running the business.
Kel's wife Sue is involved in administration, while their other son Jake has just moved onto the course to help out. Their daughter Donna and son-in-law Keith West complete the family connection to Howeston. They are joined by a strong team of staff who keep Howeston in tip top shape all year.
Lynn said the course was in first class condition for tee off next Tuesday. The tournament will host popular competitions such as the longest drive and nearest the pin. The pro-am is open to the general public with free admission and gives those interested an opportunity to view top quality golf as part of the public gallery.
The pro-am began in 1980 and has attracted some great golfers over the years, including Ian Baker-Finch, who carded a par 70 in 1980.
Others who have teed off in the pro-am over the years are Terry Price, Ozzie Moore who has nominated again this year, Randall Vines and the popular Rodger Davis. Over the years the pro-am has attracted golfers from New Zealand, the South Pacific, Japan and other Asian countries.
