One of the rising stars of the golf world will get the chance to shine on the international stage, after it was announced that 14-year-old Dubbo junior Ella Murray will take her place in the field for the 2020 Worrells NSW Womens Open at Dubbo Golf Club.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders joined with Dubbo Golf Club captain Debbie Murray, ladies president Maureen Dempsey, club president Niall McNicol and general manager Rod Archer for the announcement, which comes five weeks out from the February 27-March 1 tournament.
“Ella is a phenomenal golfer and to have her involved in this tournament, on her home course, is going to be great for her and add a lot of local interest to the event,” Mr Saunders said.
“I wrote to Golf NSW back in August last year to ask that Ella be granted a place in the field, and I thank them for making that happen.
“This event will attract some very good female golfers from across the world, and a lot of international attention will be focused on Dubbo. It’s a great opportunity for Ella and I think it will be a real boost going forward in attracting other young girls from regional NSW to the sport.”
Ella, who plays off a handicap of 1, is about to commence Year 9 at Dubbo College South Campus but said that for the next month she will also spend time studying the composite 18-hole course that will be played at the 27-hole complex during the tournament.
“It’s awesome to have an event like this being played in Dubbo, and to be in the field is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said.
“There’s going to be some amazing players here for the tournament, and I know I’ll be a bit nervous, but I have to use the fact I know the course to my advantage.
“I try and practice every day, so I will use the next few weeks to look at the composite course because we’re not playing the usual layout of holes. The NSW Government has provided $1.3 million in funding to ensure the success of the 2020 Worrells NSW Womens Open, with the money used to install a new irrigation system for the course as well as a disability access lift for the clubhouse.