Jack Newton Junior Golf cancels plan for Gunnedah tournament

Gunnedah’s Jack Newton Junior Golf Tournament is over before it even begun.

The event was set to benefit from a conditional, three-year, $15,000 funding support from Gunnedah Shire Council. But less than a month out from the event’s scheduled date, organisers advised council that funding is no longer required as Gunnedah Golf Club had withdrawn its support as the host venue.

Jack Newton Junior Golf general manager Dale Hughes previously described Gunnedah as the perfect venue to launch the event.

“Gunnedah has a fantastic reputation for supporting junior golf, with strong development programs and a real passion for growing the game,” Mr Hughes said.

Tournament organisers said the three-day competition was expected to attract 100-200 players for the event.

As it would have been mostly out-of-town visitors, it was expected to generate a “significant economic and social boost to the area”.

Gunnedah Golf Club general manager Paul Sills saw differently about the funding arrangements.

He said there was little detail from tournament organisers or council about how the funds would be spent, adding there was no certainly the money would be directly linked to the Gunnedah event at all.

“Without knowing the agreement, I wasn’t happy to sign off (on the tournament),” Mr Sills said.

He felt the tournament idea had been “hijacked” by the Jack Newton Golf organisers and did not wish to proceed in the partnership as the host venue.

Instead, the golf club has decided to run its own junior event in Gunnedah later this year.

The $15,000 funding commitment was expected to be returned to council’s budget when the matter was heard at last night’s Gunnedah Shire Council meeting.