New funding proposal for new Gunnedah golf tournament

A new junior golf tournament has received in-principle funding support from Gunnedah Shire Council.

The new proposal would also come at a significantly reduced cost to ratepayers compared to the previous arrangement.

Council recently agreed to support the Gunnedah Golf Club’s Junior Golf Open, scheduled for August, with a contribution of $1000 plus GST.

The proposal is currently on public exhibition and if endorsed, funds would be drawn from the 2025/26 Tourism Community Programs and Events budget.

According to event organisers, the golf open is anticipated to attract about 80 young golfers and their family members to town, in addition to 30 players from the Gunnedah club.

The event aims to showcase the Gunnedah club and the community with the view to nominate for other events on the NSW golf calendar.

Council’s latest golf event partnership follows a premature end to a funding agreement with Jack Newton Junior Golf Tournament, which was also to be held in Gunnedah.

Gunnedah Shire Council committed in November to a conditional, three-year, $15,000 funding support package.

That event was tipped to attract 100-200 players for the event and provide a “significant economic and social boost to the area”.

Organisers advised council earlier this year that funding was no longer required as Gunnedah Golf Club had withdrawn its support as the host venue.

The golf club 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.

The $15,000 funding commitment was returned to council’s budget.