The Vintage Golf Course
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The Vintage is a golf resort in the Hunter Valley NSW, a two-hour drive from Sydney. It has an 18-hole Championship golf course designed by world-renowned golfer and course designer Greg Norman.
The resort boasts a $5 million clubhouse, as well as a fitness center and 44 Grand Mecure apartments. The resort is owned by American entrepreneur Don Panoz and Australian business manager John Stevens. Don owns other golf resorts in the US, including Chateau Elan in Georgia and the Diablo Grande.
The Vintage is home to the NSW Open Golf Championship, the final golf tournament of the Australasian Von Nida Tour. The Vintage has signed on for 5 years with the NSWGA to host the event which proved to be a huge success in 2007 with both fans and Professionals.
The Vintage head golf professional is Richard Mercer , of the renowned Mercer family, which includes father, David Mercer (formally of Killara Golf Club) and uncle, Alec (teaching professional to several PGA professionals, including Steve Elkington).
Expansion
Don Panoz brought with him to The Vintage, a vision of expansion and growth for the resort. The plans included a Day Spa to be completed by early 2009, a hotel and outdoor entertainment arena as well as another 9 hole golf course. The day spa was subject to delays awaiting approval by council and as a result was only completed in 2010. The Chateau Elan hotel and villas was also completed in late 2010.
NSW Open
2007
The NSW Open was held for the first time at The Vintage in 2007, with a new innovative form, whereby a pro-am event is played on the weekend as well as the final two days of the tournament. The prize money in 2007 was $115,000 (AU) and the tournament attracted some big names in Australian golf such as, U.S. PGA Tour players Jarrod Lyle and Nick Flanagan, as well as tennis player turned golf pro Scott Draper, and successful golfer James Nitties.
2008
In 2008 the tournament looks to grow in size and stature as the week it is on does not hold the HSBC Champions tournament as it did last year. Organisers plan for a rise in prize money as well as a star-studded lineup of Australian golfers, for the prestigious closing event of the Von Nida Tour. As of 17 October, prominent golfers of the past and present had signed on to play the tournament, including: Rodger Davis, Bob Shearer, James Nitties, and Scott Draper. With rumors surrounding the possible attendance of Greg Norman, and the official confirmation of the attendance of former Wallaby Matt Burke, and tennis legend John Newcombe in the pro-am event to be contested on the Saturday and Sunday of the Open. The event was won by Aaron Townsend.
2009
In 2009 the NSW Open once again returns to The Vintage. The event has been promoted to the PGA Tour of Australia, scheduled for the week preceding the Australian Open, from 26 November to 29 November. Prize money has once again risen to $135,000. Early reports suggest that many high profile golfers will participate this year due to the change in scheduling. Currently, James Nitties, Matthew Jones and Peter O'Malley have all committed to the event.
External links
Coordinates: 32°44′7.88″S 151°19′24.43″E / 32.7355222°S 151.3234528°E