X-Golf facilities create inaugural virtual golf tournament

X-Golf facilities in Adelaide, Geelong, Sydney and Brisbane will deliver the inaugural indoor national golf tournament, X-Golf Challenge, which will see some of Australia’s leading male and female professional golfers compete in an 18-hole strokeplay event played simultaneously on Wednesday 15th July. The event will be in support of the charity Challenge, which supports children and young people living with cancer.

Through a combination of camera systems, infrared lasers, impacts sensors and advanced gaming software, X-Golf state of the art indoor golf simulators offer players unparalleled accuracy and realism.

With the Coronavirus pandemic forcing the cancellation and postponement of tournaments globally, PGA of Australia’s Tournaments Director Australasia, Nick Dastey said he was excited to leverage the power of technology to provide a unique and innovative setting to stage competitive tournaments.

Dastey notes “the uptake of digital technology has exploded during the Coronavirus pandemic and the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia is excited to work with the team at X-Golf in staging an exciting live virtual golf tournament.

“The X-Golf Challenge is a new, fun and innovative tournament that will pioneer a new type of golf event while supporting a charity that is very close to the hearts of all involved at the PGA of Australia.”

The charity Challenge, which supports children and young people living with cancer has become synonymous with golf, thanks to the efforts of PGA TOUR golfer Jarrod Lyle, who passed away in 2018 following three separate battles with cancer. Lyle’s legacy, Jarrod’s Gift, helps provide practical assistance and support for families impacted by cancer.

The inaugural X-Golf Challenge will pit golf hero Peter Lonard against rising stars Blake Windred and Steph Kyriacou in this first-of-its-kind virtual golf tournament.

The event will feature up to six golfers plus celebrities in each location, including Western Bulldogs legend Brad Johnson, as well as NRL players Braith Anasta and Sam Burgess.

The participants will play a virtual representation of Melbourne’s Metropolitan Golf Club with the winner to pocket $3000.

X-Golf Managing Director Ben Styles said the event is a testament to the growing popularity of indoor golf in Australia adding “we’re thrilled to be welcoming many of Australia’s leading professionals to the X-Golf network for this ground-breaking tournament.

“Never before has a national title been played on a single course simultaneously in multiple different states. The very nature of X-Golf means identical course and weather conditions are assured for all players, irrespective of which location they tee off in. As our sport look towards its future, men and women will be playing side-by-side for a single national title.

“While COVID-19 has led to the size of this year’s field being restricted, we look forward to the day when a playing list of 100 or more professionals are teeing off for this national title at X-Golf venues across the country.”

Players will tee off at 6:30pm (AEST) with the action expected to conclude within two hours. The golfers will play three-ball, using two simulators at each location.

Challenge Chief Executive, David Rogers said he was excited to be part of the inaugural X-Golf Challenge to continue the charity’s long-standing association with golf.

Rogers adds “to be a part of this world first national indoor tournament is very exciting. Challenge has partnered with the golfing world for more than 30 years, with amazing support from the game and players including the late Jarrod Lyle, Robert Allenby and Rickie Fowler all assist Challenge to support children and families living with cancer.”

The event will be streamed on the PGA of Australia's Facebook page. 

For more information on X Golf go to https://www.xgolf.com.au/

EVENT DETAILS

WHEN: Wednesday 15 July

TIME: 6:30pm AEST

DURATION: Two hours

LOCATIONS:

Adelaide – X-Golf Marion (838-842 Marion Rd, Marion)

Geelong – X-Golf Geelong (138 Fyans St, South Geelong)

Sydney – X-Golf Shire (3/40-42 Meta St, Caringbah)

Brisbane – X-Golf Enoggera (2/72 Pickering St, Enoggera)

PARTICIPANTS

MARION, SA

Professionals: Adam Bland, Max McCardle, Peter Cooke, Campbell Rawson, Caitlyn Roberts and Kristalle Blum

Celebrities: Callum Ferguson and Tom Rehn

GEELONG, VIC

Professionals: Ben Eccles, Jay McKenzie and Tybin Lawson

Celebrities: Brad Johnson

CARINGBAH, NSW

Professionals:  Jordan Zunic, Peter Lonard, Dimi Papadatos, Blake Windred, Steph Kyriacou and Tahnia Ravnjak

Celebrities: Braith Anasta and Sam Burgess

ENOGGERA, QLD

Professionals: Karis Davidson, Anthony Quayle, Becky Kay, Brett Rankin and Henry Epstein

Celebrities: Sam Thaiday