Five players set to shine on the Gold Coast - PGA of Australia

Five players set to shine on the Gold Coast


A superstar field has assembled for the GC Celebrity Pro-Am with some of the country’s best to tee it up alongside well known Australian celebrities at Lakelands Golf Club from 4-5 April.

A superstar field has assembled for the GC Celebrity Pro-Am with some of the country’s best to tee it up alongside well known Australian celebrities at Lakelands Golf Club from 4-5 April.

In support of Ashton’s Place, more than 50 PGA Professionals will join celebrities on the course to play for ultimate bragging rights in the 36-hole pro-am format hosted by PGA Life Member Wayne Grady.

The GC Celebrity Pro-Am stands as the largest event on the Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series where professionals will compete for a prize purse of $150,000.

With many players returning from overseas to grace the Lakelands Golf Club fairways, competition is set to be tight on the Gold Coast. Here are five players we think you should be watching when the event tees off on Thursday.

Deyen Lawson

"Deyen

Following a pleasing start to Lawson’s maiden season on the European Tour, the Victorian who calls the Gold Coast home, returns to Australia with high hopes of a strong performance on home soil. Showing good form early in 2019 with a second place finish at the Coca-Cola QLD PGA Championship in February, the sunshine state may favour Lawson who is known for his composure and skill on-course.

Daniel Nisbet

"Daniel

A Queensland local and fresh off his Coca-Cola QLD PGA Championship win, when Nisbet gets firing he is one player that can be very hard to catch. Also returning from a stint overseas on the Asian Tour, having most recently played at the Hero Indian Open at DLF Golf and Country Club, Nisbet’s recent form on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia should be noted. With three wins to his name in just over 12 months, Nisbet is likely to be a stand-out on course and is a player GC locals should not miss.

Daniel Gale

"Daniel

At 22-years-old Daniel Gale is one of the younger players in the field but packs a punch on the golf course. A proven winner on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia, don’t let Gale’s age deceive you. This New South Welshman knows how to play.

Brett Rankin

"Brett

The reigning GC Pro-Am Champion, Brett Rankin is back for more in 2019. Rankin has maintained some good form over the past 12 months, topped by a strong performance at the recent SEC NZ PGA Championship in trying conditions. The Queenslander is always a crowd favourite and with another win in his sights he will undoubtedly put on a show at Lakelands Golf Club.

Marcus Fraser

"Marcus

Without the pressure of playing full-time golf in 2019, Olympian Marcus Fraser is out to simply enjoy himself on tour and so far it has shown. With some of his best golf on display on the European Tour over the past few months, Fraser has what it takes to tackle the challenging Jack Nicklaus designed course and with strategic golf coming into play, the Victorian is the man for the job.

While these five players may enter the GC Celebrity Pro-Am as favourites, there are many more players to keep an eye on in this highly talented field including European Tour winner Jason Norris, former PGA Tour of Australasia Player of the Year and Challenge Tour winner Dimi Papadatos, and winner on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia Matthew Millar.

Former PGA TOUR player Michael Sim, Australian golfing legend Peter Senior, ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia winner Simon Hawkes and golf commentator and former player Ewan Porter will take to the course alongside favourites Andrew Dodt and Matthew Griffin.

Back to playing some of his best golf Jack Wilson will also tee it up in the pro-am, while second and third placed players on the Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series Order of Merit Tim Hart and Ryan Lynch will also be out to play.

Australia’s up and coming talent will also be on display with Blake Proverbs, Ben Eccles and Jake Higginbottom playing with celebrities such as Hockeyroo Nikki Hudson, Rugby Union legend John Brass and Tour de France winner Robbie McEwen.

To view the full GC Celebrity Pro-Am field please click here.

About Ashton’s Place
Ashton’s Place is a Gold Coast based foundation which provides funds and support to local families to allow them to access the best resources and early intervention services for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders.


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